Kirk Reflections 14th May 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

In today’s lesson, Jesus foretells his resurrection, chastises his disciples for arguing about who was the greatest among them, and points to a child as a model for discipleship… along with our teaching, we’ll be hosting a Compassion Sunday!

On Compassion Sunday, people all over the World are equipped and empowered to speak up in their churches for children living in poverty.

We would encourage you to consider making a difference in a child's life by becoming a sponsor through Compassion..

In our first Kirk Conversations podcast, we speak to Pemma Ellis-Huddlestone of Kirkliston Community Conservation Volunteers (KCCV) about Kirkliston Community Fridge - a partnership project between Kirkliston Parish Church and KCCV.

Kirk Reflections 7th May 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS

7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory. 

(Psalm 24)

We all have our opinions, but without a doubt, we can agree to the historical significance of this weekend's Coronation of King Charles III.
When I see all the hype and preparations with flags and bunting there's a real sense of excitement.
"Will we be able to spot him?'
Many will line the streets and wave their flags in anticipation of seeing a glimpse of the new King. 
How amazing then for us, to know that Jesus is our King. And we don't need a special appointment to see HIM. He; is with us always and He longs for

Be reminded that HE is the King of Glory; the One that took on flesh and gave his life so you could be freed!

Kirk Reflections 30th April 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

SUFFERING SERVANT

"I'm not sure God wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to love, and be loved. But we are like children, thinking our toys will make us happy and the whole world is our nursery. Something must drive us out of that nursery and into the lives of others, and that something is suffering."  

CS Lewis

Our Passge for this Sunday focuses on Peter's encouragement to congregations around Asia minor as they suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you think WE still suffer for the Gospel? Do you believe it's something that refines us as we grow in our faith? And is it really necessary to go through such hardship in pursuit of the Kingdom?

We dive into some of these existential questions this week!

Kirk Reflections 23rd April 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

PILGRIMAGE TO EMMAUS

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 24: 30-32

Ian Bradley writes in his book the Fife Pilgrimage Way:

“And now at the end of your pilgrimage, you pause and then turn round to return, back home or back to work with all its familiar routines and frustration and preoccupations. Pilgrimage is about setting out, only to come back again. As in life, we depart only to return. Our lives involve a series of journey out and back until we make our final pilgrimage into the unknown regions that lies beyond death. Maybe even after death our pilgrimages and our journeys continue and we are still on the Way and just beginning to set out again. Travel well and remember as Jerome said, ‘solvitar ambulondo’ – it can be solved by walking.”

Today, Erick unpacks the story of an encounter with the risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus.

Kirk Reflections 16th April 2023.

This week, we welcome pilgrims from South Africa, who have travelled to Scotland to celebrate the life of Andrew Murray, one of a number of Scottish missionaries working in southern Africa and the legacy of his son (also Andrew Murray).

Prof. Elna Mouton brings our message today on the art of remembering, based upon accounts in John 18 and John 21.

This podcast is from a live recording.

Kirk Reflections 9th April 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's Resurrection Sunday reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

Kirk Reflections 7th April 2023.

Rev. Erick du Toit brings today's Good Friday reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

Kirk Reflections 6th April 2023.

Jane Stein brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

This week, we bring reflections on the Easter Story from different perspectives. Today, we look at the unnamed characters in the story.

Kirk Reflections 5th April 2023.

John McPhee brings today's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland

This week, we bring reflections on the Easter Story from different perspectives. Today, we look at the Apostle, John.