MEET THE TEAM Rev Benjamin Abeledo Minister Christine Pate Flower Convenor Rev Brian Dingwall Interim Moderator elect Clifford Cooke Session Clerk Margaret Conroy Mission & Outreach David Howat Communications Elinor Smith Pastoral Care

HOW TO FIND US James Street Blairgowrie Perthshire PH10 6EZ ​ Sunday Service 11.00 am ​ Everyone Welcome!

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE There are other organisations who meet regularly in our church, both Church Groups and Community Groups. For more information about each group please click on to the relevant page in the section under 'Organisations' where there are details of when and where they meet and how to get in touch. ​ ​ ​

Blairgowrie Parish Church Our Church was completed and first used for regular services on 19th June 1902. The cost was just short of £8,000. The money was all raised locally so no loan was needed. As it came into being as a result of a conjunction of the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church, the new Church was named St Andrew’s United Free Church. ​ In 1929 there was a further coming together of Churches when the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland amalgamated under the banner of the Church of Scotland. Our Church was then called St Andrew’s Church of Scotland. ​ Over the years much continuing maintenance was required including a change of fuel from coal to gas and a major renovation of the organ in 1989. ​ In 2002 another Church in Blairgowrie, St Mary’s South, joined with St Andrew’s Church of Scotland and the name changed to our current one - Blairgowrie Parish Church. ​ Service of Union of St Mary's South with St Andrews Churches in 2002 to form Blairgowrie Parish Church Rev John Russell; Rev Linda Broadly; Alisdair Drummond; Rev David Hamilton; Margaret Davidson; Rev Fraser Penny; Rev Sandy Gunn. Ladies from the joint Guilds of St Mary's South and St Andrew's Churches. Session Clerks Margaret Davidson and Alisdair Drummond light candles during service of Union of the Churches as a symbolic act of unity.

PHOTOS

MUSIC & WORSHIP MUSIC AND WORSHIP Like most churches, Blairgowrie Parish Church sees music as a key ingredient in the worship of God. We take our lead from the Bible – from Psalm 150, with its comprehensive call on instrumentalists of all kinds, through to St. Paul’s call in Ephesians 5:19 to ‘sing and make music in your heart to the Lord’. Although we strive to be the best we can be at all levels, we see music as ministry not performance: a whole-hearted offering to God, with integrity and sincerity. In keeping with this, Benjamin (Minister) believes in the use of musical instruments. Whether organ, guitars, drums, violins, flutes etc, God's expects us to use them. Although currently we don't have a praise group, in prayer we wait for those whom God has gifted with the ability to play an instrument, and are willing to play for His glory. Maybe you are one of those who can play and willing to plat at our church? We have a choir which wonderfully contributes every Sunday, at our morning worship service. SUNDAY WORSHIP SUNDAY SERVICE Every Sunday 11.00 am SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE (MONTHLY) 6.30pm

THE CRAFT GROUP An enthusiastic group meet every Wednesday morning in the Church Hall from 10.00am to12.00noon. Bring your craft, knitting, sewing, crochet, colouring or just come to enjoy the company and a cuppa. Would you like to join us! Come along and you would be made very welcome. ALL ARE WELCOME!

CRECHE WHILST YOU WORSHIP WITH US A Creche facility is available whilst you worship or if you would rather be with your child during the service. Either way, your child will have a safe environment to play and being looked after.

Daily Devotionals Daily devotions or quiet times are time spent each day dedicated to relating with God. When Christians speak of daily devotions, they are usually referring to a time of reading their Bible, doing a Bible study, or reading a devotional book, accompanied by a time of prayer. Some may simply pray. Some also include musical worship. No matter the format of a daily devotional time, it is important. God desires relationship with us. He created us and has redeemed us for this very purpose. ​ The following links are designed to help you to follow some recommended devotional sites and Bible reading plans. We hope and pray that you will find it useful and a blessing as you endeavour to worship God and grow in your faith and your love for Him. Our Daily Bread ​ The Word for Today Word for You (For Young People) ​ WordLive (Scripture Union) ​ My Utmost For His Highest ​ Tabletalk Magazine ​ Reading Plans To start an interactive Bible reading plan, simply go to ESV.org and click on the calendar icon near the top right corner of the page. This will open the reading plan pane, which features 18 interactive reading plans—all accessible with a free account. ​ Alternatively, the following Bible reading plans are available as PDF downloads for easy printing: ​ M’Cheyne One-Year Chronological Daily Light on the Daily Path 6-Month New Testament A Psalm a Day A Proverb a Day 30 Days in the New Testament Bible Gateway - Reading Plans

SERMONS SERMONS ONLINE - NO LONGER AVAILABLE Due to falling numbers of listeners, and the rising numbers of people watching the video of Morning Worship, we have decided to cease making an 'audio-only' version. ​ If you would prefer to listen to recordings of the full church services, audio CDs are available via our CD Ministry. Please ask Dr Alisdair Shaw if you would like to receive audio CDs regularly, or are looking for a single recording of a particular church service.

CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED WHAT'S IS THE BEST NEWS YOU'VE EVER HEARD? Christianity Explored gives you time and space to think through who Jesus is and why it matters. Christianity Explored Have you ever desired to explore the Christian faith in an open, friendly, "questions-are-welcome" atmosphere? Do you have questions about God or who Jesus Christ is but don't have any place to ask them? ​ The CE course at Blairgowrie Parish Church of is an eight-week opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed environment with other individuals who are also exploring Christianity. Each week a different topic is presented in an informal and friendly atmosphere where you may ask questions or just sit and listen. Christianity Explored in a very informal way goes through the basics of what the Christian faith is all about. It's DVD-based and uses the gospel of Mark - one of the Bible's historical accounts of the life of Jesus - to ask three simple questions: ​ Who is Jesus? Why did he come? What does it mean to follow him? Click 'Christianity Explored' to find out more. If you'd be interested in coming along, or would like to know more, contact us and we'll let you know when the next course will be running at Blairgowrie Parish Church.

NEWSLETTER Winter 2023 READ