East Kilbride
Old Parish
Church
Normal church services are currently suspended due to Coronavirus.
Be sure to join us for:
Sunday Service,
10th January 2021
Available below
The link is also available
in 'Other Special Notices'
Sunday Services in Challenging Times 1:
Sunday Services - Video
The latest video is available either at the top of the Home page, or in 'Other Special Notices' (or both!)
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.
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: 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
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Beginning on Monday 18 January, churches around the world will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity over eight days. Scroll down the page to our Church of Scotland info for more on this, including links - starts 18th January.
EKO Magazine Delivery Change
Unfortunately, the recent restrictions impact on the arrangements for distribution of the EKO church magazine with these now, for the first time, specifically mentioned in the guidance from the national church.
Instead of the usual delivery by Helping Hands, the February magazine will have to be distributed by post. If you still receive a paper copy of the magazine this might be a good time to think about taking an email version instead…
So, if you’d like to save the church some money by switching, please contact Isobel Gray at isobelgray@blueyonder.co.uk
Note: Delivery by Helping Hands will resume just as soon as the restrictions ease.
2021 New Family Support Group
Starting on Wednesday 13th January, we are offering a new Zoom group suitable for families and kids. This will take the form of chat mixed with fun activities. The group will meet virtually at 2pm on Wednesday afternoons throughout the duration of lockdown until schools are physically back for all children again. Please spread the word.
Contact Iain Shaw for joining details on : 07912 295943 or at iainshaw18@gmail.com Iain (Youth & Families Worker)
Sunday Service, 10th January
Please join us for our latest service...
Click Here to view (not the pic).
Weekly Zoom Sunday School and Messy Church
The theme for 10th January is 'Bible Detectives'
Kirk Session
Elders please note: The next meeting of our virtual Kirk Session will be on Wednesday 27th January at 7.30pm. This is not affected by lockdown restrictions. See our 'News' page for more...
Church Services 2021
JANUARY
Due to the announcement of further lockdown restrictions for the whole of January, all Sunday Morning Worship in January will now be recorded and videos broadcast online.
All the online broadcast services can be accessed from this website as usual following the link on the Home page, either at the top or in 'Other Special Notices' (this page). Once replaced, they will move to 'Watch a Service'.
FEBRUARY
Feb 7th Morning Worship broadcast online
Feb 14th* Sacrament of Communion ‘Live’ broadcast from church (if possible)
* If regulations allow.
Please note: Depending on the restrictions at the time, the numbers attending the ‘live’ services might vary:
Tier 3: Maximum 50 allowed in the Church and Glebe St. Hall and 16 in the Lower Hall.
Tier 4: Maximum 20 in the Church and the Glebe St. Hall and 16 in the Lower Hall.
(Actual numbers in the Church will be slightly lower because allowance has to be made for the minister and staff).
* To book your place at a 'live' service in the church or halls:
Contact the church office on 01355 279004 (leave a message on the answer machine if no one answers. It is monitored all the time remotely) or e-mail: ekopc.office@btconnect.com .
December Services are now available in 'Watch a Service':
The following have now moved to 'Watch a Service - Click on the turquoise button at the top of the Home page.
Sunday 27th December Moderator's Service
Christmas Eve / Christmas Day Service 24th/25th December
Sunday Service (with Nativity) 20th December
Sunday, 13th December
Sunday, 6th December ''Recorded Live' Service of Carols and Readings
Pre-December services can be viewed there too.
'Listen to a Service' (Audio)
All our services, right up to the current one, can be heard if you click on the 'Listen to a Service' button on the Home page.
Uplifting Music
There are links to seasonal music to be found on our 'Lighter Side' page, thanks to the Church of Scotland Advent Calendar and Coalburn Silver Band. Do check it out!
Did You Know ?...
... 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 - using 'Contact Us' which you'll find in our Menu, 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).
EKO Magazine
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.
Please 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 .
Deadline for next month's edition
The deadline for the February edition is Wednesday 27th January. If you cannot email items to David, he is happy for you to dictate them over the phone. His contact details are in the EKO magazine.
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 January 2021 :
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy is forever sure.”
14th. Lord, help us to feel close to you no matter what is going on in our lives.
15th. Thank you, Lord, for changing the seasons and for the beauty they bring.
16th. We bring you Lord, all medics who are again finding things very difficult and give them courage and strength.
17th. We remember with gratitude and give thanks for any good news we received or read about in recent days.
18th. Open my eyes Lord and engage my vision.
19th. Father help me to relax so that I can identify your plan for me during this time.
20th. Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made so that I may have freedom of life.
21st. We pray for wisdom in governments world-wide.
22nd. Open my mind Lord, deepen my faith.
23rd. Lord, you are so patient with us, help us also to be patient.
24th. Whatever we face He is with us and He has the power to calm the storm.
25th. January 25th is Burns Day, think of a part of the world where there is violence and oppression and pray that God's peace will come and "man to man"....shall brothers be or rather "human being to human being"...shall friends be.
26th. Open my heart Lord and increase my faith.
27th. Father, please help and comfort everyone who is finding it hard to cope with mental health issues, through the loneliness of these times.
28th. Trust God to understand.
29th. Father, help us to remember to say thank you and give you praise when things are going well in our lives.
30th. May the blessing of light be upon us, light without and light within.
31st. January 31st is World Leprosy Day. Give thanks for the work of the Leprosy Mission Scotland and pray that despite the virus the work bringing healing and new hope to people affected by leprosy may continue strongly in 2021.
Church of Scotland
Prayer for Christian Unity
Beginning on Monday 18 January, churches around the world will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity over eight days. You can find out more from the Church of scotland website if you Click Here. The information includes the following:
1. Prayer
"Thrice-holy God, we thank you for having created and loved us.
We thank you for your presence in us and in creation.
May we learn to look upon the world as you look upon it, with love.
In the hope of this vision, may we be able to work for a world where justice and peace flourish, for the glory of your name".
(From the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity booklet, 2021. Click Here to open it)
2. Christian Aid
Each year Christian Aid provides Go and Do action points for each of the daily reflections which link to the important work of Christian Aid in the relief of poverty and advocacy of justice. Click Here to see them.
3. Social Media
Show your support for Christian Unity by posting messages to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Twitter wall. To do so, add the #wpcuwall hashtag to your Twitter post (note there is a delay before they appear). You can also find updates about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Twitter by following the #wpcu2021 hashtag.
Church of Scotland Weekly '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.
The Prayer for 17th January:
Introduction:
“‘O Lord, you have searched me and known me.’ The words of the Psalm speak. The words speak into the uttermost depths of who we are and the word of the Lord searches to the furthermost limits of our being. (Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18) The word of the Lord speaks to us in every season and searches us at all times. Nevertheless, there are times in which we are especially conscious of the immediacy and relevance of the word spoken and we might judge that this is such a time.
“We may say at this particular time that we are truly being stretched to the uttermost as human beings and to the furthermost limits of our endurance as a society. These are hard times. At the very moment in which hope has been offered to our society in the form of a vaccine, the risk faced by our society has increased considerably. In the light of this, the challenges we face are difficult beyond measure. Notwithstanding all of this, the word of the Lord endures and still speaks into the uttermost depth and to the furthermost limit.
“We are not hidden from God and all we face is known by the Lord whose word endures. Humbly recognising this to be so, we pray.”
We pray:
Lord, you search us and you know us
And we bow in your holy presence.
You know us this day in all we face
And you are with us through the hours of the night.
Guard us and keep us till the day is done
And the darkness is no more.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you search us and you know us
And we bow in your holy presence.
You have made us in your image
And woven us together in the womb.
Guide us to the place where life is renewed
And our shared life restored.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you search us and you know us
And we bow in your holy presence.
You know the challenges of this time
And of all the days that lie before us.
Give hope to all who despair
And comfort to those who grieve.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you search us and you know us
And we bow in your holy presence.
You know all who by their work serve the common good
And who by their gifts renew hope in dark times.
Keep safe the most vulnerable
And walk with those who are fearful this day.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you search us and you know us
And we bow in your holy presence.
You are the beginning of all things,
And you are the end of all things, in Jesus Christ.
Guard us and keep us till the day is done
And the darkness is no more.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 17th January said by the Moderator.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 10th January 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. Please contribute your photos, stories, links etc!
Amazing things we see in Winter
Fun in the snow in front of the Church
Recent Views over Stewartfield Loch
Wise Words (passed on by Iain)
Ships don't sink because of the water around them...
Ships sink because of the water IN them!
Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.
Isaiah 43:2
Story Time with Santa
Here are some of the pictures from the recent Zoom Christingle Service
1a Coalburn Silver Band Virtual Christmas Concert
On Sunday 20th December 2020 the band presented their first ever virtual Christmas concert. The concert featured all 4 musical ensembles.
The concert is presented in association with their chosen charity LAMH Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health, a local charity supporting those with mental health issues in our communities during these uncertain times. There is an opportunity to donate to the charity through the virginmoneygiving.com page.
Click Here to view.
As many of you will know, Coalburn Silver Band visit us a couple of times each year, giving us evening entertainment in June, and then playing carols at a Sunday Service in December. They really used to set us up for Christmas!
1b Coalburn Silver Band: Love Divine
'Love Divine' was offered to local churches to use in services or simply to circulate to congregations. We've had it posted elsewhere on our site for a while, but thought it would fit well here with the musical items.
To enjoy, Click Here .
2. 'Joy to the World' Advent* Day 19
Saint John's & Kings Park Church in Dalkeith has created this uplifting video for our enjoyment this Advent - Click Here to watch.
As well as fantastic singing and music from Gail Watson and the praise band, we are treated to special messages from the congregation.
Minister Rev Keith Mack says:
"It's a great thing to praise God as we are going about our everyday activities and that is something that our congregation is really good at."
Your website administrator says:
"A rousing track to do your household chores by!"
*For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent* calendar Click Here
3. Advent* Day 17: 'The Shoes Brothers'
Here to clear our lockdown blues,
Change the channel to Good News,
Helping hand when you can’t cope,
With the message, “There is Hope!”
'The Shoes Brothers' give us a humorous retrospective on their wee 'events' in previous years and then we have a rendition of 'Don't Worry About a Thing'.
Click Here for the whole thing, (the retrospective, background and the single) or go to Spotify (Click Here), Apple Music (Click Here), or Amazon (Click Here) to stream/download the song.
*For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent* calendar Click Here
4. Advent* Day 16: A New Hymn
For a complete change of mood and style from 'The Shoes Brothers' above, here is a newly written Christmas hymn, ‘Holy Jesus’: Click Here
Written and recorded by Kirk ministers Rev Alec Shuttleworth and Rev Dr Robin Hill for this year. All four people involved in the production are members of the Church of Scotland’s much-loved Heart and Soul Swing Band which, sadly, has not been able to perform live for many months. The words are available on the Church of Scotland website News page.
For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent calendar Click Here
5. 'When a Child is Born' - Advent* Day 11
For Advent Day 11 in the Church of Scotland's Advent calendar, we have members of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen's Choir, led by the church's Director of Music, Ewen Ritchie, performing 'When A Child Is Born'. Click Here to hear it.
The singers featured are Moira Docherty, Liz Sunnuck, Ingrid Stanyer, Steph Walker, Morag Ryan, Irene Shand, Aluinn Paterson, Eilidh Bisset, Peter Morgan, Alastair McKinlay, Callum Stuart, and Ewen Ritchie.
Queen’s Cross Church, based in the West End of Aberdeen, regularly share online performances from their choir through their Facebook page.
Please note: If you would like to donate to Queen's Cross Church, there is a link on the Church of Scotland News page. You will also find the words to the piece there too.
For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent calendar Click Here
6. The Organist Entertains for Advent* Day 7
Alan Mathew, organist at Bellshill Central Church, has been hosting the popular weekly organist videos entitled ‘The Organist Entertains’ to keep people engaged with Church throughout lockdown on the Bellshill Central Parish Church website.
Click Here to hear him play 'See In Yonder Manger Low' especially for the Church of Scotland’s Advent calendar, ‘Bright Hope For Tomorrow’. The words are available on the screen, so why not sing along!
If you want to hear more of Alan's 'Organist Entertains series', Click Here
*For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent calendar Click Here
7. Church of Scotland Guild Advent Big Sing 2020 for Advent* Day 6
This Advent the Church of Scotland Guild produced a special online Big Sing event, broadcast online on 4th December.
Introduced by the Guild's National Convener Mabel Wallace, the Advent 2020 Big Sing featured Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, offering a special reflection from Arbroath Abbey. Ms Wallace said:
"Even though we may not be together in person this year, we will be together in spirit as we celebrate the Guild in our traditional style. As we are all in separate spaces we can sing our hearts out in perfect safety. This Advent may be different but we can still be Guilds Together."
As well as a selection of favourite hymns, the Big Sing included prayers and reflections from all four of the Guild's national vice-conveners as well as singing from the girls of the Journeying Together project in Zambia and choirs from Malawi.
You can find a link to the video of the event when you Click Here.
*For more on the Church of Scotland's Advent calendar Click Here
Here is some Advent Craft from the Zoom Sunday School Children
Advent Cross with candles for each Sunday in Advent representing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and the central one for Christmas Day.
From Iain's Update in the November EKO (and on the Youth Worker page in our 'News' section)
B egin every day with
L ove in your heart.
E xpect blessings and
S hare those blessings with others.
S hine like the sun and
I nspire other people.
N ever forget how much
G od loves you and is with you.
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
