Weekly Bulletin No. 255

13 August 2017

Cross Free Church extends a warm welcome to all who join us in worship today If you are a visitor or unfamiliar with our services, we use the ESV, English Standard Version of the Bible. Our singing in English is from the Scottish Psalter and Sing Psalms and in Gaelic singing we use Sailm Dhaibhidh.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13 v 6 Air Dia a-mhàin tha m’anam a’feitheamh; uaithesan thig mo shlàinte. Salm 62 v 1

Prayer Pray for Rev. Matheson and those who will lead the praise at the services today. Remember before the Lord all who have lost loved ones, the lonely and the broken-hearted. Pray that the Lord would remember all who are in hospital or Care Homes and also those being cared for in their own homes. Give thanks for all who provide medical and support services. Pray for the infants in our community and for their parents. Ask that the Lord would bring joy to all families, watch over children, guide the young, bring reconciliation to those in discord, and healing to those who are suffering from illnesses and addictions and give us all true repentance and the joy of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

MINISTER Rev. Ewen Matheson, Free Church Manse, Cross, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0SZ Tel: 01851 811 193, Email: [email protected] Cross Free Church is a Registered Charity SCO38131

Church Diary & Rotas all as the Lord wills Sunday 13 August 12.00 pm English Service - Church Preacher: Rev. Ewen Matheson [A crèche will be available during this service] 6:00 pm English Service - Church Preacher: Rev. Ewen Matheson

Wednesday 16 August 7.30 pm -

Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Rev. Ewen Matheson - Church Hall

Sunday 20 August 11.45am Sabbath School 12.00 pm English Service - Church Preacher: Rev. Robert Sinclair [A crèche will be available during this service] Rev. Matheson will be preaching in Kinloch 6:00 pm English Service - Church Preacher: Rev. Ewen Matheson

Gaelic or English contributions to the Bulletin are very welcome. Feel free to drop an envelope in the plate at the church door marked ‘Bulletin’ or phone or email Angus & Alice Murray. Tel. 810322 Email: [email protected] Any contributions should be sent preferably by 8pn on Friday to allow time to prepare & print Bulletin.

Door Duty August: Callum Maclean, Iain Gillies, Angus Murray (South Dell), Norman Macritchie September: John Mackay, DR Morrison, Donald Macleod, Alex Murray

Precenting Rota 13 Aug : 12.00 pm: Alex Murray, & DR Morrison 6.00 pm: John Ross Murray 20 Aug : 12.00 pm: Angus Murray (S.Dell) 6.00 pm: Angus Murray (Lionel) Crèche Rota 13 Aug: Christina Macleod, Alison Macleod, Margaret Macleod 20 Aug: Donna Gillies, Mairi Macdonald, Kathleen Libby Cleaning Rota August: Norman Mackenzie September: Ann Gillies & Sandra Gunn

CD/Online Ministry The Sabbath services and Wednesday evening lectures are available to listen to on the website:

https://crossfreechurch.org CDs can also be ordered from: Christine, 19 Cross, Tel: 810 394

Induction Dates New Ministers The Two remaining Probationers are set to be ordained and inducted to congregations in the Western Isles this month. The dates for the events were agreed at the meeting of the Presbytery on Tuesday 25 July as follows:  Tuesday 15 August - Rev. Paul Murray as the new Minister of the Kinloch congregation;  Wednesday 30 August - Rev. Mark Macleod as the new Minister at Leverburgh, Harris. The Presbytery expressed its thanks to Almighty God for preparing Mr Murray and Mr Macleod for the holy ministry and would encourage prayer for the new ministers and their congregations. All the ordination and induction services will commence at 7.00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the services and invited to the receptions afterwards for the ministers and their families.

CLAN MACQUARRIE CENTRE, BORVE

An Interview with with

Rev. Malcolm Macleod (Steadfast Global)

20th August 2017 8.30pm Bring a Friend Fellowship, tea, coffee, juice & biscuits

Never Be Ashamed of Christ!

High Free Church Present

A Praise & Testimony Evening With Steph Macleod & The HFC Praise Group

In Stornoway Town Hall

Monday 14th August 2017 at 7pm Tea & refreshments at the end of the performance

“Live a courageous life. Confess Christ before men. Whatever station you occupy, in that station confess Christ. Why should you be ashamed of Him? He was not ashamed of you on the cross.

He is ready to confess you now before His Father in heaven. Why should you be ashamed of Him? Be bold. Be very bold. The good soldier is not ashamed of his uniform. The true believer ought never be ashamed of Christ.” ~ J.C. Ryle

Ordination and Induction at Back On Friday, the Presbytery met at Back Free Church to host the first of three meetings this month for the ordination of new ministers and their induction to congregations in the Western Isles. There was a large attendance in the Back church to witness the formal process of introducing Rev. David Macdonald as Assistant Minister of the congregation.

It was back in May 2016 that the General Assembly had granted permission for an Assistant to support the Back pastor, Rev. Calum Iain Macleod in his duties in the large congregation. Mr Macdonald was called by the congregation shortly after he had been licenced by the Presbytery in June this year. Rev. James Maciver presided at Friday’s service and preached an appropriate sermon from the First Letter to the Thessalonians chapter 1. The praise was led by members of the Presbytery, John Morrison (Leverburgh) & John Murdo Macdonald, (North Tolsta). Mr Maciver’s sermon was followed by the solemn and long-established process of the Free Church for the ordination and induction of a minister. The Clerk of Presbytery, Rev. Hugh Ferrier, related the steps that had been followed in filling the vacancy. Mr Maciver then asked Mr Macdonald the questions appointed to be put to Probationers prior to their ordination and induction. Having returned satisfactory answers, Mr Macdonald signed The Formula in the presence of the congregation. After prayer, Mr Maciver ordained Mr Macdonald to the office of the holy ministry and inducted him as Assistant Minister of the Back congregation, granting him a seat in the Presbytery. Rev. Calum I Macleod, the minister at Back then addressed Mr Macdonald with words of welcome and encouragement and Rev. Ewen Matheson exhorted the congregation to support their new Assistant Minister. A number of presentations were made in the church before Professor Emeritus John R McIntosh gave thanks for the provision made at Back Community Centre where a large number of guests welcomed Rev. David and Mrs Jayne Macdonald. There was a magnificent spread to enjoy at the Centre before Rev. Calum Iain read congratulatory messages and cards to Mr and Mrs Macdonald. Rev. David then introduced his guest speakers in turn – Rev Kenneth I Macleod, Rev. Paul Murray and Rev. Andrew Macleod. Mr Macdonald replied, thanking the speakers and expressing his own and Jayne’s heartfelt appreciation to everyone who had worked so hard to welcome them into the community.

The evening concluded with Finlay Macdonald, (Stornoway) leading the gathering in singing Psalm 69: 35-36 in Gaelic followed by a prayer of thanks by Rev. David Macdonald.