- Video: Presbytery of Buchan – some congregational stories:
(Crimond and Lonmay represented by Mr Tim Barker)
Lonmay Newsletter
Welcome to this edition of the Lonmay Newsletter.
Now that Spring is with us, you can tell as the rain is wet and plentiful, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
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Although the weather is slightly warmer, please remember to wrap up warmly and try to avoid catching anything serious. This is especially true when taking part in the annual hedge cutting.
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Although the plan from Presbytery was for Lonmay Church to close it’s doors by the end of 2024, that hasn’t happened. We plan to stay open for worship as long as we can, God willing. Services and Fellowship continue as normal until further notice.
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Please continue to come along to the weekly Sunday Service at 12:00 o’clock and be ready to sing along to the varied selection of hymns. These are either sung along to the wonderful organ accompaniment provided by Alice or by recordings provided by Tim.
Tim also produces the texts and ‘Thought for Sunday’ which is posted weekly below this newsletter. In addition, Tim sends them out to a distribution list every week. If you wish to be included in the distribution, let one of the session know or ask Tim directly.
It has been a difficult period of uncertainty, and your support, prayers and encouragement during this period has been really appreciated. Please continue to pray as we move into the next stage of the Presbytery Plan and ask the Lord to continue to lead and guide decisions which have to be made.
Just to let you know that Sunday School will NOT be re-opening due to the retirement of Lorna and Yvonne. Many thanks to Lorna and Yvonne for their dedication and commitment to the Sunday School over the last number of years.
Blessings.
Crimond and Lonmay Thought for Sunday 22 March 2026
‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord – Malachi 1 v 2.
Welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
The last book of the Old Testament is Malachi – in which the Lord speaks through the prophet to His people. The people are questioning where is the love of God. They are facing the horror of being overrun by the enemy and much of what they treasure is to be destroyed. God’s response is to assure them that ‘I have loved you.’ The problem is that this appears to be in the past tense, but what about now? God is certainly not saying that His love is in the past and not the present, but it is referring them to His Presence and work in the past. God was wanting them to remember all the great things He had done for them in the past – and this was because He loved them. It was an encouragement to them to note that the God who loved and cared for them in the past, is the same God today. This was not easy for the people. They were aware of what they were being told about the future and were scared and anxious. Would the God who says that he loves them, really demonstrate His love for them in their new circumstances?
We may not be facing similar situations today, but there is no doubt that, when we are experiencing challenging and demanding times, that we could easily ask the same question.
We can look back and see how the Lord has met our every need, even when we doubted or questioned. However, in the present situation, we too can have doubts. But the Lord reminds us that His love for us never changes. He told Jeremiah, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.’ He is love – His very nature is love.
As we face an uncertain future, with all that is happening personally, nationally and internationally, the Lord encourages us to remember all that He has done for us, and that His love for us remains as firm and secure as ever. We are encouraged to place our trust and confidence in Jesus.