Towards our New Parish
Joint worship Newhaven, North Leith and South Leith
Towards our New Parish
Joint worship Newhaven, North Leith and South Leith
Third Sunday in Lent
Minister: Rev. John Tait
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Hymn 59: Oh, come, and let us to the Lord
Prayer of Adoration, confession, supplication and the Lord’s Prayer
First Thoughts – Update on WaterAid Jimmy Hudson
Hymn 525: Have you heard the raindrops?
Scripture Readings: Reader: Tim Bell
Old Testament: Exodus 17: 1-7
New Testament: John 4: 5-15, 20-21, 23-24
Hymn 550: As the deer pants for the water
Sermon
Hymn 719: The one who longs to make us whole
(Tune: Forest Green No. 304)
Spoken Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, three in one,
praise, honour, might and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Prayer dedicating offering
Prayer of thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 622: We sing a love that sets all people free
Benediction and Threefold Amen.
Closing Voluntary: March of the Israelites. Michael Costa (1810-1884)
Picture: Moses Striking the Rock, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=49970 [retrieved March 7, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moses_striking_the_rock_in_the_desert.jpg.
Sunday Services: We look forward to members of the congregations from Newhaven and South Leith joining us here next Sunday, 19 March, for our next joint service.
The Stated Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday 26 March after morning worship.
Church Family: We are sad to report the death on 8 March of William Greig of Downie Grove, Corstorphine. Our thoughts and prayers are with Scott and Nicola Mackenzie and family.
Church Magazine: Contributions for the next church magazine should be at the church office by this coming Tuesday morning, 14 March, at latest.
Friday March 17th 7.30pm– Quiz Night at Newhaven: To help our 3 congregations to get to know each other we are having a Quiz Night on Friday 17th March, 7.30pm at Newhaven Church.
Don’t worry about getting a team together as everyone will be put into teams.
We will be having ‘Pot Luck Puddings’ so donations of Desserts would be appreciated on the night, along with a couple of volunteers to organise and serve Tea and Coffee.
Please email towardsournewparish@gmail.com if you can help.
Churches’ Weekend away 1st to 3rd September: Newhaven members are returning to Barcaple near Castle Douglas, again this year in the first weekend in September. This is an ideal opportunity for us to get to know each other better. Four from South Leith enjoyed their time there last year. There are energetic activities for those who want that. There are large grounds to explore and it is hoped that a trip to nearby Kirkcudbright will be possible. The weekend is relaxed and there are informal times of worship but generally the time is yours. However we encourage all to get involved in the team building exercises on Sunday. I should be most grateful if I could get a note of those interested in coming as soon as possible. We need 30 people to guarantee exclusive occupation of the centre. This is open to anyone from any of our three churches. The cost for over 14s is £110 with instructed activities extra (£46 for full day and £28 per half day). For 7-13 year olds the cost is £78 and for 2-6 year olds it is £34. We will need to hire a minibus and if anyone can help with that it would be appreciated. Full details will be available at the joint service. Please contact johnhodge222@btinternet.com or call me on 07850 772223.
Second Sunday in Lent
Minister: Rev. John Tait
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Hymn 112 God, whose almighty word
Prayer of Adoration, confession & supplication
Scripture Readings: Readers: Eileen & Kedison Njotu
Old Testament: Genesis 12: 1-4a
Hymn 81 – I to the hills will lift mine eyes
Scripture Reading:
New Testament: John 3: 1-17
Hymn 118 – Womb of life and source of being
(Tune: Lewis Folk Melody, No. 510)
Sermon
Hymn 593 – She sits like a bird
Spoken Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, three in one,
praise, honour, might and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Prayer dedicating offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 519 – Love divine, all loves excelling
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary: March from Egmont Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sunday Services: This month’s joint service will take place as usual on the third Sunday, the 19th and will be held here in North Leith church. We are therefore here on each Sunday in March.
The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday 26 March after morning worship.
Church Family: The funeral service for Mrs Sophia Robertson formerly of Prince Regent Street, takes place tomorrow, Monday 6 March at 10.30 at Warriston Cloister Chapel.
Session Meeting: The next Kirk Session Meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 March at 7.30pm in the Session House.
Leith Churches Together Lunch-time Service: The next LCT lunch-time Service will be held at Pilrig St. Paul’s (on the corner of Pilrig St. and Leith Walk) at 1pm on Thursday, 9th March. As usual please bring your own lunch and tea and coffee will be available. All welcome.
Church Magazine: The next magazine should be produced before Holy Week and Easter. Please send contributions to the church office by Tuesday 14 March at latest.
New Parish Social Event: There will be a joint congregations’ social evening in Newhaven church on Friday 17 March at 7.30pm. It will be based round having a fun quiz.
This will be a great opportunity to get to know better new friends from Newhaven and South Leith churches. Please note the date in your diary and come along and enjoy the evening.
Turkey & Syria Earthquake: The total donated to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal was £207 before addition of income tax recovery. Thanks to those who donated.
First Sunday in Lent
Minister: Rev. John Tait
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Hymn 172 Sing for God’s glory
Prayer of Adoration, confession and supplication
First Thoughts
Hymn 493 It’s me, it’s me, O Lord
Scripture Readings: Reader: Reader Annie Addison
Old Testament: Psalm 32
New Testament: Matthew 4: 1-11
Hymn 337 Forty days and forty nights
Sermon
Hymn 485 Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Spoken Doxology (all remain standing)
Sing to the Lord of heaven and earth,
whom angels serve and saints adore,
the Father, Son, and Spirit blest
to whom be praise for evermore.
Prayer dedicating offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 553 Just as I am (Tune: Saffron Walden)
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary – Communion Louis Niedermeyer (1802-1861)
PICTURE: JESUS MAFA. Jesus is tempted – Matthew 4:1-11, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48312 [retrieved February 22, 2023]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).
Sunday Services: We are very pleased to welcome Rev John Tait as our new Locum Minister leading our worship today.
Lenten Bible Study: Rev Rob Mackenzie is again leading a Zoom Bible Study during Lent. There will be five sessions beginning tomorrow, Monday 27 February, and ending on Monday 27 March. The material is based round the film West Side Story. If you are interested in attending please speak today to the Session Clerk.
Newhaven Bible Study: Newhaven church continues to run a bible study on Zoom on Wednesday evenings. Currently it is looking at spirituality using passages from John’s gospel. If you are interested ask the Session Clerk or Jimmy Hudson for the link.
World Day of Prayer Service Friday 3 March: The service this year has been written by the women of Taiwan and the theme is “I have heard about your faith” based on Ephesians 1:15-19.
The local service will be held at 2pm in Inverleith St Serf’s Church (entry via the Church Centre door on Clark Road).There will be a chance to meet for chat and refreshments afterwards. All welcome.
Session meeting: The next Kirk Session meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 March at 7.30pm in the Session House.
New Parish Social Event: There will be a joint congregations’ social evening in Newhaven church on Friday 17 March at 7.30pm. It will be based round having a fun quiz.
This will be a great opportunity to get to know better new friends from Newhaven and South Leith churches. Please note the date in your diary and come along and enjoy the evening.
Turkey & Syria Earthquake: If you would like to make a donation via the church to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal there is a retiring offering again today.
Church Magazine: The next magazine should be produced before Holy Week and Easter. Please send contributions to the church office by Tuesday 14 March at latest.
Church Family: The funeral service for Sophia Robertson will take place on Monday 6 March at 10.30 at Warriston Cloister Chapel.
Joint worship with Newhaven and South Leith
11am South Leith Parish Church
Minister: Rev. Ron Smith
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Call to worship
God loved the world so much that he gave his only and beloved son
Everyone who believes and follows him shall not perish but live the life eternal
This is the day the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it
Hymn 378 Praise to the Holiest in the height
Prayer of Approach and Lord’s Prayer
First Thoughts
Hymn 76 How can I ever thank the Lord
Scripture Readings: Reader: Jenny Martin
Old Testament: Exodus 34: 29-35
New Testament: Matthew 17: 1-9
Sermon
Hymn 557 O Love that wilt not let me go
Spoken Doxology (all remain standing)
Sing to the Lord of heaven and earth,
whom angels serve and saints adore,
the Father, Son, and Spirit blest
to whom be praise for evermore.
Prayer of Dedication for the offering
Prayers for the World
Hymn 97 O God, you search me and you know me
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary – Pilgrims chorus from Tannhäuser. Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
PICTURE: JESUS MAFA. Transfiguration, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48307 [retrieved February 8, 2023]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact)
Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome Rev Ron Smith to lead our worship today.
Next Sunday, 19 February, will be our next joint service at South Leith church at 11.00am. (NO service in North Leith church that day.)
On Sunday 26 February we will welcome Rev John Tait as our new Locum Minister to lead us in worship.
Church Roll: We are sad to report the death at Victoria Manor Care Home on 8th February of Margaret Borthwick of Laverockbank Road.
The funeral will take place on Friday 24 February at 11am in the Lorimer chapel at Warriston Crematorium.
Our thoughts and prayers are with George and their family.
We are also sad to report that Sophia Robertson of Prince Regent Street, and lately resident at Marian House nursing home, died on 7th February. Sophia was 103. Funeral arrangements are not yet available.
The funeral of Ian Low of Dudley Gardens who died at the end of January has been arranged for 10.30 am at Warriston Crematorium on Thursday 23 February.
Christmas Appeal: The total raised for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal was £953 (including income tax recovery).
Thank you to all who donated.
Turkey & Syria Earthquake: The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has set up an appeal to bring help to Turkey and Syria. It is very easy to give to the appeal which is widely advertised. If you prefer to make a donation via the church, there will be a retiring offering today and on Sunday 26 February.
Children and families: Sandy Edwards, Youth Worker at Newhaven church, has sent us a list of activities coming up there. If anyone would like to attend, be part of the events or find out more please speak to the Session Clerk or contact Sandy on newhavenchurchyw@gmail.com
Please pass on this information to any families with children who may be interested.
Lenten Bible Study: Rev Rob Mackenzie is planning to hold another Zoom Bible Study during Lent this year.
There would be five sessions and it would begin on the week beginning 27th February and end on the week beginning 27th March. It could be on Mondays or Wednesdays.
The material is based round the film West Side Story.
If you are interested in attending please speak to the Session Clerk.
Minister: Rev. Matthew Bicket
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Call to worship
God in this time of worship,
Open our minds, hearts and souls to your presence.
God in this time of worship,
Give us a sense of what it means to be salt and light, remind us of our call to enhance the world around us.
God at the end of this time of worship,
Send us back out to the world, as salt and light, ready to let Your light shine through us.
Hymn 120 God, we praise you, God we bless you
Prayer of Approach (ending with Lord’s Prayer said by all)
Hymn 559 There is a Redeemer
Scripture Readings: Reader: Reader Shirley Hopkins
Old Testament: Psalm 112: 1-9
New Testament: Matthew 5: 13-20
Sermon
Hymn 542 Lord, speak to me that I may speak
Spoken Doxology (all remain standing)
Sing to the Lord of heaven and earth,
whom angels serve and saints adore,
the Father, Son, and Spirit blest
to whom be praise for evermore.
Prayer of Dedication for the offering
Prayers for the World
Hymn 248 For my sake and the Gospel’s, go
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary – Prelude in A minor. Francesco Durante. (1684-1755)
Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome Rev Matthew Bicket to lead our worship today.
Next Sunday, 12 February, Rev Ron Smith will conduct our service.
Sunday 19 February will be our next joint service at South Leith church at 11.00am. (NO service in North Leith church that day.)
On Sunday 26 February we will welcome Rev John Tait as our new Locum Minister to lead us in worship.
Leith Churches Together: The next LCT lunch-time service takes place this coming Thursday, 9th February, at 1pm in Ebenezer United Reform Church, Bangor Road. Tea and coffee will be served but please bring your own lunch and stay and chat after worship.
Church Roll: For those who remember Ian Low of Dudley Gardens, we are sorry to report that Ian died on 29 January.
The funeral has been arranged for 10.30 am at Warriston Crematorium on Thursday 23 February.
Christmas Appeal: The total raised for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal was £953 (including income tax recovery).
Thank you to all who donated.
Minister: Rev. Dr Martin Scott
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Welcome and Intimations
Opening Responses
The world belongs to God
THE EARTH AND ALL ITS PEOPLE
How good and how lovely it is
TO LIVE TOGETHER IN UNITY.
Love and faith come together
JUSTICE AND PEACE JOIN HANDS.
If God’s disciples keep silent
THESE STONES WOULD SHOUT ALOUD.
God, open our lips
AND OUR MOUTHS SHALL PROCLAIM YOUR PRAISE.
Hymn 510 Jesus calls us here to meet him
Prayer of Approach and Confession
Old Testament Reading: Micah 6: 1-8 (Reader, Gerry O’Neil)
Hymn 600 Spirit of God, unseen as the wind
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12
Sermon
Hymn 362 Heaven shall not wait
The Communion
Words of Invitation
In the beginning, God made the world; made it and mothered it; shaped it and fathered it; filled it with seed and with signs of fertility; filled it with love and its people with ability.
THE WORLD BELONGS TO GOD, THE EARTH AND ALL ITS PEOPLE ARE GOD’S!
. . . . And when the time was right, God sent the Son.
THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH WAS ONE OF US: FLESH OF OUR FLESH.
. . . He sets before us bread and wine and invites us to this table.
THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE ALL WILL BE MADE WELL AGAIN.
. . . The peace of God be always with you
AND ALSO WITH YOU
Hymn 19 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high
1 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high;
ye doors that last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King of glory enter may.
But who of glory is the King? The mighty Lord is this:
even that same Lord that great in might and strong in battle is;
even that same Lord that great in might and strong in battle is.
2 Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye doors, doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King of glory enter may.
But who is he that is the King, the King of glory? who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he, the King of glory is.
The Lord of hosts, and none but he, the King of glory is.
Allelujah, allelujah,
allelujah, allelujah, allelujah,
Amen, amen, amen.
Now we pray in words which Jesus himself taught us, saying:
GOD IN HEAVEN,
YOUR NAME IS TO BE HONOURED.
MAY YOUR NEW COMMUNITY OF HOPE
BE REALISED ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US TODAY THE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE,
RELEASE US FROM OUR WRONGDOING
AS WE ALSO RELEASE THOSE WHO WRONG US.
DO NOT TEST US BEYOND OUR MEANS,
SAVE US FROM ALL THAT IS EVIL;
FOR YOU EMBRACE JUSTICE, LOVE AND PEACE,
NOW AND TO THE END OF TIME, AMEN.
We come to this meal at your invitation, God, bringing nothing, expecting everything. We are united with all your followers, women and men, down through the ages as with them we declare:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE,
HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF GOD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
. . . On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said:
‘THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS FOR YOU: DO THIS AND LIVE OUT MY MEMORY’.
In the same way he took the cup after supper, saying:
‘THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT OF PEACE IN MY BLOOD: DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN MEMORY OF ME’.
(We Share the Bread and Wine)
Hymn 530 One more step along the world I go
Blessing
Threefold Amen.
Closing Voluntary Et Resurrexit. WA Mozart (1756-1791)
Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome Rev Dr Martin Scott to lead our worship today.
Next Sunday, 5 February, Rev Matthew Bicket will conduct our service.
Christmas Appeal: The total raised for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal was £953 (including income tax recovery).
Thank you to all who donated.
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Minister: Rev. Stephen Manners
Organist: Graeme Brownlee
“Come, follow me,”
Jesus said,
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4.19
Welcome and Intimations
Introduction to theme of service
Call to Worship
God of our salvation:
God of glory:
God our rock:
God our refuge:
God of mercy:
God of loving kindness:
God of power:
God who calls ‘follow’
lead us where you would have us go.
Amen.
Hymn 540 I heard the voice of Jesus say
Prayer of Approach
Reading: Matthew 4: 12-25 Reader: Elsie Emanbi Njotu
Hymn 340 When Jesus saw the fishermen
Sermon
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me
Doxology
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
the God whom we adore,
be glory, as it was, and is,
and shall be evermore.
Prayer of Dedication for the offering
Prayers of response
Hymn 644 O, Jesus, I have promised
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary
Matthew 4.12-25 – taken from William Barclay’s commentary on Matthew
Jesus has moved to Capernaum after the news of John the Baptist’s imprisonment. For Jesus the time had come when he must go forth to his task. So Jesus was walking by the lakeside; and as he walked he called Peter and Andrew, James and John. It is not to be thought that this was the first time that he had seen them, or they him. As John tells the story, at least some of them were already disciples of John the Baptist (Jn.1:35). No doubt they had already talked with Jesus and had already listened to him, but in this moment there came to them the challenge once and for all to throw in their lot with him. Jesus, too, called on these fishermen to follow him, to walk with him. Teachers often taught their disciples while walking. So following him as their teacher would have involved walking together and learning on the way.
It is interesting to note what kind of men they were. They were not men of great scholarship, or influence, or wealth, or social background. They were not poor, they were simple working people with no great background, and certainly, anyone would have said, with no great future. It was these ordinary men whom Jesus chose. What Jesus needs is ordinary folk who will give him themselves. He can do anything with people like that.
It is where we work, rest or play that Jesus comes to find us. He is present in these places and at these times. Jesus finds us where we are and it is there that he: confronts us with the challenge to repent and to reflect and change our practices; invites us to ‘come and follow him’; shares the promise of good news; and offers us healing and the opportunity to move on from those things that challenge and threaten to overwhelm us. Jesus in Capernaum picks up the work of John the Baptist but already we see this work as quite different from what has gone before. A new reign of God is on the horizon and it is focussed at the centre of everyday human life.
When you are out for a walk this week imagine Jesus is
with you.
Talk to him as you walk and listen to what he has to say.
Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome back Rev Stephen Manners to lead our worship today. We also welcome Graeme Brownlee at the organ.
Next Sunday Rev Dr Martin Scott will conduct our January communion service.
Christmas Appeal: Today is the last opportunity to contribute to the appeal for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal. The total raised so far is £410.
(For individual anonymous donations up to £30, tax can be claimed through the Gift Aid small donations scheme, if you are giving over £30 please use a gift aid envelope if you can.)
Joint worship with Newhaven and South Leith
at Newhaven Church 10.30am