Instead of our usual Sunday service, we will be joining in a service for the whole Church of Scotland for Pentecost, on 31 May. It will be available on this page on Sunday 1 June, and will begin at 10am.
The Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Martin Fair, will be leading the service which will include worship, prayers, music, a sermon and Bible readings.
An audio version of the spoken parts of the service (not the musical sections) will be available via a telephone line. The number to call, on Sunday, is 0131 378 7895 (national rate phone number; please check your billing plan).
We will also distribute an audio version via CD to those without internet.
After the service, there will be a ‘virtual after church coffee’, when Peter and Katharina invite you to the manse via video link. Please contact us for details on how to take part.
Congregations across Scotland will be joining together-remotely-for a special Pentecost service on 31 May.
Rt Rev Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will be hosting the service which will include worship, prayers, music, a sermon, Bible readings, and will close with the Moderator’s wife Mrs Elaine Fair singing The Blessing.
The Moderator is encouraging congregations and people of faith across Scotland, and beyond, to join together in worship as a whole church.
“Pentecost Sunday is an opportunity to rejoice in the birth of the church and to celebrate our togetherness as a church family,” Dr Fair said.
“It was the coming of the Spirit upon those first disciples that brought the church to life, with power and passion – and the same Spirit unites us still.”
This will be the Sunday service for Old High St Stephen’s.
We will provide links on our Facebook page and Twitter account, and in an email to the congregation. We also plan to distribute audio CDs. Please contact us if you would like to receive our emails or CDs.
After the service, Peter and Katharina will host an virtual after-church coffee time from the Manse via video.
Many people currently give to the church via the Free Will Offering Scheme (weekly envelopes). Of course, these cannot be brought to church at the moment.
However, anyone can send a cheque made payable to Old High St Stephen’s to our Treasurer.
We would also encourage you to set up a standing order to make regular payments instead. Both out Treasurer and the FWO convenor are happy to discuss contributions to the church at any time.
Click on the orange button to listen to online service from Old High St Stephen’s Church, Inverness for Sunday 24 May, Ascension Sunday Preacher: Rev Peter W Nimmo Hymns from CH4: 438 The Head that once was crowned with thorns 436 Christ triumphant, ever reigning Bible reading: Acts 1:1-11, read by Hannah Nimmo Music by Pam McCulloch, Ailsa MacIness, Katharina Nimmo, Elke Kammer and Ron Stevenson Edited by Claire Darcy
Click the orange button above to listen to the online service from Old High St Stephen’s Church, Inverness for Sunday 17 May, the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Preacher: Rev Peter W Nimmo Hymns from CH4: 132 Immortal, invisible, God only wise 771 If you believe and I believe 261 Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation Bible reading: Acts 17:22-31, read by Christine Mackenzie Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession: Rev Arthur Sinclair Music by Pam McCulloch, Elke Kammer and Ron Stevenson Edited by Daniel Nimmo
The Heart and Soul programme is available here from 2pm on Sunday 17 May
Click on the orange button above to listen to our online service from Old High St Stephen’s Church, Inverness for Sunday 10 May, the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Preacher: Deacon Dot Getliffe Hymns from CH4: 461 How sweet the name of Jesus 552 O For a Closer Walk with God sounds Bible readings: John 21.12-17 and 2 Corinthians 5.14-21 Readers: Ruth Martin and Andy Pyott Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession: Rev Peter W Nimmo Music by Pam McCulloch, Elke Kammer and Ron Stevenson Edited by Daniel Nimmo
Our minister has sent this message to the congregation:
Christian Aid Week, which begins this Sunday, is usually a highlight of our year at Old High St Stephen’s. Everyone seems to get involved, as we Think, Act and Pray for the poorest people in the world.
Around the planet, the poorest are the worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. We are all feeling the hardship of lockdown, and all the uncertainty it brings. Yet, compared to many people, we are blessed to have homes to which we can retreat to self-isolate in, and an excellent healthcare system to help when its needed.
We have been reminded recently of just how interconnected our world is. The injustices of our unequal world affects us all. So I hope you will still take part in Christian Aid Week this year- but safely!
The door-to-door collection is such a wonderful witness to our parish. We can’t do that this year. However, there will be Christian Aid Week posters on our church noticeboards, with information about how to give.
You, too can help, by putting a wee notice on your front door or gate. Local Christian Aid chair, David Crippen of Crown Church, has produced a simple sheet with a web link. There’s also a QR code- people with the right phone can photograph it and go straight to the link. Click here to download David’s sheet for you to print out (you may want to put it in a clear plastic pocket to keep it dry!
All funds raised through David’s Just Giving Page will go to Christian Aid, but this way we can get a sense of what Inverness is giving. Please help David reach his target of £20,000!
There is also a fund of resources on the national Christian Aid Week page. As well as giving directly there, you can learn how to do a fundraiser from the comfort of your own sofa! We don’t have any paper Christian Aid Week envelopes this year, but you can send your friends and family a personalised message in an e-Envelope! https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
Do let me know if you do some fundraising, and we can let other know if it is possible for them to take part too.
Finally, I commend to you the worship and prayer on the Christian Aid website. There are prayers for each day, as well as other worship and study resources. Why not use the daily readings, reflectinos and prayers for each day of Christian Aid week, from Sunday onwards: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/daily-bible-readings
That page includes a quotation from St Paul, one of my favourite Bible passages, which we really need to hear at this time:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’
Romans 8:38-39
May God bless you and yours! Keep safe, Peter
The Rev Peter W Nimmo Minister of Old High St Stephen’s Parish Church, Inverness
