East Kilbride
Old Parish
Church
Christian Aid Week 10th-16th May
We have LIVE services every Sunday at 11am, in our church, the hall and online.
To watch our latest Morning Worship, please click on the screen below
See 'Other Special Notices' for an update on 'in-person' attendance.
New to Zoom?
Sunday Services in Challenging Times 1 (Updated March):
Sunday Services - Video Now Live Link!
The latest live link or its recording is available at the top of the Home page. It opens a few minutes before the start of the service with a 'holding' screen. If there has been a problem, look for a message, or try Youtube or Facebook: www.facebook.com/EKOLDPC . Words for the readings and hymns are shown on screen, and hymns continue to be videos backed by photographs, because singing is not yet allowed in church.
NB: Recordings of previous services are available if you click on the 'Watch a Service' button under the video.
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 service 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 (Updated March):
How we produced the videos, and now, live broadcasts
After Palm Sunday on 5th April 2020, our services offered a new style of worship, in the 'virtual' setting of the sounds and images of East Kilbride Old Parish Church, and made in the context of the current pandemic, with no contravention of distancing rules.
Lasting around 30 mins or less, they began by blending 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 moved on to a new sound - recordings made at home by a few choir members and blended together digitally by David K.
Since 26th March, services can take place once more in church, but no singing is allowed as yet, and only a limited number (50) can attend. We have installed cameras in the church which show an overview, not close-ups, of the congregation; they mainly focus on the Minister, back at the altar or pulpit. A technical team directs the filming and produces recordings of the service, which is broadcast live on the internet (this website, Facebook and Youtube). Recordings are made available in the usual formats mentioned above.
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! (And now 5! - telephone access)
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.
5) Accessing Zoom meetings by telephone (audio only)
1) First, you need the Zoom meeting code number from the person hosting the meeting. (They will also give you a passcode if it's needed).
2) Dial 0131 460 1196
3) When asked, use the number keys on your phone to type in the meeting code, followed by the hash key: #
4) When asked for a 'participant ID', just press # again. (A participant ID isn't often used)
5) When asked for passcode:
a) If there is one, key in the passcode the host has given you.
b) If there isn't one, then just press the # key on your phone.
6) You will get a message that you are in the 'waiting room' and the host will let you in soon...
7) The host then lets you in. You will be asked to identify yourself, and you can join the meeting.
Get in touch if you need more help - use our 'Contact Us' button or the Church Office number (01355279004) in advance, or ring the host. Alistair and Iain are also usually able to help.
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 'Helping Hands' and other 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
SCROLL DOWN FOR:
1. Sunday Services Updated
2. Christian Aid Week Updated
3. Memorial Football
4. Video Clips Needed!
5. Messy Sun.School Theme
6. Summer Activities Updated
7. Bible Readers Wanted
8. EKO Magazine May
9. Prayer Group & Diary May
10. C.of S. Prayer for 9/5/21
11. We’d love to hear from you!
12. Our Contact Details
Sunday Morning Services have resumed at our usual time of 11am, both in the church (in accordance with government guidelines) and online.
Click Here to read important information and advice on the recent easing of restrictions on attending church services, sent to elders on 1st May 21 by the Session Clerk.
We are now allowed to use the upstairs balcony area, but the need for social distancing means that numbers are still restricted, so we provide overflow capacity in the church hall/s.
We use Track & Trace, so members must give advance notice to the Church Office (by Friday midday) that they will attend: contact the Church office 01355 279004 or ekopc.office@btconnect.com; or through Facebook Messenger.
Channels
These live services are broadcast from the church at 11am and can be viewed on our Home page above, at www.Facebook.com/EKOLDPC and on YouTube. A video recording will then move to 'Watch a Service'. Audio is available on the 'Dial-a-Service' phone number (ask for details) and later in 'Listen to a Service'.
a) Donations
There are no house-to-house collections this year. Please send in donations (by the end of May, please) to our 'Finance' Elder, Des Laverty (07402192610). He will pass the total to the EK Christian Aid Committee. Please make cheques out to East Kilbride Old Parish Church, and mark with CA Week on the back (or call Des re bank transfer). To visit the Christian Aid website go to: www.caweek.org.
b) Under Way! 80 Laps by our 80yr olds
New: Want to know how they are both doing on the walks? Check out our News page for their 'posts' telling of their experience. In terms of reaching their fundraising goal: the 'justgiving' page (Click Here) shows your generous donations have passed their original target of £800, then £1600 and are now quite possibly looking to go over £2000! Please keep on giving - remember how Captain Tom's achievement amazed us all!
Christian Aid invites individual challenges help to raise much-needed funds, so Jim Gray and Stewart Smith, both new 80yr olds, have agreed to walk round Heritage Park Loch 80 times. Their goal: 5 circuits a day from May 1st to 16th totalling almost 60 miles! Why not get in touch if you’d like to sponsor. Or Click Here for the 80 Lap Loch Walk's 'Just Giving' page, a great way to donate online.
c) Christian Aid Boxes
If people have CA boxes at home, these can be returned on a Sunday, when people come to a service. Or they can be picked up from home. Please call Stewart or Mary Smith.
If you do have any, please send your details to the church office either by email: ekopc.office@btconnect.com or leave a message on the Church Office phone EK 279004 and someone will arrange with you to get the video clips. Thank you! Austin H
The current theme is 'The Parables Of Jesus'. We will look at a different story /parable each week.
We are updating our current list of Bible readers for Sunday services. If you would like to join our group of volunteers, reading approximately 4 times per year, please contact me at: ekopc.office@btconnect.com Louise (secretary)
Note: While guidelines now allow us to resume personal delivery of the magazine by Helping Hands, if you wish to receive the EKO by email, please contact Isobel Gray - you can use the Church Office number: 01355 279004, isobelgray@blueyonder.co.uk or ekopcmagazine@gmail.com .
10. Our 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.
This Month's Prayer Diary
11th. Praise God the Maker, for the wonders of creation -starlight, for example or birdsong, or the amazing greenness of freshly opened leaves on trees and praise God the Maker also for the wonder that there is any creation at all.
12th. Thanks for the victory we experience in church and his finished work; may it sustain us and bring us great joy every day.
13th. Pray for God's help to always be strong and have faith even in the most difficult times.
14th. Father God, may our eyes never fail to uphold your goodness and love.
15th. Creator God, help us to daily make time to read your word and for listen to your voice
16th. We give thanks for all the hard work done among the nations during the covid 19 outbreak.
17th. Father give us courage to reach out to those in pain.
18th. Pray that we may all try to keep on caring for our world-and be prepared to face whatever it costs to keep our planet safe for generations to come.
19th. Thank you, Father, for helping me to cope with any problems which may arise in each day.
20th. Lord, your hand will lead me, your light will show me the way and thank you for being my guide today.
21st. Lord, we pray for those who need ongoing medical treatment and are forced to wait at this time.
22nd. Thank you, Father, for your blessings, guidance and strength and for always giving us courage to keep going in difficult times.
23rd. On Pentecost Sunday, pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide the church universal and empower her to share God's love in Christ.
24th. Lord, we pray for world peace and goodwill among nations.
25th. Hold before our Lord, people who live alone that he would give them comfort and understanding.
26th. Hear my cry for mercy as I call for your help and guidance.
27th. Pray for our church family in all their different circumstances.
28th. Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I can't handle together.
29th. Thank you for your scriptures that comfort us and remind us of your promises.
30th. Lord, you are so patient with us, help us to be patient with one another.
31st. Father we remember all those who are less fortunate than us.
Church of Scotland
11. Church of Scotland Weekly 'Call to Pray'
Join the Church of Scotland and others in prayer every Sunday 7pm.
Churches and Christian organisations across Scotland called 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.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 9th May said by the Moderator.
Click Hereto read the prayer for 2nd May
Click Here to hear the prayer for 25th April said by the Moderator.
... we’ve got folks watching our services in the Caribbean, the US, Germany, Scandinavia as well as various parts of the UK?
Are you among them? Do you watch our weekly service? Have you a local connection here but are now settled living away from East Kilbride?
We’d love to hear from you!
Please get in touch with us - by clicking on 'Contact Us', or via the church email address: ekopc.office@btconnect.com . You could maybe tell us a bit about yourself, where you live (in the UK or abroad), how you found us, and what you like best about our website? No personal information will be printed on the site (unless you are happy with that).
13. 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. Please contribute your photos, stories, links etc!
Beautiful Spring Flowers
Thanks to Fiona D for these:
Getting out into nature
New Life on the Farm
Thanks to Anne S for sending me these photos of new life on the farm.
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
