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St Ninian’s Church

Glencairn & Moniaive Parish Church is a linked charge with Dunscore Parish Church and is within the Presbytery of The South West.

The parish of Glencairn & Moniaive is located at the northern end of the scenic Cairn Valley in mid-Nithsdale, which is part of the Dumfries & Galloway region of South West Scotland.

The community is centred around the village of Moniaive.

We aim to play an active part in the community we serve, reaching out with the love and joy of Jesus Christ.

Our vision is ‘To convince all people of God’s love for them’.

Prayers for Peace in Israel-Palastine

Churches and Christian organisations are responding with prayers and statements to the violence in Israel and Gaza. These can help guide your own prayers.

There is more information from the Church of Scotland here.

 

Message from our Minister

Sunday 24 March 2024

Today is Palm Sunday. The day to remember Jesus’ ‘Triumphant Entry’ into Jerusalem – lots of leaves and shouts! It marks the start of what is known to Christians the world over as Holy Week.

This is a rollercoaster of emotions and dramatics events culminating in Easter Day.

Because we know how the story ends, we often lose sight of the flow of those events and the impact of those emotions on Jesus’ followers. In our special Holy Week events we try to capture the flavour of those dramatic events and deepen our appreciation of what Jesus has done for each one of us. We start today with Palm Leaves and cries of “Hosanna!”

Why not join us on the journey through the first Holy Week?

God Bless,

Mark

 

PRAYER for this week:            

Jesus, riding on a donkey,

You are not clad in gold and jewel-encrusted crown,

You are not carrying orb and sceptre,

but You are the King of kings,

serving, loving, caring for us.

You wipe away our tears of sorrow and regret,

You cleanse us from the pain and anguish of our broken life,

and forgive us our selfishness by Your selfless actions.

We thank You for all You have done and are still doing.              

               

PRAYER THEME: Acknowledge your need of Jesus’ Love, Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness.

Musings from The Manse

Easter with a spring…

It’s the end of March already! 2024 is rushing by! Snowdrops, Lambs, Daffodils, leaves, grass, are all growing and showing us that Spring has sprung! BUT … are you ready for what is to come?

I hope that the end of March will provide important preparation for life as we celebrate Easter!

It’s a traditional time to recognise the new life sprouting up everywhere, to acknowledge our dependence on that emergent life, and to enjoy the triumph of the sun over the darkness. The very word Easter comes from the same root as oestrogen – the life-nurturing chemical – and reflects the link with life re-starting. New life from the seemingly dead soil and dried up branches. For Christians it is used to reflect the Resurrection of Jesus – new life from the tomb!

However, to get ready for Easter we remember Palm Sunday and Holy Week. At church we celebrated Palm Sunday with lots of ‘Hosannas’ and leaves!

During Holy Week, we reflect on Jesus’ journey from city gates to the hill of the skull, from triumphant entry to ignominious death and anonymous burial. A bit of a rollercoaster by any measure. As we go through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Eve (Holy Saturday, NOT Easter Saturday!!), we will take time to be reminded of that journey – not just to re-tell the story, but to be reminded of it’s importance to us today. We will celebrate the bread and wine of the Last Supper (28th, 2pm), remember the crowds cries of “Crucify Him!” (29th, 11am), weep at the tomb, before shouting ‘Alleluia!’ on Easter morning. It’s a challenging journey, emotional, stressful, joyful, draining. It’s a vital journey reminding us of what Jesus went through for each of us. It’s a reflection of, and preparation for, the ups and downs of real life.

This year our Easter celebrations begin at the Cairn Pool, (8am POOLSIDE PRAISE!) followed by breakfast (from 9am) and our Easter worship in St Ninian’s at 10.30am. A Grand Day Out!

Jesus’ death and resurrection is not just history, not just a tale from the past, but, like the snowdrops, lambs, daffodils, leaves and grass, very real today. God’s offer of New Life is as valid today as it was when Jesus walked the earth! Join us to find out more.

May God Bless you.

Mark RS Smith