Please join in singing the hymns, and in saying aloud any words printed
in red bold letters. Please stand if you are able when we sing.
ORGAN PRELUDE
Please stand, if you are able, as the Bible is brought in and people of all ages lay ten poppies, one for each decade, at the front of the church. They mark 100 years of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, which has made poppies and wreaths and provided employment for veterans with disabilities since 1926.
More than 100 years on from the end of the First World War, we continue to remember the millions of lives lost in wars, past and present. We lay these poppies at the front with our silent prayers for peace, as we listen to John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.
Minister says after a moment of silence
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ Psalm 46:9-10
CALL TO WORSHIP
On this day of remembrance, we hold on to hope in the face of terror. We come before you, God, praying with all our hearts:
All: O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.
Open our eyes to your vision of how the world can live together in peace.
All: Make us channels of your peace.
And so we echo the prayers of all who have gone before us:
All: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with us. Amen.
HYMN CH4 161 O God, our help in ages past
The Colours are received during this hymn.
1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home!
2. Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
WORDS OF WELCOME AND NOTICES
PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Please join in at the end of the prayer saying the words of the Lord’s prayer, whether you wish to use these words or words you are more familiar with.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen
ALL AGE TALK
FIRST READING Isaiah 2:1-5
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established
as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
SECOND READING Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
HYMN GWA 136 (tune Love unknown) Hope for the World’s Despair
1. Hope for the world’s despair:
we feel the nations’ pain;
can anything repair
this broken earth again?
For this we pray:
in every place
a spark of grace
to light the way.
2. Wisdom for all who bear
the future in their hand,
entrusted with the care
of this and every land.
When comes the hour,
O Lord, we pray,
inspire the way
we spend our power.
3. Honour for all who’ve paid
war’s painful, bitter price,
when duty called they made
the greatest sacrifice.
Their memory
will never cease
to cry for peace
and harmony.
4. Ease for the troubled mind
in endless conflict caught,
each soul that cannot find
the peace beyond all thought.
May they be blessed
with healing balm
for inner calm
and perfect rest.
5. Love for the human heart:
when hate grows from our fears
and inwardly we start to turn our ploughs
to spears.
Help us to sow love’s precious seed
in word and deed, that peace may grow.
SERMON
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Led by Mrs Mhairi Phillipson
We pause to pray to God for the world, our community and one another.
HYMN CH4 706 (tune Cwm Rhondda) For the healing of the nations
The Colours are returned during this hymn.
1. For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word,
help us rise and pledge our word.
2. Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase,
fear will die and hope increase.
3. All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race, or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life’s brief span,
may we hallow life’s brief span.
4. You, Creator-God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind;
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find,
earth its destiny may find.
CLOSING RESPONSES
Please remain standing if you are able and read the words in bold on the following page.
Will you honour all who bore the pains and adversities of war?
Will you offer them your help and support,
and protect their dignity and welfare?
All: With the help of God, we will.
Will you remember the causes for which they endured adversity
and for which many fought and died,
by promoting peace, justice and harmony among all people?
All: With the help of God, we will.
Will you always acknowledge how precious the gifts are
which God has entrusted to us,
and exercise the freedoms and opportunities you have
with gratitude and humility?
All: With the help of God, we will.
May Almighty God, who has given us the will to undertake these things,
give us also the strength to perform them: for his name’s sake.
All: Amen.
BENEDICTION (Please remain standing if you are able to)
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you, those whom you love and those whom you struggle to love, now and always.
NATIONAL ANTHEM (Please remain standing if you are able to)
God save our gracious King,
long live our noble King God save the King!
Send him victorious, happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us, God save the King.
ORGAN POSTLUDE
Please allow the uniformed organisations to leave the church first.
You are warmly invited to join us for tea or coffee after the service in the Church Centre.
CONTACT US
Revd. Iain Majcher
Mobile: 07749 899427
Pastoral Ministry
Mhairi Phillipson
Mobile: 07348 757185
Workdays: Wed & Sun
mphillipson@churchofscotland.org.uk
Session Clerks
Matt Bell
Sally Wilson
Church office
Phone: 01698 854 903
Digital Ministry Worker
Stewart Mason
Mobile: 07840 237596
smason@churchofscotland.org.uk
Kirk Session
When emailing, please
include the Session Clerk’s
Welcome to worship in Bellshill and Bothwell Parish Church. Whether you join in the building or online, come every week, are here for the first time or the first time in a long time, a very warm welcome.
This service is live-streamed. Should you not wish to appear in the recording, please speak to our welcome team.
You’ll find tea, coffee, juice, ready for you after the service in the Church Centre. We’d love for you to stick around for a cup of something warm and a good chat.
Have You Noticed the Lanyards? You may have spotted some people around wearing lanyards. Anyone who is helping or mentioned in the notices will be wearing one, making them easy to find. If you have any questions, please ask anyone wearing a lanyard, and they will be happy to help.
Can you help? We are looking for volunteers to give an hour or two a week to help print the orders of service. You don’t need to commit every week, as even once a month would be fantastic. Only basic computer skills are needed, and full instructions will be given. For more information, please email minister@bbcofs.org.uk.
Messy Church needs help to share the JOY of Christmas within our communities by delivering small gifts to our local nurseries. You can help by donating FUN SIZE bags and boxes (no lollipops). Thank you! For more information, please see Helen McGregor.
WHAT’S ON TODAY
The Creche is open from the start of the service and can be used at any point during the service. Please ask at the door for more information.
Children are welcome in worship. Busy Bags of Blessing for different ages are available by the entrance. Books for older children are on the table behind the AV desk, and there’s Duplo, magnets, cars and a soft play area by the sofas at the front. Please feel free to do whatever works for you and your family. Please return the bags to the table as you leave.
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
Westblend!Come along to the West Halls in Bellshill from 10:00am every Tuesday for coffee, tea, cakes, toast and great company.
Bothwell Memory Café: meets every Tuesdayin our Bothwell Centre for those living with dementia from 12:30 to 14:15, offering tea, coffee, a light lunch, and homemade baking.
Girls’ Brigade (Bellshill): meets Wednesdays from 18:00-20:15 in West Halls. We welcome new girls and young women. Come for fun, friendship, and opportunity.
Boys’ Brigade (Bothwell): meets in Bothwell Parish Church Fridays from 18:00-21:00. All boys and young men ages 4-18 years old are welcome.
Messy Church: Messy Church is on Saturday, 7th November from 3-5pm in West Halls. Everyone young, old, and in between is most welcome. There are crafts, stories, songs, and tea! Please come and join in.
The Guild: The Guild meets for a rescheduled event at 7:15 on Monday 9th November when we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming as our guest speaker our very own Digital Minister, Stewart Mason. This meeting is open to all so please come along to hear Stewart trace his faith journey and talk about the important role he has undertaken here.
We will gather again in the Church Centre at 7:15 on Monday 16th November when we will have the privilege and pleasure of welcoming the Reverend Stewart Gillan, lately minister at St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland in Jerusalem. We seek the support of the congregation in showing our support of, and gratitude of, this important Holy Land charge. All are most welcome.
COMING SOON
Our next Baking Stall will take place in the Narthex between 10 am and 12 noon on Saturday, 14th November 2026. Please come along and purchase all of your favourite homemade bakes from our talented team of bakers.
A Cracking Feast is coming on Sunday, 5th December at 5pm. Yule love it! List opening soon.
Alpha is coming to BBCofS
In the new year we will be running Alpha, a series of relaxed evenings exploring life, faith and the big questions, each one starting with a shared meal. It is planned to run on Monday evenings from 11 January 2027 for eleven weeks.
Good food is at the heart of Alpha, so we are looking for volunteers to help with the cooking. You don’t need to commit to all eleven weeks. If you can offer just one or two dates, that would be a great help. If you’d like to help, please speak to the Ministry team.
Buy your Hogmanay tickets – £10, £5 for children
See in the Bells with us! Live music, a ceilidh, and a floor waiting for you. Doors open at 20:30 at the West Halls, first dance at 21:00, last dance just before 01:00. Bring your own drinks (alcoholic or soft) and snacks, and bring your family and friends along for a night of fun as we dance our way from one year into the next. Tickets are £10 and are available from Mary and Graham, who will be wearing lanyards or email hogmanay@bbcofs.org.uk.
