Sunday service for 1 September 2024

Sunday 1 September 2024
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson & Tamsin Munro, student minister
Manse: 632143
Email Teri: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

* The first Sunday of the month at 11am is now an all-age service, with different ways of encountering God’s word without a traditional sermon. All people — young and old, different personalities and learning styles, are welcome! You’ll find a more informal service with a variety of music, a Bible story, prayer, and some more interactive elements. The online service for the first Sunday will therefore also be different — there will still be a reading, prayers, and music, but usually not a sermon. That also means we don’t have a full manuscript for today!

Announcements

* During Teri’s study leave at the end of September, one Sunday we will have a songs of praise service. If you have a favourite hymn you would like us to include, please send it to Teri — email, text, or on a piece of paper — by NEXT SUNDAY the 8th of September. Thanks!

* Youth Organisations are starting the new session — please contact us or come along to register for the Boys’ Brigade: Anchor Boys Tuesdays 5:30pm, Junior Section Mondays 7pm, Company Section Fridays 7pm (email 2ndgourock@inverclydebb.org.uk)  or the Girl Guides: Smurfs Thursdays 6pm (contact Teri for info), Brownies, Guides and Rangers on Wednesday evenings (go to girlguiding.co.uk and select “information for parents” to register for the 4th Gourock and a leader will contact you).

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and Sunday worship is also online. If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.
The Sunday evening service is on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. We’ll have toasties and sandwiches together from 5:30 and the service will start at the back of 6. All are welcome for this simple meal and time of worship. The Sunday evening service is informal and reflective, with guitar-based music, Bible readings, and prayer for our parish. Come along and discover practical ways to apply the word to your life, in a chilled vibe that fosters connection and reflection.

* Starter Packs are in need of Teabags, kitchen roll, kitchen & bathroom cleaner.
The FoodBank are in need of diluting juice, cereal (but not porridge), tinned potatoes, pasta sauce & tinned meat. You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £3000 per week? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Teri and she can give you the treasurer’s details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 
It is also possible to donate to the work of the parish assistant, speak to Anne Love about how to go about directing new donations to that new item in the budget.

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email devotions! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. Feel free to share with your friends, too!

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets on the 4th of September at 7:30pm in the manse.

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.