Sunday service for 19 May 2024, Pentecost

Sunday 19th May 2024, Pentecost
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

There’s no manuscript for today’s service – please enjoy worshipping via video! Today’s online service includes the reports from our student minister and parish assistant. Due to technological issues it does not include the reports from the Session Clerk or the Treasurer which will be delivered during the sanctuary service. However you can find the annual accounts here.

Announcements

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and Sunday worship is also online. We also have an informal evening service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 6pm, with a light meal together at 5:30. 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.

* Starter Packs are in need of Washing up liquid, kitchen & bathroom cleaner and kitchen rolls.
The FoodBank are in need of UHT Milk, tinned tomatoes, tinned hotdogs & pasta sauce. You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* TheKirk Session will meet on Thursday 23 May at 7:30pm.

***If you have 2 beds available and a willingness to host two students from Spring Arbor University in Michigan for the 8th – 11th of June, please let Teri know ASAP and she will connect you with the person coordinating the students’ visit to Inverclyde. Costs of feeding the students for the weekend will be covered. Ideally you’d be able to bring them to church, as well as spending time with them on the Saturday evening and Sunday. This is a great opportunity to offer hospitality, to show our wonderful area to visitors, and to meet young people. Please speak to Teri if you have 2 beds available!

* 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 in the manse at 7:30pm most weeks.

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

* The schedule for the Sunday evening service is changing: after a wee break, it will resume on 9 June and happen 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.

* Join us at “God’s Kitchen Table” for the summer exploratorium, the week of the 29th of July! Registration for this holiday club for children entering P1 – P7 is now open on the church website. If you’d like to volunteer please speak to Teri, Charlene, or Graham Bolster.