East Kilbride
Old Parish
Church
Normal church services are currently suspended due to Coronavirus.
To view our latest Sunday Service, please click the photo link below.
Recordings of previous services are made available in a range of formats:
'Listen to...' and 'Watch a Service' below, Dial-a-Service, DVD, USB stick on request.
Sunday Services in Challenging Times 1:
Sunday Services - Video
The latest video is available at the top of the Home page and 'Other Special Notices'.
It is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EKOLDPC .
Words for the readings and the hymns are shown on screen.
NB: Those of previous weeks will still be available if you click on the 'Watch a Service' button under the video. These services are not yet in date order, for which we apologise.
Sunday Services - Audio
For sound-only recordings of services, please click on the 'Listen to a Service' button under the video. These recordings are in date order. If you do not see the sevice you want, check you are in the right 'quarter'.
We also have a 'Dial-A-Service' system which plays a recording of our most recent service (like an answer machine). Please get in touch with Alistair Walker, or your elder, if you would like to know more about this for a friend or relative in the church.
Know Someone with no Internet?
For members without access to the internet, we provide recordings in these formats: Dial-a-Service, CD, DVD, USB stick, all on request.
Sunday Services in Challenging Times 2: How we produce the videos
Since Palm Sunday on 5th April 2020, our services have offered 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 with no contravention of distancing rules.
Lasting around 30 mins or less, they blend new videos, recorded by the Minister and readers in their own homes without outsider involvement, only technology! The hymns were initially those sung by our congregation in the past as we are lucky to have access to an archive of audio recordings from previous years. However, we now have a new sound - recordings made at home by a few choir members and blended together digitally.
Virtual Tea & Coffee on Zoom, twice weekly...
... 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.
... 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 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 ekopcmagazine@gmail.com .
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 a 'senior' 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.
Need more help?
We will have nominated Helpers if you have a problem 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.
“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 check 'remotely', on a regular basis, for messages to the following:
Contact details:
To contact us, telephone: 01355 279004, email ekopc.office@btconnect.com or you can use 'Contact Us' on this website. You can also go to www.Facebook.com/EKOLDPC
Remembrance Day, 8th November
Our Remembrance Day Service will be broadcast live from the church at at 10.45 with the silence observed at 11 on Sunday 8th November. To view it online via Youtube Click Here on the day, or use the link on our Facebook page.
The service will be streamed to our church halls if the number of members wishing to attend exceeds the permitted limit of 50. If you would like to attend the service in person, could you please forward your details to the church office by email: ekopc.office@btconnect.com, or by phone: 01355 279004 (NOT the number given in the printed November EKO), or Facebook Messenger, all by the deadline 6th November.
The recorded service will be available afterwards as usual.
Erskine Remembrance Collection Special Arrangements
Erskine is a charity which has been supported by East Kilbride Old Parish Church over many years. Like ourselves, due to Covid-19, they are unable to carry out many of their usual remembrance collections which form a large part of their fundraising income. In the circumstances, the church has set up a collection procedure for those who would like to donate to Erskine. This will be similar to that set up for our Harvest Thanksgiving. Please send donations to Des Laverty, whose contact details can be found at the end of the 'Finance' item in the November EKO on our 'News' page.
Note: Cheques should be made payable to East Kilbride Old Parish Church and endorsed on the back ‘Erskine Donation'.
Life and Work Magazine
Norma Penman is in the process of contacting all existing subscribers by telephone.
If you do not already subscribe to the magazine and are interested in receiving a copy and would like more information, please contact her via her number in the EKO, the Church Office 01355 279004, or use our 'Contact Us' links (in our 'Menu' lists and under the maps on the Home page).
A Message from our Finance & Gift Aid Convener
I would like to issue a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all members of the congregation who have continued with their offerings by way of sending cheques, Bank transfers and Standing Orders in the past few months. Unfortunately, I have not been able to respond to or acknowledge the many donors as there have been too many to reply to individually.
Sending cheques to me for banking and recording has been the easiest and best way of keeping account of our Income flows.
Even though our Church remains closed for the most part, our fixed expenditure continues in maintaining the church premises, meeting general admin costs and contributions to the Church nationally and to the aid of those in need of help and support in the local community.
Even with the very generous efforts in offerings stated above, it is true to point out that our Incomes have understandably fallen short of meeting the levels required to meet our normal expenditure without having to dip into our reserves.
With this in mind, I would urge all members of the congregation to re-look at their level of givings and if possible increase their givings or for those who have not been able to “give” by not being able to attend church to support our church by sending cheques, made payable to East Kilbride Old Parish Church, to me at the address below*, or setting up Standing orders with their Bank or by direct Bank transfer. (I can supply Bank details and Standing Order forms on request). Obviously Offerings under Gift Aid are the most effective method of giving and should anyone not already giving in this way wish to do so, I can, as stated above, supply the required declaration form etc on request.
It is not an easy request to make, however in these very difficult times, it is reluctantly necessary.
Once more, I thank all those who are already giving as much as they can and regularly.
Des Laverty (*address and contact details are printed in the EKO on our 'News' page)
Ordination of Fiona Anderson
Fiona’s Ordination as an OLM took place on 27th October in our own church. The service was organised by Hamilton Presbytery with numbers limited to the officiating clergy, Fiona’s immediate family, and representatives from her church in Strathaven.
However, if you would like to view the service, which was streamed live via Youtube at 7pm on Tuesday 27th October, Click Here , and the Order of Service can be downloaded if you Click Here .
Our Online Activities for Children and Parents
Online Sunday School
Harvest Thanksgiving
Sunday 18th October was our Harvest Thanksgiving service. Click Here to view.
Live Broadcast Communion Service 11th October
On Sunday 11th October some of us were able to celebrate Communion physically in our hall as well as in the church, all in compliance with guidelines*.
The service was streamed live via Youtube to homes as well as to our Glebe St Hall at 11am. It remains available to view: Click Here , or use our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/EKOLDPC . Recordings will be also be available in the usual formats (DVD, CD, USB stick, 'Watch / Listen to a Service' afterwards.
Note: This is a Communion service so you may wish to prepare your own elements if you're planning to join in celebrating Communion.
Further monthly live services will be held on 8th November and in December.
EKO Magazine
1) Please note: the deadline for submissions to the December EKO is Wednesday 25th November. David's contact details are given in the last item in this month's magazine which is available on our 'News' page.
2) The latest edition of our EKO magazine is available to read, save, or print off - just click on the link given in 'News'. It includes the monthly Prayer Diary.
3) Contact Isobel Gray if you would like to receive the EKO by email and she will add you to the list - you can use the Church Office number: 01355 279004, ekopc.office@btconnect.com or email ekopcmagazine@gmail.com .
The EK Old Parish Prayer Group
Our Prayer Group is not meeting at this time, but we are still taking prayer requests to our Heavenly Father on your behalf. Please send texts and emails to Marion Leddie.
Take your worries to the Lord in prayer.
Marion Leddie
EKOPC Prayer Diary for November :
The prayer group continues to take your prayer requests to our Heavenly Father. Send requests To Marion Leddie.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.!
1st. Pray for wisdom and insight for our leaders and scientists as they endeavour to make such important decisions regarding the health of our nation.
2nd. All things are possible when we have faith and trust in you Lord.
3rd. Comfort the sick Lord, and the lonely, and give them strength to carry on.
4th. With the resurgence of Covid 19 please keep NHS staff safe to enable them to care for their patients.
5th. Lord hear my prayers.
6th. Pray for those whose treatment has been deferred due to the current situation.
7th. Thank God for the people in our congregation who are working hard behind the scenes to keep our church worship and pastoral care ongoing.
8th. On Remembrance Sunday we bring you all the families who have lost loved ones as they serve to keep us safe.
9th. Lord we give thanks that many of us can work from home.
10th. Help me Lord, to treat others as Jesus did - with love and kindness.
11th. Father help us to remain positive as further restrictions are put in place.
12th. We pray for God's guidance to be with people who, after undergoing medical tests, have received from their doctor the very worst news and have to cope with it.
13th. Father I don't look behind to see if you are there - I don't look ahead - I know that you always walk right beside me - what a blessing.
14th. Pray for peace between the major religions of the world, through better dialogue and deeper understanding.
15th. Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings in our lives.
16th. We pray for those having to isolate yet again that they will be mentally strong to help them cope.
17th. Bless God for all the love and care by which we are surrounded every day.
18th. Father, we bring you all who have lost their jobs and ask that you would look after them.
19th. We pray that everyone would follow the guidelines and not be selfish in order to help all of us.
20th. Father give shelter to the homeless as our weather worsens.
21st. We pray that the scientists make good progress in their search for a vaccine against Covid 19.
22nd. Pray for peace between nations and races and pray that we ourselves can be peacemakers.
23rd. Thank you Lord, for the little things that mean a lot, sport, live screening of football, rugby etc. and meeting friends for a cuppa.
24th. Lord, we pray for those working on the front line that they would have the courage, strength, stamina to cope with whatever lies ahead.
25th. We pray Father, that we will be able to come together to worship as a congregation soon.
26th. Lord, we ask you to comfort and bless all who have lost loved ones in these difficult times.
27th. Help us Lord, to care for all who are in need and remind us to go the extra mile.
28th. Be still and know that I am God.
29th. On the first Sunday of advent we head towards the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
30th. Happy St. Andrews day!
Church of Scotland Website 'Call to Pray'
Join the Church of Scotland and others in prayer every Sunday 7pm.
14 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 for more details of the Call to Pray.
Introduction to the Prayer for 25th October
“The question asked of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is simple: ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ (22: 36).
“It is a part of a series of questions asked of Jesus and the purpose of the questions is to ‘entrap him’ (22: 15). At this point we might ask: How many commandments are there in the Law of Moses? In an ancient tradition, the answer is 613 and in the 12th Century a great Rabbi of the time set out the 613 commandments in detail.
“In other words: Answering the question that Jesus is asked is potentially difficult and complex. How do we make sense of so many laws and regulations? The answer that Jesus gives takes us to the heart of the commandments: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (22: 37-39). In his summary, Jesus says: ‘Everything hangs on these two commandments’ (22: 40).
“In a society necessarily shaped by law and regulation, the answering of questions in relation to them can at times seem potentially difficult and complex. In the midst of the complexity, we hear again the commandments to love God and neighbour and affirm that everything hangs on these two as our indispensable guide.”
We pray:
Lord our God,
We turn to you,
As the One who has spoken in times past,
And ask that that you would speak to us in times present.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
In our response,
We listen for your Word
And the call to love you with heart and soul and mind.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
In the living out of our response,
We offer all that we are,
Knowing you have given all through Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
We turn to you,
As the One who has made us in your image,
And who makes our neighbour in that same image.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
In our response,
We journey with our neighbour
And seek to love them as you command.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
In the living out of our response,
We stand together with our neighbour,
Knowing you stand together with us through Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 25th October said by the Moderator.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 18th October said by the Moderator.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 11th October said by the Moderator.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 4th October said by the Moderator.
More Links to the Church of Scotland Website
At the bottom of our 'News' page, we provide links to different pages of the Church of Scotland website.
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: ekopc.office@btconnect.com ; Send a Website Message via 'Contact Us' on this website; Or to go to our Facebook page, click the link below.
..to lift people's spirits and raise a smile during these hard times.
From Iain's Update in the November EKO (and on the Youth Worker page in our 'News' section)
Begin every day with
Love in your heart.
Expect blessings and
Share those blessings with others.
Shine like the sun and
Inspire other people.
Never forget how much
God loves you and is with you.
The Bright Colours of Autumn
Those pumpkins are quite scary-looking to me, Anne!
Reading the Window
On a Sunday morning, many members of the congregation don’t see it at all. But what’s in it? Here are some pointers, to help us “read” the message in the glass.
Our one stained-glass window in the Church has as its theme the Resurrection. The basic texts in the New Testament are St Matthew 28: 1-10, St Mark 16:1-12, St Luke 24:1-12, St John 20:1-10.
On the left of the window is a figure clearly meant to be an angel. St Mark refers to a young man, St Luke refers to 2 young men, St John mentions two angels. Only St Matthew mentions one angel, so it seems the maker of the window has gone with the Matthew account. Another clue which confirms that is the fact the angel is sitting down. St Matthew writes: “..an angel of the Lord came down, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.”(28:2)
The stained-glass artist has, however, not portrayed a cave-like tomb, with a circular stone which could be “rolled” away. Instead, he has shown what is called a sarcophagus – a hollowed- out stone coffin, with a stone lid. In the window, you can see in the very centre the corner of the sarcophagus, with the white linen wrappings hanging over the edge. The angel is sitting on the lid, which projects down into the bottom left-hand corner of the window, and which has a cross carved on it. The angel’s left hand is raised in greeting, reassuring the women, telling them not to be afraid; his right hand is pointing into the empty grave, with the words “he is not here, he has been raised, just as he said”.(28:6)
On the right of the picture stand three women. The woman on the far right is carrying a jar, with the ointments for anointing the dead body of Jesus (as they expected). Interestingly, St Matthew doesn’t mention the ointment at all. The artist has borrowed that detail from St Mark (16:1). There are variations as to the names of the women who went first to the tomb on that first Easter morning. But all four Gospel writers include Mary Magdalene.
At the top of the window is another symbol – the depiction of Christ in Glory, a traditional position used by artists for the past 2,000 years (see Philippians 2: 6 – 11). In it, the Risen Christ sits enthroned – the earliest Christian creed was “Christ is Lord”. In his left hand, he carries a flag, which is the banner of victory and symbolizes Christ’s victory over sin and death. The right hand of Christ is raised in blessing. And behind is the sign of the Cross, and the words “He is risen”.
Stewart Smith
More Colourful Delights... (Thanks - keep them coming!)
Needing More Exercise?
A friend told me this....
"I wanted to go jogging, but Proverbs 28:1 says "The wicked run when no-one is chasing them", so there's that.
Teachers v. the Devil in 2020
The devil whispered to the 2020 teachers:
"Your not strong enough to withstand this storm!"
But the teachers simply whispered back:
"You're".
A Splash of Colour to Brighten Your Day!
A passion flower:
In Christian circles, its name is said to refer to the passion of Jesus:
> the pointed tips of the leaves = the Holy Lance
> the tendrils = the whips used in the flagellation of Christ
> the ten petals and sepals = the 10 apostles, excluding St Peter, who denied and Judas who betrayed
> the flower's radial filaments = the crown of thorns
> the chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle = a hammer or the Holy Grail
> the 3 stigmas = the 3 nails and the 5 anthers = the 5 wounds (4 by the nails and 1 by the lance)
> the blue and white colours = Heaven and Purity
> the flower stays open for 3 days, symbolising 3 years of ministry
(Info adapted from Wikipedia)
A Peacock Butterfly
Known as a peacock because of the 'eye designs' in its wings which remind us of peacock feathers which also have 'eyes'.
A Pheasant
As with many bird species, the male is much more colourful than the female.
Reaching out to the Congregation
Marie W in her safety suit chatting to daughter Jill C before she watches our weekly church service DVD on the big lounge telly in the comfort of her armchair. The services have lifted her spirits so much, and as she sings along with the hymns, her eyes light up. A carer has now given her a DVD player for her room too.
The Church isn't empty, the church has been deployed!
Reading the weekly update in the East Kilbride News 'Churches' column, 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.
Do you have any good news stories? Funny snippets? Cartoons? Pretty pictures? Juicy gossip? (only if it's in good taste and ok to print!) Send your contributions to any of the usual contact details or use the 'Contact Us' button.
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
