1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 19 April 2026

Christ died for the ungodly – Romans 5 v 6.

Welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.

This verse found in the book of Romans, goes on to say, ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Following on from our thoughts at Easter, we are reminded that the sole purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth was to provide the supreme sacrifice of His death on the cross, so that anyone can seek God’s forgiveness, and through His shed blood we can be cleansed from all sin.

This verse reminds us of two important principles – firstly that God died for the ungodly. We can accept His death for those who ‘are like us,’ but find it hard to think that God can forgive murderers, rapists, people of violence, sex offenders etc. Yet the Bible teaches us that anyone, irrespective of what they may have done, can come to God, confess their sins, and receive forgiveness. Now that truly is amazing of God’s mercy and grace.

The second important principle is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God knew about us long before we were born, and He knew that we had the bias to sin. However, He died that we might be forgiven and to have a relationship with Him as we journey through this life before spending eternity with Him.

The wonderful aspect is that from our point of view, this is completely free – we simply confess and accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, and He does the rest – promising to be with us, to guide, protect and provide for all our needs. It is so sad that there are so many people who reject this as fantasy and a myth, without ever experiencing Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Pride and/or stubborn hearts mean that they miss out on the greatest free gift that is still available to anyone who asks today. In the words of Charles Wesley, the famous hymn-writer, ‘O let me commend my Saviour to you.’