- 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 slightly warmer. Now, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
Although the weather is meant to be warmer, please remember to dress appropriately for the conditions. Be prepared to cast a layer when coming into the sanctuary as the heating will be on.
Although the Presbytery Plan had Lonmay Church closing 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. We are currently working towards a single Parish made up of the old parishes of Aberdour, Strichen, Tyrie, New Pitsligo, Crimond and Lonmay.
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 mad
Blessings.
Lonmay Thought for Sunday 25 October 2026
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me – Psalm 51 v 12.
Greetings to our latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
The verse of Scripture today, is a plea to God to meet with the Psalmist deepest needs. Life was tough for the Psalmist, and there were moments of despair and questions. He faced physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual battles. It would be easy to fall into a ‘pity me’ syndrome. Life was overwhelming and it as hard to be positive or constructive about the day or the future.
Can you identify with the Psalmist? Has life become one long battle with problems and challenges? Is it easier to become negative and destructive, blaming others for your situation?
Then, please turn to the same Lord as the Psalmist did in this Psalm. He is your only hope who can change your vision to experience His joy and plead for a willing spirit to keep you going.
Yes, as we look around us, there are many issues to concern us, to make us afraid and to worry about. But we are reminded that this is when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the issues around us. We are encouraged to rejoice that we are members of His family, adopted and greatly loved. The joy that came with being forgiven and entering into a personal relationship with Jesus should never be allowed to be a distant memory. Let us today, rejoice that Jesus means everything to us. Then we can seek a willing spirit to see and experience life through the eyes of Jesus, knowing that we are secure in Him, and He will not allow us to be ‘tested above that we are able to endure.’ He is with us and will not fail us. Pray that this verse will be imprinted in our minds to sustain us in the coming week.
Lonmay Thought for Sunday 18 October 2026
You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him – Deuteronomy 13 v 4.
A very warm welcome to last week’s edition of Thought for Sunday.
Here Moses is addressing the problem of disloyalty to Yahweh – God. Moses continues to apply the initial commands of the Ten Commandments: God’s people must forcefully resist the temptation to follow other gods. The chapter addresses three sources of temptation: false prophets, close relatives, and entire towns. For prophets, the litmus test of prophecy, even if accompanied by a miraculous sign, is whether the prophet urges obedience to the first commandment.
Moses was reminding the people of the first commandment – you shall not have any other gods before Me. The people had demonstrated that, although God was with them, it was easy for forget Him and to go their own way. When life is running smoothly for us, it is easy for us to forget about God and think that we can manage without Him. We are ‘in control’ and so we look to other sources to fulfil our desires. God reminds us that He is a jealous God and will not have any competition. He demands total allegiance to Him. That is tough, but we do not have to attempt it by ourselves, for He has promised to equip us and be with us along life’s journey.
Moses warned the people of three possible sources of temptation.
- False prophets. Those who claimed to be God’s spokespersons but was simply seeking to push their own version of what they thought God meant or wanted. The situation today has not changed, and in many ways is worse because some have the backing of influential people.
- Close relatives. We do not wish to fall out with those close to us, and yet in countries where persecution is more acute, it is family members who take action against a member who is a Christian.
- Entire towns. Perhaps not too relevant for us, but certainly in some towns in England there are areas where Christians are forced out.
Let us be determined to follow Jesus and have no other gods but Him.