Poppies are everywhere just now as we commemorate Remembrance. But do you know why they became the symbol for our national mourning? And did you know that growing vegetables and even flowers in gardens was a part of life in the trenches? And did you know that by ‘magic’ you can turn a flower into a mobility scooter?

One or two surprises in this morning’s annual Remembrance Service…..

https://youtu.be/tbK6UFqu6S4

Today, in response to COP26, we're reflecting on the climate crisis in the light of our faith.

Words can carry a lot of power.

Anyone ever notice something you were doing and thank you for it, or commend you for it?

How did that make you feel?

Anyone ever take you apart and leave you in bits because of something they said, or the way they said it? How did that make you feel?

These things stay with us because our words carry a lot of power.

Today we’re thinking about how to bless others with our words; using them to appreciate, encourage and support one another and not being afraid or embarrassed to say what ought to be said.

Counting our blessings is good thing to do. Blessing others through what we say is even better.

That’s this morning’s service in a nutshell. Hope you enjoy it.

We welcome Rev Ian Groves to Belhelvie this Sunday.

What makes for joy?

Psalm 122 shows us that joy in worship is at least as much about ‘horizontal’ relationships as ‘vertical’ ones. Community – real community where we laugh, play, share, confess and open up to one another – is where joy is found, and also where God is found.

So what can we do as church, to foster genuine community, and know more of that kind of joy in our gathering.

I asked the congregation that question this morning. And if you’re reading this, I’m asking you too.

And it’s not just about how you’d answer, theoretically. It’s about what you’re going to *do* to be the change that you want to see.

Fast food is taking over the world, but don’t our hearts yearn for slow food? Taking time over cooking, eating and meeting together?

Today we’re remembering that the Scriptures have been given to us as food for the soul, and that when we read them slowly, meditatively and prayerfully, they will bring us the nourishment we need for our daily living.

“The dying leaves of a hundred million autumns have formed the soil from which our crops spring. To sink a blade into the ground is to slice through time itself.” (Maria Boulding)

If creation doesn’t make us wonder, we’re probably not looking at it closely enough.

Today in our Harvest Service we’re celebrating creation and allowing our wonder to draw us into thankfulness towards the one who has made it. People have always encountered God through the glory of what’s been made; now, through Christ – God drawing close - we can put a name to that God and know him not just as creator,  but also as redeemer and friend.

We hate them. We want them dead. Or if not dead, at least out of our faces and out of our lives.

Enemies.

How do you feel about yours?

And how do you feel when Jesus tells us that the only way to really overcome your enemy is to love them until the enmity breaks down?

A tough teaching from Luke 6 this morning.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. (Rev Dr Martin Luther King).

https://youtu.be/K1FJPrE0TCo

We’ve had it tough the past couple of years, but not as tough as some folk have it all the time.

Today we had a visit from Rachel Johns who works for Compassion UK and who spoke about their work supporting children and their families in the developing world.

For about half the cost of a monthly Sky TV subscription you could sponsor a child and make sure they get the nutrition, support and education that can help lift them out of poverty and have a hopeful future.

Or if that seems like too much, could you consider a one-off donation to help Compassion UK in their work?

To hear more, join us for this morning’s service at

https://youtu.be/j2Iij17s1ko

or check out Compassion UK’s website at

https://www.compassionuk.org/

Ever tried to do a jigsaw without seeing the picture on the box?

Not easy.

Today I’m suggesting that becoming truly human is similar. We’re all just trying to piece together the bits that we can as best we can – but wouldn’t it be great if we knew where it was all going? What the picture on the box actually looks like?

What does it mean to be truly human?

Jesus tells us.

Jesus shows us.

And more than that, Jesus is always working to help us get there, if we’ll let him.

Another good word to chew on from John chapter 5 this morning.

https://youtu.be/LWssdb0nIFA