Bridge of Allan Parish Church

Rules and Responsibilities - Exodus 20:1-17 - Sunday 7th March 2021 The Ten Commandments

The Promise of God - Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 - Sunday 28th February

A Living Covenant - Genesis 9:8-17 - Sunday 21st Feb 

Heaven and Earth - Mark 9:2-9 - 14 February 2021

Work and Rest - Mark 1:29-39 - 7th February 2021

A new kind of teacher - Mark 1:21-28 

The time has come - Mark 1:14-20 - Sunday 24th January 2021 The full version of the Apostle's Sea Shanty can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQzZ8Sz8sk0

Come and See! - John 1:43-51 - Sunday 17th Jan

** O Come O Come and PRepare the Nativity - Advent 4 - Luke 1:28-38 ** Try not to think too hard this week - try to be present in the wonder and joy of Christmas. Pray that both yourself and others may know hope and joy the Christmas. Sing any and all Christmas songs that come to mind, favourites from your youth, those which annoy those around you and especially those that make you smile. 

*** O Come O Come and Prepare yourself – John 1:6-8,19-28 – Advent 3 *** Who are you? What makes you you? Do you look for signs of God? Do you point to the signs of Love at work where you are? Love came down at Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIr5th0d44Y

O Come O Come and Be Prepared – Mark 1:1-8 – Communion – Advent 2 2020 Jingle Bells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CWJNqyub3o Hark the Herald Angles Sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqooC4ZG75Y O Come all you faithful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tM5pwvUGMI Silent Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEH7_2c644Q We wish you a Merry Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-OF7KGyDis We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/ Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100187 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Advent 1 - O Come O Come and be prepared - Mark 13:24-37 Ful details of our Advent and Christmas services can be found on our social media and website. 

Christ the King – Served and Serving - Matthew 25:31-46 What would you do in you were a king or queen? Who would you serve and who would you have serve you? What does it mean to be in the service of Christ the King? Music - Crown him with many crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7OCs0d_4vM

*** Prisoner's Week - Not Alone - BofAPC - John 14:15-21 *** The full Prisoners Week service will go live at 10 am on Sunday 15th November and can be found at the links below.  https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=386680566080776&id=101928991222603  https://www.facebook.com/Prisoners-Week-Scotland-101928991222603/

Remembrance Sunday - Ecumenical Bridge of Allan Village Service

*** Haughty and Humbled – Matthew 23:1-12 *** Further Question(s) Who in your life lives a life of service and care for others, and what can you do for them that recognises the quiet love they show. Young Folk Talk about what it is to be a show off, and think about times you have either been the show off or seen somebody else showing off. Then discuss how this made you feel. Music Be Thou My Vision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxvXGgSlRcs

*** Law and Love – Matthew 22:34-46 *** Further Question(s) As you think of the Harvest and as you think about the two commandments that cover all the law and the prophets, think about honour these things. How do you show you are greatful for food in the shops, how do you show you love God with all you heart, soul and mind, and how do you love your neighbour as yourself? Young Folk At the next meal you share together take time to talk about how eat of the things that you eat are raised, grown or produced. And give thanks for all the people involved in that process. Music We plough the fields and scatter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccVEjKFkAV4

** Sabbath Rest **  Please find a warm welcome as we join Stirling St Mark's for the 4th, 11th and 18th of October.  We will be back online and in-person from Sunday 25th October.     Please visit https://www.facebook.com/stmarksstirling to find their latest content.

***Human and Divine - Sunday 27th September*** Further Question Continue to reflect on what you can do for those who will be affected the most by the change in regulations. Young Folk Please find activity sheets in the files section of our BofAPC Workbooks Facebook group. Music Guide me of thou great Jehovah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg&t=2s

*** Working through Matthew - Workers and Wages - Matthew 20:1-16 *** Further Question As you reflect on all of this, continue to think about the question asked in the reflection – in an unfair world what can you do to show an individual that they matter just as much as you do? Try to identify one new-to-you practical thing you can do this week to make the world a place where all are valued for who they are, and do it. Young Folk Please find activity sheets in the files section of our BofAPC Workbooks Facebook group. And talk to each other about what you all think it means to be fair. A look at what you can do together show loving fairness. Music we plough the fields and scatter (CH4 299) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWHMZsf-Ano

*** Working through Matthew - Freedom and Forgiveness - Matthew 18:21-35 *** Further Question Your mistakes are forgiven as you forgive. Think through the grudges you hold, the things that still provoke you after the fact and try to forgive to wrongs of that situation. Young Folk Please find activity sheets in the files section of our facebook page. More Music Praise my soul the King of Heaven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dHeRB2c3g

Working through Matthew - Rocks and blocks - Matthew 16:21-28 Questions to think about There is a lot to think about in today’s reading, and even though the focus in the piece is on thinking about rock and block, it is helpful to reflect on that further. Take time to identify one rock, one thing that you can build upon in your life of faith, and one block that is stopping you doing something in your life of faith. Then give thanks for the rock and see how you can make sure the rock doesn’t crumble. And then think about the single block you have identified and think about what you can do to overcome it. Things to talk to children about Talk to your young people about what is meant by truth. Ask them about how they can identify the difference between was is truthful and what is not. Then discuss with them about how you know, or believe, your faith to be true. Remind them that doubt and questions are an integral part of a life of faith. Hymns 510 Jesus calls us here to meet him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModYoPReYYw 533 Will you come and follow me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6IUalJ3sk

*** Steps of Faith – Step On - Matthew 16:13-20 *** Richmond’s Hope Richmond’s Hope provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved. The charity provides a safe space for children to work through their grief both verbally and non verbally, to preserve memories of the person who has died, to explore their feelings, to develop coping strategies and to understand the impact the bereavement has had on their lives. For more info look here - https://www.richmondshope.org.uk/ Further Questions As you think through this week, take time to think about how you would describe Jesus to others. Start by describing your understand of Jesus to yourself, and then start to think about how and why the message and person of Jesus is still relevant. With Young People Continue to talk about how you might describe Jesus. Think about how he might have looked and how he might of dressed, and then look up “The Real Face of Jesus” (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a234/1282186/) and see how your thoughts compare. And then think how you would describe the actions and values that were important to Jesus, and how you might show them in how you act. Music/hymn links 286 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6ji4y9Q-K0 739 The Church's one foundation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jotNbcFelX4

*** Steps of faith - Step up - Matthew  15:21-28 ***   Questions   What does it mean to you that Jesus changed his mind in the reading?   What does it mean to you that Jesus listened to the Canaanite Women in the reading?   What would you ask God for if you thought you could change something for the better?   What would you be prepared to do to make that come true?    Young People    Talk to your young people about mental health, reminding them that mental health is something we all have, and that sometimes it is in good health and sometimes it might need help.   Remind them that when they find themselves hurting in body and/or mind that they are still loved for who they are by God and by you.   Sit with your young person, maybe sit as a family, and take turns in saying to each other…  “God loves your for who you are. I love you for who you are. I especially love …(blank)… about you.” Filling in the blank with things you love about each other.       hymn/piece of music   Gather us in (CH4 623) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbNXqjwh8is   Beauty for Brokenness (CH4 259) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1G-o7Yj-c

Questions to think about Take time to consider (perhaps write down as a list) times in your life when you have found yourself starting to have that sinking feeling. Troubling, challenging times when naturally it has been difficult to cope emotionally and sometimes physically. We all have these times. • What prevented you sinking? • Who stopped you from sinking deeper? • How did you manage to stay afloat? Hopefully we recognise the hand of God in those moments. Be thankful for the people, the self-resilience and the help that was available to you as you managed these difficult times. Things to talk to children about Today’s reading is about signs that Jesus gives. The sign that God offers calm in the storm The sign that as we start to sink God will reach out to us Talk with your young people about what signs they see in the world; maybe road sings or the new signs in school that help with social distancing and special Covid measures. And then ask them what signs they see that point to God. Talk to them about how and where you see God, and how you can look for God together. Hymn/Music 485 Dear Lord and Father of mankind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gYuEXsKsiU 509 Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idAoS7at3nQ

Sunday 9nd August - BofAPC - Moderators Supply part 2

Sunday 2nd August - BofAPC - Moderators Supply part 1 Apologies for nothing uploading last week, not sure what happened there. 

Further Question(s) Think about the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it means to you? Do you think about the Kingdom of Heaven as something in an afterlife? Or do you think of it as a set of ideas based in love to live by now? We cannot know in certainty what life after death will be, other than knowing God is big enough and loving enough to take care of that. What we can know is that Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like and that the Kingdom is now. So we have to try to live out those Kingdom values now. What would it mean to you if you tried to permeate love into all aspects of life? Young Folk See what seeds of love you can plant this week. Send a message to someone you think might need to know love this week, or write a letter to someone you’ve not seen in a while. Tell them that they are loved, and show that in what you write to them. Remember to ask a grown up to help you if you need help. More Music Love is like a magic penny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IclFQj4l3F0 Seek ye first CH4 641 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9MTRPA0z-E&t=71s

*** spreading seeds - the parable of the sower *** Questions Reflect this week ask yourself the question – where are the seeds? Think about where the seeds of faith, hope and love are found. Think about the seeds that you plant but also that are planted in you. Look for the good in both the obviously good but also in the challenge. Young Folk This week think of scattering seeds with your young people. If you are able to get a packet of wildflower seed and go and scatter those seeds whilst talking about how you might share seeds of faith hope and love within your family and beyond. Music All things bright and beautiful CH4 137 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgqKfGRT0PM How great thou art CH4 154 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdE_NKyY_o0

More Questions As you think about how you can find personal rest, think more about how you can personally support others inthier rest too. And go beyond that, think about how you can influence the Church and wider community to removed burdens and obligations to help reduce exhaustion before it sets in. As well as how you can offer to support those who are already weary within institution and organisation. Young Folk Think about being tired and what makes you fully you again. Maybe take the letters of the word rest and make an acrostic of pictures or phrases that show what you do to rest and how you can help others recharge their batteries. If you you have any of this you want to share then please send it to the church FB page and we will then share what you send in. More Music I heard the voice of Jesus say CH4 540 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUVCpF8-VuE Just as I am, without one plea CH4 553 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcFp0-4RZzc

More Questions Having wrestled with the difficult question in the video that asks you to be self-reflective now think about those fleeing conflict and persecution and are now seeking refuge. If you had to flee your home with about an hours’ notice what would you take, and more importantly when you got to wherever it was you were fleeing too what do you think you would need? Try to find out more about the personal stories of refugees by looking at the stories section of the Scottish Refugee Council’s website - https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/category/stories/ Young Folk Think and talk with young people about water, and ask them what it feels like to be thirsty. Then move the conversation in to thirsting for something in a metaphorical way, asking them about what changes in the world they thirst for that are either fun, like a special tap for irn bru in the kitchen, or more in line with Christ’s teaching like everyone having enough food to eat. More Music Let us build a house CH4 198 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKJgcv8SdnQ Here in this place, new light is streaming CH4 623 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0BXa82F9M

Further Questions Think more about the “haves” and “have nots” and read about the significant increase in death rates due to covid19 in areas of deprivation in Scotland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53079112 Young People Take time to go outside and find some green space, if you can, and look for all the different types of birds or listen to their songs. Talk about the differences in the birds and the differences between people, but how all people are made and loved by God no matter how different they are. More music Inspired by love and anger (CH4 253) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zijXIgMEg7c We sing a love that sets all people free (CH4 622) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YABQFILp8FA

More music Will you come and follow me CH4 533 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6IUalJ3sk When Jesus saw the fishermen CH4 340 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_VYeQrWEvA Questions Not only question the role you play in day to day life in the Kingdom of god, but also think about what role you play in BofAPC? And ask yourself what role you would like to play. And if there is something you’d like to do or be involved in, either in lockdown or afterwards, then please get in touch. (dharper@churchofscotland.org.uk) For younger people Ask your young people to play a game of charades with you. Take turns each depicting a person, profession or practice that helps you and individuals. Each time you guess together thank God for what that person does. And as the game finishes start to think about ways both now and the future your young people might want to show love in the world.

Questions   Not so much a question – but a suggestion – go and find articles and accounts about systemic racism written by people of colour. Listen to black voices and indigenous voices of people from all over the world and try to understand to the perspective of those on the margins better. Voices from the USA, Australia and Palestine are good places to start.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scRpgoR_qyo&fbclid=IwAR3SInfx4fzwEE95E6EuiaMzOopN1hcodt_IQOfTs0Ptlzfzy6rk-J03f5Y   Young People   It is important to talk to young people about race and racism. Helpful advice can be found here - https://www.facebook.com/cbeebies/photos/a.201695253199118/2861521840549766/?type=3&theater  And  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/7xvLw6Q4qbJBnkzkj6xm9Z/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-race-and-racism?fbclid=IwAR1m4Lkwkqg6MUavedhzc_6DbEF_0hDdrdGNPY7xxsYbjEueuBCQ4sKGVxI    Lord’ Prayer   https://www.facebook.com/churchofscotland/videos/2829524383829776/?t=1  Other Music   'I have a dream', a man once said (CH4 710) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHx2uWjECW4  "When I Needed A Neighbour" (CH4 544)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fExR7eOhJO0

More music Be still for the presence of the Lord (CH4 189) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U spirit of god unseen as the wind (CH4 600) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy8AZ46GKqc More Questions How do you speak of love to others? In what way, in what words or actions, do you speak of justice? Ask the Holy Spirit to nudge you into ways of doing this more. (For children) We talk about the Holy Spirit as being like fire, or like a dove or even a wind the blows. In all these different ways we are talking about something that moves and is active. What do you do that is active and full of joy. Try to describe what is feels like to be full of joy, and maybe even dance or draw what that feels like.

Questions to think about Rather than asking yourself too many questions this week, I invite you to take time to reflect. Find a quiet dark corner and light a candle. Watch the flame as it flickers and think about the light that shines from you. And ask the light of Christ to shine through you. Things to talk to children about Memories are important, what do things do you remember about your friends? Find a way to share a good memory you have with them. Think about how people might remember you, and think about things you could do that will create nice memories for you, your families and friends, things that will punch holes of light into the darkness. hymn/piece of music Seek ye first CH4 641 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FuurRAJkZY

Questions to think about Where do you encounter the helper? How do you, or could you, show a togetherness with God in love in action? What actions of love could you take today? Things to talk to children about What are you good at, and where do you need a little more help? In what ways can you show love to your family and friends, and what help might you need to do that? And is that help needed from family or from God? hymn/piece of music Be still, my soul (CH4 691) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9EMtFOQJk Love divine, all loves excelling (CH4 519) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOLcOPXJE34

Questions to think about   What can you do today to follow the way of Jesus?  What does the truth of Christ mean to you?  How will you respond to the life of Jesus today?   Things to talk to children about   Can you see a family resemblance in your family?  Do you like to do similar things to your family? What are the good things you do together as a family?  What can you do together as a family to show God’s love?   hymn/piece of music   The Church’s one foundation CH4 739 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1YBYrJ8Hzg   What a friend we have in Jesus CH4 547 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SCorW9r_Is

Questions to think about What journey are you on? And where in the journey might you encounter or rely on God? Things to talk to children about What is surprising? What’s the difference between good and bad surprises. How can you surprise someone with love?