- 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.
Crimond and Lonmay Thought for Sunday 6 September 2026
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you – Isaiah 26 v 3.
A warm welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday which we pray you will find helpful.
Our verse today comes from God’s message to His people through Isaiah. Although stated many years ago, it is still relevant and important for us in a different culture and age. This is the wonder of God’s Word – it is never ‘out of date,’ but applicable in our daily lives.
Minds are amazing organs in our bodies and can bring hope in times of distress and worries. We know how easy it is for our minds to ‘wander,’ as we fail to focus on the issues of a given time. Minds can make us anxious or fearful, filled with stress, or it can bring us a meaningful peace.
God’s reminder to His people is that their minds should be steadfast. In other words, their focus should always be what God would do or want from us. It is not a robot response, but one of devotion and love for God. We should always strive to please Him and enable His work in our lives to reflect His power, authority and love. This is easy to write or state but can be so hard to put into practice. We know what is right and the action we should take, but as Paul puts it ‘the flesh is weak,’ and we can easily give in or give up with the task. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us to be steadfast and sure – the motto of the Boy’s Brigade. This can only happen when we know the security of having our anchors fixed on Jesus, where we experience security and refuge.
We are also reminded that His peace comes when we trust God in ALL our situations. This is so true when we are going through tough times, when fear, worries and cares can divert our attention from God on to ourselves. When life is straight-forward it is easier to trust God, but when we are in dark tunnels and cannot see the light at the end of them, it much more of a challenge. God reminds us that He will never fail us – trust Him.
Crimond and Lonmay Thought for Sunday 30 August 2026
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken – Psalm 16 v 8.
A warm welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
Our verse from the book of Psalms, reminds us of where we should be consistently looking. It is so easy to read but so much harder to put into practice. There are many distractions in our lives – family, work, relationships, finance, and others. These can divert our attention from the Lord, and our relationship with Jesus can falter.
The Psalmist reminds us to keep our eyes always on the Lord. I recall a time when I was I the Merchant Navy and earning my steering certificate. We were coming into port and the Pilot asked me if I could see two lights ahead of me. I cheerfully replied, ‘Yes.’ His response was a surprise. He told me that we were heading for disaster!!!! I needed to place the lights one behind the other, and then we would reach port safely. For the next few minutes, I held my breath and prayed that I would only see one light!!! We did reach port safely. The message from the Pilot was simple. Keep my eyes on the lights. Failure would have meant the ship meeting a disaster.
Spiritually this is the same for us. We are on a journey with the Lord. While ever we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will reach the safety of eternal life. If we take our eyes off the Lord, we will face problems and challenges which we could avoid, if we watched Jesus.
The Psalmist reminds us of something more. He states that, ‘With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.’ Here we recall that the Lord has promised never to leave or abandon us. He is with us – at our right hand – so that whatever we are facing in life – the joys and pains – He is alongside us to help and encourage us through the experiences.
Let us grasp our Saviour’s Hand and fix our eyes on Him, as we face a new week, with many joys and heartaches, knowing we are not alone.