29 May
Dear Friends,
I have spent much of the past week attending the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland via Zoom, listening to many debates concerning the future of our denomination. Our Scriba, Heleen, was also a Commissioner on this occasion. It was not an entirely joyful experience.The Church of Scotland, like many denominations, is in severe decline with many problems of finances, membership, recruitment of ministers etc. It is good, therefore, that the General Assembly always takes place around the time of Pentecost - which we celebrated last Sunday - as, especially in recent years when the news of the state of the church has not been good - it is important to remember that the church was launched 2000 years ago with just a tiny group of inadequate people. Through the power of the Holy Spirit great things happened.
Massive changes are afoot in the Church of Scotland as we deal with decline, and these changes may well have a knock-on effect on us here in Amsterdam. I do not believe, however, that God has finished with the Church of Scotland, and we must pray that the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead and empowered his disciples brings new life.
All good wishes to you - and I look forward, I hope, to the return of some (albeit limited) congregation in the church from June 20th. More details about this will follow.
Lance
THIS WEEK:
Sunday, 10.30 hrs: Morning Worship
Live-streamed service. You can access this just before 10.30 am:
· On YouTube: https://youtu.be/rpYvupfWU3U
· Direct through the ERC website: https://www.erc.amsterdam/calendar/worship-service-30-may-2021
Our reading for this Sunday is 1 Samuel 3:1-18. Our preacher this Sunday is Veronica Garcia Robles.
Sunday, 21.00 hrs: Compline (short evening prayers): Join at: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09
Tuesday, 08.45 hrs: Psalm Reciting (this week Psalms 47-55). We will not meet at the church for this, but you might like to participate from your own home at 8.45 or some other time.
Wednesday, 19.30 hrs: Bible Study on Zoom, finishing our series on The Letter to the Colossians. All welcome! Join at: https://zoom.us/j/92316847530?pwd=TjdObHBvcmVTRWM4bWprS2QrenBnQT09
Thursday, 21.00hrs: Compline (short evening prayer): join at: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09
Prayer:
In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. In 'normal' times there was a small group of people in the congregation who used to take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com and she and the others will pray accordingly.
A word about finance….
Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website.