Old High St. Stephen's, Inverness

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Sunday Bulletin 12 January 2020

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On 13th January 2020

In News, Service Times, Sunday Bulletin

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday 19 January 2020: Second Sunday after Epiphany

10 am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s

11.15 am Morning worship at the Old High

Both services led by Rev Arthur Sinclair

NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION

SOUTHSIDE NURSING HOME There will be a short service, led by Malcolm Macrae, at Southside Nursing Home immediately after this morning’s service at St Stephen’s.  If you are able to assist with the singing, or chatting to the residents, this would be much appreciated.  Please speak to Malcolm after the service.  We still also seek members willing to lead these services on a rota basis; please contact Janet Robertson.

OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are also forms available for visitors to give feedback. More information at https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old-high-development-project-exhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS The offerings taken at the various services over the Christmas period at St Stephens amounted to £458.07 with all funds going to GATEway the Highlands’ charity for vulnerable and homeless people https://homelesstrust.org.uk/. The Community Choir “Singing Around the Christmas Tree” eventraised £210.76  for CLARITY WALK, a social enterprise with a mission of helping improve mental health in the Highlands by organising free walks for all fitness levels. Participants are asked to disconnect from technology and reconnect with others, nature and yourself with a 1 hour ‘No Phone’ walk. Proven to be effective for combating anxiety, depression and loneliness, as well as having many physical benefits, followed by a coffee after the walk at a local café. Details of walks and how you can donate, at their website https://www.claritywalk.co.uk/

Old High Flower List The draft flower list is on the notice board. Addresses and phone numbers have been removed to comply with Data Protection.  If you wish to add your name to the list or change a date please contact Sally McCubbin.

WARMTH FOR THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN We are again be running our Campaign over the festive period and would be very grateful for donations of used clothes that will be passed onto our Homeless Community by the Gateway Centre. Suggestions: Dog blankets, Socks, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Warm clothes, Boots, Trainers, Sleeping bags, Roll mats, Rucksacks. Please leave your donations in the suitcases located in the entry halls (to be collected by Gary Ross.

Food for Families Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Food for Families programme for 2019/20. Over 200 portions of mince and tatties have been made. Thank you all for giving up your time to make a difference to those in need within our community, it is much appreciated. Christine Mackenzie.

HIGHLAND FOOD BANK have asked that from November to January we donate Cartons of long life fruit juice; Small washing powder/gel; Tins of corned beef/ham; Jam. You will also be happy to know that some of the folk who use St. Stephen’s hall during the week have said that they are happy to bring along small donations on a regular basis, so crates have been supplied for this at the back of the hall. Thank you again for your generosity. Margaret Neville.

OLD HIGH ST STEPHEN’S WINTER WALK this afternoon, to Canal at Dochgarroch and  cuppa at An Talla. Meet at St Stephen’s car park at 1.30pm or Dochgarroch 1.45pm. Varying length of walk with cuppa at 3pm till 4pm. More details from Deborah Macrae.

CRAFT EVENING St Stephen’s Hall 7.30–9pm, Wednesday 15 January 2020. Crafters and non-crafters welcome (you may wish to learn a craft). Friendly atmosphere and refreshments provided Susan MacLeod.

Old High Music At One with Music is a parallel lunchtime recital series offering regular 1 hour concerts in Inverness. These are held at 1pm on Fridays in the Spectrum Centre. However, in 2020 all the piano recitals in that programme will now take place in the Old High Church, in partnership with Old High Music. The first of these will be a piano recital by Ailsa Aitkenhead on Friday 24 January at 1pm. As a commemoration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, she will perform one of his major Piano Sonatas, along with work by Chopin. Donations of £7.50 requested at the door. More details from Andrew Stevenson.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated at the Old High Church on 26 January. All welcome at the Lord’s Table. The Retiring Collection will be for Friends of Cameron House who fundraise to provide additional comforts for residents such as pictures, garden, curtains etc. Members of our congregation are part of the friends group and of course the home is within our parish. Christine Mackenzie.

Sharing Your Faith (SYF) Discussion Groups will restart in 2020. If you are interested in joining a group, please speak to or email me with first and second choices of day and time that suit you best. Dot Getliffe.

SUNDAY BULLETIN Volunteers are needed to fold the weekly bulletin once a month. Can you help please? Further details from Rae Swan.

SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.

OTHER NEWS

INVERNESS SINGERS ‘Desert Island Disc’ Evening in Smithton Free Church on Friday 17 January at 7:30pm. Enjoy an evening of conversation and music as Fiona MacDonald, BBC World Service, interviews two special guests – Thomas Prag  [ex Local Councillor] and Eileen MacIntosh [Soprano]. To book tickets contact Margaret Livingstone, Convenor of Fundraising Committee.

ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER 6pm on Sunday 19 January at Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness IV2 6AS.  Please join us in worshipping together and in praying together for the many issues which face our city and our society. Contact: Jonathan Appleby.

INVERNESS STREET PASTORS January:  As in a number of other cities and towns, there are no Street Pastor patrols In Inverness during the month. The training schedule for new Street Pastors and Prayer Pastors begins on 25 January. There are 2 particular Prayer Opportunities Sat 18 January, at The Hub, Castle Street Baptist Church 9.45 am for coffee and catch up, then time to pray for Street Pastors (and to look at part of Session 1 of the ‘Prayer Course’ with Pete Greig). Sun 19 January, 6 – 7.30 pm – Prayer for our City – held at Culduthel Christian Centre.

GROW is on Saturday 29 February 2020 in Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. What is it? One Stop Shop for anyone who works or wants to work with a Christian focus on children and young people. Workshops look fantastic! This will equip OHSS for when we get more youngsters in. There is also a workshop for working with Toddlers and Their Carers. Dot would LOVE if 2 or 3 folks could go with her to represent our ‘GROWing’ church. Brochure/registration form and more details from her. Pray and see if it appeals!? Only £8…. 

Sunday Bulletin 5 January 2020

By

On 8th January 2020

In News, Service Times, Sunday Bulletin

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday 12 January 2020: First Sunday after Epiphany: Baptism of the Lord

10 am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s

11.15 am Morning worship at the Old High

NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION – contact details from the Church Administrator

OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are also forms available for visitors to give feedback. More information at https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old-high-development-project-exhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.

WARMTH FOR THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN We will again be running our Campaign over the festive period and would be very grateful for donations of used clothes that will be passed onto our Homeless Community by the Gateway Centre. Suggestions: Dog blankets, Socks, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Warm clothes, Boots, Trainers, Sleeping bags, Roll mats, Rucksacks. Please leave your donations in the suitcases located in the entry halls (to be collected by Gary Ross.

HIGHLAND FOOD BANK have asked that from November to January we donate Cartons of long life fruit juice; Small washing powder/gel; Tins of corned beef/ham; Jam. You will also be happy to know that some of the folk who use St. Stephen’s hall during the week have said that they are happy to bring along small donations on a regular basis, so crates have been supplied for this at the back of the hall. Thank you again for your generosity. Margaret Neville.

OHSS WINTER WALK next Sunday, 12 January, to Canal at Dochgarroch and  cuppa at An Talla. Meet at St Stephen’s car park at 1.30pm or Dochgarroch 1.45pm. Varying length of walk with cuppa at 3pm till 4pm. More details from Deborah Macrae.

Sharing Your Faith (SYF) Discussion Groups will restart in 2020. If you are interested in joining a group, please speak to or email me with first and second choices of day and time that suit you best. Dot Getliffe.

ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED My name is Hannah and I’m 35 years old. I will be moving to Inverness on the 17 January for 12 months to cover maternity leave as a veterinary epidemiologist at the SRUC. I’m looking to rent a room (for around £400/month incl) within 2-3 miles of the SRUC (which is near Raigmore hospital). I’ve been serving in Central Asia for the past 4 years so I will be travelling light – just a couple of suitcases and probably purchasing a bike! – so, ideally, somewhere with bedsheets provided, the ability to borrow plates and pans for cooking etc (don’t worry I clean up after myself) and Wi-Fi. If you would be able to help.

GROW is on Saturday 29 February 2020 in Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. What is it? One Stop Shop for anyone who works or wants to work with a Christian focus on children and young people. Workshops look fantastic! This will equip OHSS for when we get more youngsters in. There is also a workshop for working with Toddlers and Their Carers. Dot would LOVE if 2 or 3 folks could go with her to represent our ‘GROWing’ church. Brochure/registration form and more details from her. Pray and see if it appeals!? Only £8….

SUNDAY BULLETIN Volunteers are needed to fold the weekly bulletin once a month. Can you help please? Further details from Rae Swan.

SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.

An undeserved gift: sermon for Christmas Eve 2019

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On 24th December 2019

In Christmas, Sermons, Worship

Scripture Readings: Luke 2.1-20

In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

‘…there was no room for them to stay in the inn’.

Those last words of the first part of our Bible reading tonight are terrible words. There is no room at the inn for a woman, who has travelled a long way, and who is about to give birth. No room for her faithful husband, who has come all from Nazareth with her, because the Emperor Augustus demanded it. No room for the child who is born, not even a place to lay him- just an animal feeding trough.

It’s nice to romanticise the Christmas story. We like to imagine Mary might have had a donkey to ride, but the story doesn’t mention any little donkey for Mary to ride along dusty roads. We like to imagine the baby snug in the straw, but a manger is hardly the cleanest place to put a new-born child. We like to imagine animals kneeling to worship, but if there were any animals at the back of the inn, they were likely grumpy at being disturbed, smelly, liable to bump into the new mum and dad and their baby at any time.

‘…there was no room for them to stay in the inn’.

Here is the creator of the universe coming to earth in human form. But there is no room for him. He is laid in a manger- no nice government Scandinavian baby box for Jesus and Mary. He is shoved round the back for the inn is full up.

But maybe that is the point. No room at the inn tells us that this Christ is going to be the one for all for whom there is no room. For in any country, in any community, there are people who feel as if there is no room for them. The people for whom the rest of us are too heartless to make any room.

No room for the rough sleeper, who for whatever reasons, we can’t find a place for anywhere. No room for the families with children who we cannot seem to find houses for, just bed and breakfast accommodation. No room any more for the immigrants from the European Union, who came here to make a home and contribute to society, but who are now made to feel unwelcome in a country they had called home. No room for the refugees, traumatized by war and dangerous journeys, treated as a threat by many people when they thought Britain would be a safe place to come to. No room at the inn for them, and for many others who need a place to stay, because we will not make room for them.

In the Christmas story, the Christ child is one of those for whom there is no room. In the Christmas stories of Matthew’s Gospel, this becomes even more the case. That’s the version with King Herod murdering all the children in the town of Bethlehem, causing Mary and Joseph to flee into Egypt until it is safe to return- so Jesus spends the first few years of his life a refugee in a foreign country. And as he grows, he will always be an outsider. His preaching upsets the religious establishment. He isn’t a Pharisee, or a Sadducee- he doesn’t fit into any party. Eventually, he becomes the ultimate outsider- a criminal, executed because he seems like a danger to the peace. There was no room for him.

In Christ, God identifies with all find themselves as outsiders- those for whom there seems to be no room for them. And so Christmas is a time for us not just to celebrate, but to be challenged. Are there people we have no room for, people we send into the shed, while we are cosy and comfortable in the inn? Can’t we treat other fellow humans better than that? And why do we treat them as a burden anyway? What if the stranger, the homeless, the refugee, the immigrant are not threats to us, but gifts to us. People whom we can get to know, who will bring us new ideas and experiences, who will bring much to the places they have travelled to?

And when God comes to us- do we make room? This is the point at which we preachers make an appeal to you to make some room in your lives for Christ this Christmas. And preachers complain that our increasingly secular culture, and our increasingly busy lives, people squeezing God out- you’re not making room for God. But, in fairness, it’s hard. We are not living in an age or a place which takes God seriously. We don’t talk about God much, we pretend that we think the concept of God is no longer important for art, culture, politics and morality. God really is an outsider now- strange, troubling, and often unwelcome.

And yet- in our culture, where we will not make room for the God who was born in a stable, is it any wonder that hatred and abuse towards those who are different from the majority is on the increase? In a world in which the God of Jesus Christ is pushed out, is it any wonder we have to fact check what our politicians say? In a world which has forgotten the Christian Christmas story, is it any wonder that greed, excess, selfishness and hatred seems to be squeezing out love?

At Bethlehem, God came to us from glory, before time and space, eternal and almighty- but born in a stable, for there is no room for him in the inn. And the One for whom there was no room at the inn is bound to ask us- what about the people today for whom there is no room? What are you doing for them? Do you even think about them? And- this is the really hard part- are you willing to give up some of your comfort to make room for them?

And so, in a way, the coming of Christ is a judgement on us, and our selfishness, and our lack of love. But Christmas is primarily a gift to us, if we will let it be so. For surely only a God who loves us dearly would go to the trouble of coming among us, sharing our joys and sorrows, living and dying as we do? And the good news is that the Christ who was born and lived and died among us also rose from the grave. He came as an outsider, and we often make no room for him. Yet he offers us the greatest Christmas present of all time: forgiveness, a new start, and a faith to live our lives by. And a message of love- love for our neighbours, whoever they may be. Love for those we think of as strangers, love, even, for our enemies.

Because at Christmas, God offers our broken, frightened, suspicious world the gift of love. Into our dark world, when we do not deserve it, has come light, in the form of the free gift of the child in the manger. He offers us God’s grace and love, but also the gift of being able to love other people. This Christmas, will you let God’s love flow through you, to those who really need it? For in our dark world, where the forces of evil are so prevalent, we need some love, love which will shine like light in the darkness.

Ascription of Praise

Glory to God in highest heaven,

and on earth peace to all in whom God delights!

Amen.

Luke 2.14 (alt)

Biblical references from the Good News Bible, unless otherwise stated

© 2019 Peter W Nimmo

OHSS Winter 2019 Magazine

By

On 17th December 2019

In Magazine, News

You can download a copy of the latest Magazine here

Old High Development Project Exhibition

By

On 5th December 2019

In News, Old High Redevelopment

We now have a small exhibition about our proposed redevelopment of the Old High Church, based on a report by architect Alan S Marshall.

You can visit the exhibition when the church is open to the public:

Sundays after the 11.15am service (that is, from around 12.15am)

Fridays in Advent, 12 noon to 2pm.

We hope to open the church on further dates in the New Year.

Documents

The reports we comissioned are available to download:

Architect’s Report

Congregational Meeting March 2018

Architect’s Report Appendices

Indicative Cost Summary

Appendix C Indicative Cost (detailed)

For more information, please call 01463 250 802, or email invernesschurch<a>gmail.com (replace <a> with @)

I almost forgot to say ‘Thank you’: sermon for 13 October 2019

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On 13th October 2019

In Mission, News, Sermons, Worship

Scripture Readings: 2 Timothy 2.8-15

Luke 17.11-19

I almost forgot to say ‘Thank you’

Every so often, I get a tune stuck in my head, something catchy which I can’t shift all day. It happened this week, as I was pondering our Gospel story for today. It’s a story is about gratitude, and I was thinking of the one man who came back to say thank you to Jesus, when a song- which I must have heard when I was a child, in Sunday school or a school assembly- sprung into my head. I didn’t have the sheet music (so you’re not getting to sing it today), but I found the words, and goes something like this:

          I nearly forgot to say: Thank you!
For flowers and thrushes and things,
For daisies that dapple the meadow,
And patterns on butterfly wings,
For stars that shine, for winds that blow,
The sun that melts the ice and snow;
I nearly forgot to say: Thank You!
For rainbows that follow the rain;
But really I want to say: Thank you!
Again and again, and again.[1]

Does anyone recognise that? It comes from a Christian musical of the 1970s: here’s a recording.

‘I nearly forgot to say thank you’ is what I imagine the one man who came back had to say to Jesus.

Read More

The Wisdom of Humility: sermon for the Kirking of the Council, 8 September 2019

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On 8th September 2019

In Kirking of the Council, News, Sermons, Worship

Click here for the order of Service for the Kirking of the Council 2019

Click here for more information about the Kirking of the Council 2019

Scripture Readings: 1 Kings 3.4-15

Luke 14:1, 7-14

In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

I have just been reading a remarkable account of a British traveller who, just a few months after September 11 2001, walked across Afghanistan. It was just after the American-led invasion of the country, which drove the Taliban out of Kabul. The author writes:

The country had been at war for twenty-five years; the new government had been in place for only two weeks; there was no electricity between Herat and Kabul, no television and no T-shirts. Villages combined medieval etiquette with new political ideologies. In many houses the only piece of foreign technology was a Kalashnikov, and the only global brand was Islam.[1]

Read More

Well equipes spaces in the right places: Church of Scotland consults on buildings

By

On 8th August 2019

In News

WELL EQUIPED SPACES IN THE RIGHT PLACES Over the next few months, the Church of Scotland General Trustees will be inviting your views on one of the most crucial issues for the future of our Church: how best to manage our church land and buildings. An online survey will run until Saturday 31 October, giving you the chance to express your views on the best ways to manage, use and maintain our buildings for the future. The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, the Moderator of the General Assembly, said

Buildings are hugely important to everyone in the Church and we all have strong feelings about the buildings we know best. This consultation is important so I encourage everyone who cares about the Church to take time to work through the survey and make their views known. This will ensure that the plan that will go to the 2020 General Assembly will be the very best plan we can make for the future of our congregations as well as for the mission of the Church.

The survey is available at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/2019/your_opportunity_to_help_shape_the_churchs_plan_for_land_and_buildings .

OSCR Annual Accounts

By

On 6th August 2019

In News

You can download a copy of the above here

Old High Music 2019

By

On 6th August 2019

In Music, News

The second half of the 2019 programme commences on Saturday 24 August at 12 noon, when Gordon Tocher, organist at Inverness Cathedral, will perform a Fugue and Choral Prelude by Bach, a Handel Organ Concerto, and a selection of compositions by 19th century French composers. Gordon has contributed much to Old High Music over the years, so we are delighted to welcome him back to the console.

Download the Programme Poster here

Download a copy of the updated August to November 2019 Programme here

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Worship this Week

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday 19 January 2020: Second Sunday after Epiphany

10 am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s

11.15 am Morning worship at the Old High

Both services led by Rev Arthur Sinclair

Click here for our services in January

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