Return to Worship Services

Dear All

 

It has been a long time since we were able to meet together in the church building, but now I am delighted to be able to announce that we will be returning for Sunday Worship at Dalreoch on the 20th September.  This is of course dependent on restrictions remaining at the level they are at the moment.  There will be many changes to how we use the building and the style of service, but I hope we will simply be able to rejoice in being able to meet in the same place again to worship our Lord.  For those who are unable to attend morning worship we hope to be able to record at least some of the service to place on our website from Sunday afternoon.

 

Although there has been a great reduction in the numbers of people infected with Covid 19, and especially the number of deaths and people in hospital, we must continue to pray for those who have suffered. Through the illness itself, the loss of loved ones and those who are facing long term financial difficulties or health concerns.  We also continue to pray for those who have found the long months of lockdown difficult, or have suffered because of the situation, even if not directly through the disease itself.  We can all continue to pray, even if we are not all able to meet together in worship just yet; and prayer is especially important as the level of infection has begun to rise in this area during recent weeks. We must hope and pray that a vaccine might soon be found, our prayers are not from us alone but join with the prayers of all Christ’s Church across the world.

 

The reading of our Bibles can provide a great deal of comfort and support at this time.  I find it very encouraging to think that in many of the New Testament Letters we are reading the advice of people who knew all about suffering and hardship.  Often they were separated from the congregations they cared for, and the people they loved, yet they continued to communicate encouragement and support them in prayer.  In recent months, not only have we had the opportunity to understand better, what the New Testament writers were going through, but we have the chance to read once again their words of advice and to apply them to our own lives.  As normal life has been put on hold for a while we have time to explore our own faith and to remind ourselves that whatever our situation the Lord is with us for all eternity.

 

In 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 Paul writes:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

 

May we all know the comfort of Christ’s presence with us as we learn to adjust to life beyond the pandemic, and may we continually trust in the Lord to guide us in dealing with new situations in the months to come.

 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

 

Sara Rettie

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Willie Killough

With sadness we have to announce the death of Willie Killough, who would have been well known to members of Dalreoch in the past as one of those who set up and cleaned the Church each week. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

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Dumbarton Churches Together is organising volunteers to help our community during the Covid-19 outbreak. For more information on volunteering, or to get help for yourself or your friends and neighbours please visit their website here.

If you know of anyone without internet access who needs help, the phone number is 01389 600245 please pass this to anyone in Dumbarton you think might be in need.

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A suggested prayer

May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.

Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being, Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.

And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Dear All
It seems to be only a short while since as a congregation we were preparing to celebrate Christmas and now we are already rapidly approaching the celebration of Easter.

During January we took a break from some activities such as the weekly Bible Study in case of inclement weather. Unfortunately this winter saved its worst until February so several events had to be cancelled. However we had an exceptionally good turn out for the Beetle Drive Social which was a very enjoyable evening. We have also been able to start a monthly prayer Group, on the first Wednesday evening of the month, specifically to pray for guidance in the future outreach and mission work of the congregation.

In Matthew chapter 28, Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. This is an everlasting command, but we do not have to do it in our own strength, he has promised to be with us and guide us in this all important mission. This is why it is important that we seek the Lord’s guidance as a congregation, for the future work of the congregation. I would like to encourage all of you to devote some time to praying about this subject whether you are able to join with us in an organised prayer meeting or not. The Lord hears our prayers whoever we are and wherever we come to him seeking guidance and encouragement.

We have also begun a monthly ‘Coffee and Craft’ meeting which will be held between 2pm and 4pm on the third Tuesday in the month. At the moment we are working on making ‘Twiddle Muffs’ which have been found to be a help and comfort to some people suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s. The pattern is easy to follow and all are welcome to join in or simply come along for a chat. If you are no longer able to knit or sew yourself come and help those who are learning, your knowledge will be invaluable. If you have any spare wool, needles, ribbons or buttons, all contributions will be gratefully received. If you have other ideas for creative projects then come and share them or bring your own work with you. The afternoon will hopefully provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy fellowship whilst spending a little time helping others.

During this season of Lent, as we prepare to remember the sacrificial love of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we all take time to reflect upon our own lives of faith, and commit ourselves afresh to sharing the Good News of the Gospel Message. It is a message that can bring hope to a world which is in need of hearing about the great love of God which is freely available to all who trust in the Lord.

May God Bless you all
Sara Rettie

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