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 7 December 2025
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good – Psalm 136 v 1.
Welcome to our latest edition of Thought for Sunday. As we move into our Christmas events, may each one of us discover anew the wonder of what God did at Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.
As we celebrate, albeit a week late!!, with an Advent Songs of Praise, may we be encouraged to look forward in eager anticipation to the most amazing gift God gave to the human race in Jesus. May we be able to say with Mary, ‘My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’
Advent is about waiting, expecting and looking forward. For the children, it is a time of excitement as they wait to discover what is in the parcels under the Christmas tree or at the end of their beds on Christmas morning. The parties, food, exchange of cards and presents makes it a very happy and enjoyable time for many. Sadly, that is not for all children. Some are unwell, seriously ill, worry about events taking place in their lives and not looking forward to Christmas. We remember them in our prayers.
For many adults, Christmas is a challenge with loneliness, isolation and feeling unloved as being their foremost feelings. For some it will be the first time without a loved one, or friends have moved away and are making a new life elsewhere. We will not forget those with these needs.
The Psalmist encourages us to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. That is easy to do when everything around us is going well and we have few concerns. But for many the question is ‘how can we give thanks,’ when so many are facing concerns and worries? The issue is about whom we trust – other humans with the best of intentions but subject to other pressures, or the One who loves us so much that He sent Jesus to be ‘the Saviour of the world.’ As we concentrate on Jesus, we appreciate all the good things He does for us and gives to us on a daily basis. He will and cannot fail because He is God. May we be able to say with confidence, ‘He is my God in whom I place my trust’?
