Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, from the New Testament, again provides the main source for this week’s service and sermon – 15 August 2021 – the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.

Looking again at matters of time – the Greek word kairos makes a return – Rev. Geoff McKee considers time management issues for Christians and what we can do the ensure we are making the most of our lives from God’s perspective.

Below, you will find the main scripture for this week, the video service with prayes, songs and the sermon from Geoff. We conclude with a Musical Selection chosed by our organist and Musical Director, Katherine Robertson.

Main reading for this week

Ephesians 5:15-20 (New International Version)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Read more…]

We continue with our series on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians on this Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – 08 August 2021.

The main reading is below and then a listing of the Order of Service for today, the video of the service conducted by Rev. Geoff McKee and a Musical Selection from our Director of Music, Katherine Robertson.

The accompanying photograph is an ‘archive’ image (no ‘social distancing markers’ on pews!) of the gentle light from the main stained glass window on the north wall of the Church.

We hope you find these materials useful and uplifting, and please give us your feedback.

Main scripture for today

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (New International Version)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

[Read more…]

We continue our journey through the New Testament book of Ephesians on this the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, 01 August 2021.

The main text for today is Ephesians 4:1-16 – Paul’s words to the Church in Ephesus about the importance of unity in the Church. This is as resonant for the modern Church as it was 2000 years ago and yet much of the intervening history of the Christian Church has been of fracturing and disunity.

Below you will find the main Scripture, the Order of Service for today and then the embedded YouTube video recording of the service conducted by Rev. Geoff McKee – prayers, readings, hymns and the sermon.

[Read more…]

We’re in the New Testament Book of Ephesians for our main reading this week. It’s the Ninth week after Pentecost and we’ve been making our way through this letter of the Apostle Paul during the Seventh and Eighth weeks after Pentecost as well.

The theme this week is inclusion, drawing on Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians and J.K.Rowling’s ‘Cupboard Under The Stairs’, among other things.

Below, you will find the main scripture for this week, then the Order of Service with time stamps referring to the relevant points in the video of Rev. Geoff McKee’s morning service at St James’ for Sunday 25 July 2021. As an additional element, this week, there is the audio of Geoff’s Reflection (also in the video), with a link to an Amnesty International online article which features the image he discusses in his talk. Finally, you can find Katherine Robertson’s Musical Selection for this week, linking to a video on YouTube.

We are thankful that Moray has moved into “Level Zero” Covid-19 restrictions which means much wider access to Church of Scotland buildings than has existed for a while. It’s no longer necessary to make a prior booking through our Session Clerk, Susan McSheffrey, ahead of time in order to attend any of the services in the church.

The capacity of the church for services is now 107. Singing is permitted for all, but the congregation must wear masks at all times.

We hope very much to be able to welcome you in person to a Sunday Morning Service at St James’ before too long.

This week’s main reading

Ephesians 3:14-21 (New International Version)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

[Read more…]

18 July 2021 is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost and, like last week, the main teaching this week is based on a text from the New Testament book of Ephesians.

In the Intro to Ephesians in The Message, Eugene Peterson notes that “Paul’s letter to the Ephesians joins together what has been torn apart in our sin-wrecked world.” He describes “the energy of reconciliation” as “the dynamo at the heart of the universe”.

It is “imperative that we join in vigorously and perseveringly” so that “every detail in our lives contributes to what Paul describes as God’s plan worked out by Christ.”

This is a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Jesus – “everything in deepest heaven and everything on planet earth.”

Today’s main reading is specifically about a reconcilation of Paul’s time: reconcilation of Jews and Gentiles.

Below you will find the main reading followed by the video service which includes the other readings, prayers and Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon. At the end of this post for today, you will find Katherine Robertson’s Musical Selection.

The Order of Service is set out below with time stamps for the the relevant point in the video so you can skip to your favourite hymn or fast forward through the sermon 😉

[Read more…]