HOUSEGROUPS At Blairgowrie Parish Church, one of the ways in which we seek to grow in our faith and in our friendships with one another is through House-groups. WHAT IS A HOUSE-GROUP? House-groups are where we meet in groups of 6-10 people in someone’s home for an hour or two. Some groups meet weekly, others fortnightly. ​ House-groups are places where we can explore questions and doubts, study the bible together, pray together for different things, laugh and share life. HOW CAN A HOUSE-GROUP HELP ME? One of the house-groups described how it felt to be part of the group: “Sharing our lives week by week, talking of our faith, deepening friendship, worshipping and praying together – these provide an opportunity to explore what it means to be a Christian in everyday life.” WOULD I FEEL AT HOME AT A HOUSE-GROUP? We’re a diverse church, so our house-groups come in different shapes and styles. What they share is that they are places of fellowship and growth in faith, where we can care for one another and where we can discuss our faith and pray together. ​ Because each house-group is different, there is a place for you whatever stage of the Christian journey you are on, and however you prefer to worship and learn about God. ​ HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? Our house-groups meet at different times during the week. Some are in the evening and some during the day. Talk to Benjamin at a Sunday service, or fill out the form below with your details. We will be happy to discuss this further with you.

WHAT IS ALPHA? ​ The Alpha course is open to everyone interested in discovering what Christianity is about. It’s a place where people can come and relax, eat, share thoughts and explore the meaning of life. HOW ALPHA WORKS ​ The Alpha Course usually lasts for ten weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle. Each session begins with a meal or refreshments, then a short talk looking at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion when guests can ask questions and contribute their opinions. No-one is obliged to speak! The emphasis is on exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. WHO IS ALPHA FOR? ​ The Alpha Course is designed primarily for people who aren’t churchgoers and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Guests come on the Alpha Course for many different reasons; some want to investigate whether God exists and some have questions they’d like to discuss. Many guests have never been to church and others may have attended church but feel they have never had a personal understanding of the Christian faith. ​ WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? ​ Due to the current Coronavirus crisis, our current Alpha Course is been postponed until further notice. Then come along to the 10-week evening Alpha course (7.00 pm to 9.30 pm approx), ​ WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE? ​ Our Alpha Course takes place at Blairgowrie Parish Church. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ​ Alpha is absolutely free of charge! CAN I HAVE MORE INFORMATION? If you are interested, need more information or know of anyone who would like to come along, please e-mail: blairgowrieparishchurch@gmail.com You can also find out more on the Alpha website . Postponed until further notice

STEPS TO BECOMING A CHRISTIAN Living As A Christian Some people have strange ideas about what it means to live as a Christian. Some think it means you have to always be well presented, go to church twice every Sunday, not stay out past midnight, and never, never have fun. Others think it means giving up all trace of individuality, giving all your money to the church, and living in some sort of commune. Still, others think it’s about withdrawing from the world, losing touch with reality, and only ever mixing with other Christians. Unfortunately, some Christians also believe these myths and give the rest of us a bad reputation. Happily, we can tell you that none of the above is what real Christian living is about. Christianity is all about having a relationship with the God who created us. So to live as a Christian, you actually have to be one. That may sound obvious, but many people try to ‘live a Christian life’ without having any understanding of what Christianity is all about. If you haven’t already, why don't you come to our Church and speak with Benjamin, the Minister, and he will explain it to you. ​ ​ Becoming a Christian begins with a prayer. ​ The way we come to know God is through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. The way we come to know God is through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ—by responding in faith to his invitation to a new life. If you want to accept that invitation, all you have to do is ask Him. In fact, you can pray right now wherever you are using this simple prayer: ​ “Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life and make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen.” ​ What does it mean to be a Christian? The word Christian literally means “one who follows Christ.” (Christ is another name for Jesus.) To be a Christian means that a person, first, believes what the Bible teaches about Jesus—that he is God’s Son, that he lived a life in perfect relationship with God, that he was executed, buried and raised again to life, and that his death paid the penalty for our inability to keep God’s Law (sin). ​ But, it means more than that; it means that, as a result of believing what the Bible teaches, a person admits that he has broken God’s Law and accepts the fact that relying upon what Jesus did is the only way that God can forgive him, personally. When that takes place, the Bible teaches that that person is forgiven and introduced into an active relationship with Jesus, now and forever. ​ That active relationship with Jesus means that we have access to God’s guidance in our daily lives, that we have a new sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, even in difficult times. That active relationship with Jesus means that we, too, become a Christian—” one who follows Christ”—in the full and complete sense of the word. ​ All Are Sinners First, we must be willing to admit that we are sinners and need God’s forgiveness. Then, we must believe that God forgives our sins, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has already done for us. When God forgives sin, He cannot merely overlook its consequences. Full payment must be made for our sins. The Good News is Christ’s death made that payment in full for those who trust Him. ​ What Do I do after I commit my life to Jesus? Once you have made the commitment to follow Jesus, what’s next? TELL SOMEONE! Call your family, a friend or colleague. Contact anyone whom you think would celebrate your decision to follow Jesus. You can tell Benjamin (Minister) or contact us and we will rejoice with you and pray for you. ​ FIND A CHURCH This is especially important, especially if you don’t know someone who would celebrate your decision to follow Christ. Christians in a church will walk with you as you explore this new life. If you live within Blairgowrie or you would like to visit us, you will be very welcomed to come to Blairgowrie Parish Church and be part of our family. BEGIN READING THE BIBLE Try to set aside time for Bible reading each day. See our page under 'Devotionals,' for suggestions. Pray before you start and expect God to teach you from His Word. Your new life is not about feelings, but trusting in God and learning more about Him. Reading the Bible each day gives food to your spirit, in the same way, mealtime satisfies your natural daily hunger for food. ​ Get a modern version of the Bible such as the "English Standard Version" (ESV) or the “New International Version,” (NIV). Don’t try to read the Bible straight through from the beginning. You could easily become disillusioned and give up! Try reading from the New Testament, to begin with. You will find the New Testament in the last third of your Bible. Start with the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books will give you a broad picture of Jesus, His life and death from different viewpoints. If you don’t own a Bible you can start reading or purchase one online at www.biblegateway.com and type in “Matthew 1.” ​ JOIN A STUDY GROUP Find a Bible study group at your church. There you can ask questions and meet fellow learners. More to Follow on how to join a Homegroup within Blairgowrie Parish Church! ​ PRAY Prayer is talking to God. He loves you and wants you to know Him better. It may seem awkward at first, but any new relationship takes time to feel natural. Use that time to tell God about your day, about your questions and about the things that may be troubling you. Use it to ask Him for direction and just to tell Him how much you appreciate what He has already done for you. It’s helpful to have a set daily prayer time. Having a regular prayer time built into your daily routine will help you become established as a new Christian. ​ GET BAPTIZED Baptism is the public act of identifying yourself as a Christian. Jesus commanded all His followers to be baptized. Speak with Benjamin (Minister) for more information. ​ Still, have questions? We can help. Send us an email or contact Benjamin . In Christ Alone

SUNDAY SERVICE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU VISIT ​ We meet together on a Sunday morning at 11am. The service usually lasts until around 12.15pm. We also have Early Morning Worship and Messy Church on certain dates. ​ What to Expect ​ Expect a warm welcome from the welcome team on the door, approachable helpers to offer you any assistance, and a relatively informal service in the relaxed atmosphere of our sanctuary. ​ ​ Expect notices - churches always do notices! ​ Expect music and singing - because we love to sing praise to God for all his goodness to us. ​ Expect a young people's talk (or Young at Heart talk!) - an important part of the service, and an indication that our children are an integral part of the church; also, admittedly, often the funniest part of the service. ​ Expect prayers - one of the things we do in church is to pray, because we want to express our dependence on the God who is all-wise and all-powerful. ​ Expect to read the Bible - because we believe that this is how we hear the voice of God today, and that as Christians our lives should be governed by the Word of God. ​ Expect Bible teaching - because the Bible is a book that needs to be considered carefully and applied to our lives rigorously. Expect not to be singled out for anything embarrassing. ​ Expect not to be asked for money - unless you're a committed part of the life of Blairgowrie Parish Church in which case giving is part of your Christian discipleship. ​ Expect opportunities to get to know others, especially over tea or coffee after the service. We invite you to join us! ​

LIFE EVENTS Follow the link below to find out more Learn More >> Weddings Follow the link below to find out more Learn More >> Baptisms Follow the link below to find out more Learn More >> Membership Follow the link below to find out more Learn More >> Funerals

COMMUNION SERVICES COMMUNION SERVICES - THE LORD'S SUPPER What is Communion? Holy Communion, otherwise known as the Lord’s Supper, is a sacrament in which the Church remembers the death of Christ by eating bread and drinking wine, symbolising the body and blood of Christ. The bread and wine are also known as the “elements”. The sacrament is open to all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and have made public profession of faith. Where In the Bible? The Lord’s Supper was established by Christ. Just before the crucifixion Jesus met with His disciples in the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover. During the meal, He broke bread and shared it with them, explaining that this would remind them of His own body broken for them on the cross. He then offered them wine to drink, to remind them of His blood shed to wash away their sins. This shedding of blood also sealed a new covenant or commitment between God and all followers of Christ. The following Bible verses record how the Lord’s Supper began: (Matthew 26:26, Luke 22:17, 1 Corinthians 11:23). ​ The Jewish Passover was the forerunner of the Lord’s Supper. In it the Jews remembered how their lives had been saved because the blood of a lamb had been sprinkled on the door posts of their houses. Exodus 12. In the Lord’s Supper Christians remember how they have been saved because the blood of Christ has been sprinkled for them. There is therefore a strong link between the Passover and the Lord’s Supper:(1 Peter 1:18-21). Christians continue to celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly because Jesus Himself has commanded it. In the Lord’s Supper Christ’s death is remembered, His risen presence is experienced and faith and devotion to Him are renewed. ​ In his first letter to the church in Corinth Paul describes the Lord's Supper as follows: ​ “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11 23-26 (English Standard Version- ESV) ​ The Lord’s Supper - A Sacrament of The Church A sacrament is a visual aid which illustrates and confirms the spiritual truths and promises contained in the gospel. In the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper the bread represents Christ’s body broken on the cross, and the wine His blood shed for the forgiveness of sin. By participating in the Lord’s Supper we share by faith in the living Christ and all the benefits of His death. A sacrament is meaningless without faith. Those who come to the Lord’s Supper should have faith in Christ as the One who has died for their sins. ​ The Lord’s Supper - Its Different Names The title “The Lord’s Supper” takes us back to the Last Supper when Christ first instructed His disciples to observe this special meal. “The Communion Service” - this title emphasises our communion or fellowship with God at the Lord’s Table. Those who meet at the Lord’s Table are called “Communicants.” Some churches use the term “The Breaking of Bread” to describe the Lord’s Supper. Who Should Come to the Lord’s Supper? You do not have to be a Church Member at Blairgowrie ParishChurch to receive communion. Sharing in the Lord’s Supper is for those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives. They recognise that they are sinners in the sight of a holy and perfect God and believe that Christ has died for the forgiveness of their sins. In repentance and faith, they have come to Christ for salvation, have committed their lives to Christ and recognised Him as Lord. It is essential that those who come to the Lord’s table understand exactly what the Lord’s Supper means and what is required of those who share in it. ​ Children and the Lord’s Supper ​ Children are welcome to share in the sacrament of communion. To some people this might be surprising as traditionally Communion in the Church of Scotland has been an all adult affair. However, that was not always the case, the practice of children at communion is as old as the church itself. We feel that without children being invited to the Lord’s Supper our faith community would be incomplete. ​ Children who have been baptised and who understand the Sacrament and with the parents’ consent can receive communion. It is therefore preferable that parents accompany children who wish to receive Communion. If parents have any question please speak with Benjamin the Minister. For further information please read the 'Children and the Lord's Supper' booklet. ​ When is the Communion Service Held? At Blairgowrie Parish Church, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion three times a year as part of the morning worship - on the first Sunday of February, June and November . During the week of Easter we hold a service on Maundy Thursday (the day of the first Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Sacrament). ​ FIRST SUNDAY (February, June and November) SUNDAY SERVICES 11.00 am

THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE What is The Marriage Preparation Course ? The Marriage Preparation Course is a series of five sessions to help engaged couples or those exploring the possibility of marriage, build strong foundations for their future together. ​ Nicky and Sila Lee, authors of The Marriage Book , developed The Marriage Preparation Course to help couples invest in their relationship for a lasting marriage. Over five sessions, the course will help you to learn to communicate well, understand and appreciate your differences, and prepare for potential challenges. "Lots of it was about communicating and recognising how the other person will act when they’re upset…..I realised we have different ways of showing love." View full article > Who is it for? The Marriage Preparation Course is for couples who are exploring the idea of getting married and for those who are already engaged. It’s designed for those who want to give their marriage the best possible start, whether they’re exploring marriage for the first time or have been married before. The course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background. You do not need to be getting married in a church to come on the course. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The five sessions ​ Session 1. Communication - Learn your personality types and your communication styles Session 2. Commitment - Explore the importance and benefits of committed relationships Session 3. Resolving Conflict - Discover potential relationship challenges and how to tackle them ​ Session 4. Keeping Love Alive - How to maintain the momentum of your relationship Session 5. Shared Goals and Values - Find out what is important to you both and develop unity as a couple ​ MAKE IT AN INVESTMENT! Courses are mutually arranged with couples and Benjamin prior their wedding day. (Next Course - TBC) ​

WHAT WE TEACH Important Point to Note: As a congregation of the Church of Scotland, we are a gathered community of people who hold to a Christian standard of faith. We are made up of members and friends who in their Christian journey, and with sincerity of heart, some may hold differences of opinion and views on some theological and doctrinal points of interpretation. As a congregation, we respect those differences as we continue our walk of faith together. ​ Church of Scotland Statement ​ Our standards of belief are to be found in the Old and New Testament and in the Church's historic Westminster Confession of Faith . For a brief summary of our beliefs, it is useful to look at the Apostles' Creed , which is used by many churches in declaring Christian faith: ​ "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. ​ "The third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. ​ "I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of Sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and the Life Everlasting." ​ This creedal statement was approved by the General Assembly of 1992. You can find this statement in the Church's worship book, Common Order . It is used alongside the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed , ancient creeds of the church (see the link for these Creeds at the bottom of the page). ​ * * * * * * Our Basis of Faith ​ Below is a very brief summary of what we, as a Church of Scotland congregation, believe: God There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the Almighty Creator, Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to His sovereign will for His own glory. The Bible The Church of Scotland acknowledges the Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the supreme rule of faith and life. ​ The Church of Scotland holds as its subordinate standard the Westminster Confession of Faith, recognising liberty of opinion on such points of doctrine as do not enter into the substance of the Faith, and claiming the right, in dependence on the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit, to formulate, interpret, or modify its subordinate standards always in agreement with the Word of God and the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith contained in the said Confession, of which agreement the Church itself shall be sole judge. ​ [From the Services of Ordination and Induction to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament - See also, The Book of Common Order, p 337] [The current ministry under the preaching and teaching of the Rev BJA Abeledo holds the view of the Bible in the following terms] God has revealed Himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice. The Human Race ​ All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all humanity, for all have sinned. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him. The Lord Jesus Christ ​ The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, thus making a true and proper atonement for sin. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for His people in the presence of the Father. Salvation ​ Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life. The Holy Spirit ​ The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission. The Church The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the Head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for pastoral care and discipline and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ to be administered to believers who have repented of their sins and are trusting in the merits of Christ for their salvation. It is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church. The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament instituted by Christ to be administered to believers who, having ‘examined’ themselves, can rightly partake of the elements in all good conscience. The Future ​ The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory for those who have received Him as Saviour and Lord. Reformed? Presbyterian? Blairgowrie Parish Church is a congregation currently under a conservative ministry in the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition. We are part of the Church of Scotland. A fuller statement of our beliefs as a church can be found in the following documents: ​ The Westminster Confession of Faith The Scots Shorter Catechism The Apostle’s Creed The Nicene Creed

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We seek to glorify God and draw near to Him; to proclaim Christ; do His will and share His love. We do so through ‘Faith - Family and Friendship’ within our Church and in our community. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we seek to walk humbly with God, through ‘Worship, Prayer, Word and Service’ . Follow the links below to find more... Our Vision To be a church at the heart of the community, who together learn to love God, learn to love each other and learn to love our neighbours. Learn More What We Teach We hold a conservative view of the Christian faith under the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition. Learn More Where We Meet James Street, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6EZ See the Map What to Expect Come and and join us to celebrate and worship God Learn More Who is Who Meet the Team Learn More Working Teams We serve the church and our community by working together in teams with specific roles. Learn More Nestled on the banks of the River Ericht in the heart of Scotland, the Perthshire town of Blairgowrie & Rattray is ideally located for a day trip and for using as a base to explore Central and Eastern Scotland. Learn More Our Story so far... A Church with a story to tell Find out more Our Community