WORKING TEAMS The Congregation is a registered charity, number SC033757 and is administered in accordance with the Deed of Constitution (Model Constitution). Under the 'Model Constitution' we have a Congregational Board which manages the Financial and all other areas including property, publicity and communications. The Kirk Session comprises of all Elders who are members of the Congregation and who have been elected to the Eldership of The Church of Scotland. It has oversight of the whole life and service of the Church within its Parish; responsibility for the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the Congregation’s affairs. Its spiritual responsibility involves leadership, nurturing the spirituality of the Congregation and its members, caring for the spiritual welfare of the Parish and Parishioners, encouraging members to participate in the worship and life of the Congregation, and promoting mission and evangelism in the Parish. Both the Congregational Board and the Kirk Session meets usually monthly, presided over by the Minister as Chair and Moderator. In the coming months, we hope to set up 'Working Teams.' The members of these teams will be appointed, from the Elders and members of the Congregation:- ​ Worship Nurture & Discipleship Pastoral & Prayer Communications & Publicity Children, Youth & Families Finance & Stewardship Property Outreach Team Leaders The Parish is divided into districts, each of which is looked after by one Elder, who maintain regular contact with the members in the district, by way of visits and distribution of the Church Newsletter and other relevant information.

​ “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) God willing, from January 2020 we will begin a new extended series of sermons on the Gospel of John. The fourth Gospel holds peculiar significance to me for many reasons, but especially because it is written by the disciple closest to our Lord. When you read the Gospel of Matthew, you are reading the record of our Lord as seen through the eyes of a devoted disciple. Mark and Luke, of course, were dedicated Christians who knew and loved Jesus Christ, though they learned about him largely through the testimony of others. But John is one who leaned upon his breast. He was of that inner circle which included Peter and James, who went with our Lord through the most intimate circumstances of his ministry and heard more than any of the others. The history of John the disciple of Jesus was well known. He was the son of Zebedee, brother of James and called a "Son of Thunder." The book of John was written after the destruction of Jerusalem, in A.D. 70 and before John's exile to the island of Patmos. Of the eight miracles recorded in this book, six are unique, (among the Gospels), to John, as is the "Upper Room Discourse" (John 14-17). Over 90 percent of John is unique to his Gospel - John does not contain a genealogy or any record of Jesus birth, childhood, temptation, transfiguration, appointment of the disciples, nor any account of Jesus parables, ascension, or great commission. In every chapter, Jesus deity is revealed and Jesus identity is understood by the titles He is given. The titles of Jesus in the gospel of John includes Son of God, Messiah, the Word, the only Son, Lamb of God, true bread, life, resurrection, and vine. And the formula is "I am." ​ When Jesus uses this phrase, He affirms His pre-existence and eternal deity. Jesus says, I am the bread of life (John 6:35); I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14); I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); and I am the true vine (John 15:1). John makes it clear that Jesus is not just a man; He is the eternal son of God. Because Jesus is God's Son, we can perfectly trust what He says. By trusting Him, we can gain an open mind to understand God's message and fulfil His purpose in our lives. The main theme in the Bible book of John is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. The key verses of the book of John are John 20:30-31 where we are told, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." No book in the Bible has a more sustained focus on the glory of Jesus Christ than the Gospel of John. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14 ). In this series, we will open this book with a sense of anticipation. For the greatest possible blessing of the Holy Spirit on our church, the good of the world and above all for the glory of God in Christ Jesus.

Sunday School LEARNING ABOUT GOD AND THE BIBLE Children are very precious and we want to serve and care for them in the best way possible. We aim to model to them what it means to have a relationship with God and to teach them about what Jesus did and who he is. ​ We teach the children about events and stories from the Bible, through play and in an age appropriate, fun and creative way. ​ Our prayer is that the children would know the love of God through the way in which we play and care for them while they are in the Sunday Club, and that as they grow they will develop a deeper understanding of who Jesus is, one which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. ​ The Sunday School normally meets during the 11.00 am Sunday service when there is no Early Morning Family Service or Messy Church. They usually stay for the first 20 minutes of the service and afterwards they leave for their activities. ​ ​ ​

SAFEGUARDING As a congregation we are fully compliant and up to date with the required guidelines. We take very seriously all training and the observance of the law. Our Safeguarding team are: ​ Mrs Louisa Ferguson Mrs Lynne Murrie For the latest News on the Church of Scotland Safeguarding follow the link below. Latest News

WHY COME TO CHURCH? WHAT IS BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH LIKE? ​ At Blairgowrie Parish Church we do our best to help people to experience God in different ways. One of the ways we do this is offering a variety of distinct services throughout the week. From our Sunday worship service to prayer times, Bible study or fellowship groups. This means as many people as possible have a time and place where they ‘feel at home’. ​ There is no reason why you should only attend one type of service – you may find things in different services which help you at different times in your journey with God. There are times when a quiet reflective service is more appropriate than something informal and noisier. On other occasions, especially if you have small children wanting to run about, something informal is much better! ​ Look at our service times and various activities to see which services might be for you. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE GO TO BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH? ​ People of all ages and backgrounds come to our services and are involved in their life. Some of us are quite a lot like you; others are not! You may already know some of us without realising it. We don’t all agree about everything, but we accept each other lovingly as fellow travellers. ​ WHY DO PEOPLE GO TO BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH? ​ We have all sorts of reasons for going to church – music, friendship, enlightenment, comfort – but basically life and the Christian faith are too difficult to do alone. Since New Testament times, Christians have gathered together to share worship, prayer, fellowship and communion just as Jesus did with his friends and followers. ​ At Blairgowrie Parish Church we all do our best to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus. At the same time we share with each other a great desire and need to: ​ WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER Worship God together, in times of doubt and confidence ​ EXPLORE OUR FAITH Explore our faith seriously together, through study and prayer ​ SUPPORT AND HELP Support and help each other in our faith and lives ​ LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN OUR LIVES Live out our faith in our lives by serving each other, our community and the world WILL I BE WELCOME AT BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH? ​ At Blairgowrie Parish Church we welcome everyone. We know that we all have doubts, are vulnerable or imperfect, or are just searching. God loves each of us and wants us to know Him and become more like Jesus. But we know we need help and love from God and each other to do this, so we strive to be a welcoming Christian community. ​ We would love to be with you on your journey to God but we also need you to help us with ours. Please come just as you are, bring your questions, your hopes, your doubts and your wonderful gifts – share them with us. ​ HOW CAN CHURCH HELP ME? ​ The church is about so much more than a service on Sunday morning. Together we explore how Christian faith affects our whole life, and find the strength for the whole of life through our relationship with God and with one another. Here is a place to stop and reflect, to pray, to share and to find inspiration. ​ The church does not magic away the problems and pain of our lives (or make us perfect!) It does provide support and comfort through friendship, prayer, shared worship and private reflection as well as practical help and guidance. It assures you that you are not on your own in life, whether that be at moments of celebration, or times of confusion and darkness – God is always with you. ​ Come and share the journey with us.

EXPLORE FAITH WHO IS JESUS? Find out more >> BEING A CHRISTIAN? Find out more >> SERMONS Listen >> ALPHA Find out more >> Learn More >> PRAYER Find more >> Videos Read the Bible

FUNERALS With Sympathy A bereavement is a time of shock and grief, bewilderment and heartbreak. We can be overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions as we try to take in the loss of someone precious to us. At Blairgowrie Parish Church, we want to help you in any way we can. Our minister will be happy to come and visit you, offering care and support. If you would like us to conduct a funeral service, our minister will visit you to discuss and plan the service. ​ You do not need to be a member of the church in order for our minister to lead a funeral service on your behalf. We regard it as a privilege to be in a position to help you at a time when your feelings are at their most raw and tender. ​ If you would like the help of Blairgowrie Parish Church with a funeral service, please ask your funeral director to contact our minister as you begin to make the necessary arrangements. We will then be in touch with you soon thereafter. ​ If you are experiencing great difficulty in coming to terms with a bereavement, please contact us and we will be glad to meet you or speak to you. If we are not able to help you, we will be happy to suggest other agencies that might be able to help you more effectively. ​ ​ 'A Brief Guide for Funerals'

WHO IS JESUS? DID JESUS EXIST? ​ Yes. Jesus and groups of his followers (early Christians, in fact) are mentioned, often disparagingly, by first century writers such as Tacitus, Pliny, Suetonius and Josephus. ​ The fact that Christianity exists at all demonstrates that someone called Jesus inspired and changed the lives of people in the early part of the first Century AD. WHAT DID HE DO? ​ Our best information about Jesus’ life and work comes from the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. Jesus showed people what God is like. He healed them and called them to follow Him. He told wonderful stories explaining how God wants all people to have a relationship with Him; to follow His ways and to help make the world as it was meant to be. He told them the most important thing was to love God with their whole being, and their neighbours as much as they loved themselves. ​ Jesus opened the door wide to all those who longed to come in. According to him, people didn’t have to be perfect to meet God; they just had to come with faith and trust. He put it this way: “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” ​ Jesus’ message and actions were challenging and controversial to the Jewish and Roman authorities. To them he was a trouble-maker. So they arrested and tortured him, then executed Him by crucifixion. He was in his early thirties when he died. His friends went into hiding. It seemed all their hopes that this was the special man whom God had sent to free people and change the world had come to nothing. They thought they had backed the wrong person and were scared they too would be persecuted. ​ WHAT DO CHRISTIANS SAY ABOUT JESUS? ​ Three days after his death and burial, some of Jesus’ women friends went to his grave. They found the door open and his body missing. One of them, Mary Magdalene, recognised the man near the grave as Jesus Himself – and he was alive! Soon, other friends met him in different places. They knew he wasn’t a ghost because they could touch him, talk with him and share food with him. They weren’t stupid or deluded. Like everyone, they knew that dead people don’t walk around, talk and share meals. They realised that what Jesus had said about his death and resurrection was true. Jesus was alive again. ​ Christians believe Jesus is alive today, and that he is God. We believe He shows us completely what God is like. We know that God does love the world, and wants it to be better, because of what we read about Jesus. ​ Through His words and actions Jesus brought God’s healing and forgiveness into the world. Because he was a real person, he experienced the same things we all do: love, pain, joy, sorrow, worry and hope. He understands what it is like to be human, how difficult and wonderful it can be. ​ We believe that, because of him, we can each be part of God’s family as we were always supposed to be. Not by trying to be someone else but by becoming the person God made us to be and to do the things he wants us to do. Jesus put it this way: “I have come so that everyone will have life, and have it in its fullest.” ​ WHAT DOES JESUS MEAN TODAY? ​ We believe that Jesus gives meaning and purpose to our lives: ​ WE CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR THE THINGS WE GET WRONG WE CAN FIND PEACE, HEALING AND RENEWAL IN KNOWING GOD. WE CAN FIND COMFORT IN WALKING WITH HIM EVERY DAY. WE CAN FIND PURPOSE IN FOLLOWING JESUS, AND CONTINUING HIS WORK. Christians aren’t always very good at this. We are far from perfect, and there are many nicer and better behaved people everywhere. That’s why we need Jesus. ​ We believe that, through Jesus, we can all enter into a relationship with God – a real, loving relationship. And God wants us to grow up. We are challenged to know God more deeply and live more and more according to what Jesus did and taught. ​ Fortunately we aren’t asked to be perfect to journey with God. He didn’t come to help those who have everything sorted but for those of us who are broken, vulnerable and flawed. He knows we won’t get things right, He knows we will fall down repeatedly. The trick is to keep getting back up to try again with his help. ​ The first step on the journey with God is recognising we can’t be the people we want to be alone. Each of us needs God’s help and love, and the help and love of others in the church. Here are the some stories of our individual journeys at Blairgowrie Parish Church. It’s a great journey, challenging sometimes and it changes us, but it’s worth more than anything. We’d love you to come and join us on it. ​ HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JESUS AND CHRISTIANITY? ​ The Christianity website is a good place to start. Also visit the 'Christianity Explored' website. ​ You can bring your questions and thoughts to us, just contact us. No question is silly or off-limits. Alternatively, come along to an Alpha Course, which we run regularly.

Weddings CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations and a warm welcome to you if you are thinking about being married at Blairgowrie Parish Church. We will do our best to make your wedding day memorable for you, your family and your friends. This will be a very exciting time for both of you with many things to think about and plan. ​ The Ministry of Blairgowrie Parish Church believes in the Biblical definition of marriage. Scripture teaches in Genesis 1:27 that God created the first two human beings as male and female, designing them to complete one another and intending their sacred union as the means of procreation for the human race. We believe that marriage is the exclusive union of a man and a woman in covenant with one another and with God for life (Genesis 2:24 ). We reserve the right to abide by these Biblical convictions as a matter of obedience to Almighty God and in the exercise of our religious freedom. Getting married is one of the most important events in anyone’s life and if we can help with your wedding service we would be delighted to do that. These notes are intended to guide you as you plan your forthcoming wedding. If you need any other information, please do not hesitate to contact Benjamin Abeledo (Minister) 01250 87 0986, or by email: babeledo@churchofscotland.org.uk BOOKING A DATE FOR YOUR WEDDING It is always important that you make early contact with the Minister to arrange a date for your wedding. This should be done at an early stage of your planning for your wedding to ensure that the church and Minister are available for the date you would like. Wedding Application Form MEETING WITH THE MINISTER Benjamin will arrange to meet with you to discuss the date and preliminary arrangements for your wedding. It is usual, about four months before the date of your wedding, for a further meeting to go over all the details for the service, you should contact Benjamin about this time to make arrangements for this meeting. GETTING MARRIED IN CHURCH Blairgowrie Parish Church is a parish church and we understand that offering to conduct marriage services is part of our service to our parish. It would be usual for one or both of the Bride or Groom to live within the parish or to have a family connection to the congregation or parish. There is no requirement for couples getting married at Blairgowrie Parish Church to join the church. You are warmly welcomed and encouraged to join us for worship on Sunday morning at 11.00 am or on Sunday evening (Monthly) at 6.30 pm. Every couple seeking to be married at Blairgowrie Parish Church will be asked to take a short Marriage Preparation Course . See this not as a distraction but rather as an investment which will enhance your preparations as well as a more meaningful marriage. CIVIL REQUIREMENTS To get married at Blairgowrie Parish Church you must be legally entitled to get married. You must therefore register to be married with the Registrar. This should be done about three months before the date of your wedding. The Registrar will tell you when to collect the Schedule from them. The Schedule is the document signed by the Bride and Groom, the Minister and the two witnesses on the day of the service. This document must be returned to the Registrars within three days of the service so that your marriage may be recorded and a Marriage Certificate issued. The law requires the Schedule to be in the building where the ceremony takes place at the time of the ceremony and so it is vitally important that you make sure you have this Schedule and that it is in the church at the time of the service. REHEARSAL It is usual for there to be a rehearsal most often on the evening before the service. At the rehearsal the Bride and Groom, Best man and Bridesmaids, and all other members of the bridal party should attend. The rehearsal will last about 20 minutes and involves walking round where you will stand and how you will enter and leave the church during the service. MUSIC It is usual to have two hymns at a wedding service, but sometimes a couple will choose to have one hymn. The choice of hymns will be discussed with the Minister. Music for entry and retiral from the church will be discussed with the Minister and can also be discussed with the Church Organist. Our Church Organist is Mr Lex Dunlop and he can be contacted at church on Sunday mornings or by email at lexel@btinternet.com The Kirk Session cannot permit anyone other than the Church Organist to play without the prior consent of the Minister and the Church Organist being obtained. ORDERS OF SERVICE These can be printed through any stationers or printers but should normally contain the words of the hymns and the words of the Blessing if this is to be sung by the congregation. The hymns are the choice of the bride and groom but the Minister is normally consulted before printing is arranged. FLOWERS Flowers are the responsibility of the wedding party. They should be undertaken tastefully and in accordance with the knowledge that the Church is a place of worship. If the wedding takes place on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, it is normal practice to leave the flowers in Church for Sunday Service, and thereafter for them to be given by the Church to the housebound, bereaved or ill. As soon as the arrangements regarding the Church wedding flowers are made, please telephone the Flower Convener, Mrs Yvonne Taylor 01250 872060, so that she can co-operate with you or the florist, whichever is applicable, over access to the Church premises whenever required. ​ The family may take the flowers after Sunday worship, or even after the wedding ceremony, if you wish. However, if this is to be done, the Minister and/or Mrs Taylor should be told in advance. PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEOS Photographs may be taken at any suitable place outside the Church before and after the Service – for a reasonable length of time. No photographs are to be taken during the wedding ceremony, either by an official photographer or by any guest attending the wedding. The official photographer will be invited to photograph the signing of the Register. The use of video cameras is only allowed, in a stationary position and by only one camera. Again, no additional lighting can be permitted. THE CEREMONY The wedding ceremony is an Act of Public Worship. The Minister is responsible for its conduct. The Order followed is that of the Church of Scotland Book of Common Order. During the Service, the bride and groom are asked to take vows. An example of the vows are as follows:- ​ I, Groom now take you, Bride to be my wife. In the presence of God and before these witnesses I promise to be a loving, faithful, and loyal husband to you, until God shall separate us by death. ​ I, Bride now take you, Groom to be my husband. In the presence of God and before these witnesses I promise to be a loving, faithful, and loyal wife to you until God shall separate us by death. They may, however, effect to affirm to a question being asked of them, as follows:- ​ Do you, Groom now take Bride to be your wife. In the presence of God and before these witnesses do you promise to be a loving, faithful, and loyal husband to Bride , until God shall separate you by death. Answer: I do. Do you, Bride now take Groom to be your husband. In the presence of God and before these witnesses do you promise to be a loving, faithful, and loyal wife to Groom until God shall separate you by death. Answer: I do. The Minister will discuss this with them. One or two rings may be given and received. ON THE DAY On the Wedding Day, the Church will be open about one hour before the Service. The Ushers should make themselves known to the Elder on duty and follow his instructions about the seating of guests. The Ushers in the Vestibule of the Church usually hand the Order of Service to guests. Confetti must not be thrown anywhere within the grounds of the Church and in the neighbouring streets. Drivers of cars must exercise extreme care since spaces are very limited on St James' Street. All drivers of cars must not leave their vehicle in a position which would cause any inconvenience to residents in the vicinity of the Church. In particular, cars must not obstruct access to or egress from a dwelling house. THE FEES The fees for a wedding at BlairgowrieParish Church are: £300 for the church and £70 for the organist and £50 for the Beadle. Cheques for these fees should be brought to the Rehearsal day and given to Benjamin the Minister. ​ The above information can be found in our ' Wedding Brochure .' 'Wedding Application Form' - to be returned to the Minister once completed.

MEMBERSHIP Thinking about joining the Church? ​ People come in to Church membership for many different reasons. Some are considering having a child baptised. Some wish to make a formal commitment to the Church because they are planning to marry (Church membership is not essential for marriage – though it is encouraged!) All people who join the Church want to make a personal commitment in faith to Jesus Christ, and to the broader Church family and the many good things the Christian Church represents. We recommend to any believer in Jesus Christ who has become a regular part of our church community to consider becoming a member. But what does that mean? How do I know if I’m a true believer? What do I have to do to become a member? Will I have responsibilities as a member? I’m only a new Christian! What if I’m already a member of a different church or denomination? ​ There are many more questions you might have about membership at Blairgowrie Parish Church. This course aims to answer all those questions and probably others that you haven’t thought of yet. It is a course specifically for those who are enquiring or preparing for membership. It’s also a very good course for new Christians. ​ Psalm 92 reminds us that one of the keys to flourishing in life is to be planted in the house of the Lord. When we are planted, we grow in knowledge, become encouraged, and serve others in ways that change lives forever! ​ How Do I Become a Member? There are three ways of becoming a member of Blairgowrie Parish Church: ​ By Profession of Faith Where church membership is being sought for the first time, first and foremost, if you are not already doing so simply start to attend regularly. Let the minister know of your interest, he will invite you to a series of classes which involves no obligation on either side. Afterwards if you decide to join you would take vows of membership along with others at a church service. By Certificate of Transference Any member of a Church of Scotland congregation wishing to become a member of Blairgowrie Parish Church should ask their previous Minister or Session Clerk to send them a transference certificate (lines). This certificate should then be given to the Church Secretary (or the Minister) with a view to your name being added to the membership of our church. It is of course important that you take an active interest; otherwise such membership would be meaningless. ​ By Resolution of the Kirk Session Where someone seeking membership has been a Church of Scotland member but cannot supply a certificate or if they are a baptised member of another denomination, then the Kirk Session can resolve to admit them into membership. ​ If you are interested in joining Blairgowrie Parish Church, please contact us. ​ If you wish to join our Church you will be expected to attend 'Membership Classes.'

A prayer about the Coronavirus outbreak Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. ​ For those in isolation God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ​ For those who are worried/social cohesion Loving Jesus, you are compassionate to those in need and heal the sick in body and mind. Look kindly on those who are fearful at this time. Help us all to put away all thoughts and actions that separate us from you and from one another. Give us grace to live our lives confident in your promise that you are with us always. Amen. ​ Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to care for the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen. ​ For those who are ill Merciful God, we entrust to your unfailing and tender care, those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold us safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ​ For hospital staff and medical researchers Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ​ From one who is ill or isolated O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ​ Prayers for when you can't get to church Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care. Amen. ​ Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. ​ After a time of prayer: Be with us, Lord, in all our prayers, and direct our way toward the attainment of salvation, that among the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may always be defended by your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ​ Endings for Intercession O gracious and holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. ​ St Benedict Soul of Christ, sanctify me, body of Christ, save me, blood of Christ, inebriate me, water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me: hide me within your wounds and never let me be separated from you. From the wicked enemy defend me, in the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you, so that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. ​ Short passages of Scripture for reading and contemplation Psalm 27 - The Lord is my light and my salvation Psalm 46 - Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 91 - He shall cover you with his wings Psalm 139 - O Lord, you have searched me out and known me Isaiah 43 - (esp vv.1-7) Do not fear, for I am with you John 14 - Do not let your hearts be troubled A prayer for when a friend is ill Dear God, (name of friend) is ill. They are not allowed to go to school or come over to play. I’m sad because I miss them. They must be feeling miserable and lonely as well. Please be close to them. Please be with the people who are looking after them. Please help them to get better and to know that you love them. Amen. ​ A prayer for the world God of love and hope, You made the world and care for all creation. But the world feels strange right now. The news is full of stories about Coronavirus. Many people are anxious because of it. Many people are anxious that they might get ill. Many people are anxious about their family and friends. Be with them in their worries and help them to find some peace. We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists who are working to discover the right medicines to give hope to those who are ill. Thank you that even in these strange and worrying times, you are with us. Help us to look for the signs of your goodness and love towards us. Amen. ​ A prayer at bedtime Before the ending of the day, Creator of the World, we pray That you, with steadfast love, would keep Your watch around us while we sleep. Tonight we pray especially for (names family or friends who are affected by Coronavirus) and the people of (country or place which is affected by Coronavirus). Give skill and wisdom to all who are caring for them. Amen. ​ A prayer remembering God is with us Lord God, you are always with me. You are with me in the day and in the night. You are with me when I’m happy and when I’m sad. You are with me when I’m healthy and when I am ill. You are with me when I am peaceful and when I am anxious. Today I am feeling (name how you are feeling) because (reasons you are feeling this way). Help me to remember that you love me and are with me in everything today. Amen. Sunday Sermons from Benjamin (Minister) This Week At Home Family Worship Kirk Services Online (Church of Scotland) - Various Church of Scotland - Advice for Churches: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Church of Scotland - Worship Page A Prayer for Healing Our God, Your Word says that You answer people when they call on Your name, and that You deliver them. Right now, we ask that You would heal those who are sick or who are carrying the COVID-19 virus without knowing it. Heal them and protect those around them. Provide a cure for the Coronavirus and heal our economy. Bring a quick and miraculous end to the darkness in our world. Whether Your healing comes today, next week, or next month, we believe that You will heal our world. And we will continue to praise You, even as we wait for answers. Please deliver us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.