- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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. You are all invited to come along to the Sunday School Picnic (See events page for details).
Blessings.
Lonmay Thought for Sunday 16th November 2025
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord – Joshua 24 v 15.
It is good to welcome you to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
The background to our text for this Sunday, comes from some of the final words of Joshua before he dies. He has been aware of the fickle nature of some of the people, who would serve the Lord when challenged, but would frequently go their own way, with dreadful consequences. Joshua sought to make a final stand for God as he explained whatever the people did, he was going to remain faithful and serve Him. He had experienced so many blessings from God, throughout the desert, crossing river Jordan, defeat of Jericho and many battles. God had remained faithful to His promise to bring the people into the Promised Land, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ a land which would provide for all their needs.
It is so easy for us to criticise the people of Israel for their lack of faith and trust in God. Their disobedience to His commands and laws. Their reckless desire to want their own way. Their failure to learn from previous experiences. Their failure to acknowledge their need of God’s leading, protection and provisions.
Yet is it not true that our criticism is sometimes hypocritical as we can be as bad as them!!! We often know what God teaches us in The Bible but then fail to do it!! We look back and see how God has so wonderfully met our needs over the years and still try to do things ‘our way’ rather than His. We are challenged to remember that ‘we are weak, but He is strong, Jesus keep from all wrong.’ We are encouraged to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.’
Yes, we are weak and at times disobedience – we will fall and let Jesus down, but that should not stop us from seeking to be determined with Joshua to say, ‘But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.’