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 Summer is with us, you can tell as the rain is warmer, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
Covid is no longer the driving force in our lives and has now the same status as a head cold. Not man-flu as that is really serious.
Although the plan from Presbytery was for Lonmay Church to close it’s doors by the end of last year, that hasn’t happened. We plan to stay open for worship as long as we can, God willing.
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. You are all invited to come along to the Sunday School Picnic (See events page for details).
Blessings.
Lonmay Thought for Sunday 21 December 2025
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him – Luke 1 v 76.
A very warm welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday – the last before Christmas Day!!
Our verse today reminds us of the message about John, born to Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, six months before the birth of Jesus. Here is the main purpose of John’s work as he grew up. He was to tell people of the coming Messiah – Jesus – and to prepare the way for His ministry. We learn later that the message had been received and that John had gone out to the river Jordan, where he told the people about Jesus. Later Jesus Himself appeared and was baptised by John, and God revealed to those present that Jesus was indeed ‘My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’ Not everyone was pleased with the news and sought ways to divert people’s attention from the Good News. Indeed later, John was to be killed.
So, what could this verse mean for us today? Jesus did indeed come as we celebrate at Christmas, eventually to die to provide a means for us being forgiven and is now alive and waiting for His coronation.
Unlike John, we are not preparing a way for Jesus’ birth, but for His coronation!! The Good News we have is that Jesus is coming back again to take His blood-bought people to be with Him for eternity. There are many who will mock and dismiss this glorious message as fantasy and wishful thinking, but we know the truth because the One who is True, is our personal Saviour and Lord. Let us ensure that those around us are aware of the coming of Jesus and seek to bring others into His family. The shepherds and wise men did it years ago, and millions of people since – we are part of a huge number of evangelists sharing the amazing news of Jesus and His love for us.
It would be great to see you in church on Sunday or on Christmas Eve at Lonmay, but in the meantime, I wish you a wonderful Christmas. Look out for the Christmas Day edition!!
