Laich of Moray Parish Church (formerly Lossiemouth Church of Scotland)

18 August 2024 is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Rev. Geoff McKee preaches today and his main Bible text is (from the New Testament) Ephesians 5:15-20.

The Apostle Paul is thought to have written his letter to the Church at Ephesus around AD 60 – so, within about 30 years of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The relevant part of Ephesians – from The Message Bible Translation – reads:

Ephesians 5:15-20 (The Message)
11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

17 Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

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28 July 2024 is the Tenth Sunday after Pentcost. Today’s service is led by our Minister, Rev. Geoff McKee.

Below you will find the main Scripture reading from the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesian Church (from the New Testament).

The theme for today is essentially “Unity in the Church”.

Today’s main reading from the Bible which forms the basis of the sermon

Ephesians 3:14-21 (From The Message translation of the Bible)
14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

No full recording of service from Lossiemouth Church of Scotland today

We’re sorry there was a technical issue and we did not pick up either vision or audio on our recording, unfortunately.

In substitution, please find the text of Geoff’s sermon and an audio (phone) recording of Geoff’s children’s address – discussing the start of the 2024 Olympics in France and Emil Macron’s meeting with French Rugby star, Antoine Dupont.

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14 April 2024 is the Third Sunday of Easter.

In this Season of Easter, as normal, the main text today is from the Acts of the Apostles (“Acts”).

In the aftermath of Jesus’ death and resurrection, two of his disciples, Peter and John, have healed a lame beggar. Their miracle attracts a crowd.

This is what follows:

Today’s main Bible reading

Acts 3:12-23 (from The Message Bible Translation)
Turn to Face God
12-16 When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people:

“Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus. The very One that Pilate called innocent, you repudiated. You repudiated the Holy One, the Just One, and asked for a murderer in his place. You no sooner killed the Author of Life than God raised him from the dead—and we’re the witnesses. Faith in Jesus’ name put this man, whose condition you know so well, on his feet—yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes.

17-18 “And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders. But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans.

19-23 “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be. Moses, for instance, said, ‘Your God will raise up for you a prophet just like me from your family. Listen to every word he speaks to you. Every last living soul who refuses to listen to that prophet will be wiped out from the people.’

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Sunday 31 March 2024 is Easter Sunday.

Today’s service from Lossiemouth Church of Scotland is led by our Parish Minister, Rev. Geoff McKee.

The main scripture for today is Mark 16:1-8. It is posted, below, along with the other New Testament readings in the Lectionary for this week’s service.

Today’s main scripture – and other Lectionary New Testament readings for today

Main scripture

Mark 16:1-8 (from The Message Bible Translation)
The Resurrection
16 1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?”

4-5 Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

6-7 He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”

8 They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.

[Read more…]

This service on Friday 29 March 2024 was led by Rev. Christine McWhirter (Associate Minister) and Rev. Anne-Marie Simpson (Ordained Local Minister).

Call to worship

One this night, as the shadows darken, we come to be present with Jesus.

With the glory of Palm Sunday behind us, and the victory of Easter yet to come, we come together in this space with humble hearts.

In this world, where many face challenges, and bring doubts and questions, we seek to share this time with them, with love and unity.

At time, the dark valleys of life can seem overwhelming.

We come to this safe and holy place.

We come as ourselves, to wait.

Jesus Christ, holy friend, we know that you are here with us.

Video recording of Good Friday service 2024 from Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Banner image credit: John Stuart