East Kilbride
Old Parish
Church
Church buildings currently closed due to Coronavirus.
The Church of Scotland Moderator's Special Pentecost Service,
introduced by Rev. Anne Paton, is now available below.
Go and tell others....
For previous services, please click on the 'Watch a Service' button, below left.
Sunday Services in Challenging Times:
The latest video is now available on the Home page and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ekopc We have also added an audio version to 'Listen to a Service' and Dial-a-Service.
On Sunday, 31st May, Pentecost Sunday, a recording of our Minister gives an introduction to the following:
The new Moderator of the Church of Scotland leads a special Pentecost Service for the whole church so that as many of the Church of Scotland as possible will be gathered in fellowship and praise. This is live streamed on their website and Facebook.
Our own short service will resume next Sunday.
When each new video is loaded as above, the previous week's, and all since 5th April 2020, will still be available if you click on the 'Watch a Service' button on the Home page.
(See below for friends/family without internet).
Our services since 5th April 2020 offer a new style of worship, in the 'virtual' setting of the sounds and images of East Kilbride Old Parish Church, but are made in the context of the current pandemic ie no contravention of lockdown rules.
Lasting around 30 mins or under, they blend new videos, recorded by the Minister and readers in their own homes without outsider involvement, only technology! The hymns are those sung by our congregation in the past - we are lucky to have access to an archive of audio recordings from years of Sunday morning services made each week before lockdown; it helps us create the atmosphere of being together as a congregation.
Video Services
A newly constructed 'Online Sunday Service' video is now available each week on the Home page, or go to www.Facebook.com/EKOLDPC
Words for the readings and the hymns are shown on screen.
Audio Services
For sound-only recordings of services please click on the 'Listen to a Service' button (or see Dial-a-Service, below).
Know Someone with no Internet?
For members without the internet, we are also now providing the content in different formats (CD/DVD/USB stick) on request.
In addition, we now have a 'Dial-A-Service' system giving telephone access to a recording of our most recent service (like an answer machine). Please get in touch with Alistair Walker if you would like to know more about this for a friend or relative in the church. Elders will also be making contact with members.
Virtual Tea & Coffee on Zoom, twice weekly...
... On Sundays at 11.45am - 12.45pm (Access Code 814-8227-9764)
You are cordially invited to join in our 'virtual' Sunday Service Tea & Coffee, at 11.45am, not in the Lower Hall, as normal, but at your desk or coffee table, with whatever device you use to get onto the internet.
Bring along your own tea/coffee and biscuits (no spilling on the keyboard!!!), and we’ll just chat as we always do. Drop in, or leave, when you like. We'll aim to close at 12.45pm but we can always extend it.
The code you need for access to this 'meeting' will now be 814-8227-9764 each week.
For the guidance on how to join us, please see below.
... On Thursdays, 10am - 12noon, (Access Code 820-1455-4693)
Anne, our Minister, invites you to join her at our Thursday Coffee Morning in what we might call our 'Zoom Room’.
There must be no travelling to Glebe St. Hall of course - you’ll find us on your computer, phone or tablet on Thursday, any time between 10am and 12noon. Bring along your own tea/coffee and biscuits (no spilling on the keyboard!!!), and we’ll just chat as we always do. Drop in or leave when you like. The access code number for Thursday Coffee mornings every week is 820-1455-4693.
New to Zoom? It’s as easy as choosing between 1, 2, 3 (and now 4! )
NB: We now nominate a Helper if you need assistance with joining this 'meeting' on the day.'Helpline' phone number for Sunday: 07912 295943 (Iain).
You can also get in touch if you would like advice before the day - use our usual choice of Contact details, as shown below, last item.
If you are new to Zoom and want to join us in the next meeting, please get set up beforehand. Try whichever of these methods suits you:
1) Click Here (or below at 3 if you prefer pictures).
Note: The separate code numbers for access for Sundays and for Thursdays are shown above.
OR
2) Send us your email in advance and our reply will get you started. Either phone it in to EK 279004, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Note: you must be able to access your emails on the device you plan to use for Zoom.
OR
3) Prefer picture guides?
a) Picture guide for people who have downloaded the 'app': Click Here
b) For people who have not yet downloaded the 'app': We recommend you watch the video at 4) below.
c) Picture guide to the control symbols when you are in the 'Zoom Room' (for beginners): Click Here for a picture of the screen in a meeting, explaining the controls eg for sound, video, etc. You can zoom in on the screen picture if required in the usual way.
4) Prefer a short video tutorial? Click Here
This is a short Youtube video made by an elderly couple who explain much of what we've told you above but in video format.
When you open it, change to Full Screen view by clicking the broken square at the bottom right of the video screen itself.
To go back again, click the Esc (Escape) key - top left on a keyboard, or use the Home button on an iPad.
Note: Christine B would like feedback on how these aids work in practice, so if you use them, please let me know how it went, using the usual contact methods, eg below, last item thanks!
Need more help?
We will have nominated Helpers if you need help with joining the 'meeting'. Just get in touch using our usual contact details (below, last item) preferably in advance. But you can also ring Iain, Alistair or Anne at the time of the meeting and one of them will 'step out' to give you guidance. Most commonly the issue is putting your volume or picture on. Read the guidance notes above to familiarise yourself with the control symbols.
Important Correction
Apologies for previously missing a digit in our 'Helpline' phone number for Zoom which is: 07912 295943 ie Iain Shaw.
New addition to the Minister's 'Pastoral Letter' Section in 'News'
You will have seen that when you click on 'News' there are three options:
- (Church) News
- Pastoral Letter
- Youth & Families Worker Update
The Minister's Pastoral Letter is normally updated each month after its publication in the church magazine, the EKO.
Since Lockdown, she has also been writing a reflection piece for the East Kilbride News each week, alongside one from Father Rafal Sobieszuk of St Bride's. Copies of her reflections are now available to read in 'News/Pastoral Letter' in case you missed them.
Note: We also contribute to the Churches column in the EK News so do be sure to tell any friends without the internet to check that out for our news as well as for the Minister's message.
Prayer Group
“The Church is the people not a building”.
Our building may be closed, but the people of East Kilbride Old Parish Church are still here for you. Our volunteers are willing to help in many ways – just get in touch.
For example:
- Need to hear a friendly voice, even if it has to be over the phone?
- Need some shopping, a prescription, or a dog walker? *
- In need of spiritual guidance, a few words of comfort, or a prayer to be said?
We now check 'remotely', on a regular basis, for messages to the following:
Contact details:
To contact us, telephone: 01355 279004, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you can use 'Contact Us' on this website. You can also go to our Facebook page at 
www.Facebook.com/EKOLDPC . These are all now monitored daily, though the office is now closed of course.
Pentecost Sunday Service 31st May comes from Edinburgh
Week commencing Sunday, 31st May, Pentecost, we are showing a video from the Moderator of the Church of Scotland who is leading a service for the whole church so that as many of the Church of Scotland as possible will be gathered in fellowship and praise. This was streamed live on their website and Facebook from 10am and is also available as a recording there, in various formats, including a 'signed version' for those with hearing difficulties. We also made an audio version available at the same time, and our Home page video which followed, is the Moderator's service plus an introduction from our Minister.
Our Zoom Tea and Coffee was at 11.45am as usual - see 'Our Response' for more..., and Online Sunday School will also take place as usual at 2.30pm - see below.
Our own short service recording will resume next Sunday.
Our Online Activities for Children and Parents
Online Sunday School
Be sure to visit our Online Club in the Youth section if you have contact with children and would like some ideas for fun activities. Some of them are also of interest to adults.
Why not let us know which you like best by using the usual contact details posted on the site?
Parents, Childcare and Play Workers!
Church of Scotland
Links to Church of Scotland News
At the bottom of our 'News' page, we provide links to different pages of the Church of Scotland website, but we try to highlight their special news and events here too:
A 'Call to Pray' since May 2020
Join the Church of Scotland and others in prayer every Sunday 7pm.
13 churches and Christian organisations across Scotland are calling on Christians to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Thousands of people across Scotland have been answering the call to pray during this time of sacrifice, difficulty and bereavement. Prayer has become increasingly a valued time for Christians as they pause to pray, conscious that many others will be sharing the same prayer at the same time. It helps create a sense of community when we are isolated through lockdown.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 24th May said by the Moderator.
Or read it here below, after the introduction:
"In the Gospel of John (17: 1-11), Jesus prays for his disciples in anticipation of the time when he will no longer be with them. What is it that he prays for? Jesus asks the Father to ‘protect’ his friends. Whilst he was with them, Jesus protected and shielded the disciples and later in his prayer he prays for each one of us. The ascended Lord Jesus continues to pray for us and assures us that his presence will be renewed through the gift of the Holy Spirit."
We pray:
Living God and gracious Father,
Protect and shield us.
Living God, protect and shield
All whom we love,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Living God, your Son now sits in your presence
And shares in your glory and honour.
We thank you for the promise
That his presence shall be renewed for us,
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Living God, we thank you that Jesus prayed for us
And that he continues to intercede for us.
We thank you that he continues to pray
For us and for our protection,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Living God, we pray for the life of the world
We thank you for all those who, in these days,
Strive to protect and shield us.
Renew them in heart and soul, and mind and strength, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Living God, renew us we pray and renew the life of the world.
For you so loved the world that you gave your Son
That we might share in the life of the world to come.
Hear our prayer, now and always,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Click Hereto hear the prayer for 17th May said by the Moderator
Click Here to hear the prayer for 10th May said by the Moderator
Click Here to hear the prayer for 3rd May said by the Moderator
Click Here for more details of the Call to Pray.
EKOPC Prayer Diary for the Remainder of May:
30th. Lord, thank you that we can bring everything to you in prayer.
31st. At Pentecost Lord we thank you for giving us The Holy Spirit to guide us.
...and June:
1st. Lord, on this first day of June we pray for sunny weather.
2nd. Father, we welcome our new moderator Dr Martin Fair and pray that you would lead him and bless him in his role.
3rd. We pray Lord that you would comfort asylum seekers who have fled their own countries for various reasons.
4th. Fear not for I am with you.
5th. May God be with you today and reflect the love of Jesus to all.
6th. Lord, please comfort everyone who is grieving at this time.
7th. I thank you Lord that my name was on your wake up list for another day.
8th. We remember the families who have lost loved ones and may the Lord`s blessing be on them.
Contact details
We are here to help in difficult times! To contact us, use any of the following (all now monitored daily, despite the office being physically closed):
Telephone: 01355 279004; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Send a Website Message via 'Contact Us' on www.ekopc.org.uk ; Or to go to our Facebook page, click the link below.
..to lift people's spirits and raise a smile during these hard times. Send your contributions to any of the usual contact details shown elsewhere.
Pentecost
We hope you enjoy/enjoyed the special Pentecost Service.
Here are two pictures sent to us by Jill and Alan which I think might be said to represent two themes of Pentecost: the Spirit... 
... and a sense of celebration:
Look closely and you'll see that the rainbow on the fence is made out of golf tees, the train out of blue carpet, and the rails are a ladder. Amazing creativity!
Click Here for a Special Video Story for Pentecost with Sooty and Sweep.
It's available on our Online Club and Sunday School pages too, but I thought some of our older audience might also enjoy seeing the two puppets again, and the story is a good one! Thanks to Lynne who discovered it!
The Prayer
The words of this poem/lyric, quoted by Fiona in the Sunday Service 24th May, were requested by one of our members:
I pray You'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go,
And teach us to be wise, in times when we don't know.
Let this be my prayer, when we lose our way,
Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace,
To a place where we'll be safe.
I pray we'll find your light and hold it in our hearts.
As darkness falls each night, remind us where You are.
Let this be my prayer, when shadows fill our day,
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
Note: There is also a version sung by Andrea Bocelli and Celion Dion on Youtube.
Heartwarming Pics
Lynne's Bake a Rainbow Challenge
Adults and children alike can enjoy this activity, which we 'pinched' from the Online Club page.
NB: Recipes and design outlines are available if you Click Here.
DONT FORGET to send in photos of your creations - see the 'poster' below for details.
'Me and God' Activity Sheet from Online Club Page
If you Click Here you'll find an activity sheet which has been 'pinched' from one of our Youth pages. You might like to take a look at it - it could fit into our 'uplifting' category (for some of you anyway...)
Iain's Logic Quiz
See how well you do... no prizes, just fun and a chance to exercise your 'little grey cells' as Hercule Poirot would say.
Logic Round
- 26 = L of the A
- 12 = D of J C
- 8 = P in the S S
- 170 = H C in a D
- 24 = H in a D
- 18 = H on a G C
- 39 = B in the O T
- 27 = B in a H H
- 88 = K on a P
- 12 = S of the Z
For Answers: Click Here (no cheating!)
Thanks Iain.
Some encouragement in challenging times...
This is the time to be slow:
This is the time to be slow,
to lie low to the wall
until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can,
not to let the wire brush of doubt scrape from your heart
all sense of yourself
and your hesitant light.
If you remain generous
time will come good,
and you will find your feet again on fresh pastures of promise where the air will be kind
and blushed with beginning.
John O'Donohue, (from EKO May)
A pic from Iain:
The Church isn't empty, the church has been deployed!
Iain sent this pic in, and I think it's quite relevant, don't you? When I write the update for the East Kilbride News 'Churches' column each week, it strikes home just how much is going on in our church, ie the real church, which is made up of the people, if not in the church building.
Now keep scrolling down (or go to the top menu) for our other sections:
Church Welcome and Introduction including: General Information; Location Maps; and 'Contact Us' message facility.
then our
Click-on Boxes:
Worship with Us, including information on Church Services as well as Communion; Accessibility and Extra Support; a 'Newcomers' Guide
News: Church News; Pastoral Letter; Youth & Families Worker Updates
Photo Gallery
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Activity Group Pages (Youth and Adults)
Faith Matters
History and Graveyard
NB: Work and Workings of the Church is yet to be opened...
Welcome to East Kilbride Old Parish Church!
Join us for worship on
Sunday Mornings from 11am – 12noon.
We hope you will feel a warmth and friendliness and that your experience of our worship together is enjoyable, meaningful and encouraging. Please also look out for activities you could be a part of during the week – there are lots of opportunities to meet with a friendly crowd! East Kilbride Old prides itself in being known as a welcoming church.
From the church of the past to the church of today…
“This website includes a section on the history of the church and its graveyard because we know may visitors are interested in this. The current building dates back to 1774 (though there has been a church on this site since pre-Reformation times).
When today’s church was built, it stood in the midst of a small village. Today it stands in the midst of a large new town with a population of around 75,000 people.
Beautiful as it is however, our church is not the building, but the people. Within that building, there is a warm church family. People of all ages meet together, all striving to reach out to the community we serve in the Village area and East Mains.
We have active organisations for children and adults, giving a wealth of opportunities for fellowship and sharing, and everyone is assured of a warm welcome.”
Rev. Anne Paton
