Dear friends,
It’s always good to have an excuse for a celebration.
God’s people in the Old Testament made quite a festivity when they brought the Ark of the Covenant, which had journeyed through the desert with them, into the Temple at Jerusalem.
Singing, dancing, feasting and blowing of many trumpets!
These were clearly pre Covid-19 days!
While for us, the opening of our new suite of halls on Sunday will have to be a rather more temperate event, it will be none the less be a glorious opportunity for us to offer praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for all his goodness to us in so many ways.
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good: his love endures for ever”
– 1 Chronicles 16:34
We look forward to morning and evening worship with special guests including architects and builders and The Moderator of the General Assembly The Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce who will be our preacher. These services will both be Livestreamed and there are also still a number of available seats for evening worship.
Good news is that from Sunday on we will be able to stand to sing, albeit still socially distant and wearing masks.
And even though many of us have had vaccines and there is a sense of things opening up, please still respect where the stewards guide us to sit and remain socially distanced from non family members. We still have a duty of care to those who are nervous about returning to church and keeping the whole congregation safe.
Some have kindly requested opportunity to contribute to the redevelopment fund this Sunday.
To date an amazing 77% of the total sum of £2m has been generously given. This is truly wonderful and we say a huge Thank-you! Just £450,000 still to go and then we will be debt free. Gift Aid envelopes will be available for any UK taxpayers.
So as we come together on Sunday 9th May 2021 for our day of celebration:-
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth: proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise”
– 1st Chronicles 16:23-25
Most Sincerely, Frank