East Kilbride
Old Parish
Church
Our church building is open and you are welcome!
1st Sunday in Advent
Apologies for the delay...
Good news! The service is now available below!
Click on 'Listen-to-a-Service' for audio version
Please see 'News' for more.
You can find previous services in 'Watch-a-Service' and 'Listen-to-a-Service' using the buttons below.
- Services in Church & Online
- Sunday School / Messy Church
- Church Meetings
- Zoom Help
- Contact details
In-person Attendance
More and more of us are getting used to being back in church, and you can have confidence that we follow all the guidance so we can keep you safe:
1. The requirement for social distancing has been partially removed, but the Church is in favour of maintaining the 'one metre distance' for a while yet. Our compromise is to remove social distancing in the centre pews behind the organ, while the one-metre 'tick' signs remain in the other pews.
2. Communal hymn books are not yet allowed, but you can bring your own hymnbook if you have one.
Alternatively, you can bring along a digital or paper copy, but PLEASE ensure that any digital device will be silent during the service and any paper copy is taken home with you!
You will find the hymn numbers, titles and a link to the words on our 'Notices' page.
Note: Masks must be worn by adults in the congregation while singing - except for individuals who are officially exempt. Exemptions include children and the choir.
3. As well as being required to make use of our hand sanitisers and wear face coverings, the congregation must continue to provide contact details. 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. Note: Our aim is that anyone who finds the stairs to the balcony difficult can have a seat downstairs. If the church is particularly busy, we may have to ask members who don’t regularly choose the balcony to take a seat upstairs so as to free up a seat downstairs. This change will be reviewed, taking account of any comments from members.
Online Attendance
Our congregation attest that there is nothing to compare with being in church together, in communion with others, and we know this only too well after the Covid lockdown.
But for the benefit of the housebound (temporary or permanent), those on holiday or working away, and even potential newcomers to our church, we will continue to broadcast our Sunday morning service live each week (also see other options below).
The link is indicated by a small screen photo which is found on our Home page. During the week it continues to show the previous week's service, then on Sunday, a few minutes before 11am, a 'holding' screen opens, followed by the live link.
Having been on the Home page for a week, the recording of the service then moves to 'Watch a Service' - a 'Click-on button' below the video picture.
Below that, you will find sound-only recordings of services in 'Listen to a Service'. (Audio recordings are listed in date order so if you do not see the service you want, check you are in the right 'quarter').
Know someone who is housebound with no internet?
For housebound members without access to the internet, we provide recordings in these formats: Telephone Dial-a-Service, CD, DVD, USB stick, all on request. Please get in touch with Alistair Walker, or your elder, if you would like to know more about these for a friend or relative in the church.
As you can see in the photo above, we recently held our first in-person Kirk Session meeting since Covid in Glebe St Hall, but some committees and groups may find it practical to continue with Zoom meetings from time to time, so we will keep our following 'Zoom Guides' for a while at least.
New to Zoom? It’s as easy as choosing between 1, 2, 3 and 4! (And now 5! - telephone access)
If you are new to Zoom and want to join us in a planned meeting, please get set up beforehand. Try whichever of these methods suits you:
1) Click Here (or below at 3 if you prefer pictures).
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.
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 Service/Hymns 28th&5th
2. Sunday School
3. Kirk Session 12/12 (brief)
4. Community Link Support
5. Men's Association 13/11
6. Guild 8th for15th Dec
7. Kirk Life No Ceilidh
8. Art Group Dates
9. EKO Mag Link: December
10. Harvest Appeal Total
11. Prayer Diary December
12. Ch.of Sc.Prayer for 21/11
13. Get in touch!
14. Our Contact Details
Note: Our 'Getting back to Normal' page gives more details about our services in these new times.
Calendar (special dates)
Click Here to download our Christmas leaflet which details proposed services over the festive period. Copies were delivered with the EKO magazine as well as to households in the parish.
Note: Watchnight begins at 11.30pm, Christmas day at 10.30am.
The congregation must wear masks when singing, except for individuals who are officially exempt. Exemptions include children and the choir.
We cannot yet issue hymnbooks so please bring along your own CH4 hymnbook if you have one, or take a note of the hymn titles if using another hymnary.
Alternatively, you can bring along a digital or paper copy of the words (link to the hymn sheet available below), but PLEASE ensure that:
a) any digital device will be silent during the service
b) any paper copy is taken home with you
Many thanks!
Click Here for the hymn sheet for 28th November with words for the following:
CH4 273 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
CH4 274 - Comfort, Comfort now my People
CH4 285 – The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
CH4 277 – Hark the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes
Click Here for the hymn sheet for 5th December with words for the following:
CH4 290 – The Race That Long in Darkness Pined
CH4 279 – Make Way, Make Way, for Christ the King
CH4 286 – Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord!
May the God of Peace..
The Sunday School meets 'in person' - in the Upper Hall next to church, at 11am.
We generally have a mix of music, puzzles / quizzes, games, crafts, 'circle time' chat, a prayer, and a bible story. We can cater for children in Pre-school to Primary 7. Children should be dropped off at the Upper Hall next to the church (up the ramp and then stairs) at 10.50-11am and collected there after the service – they will not be going in to the church except on special occasions, such as the all-age family service on 19th December at 11am. Note: Though Sunday School as such takes a break after that, (returning on January 9th), the children are especially welcomed to attend the Christingle Service on 24th December at 7pm and Christmas Morning Service on 25th December at 10.30am.
Please spread the word! Iain Shaw 07912295943 / iainshaw18@gmail.com
4. Community Link Support
Over the past twenty months it has been very difficult for us to support the most vulnerable people in our community and we want to redress that.
We would like to have a monetary collection on Sunday 12th December and all proceeds will be split between Women’s Aid and First Stop Homeless Unit. This will also enable us to purchase toys etc for Women’s Aid to give to children in our community who will not have a visit from Santa.
Another charity we would like to support with the help of our church family is Loaves and Fishes. We will place a box at the front door of the church each Sunday from 5th December for donations of non-perishable groceries which will be taken to Loaves and Fishes to help replenish their stock. The items they are in short supply of are: canned tuna, chicken, salmon, fruits, pastas (eg. spaghetti, ravioli), beans etc., peanut butter, all toiletries, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Very many thanks in anticipation of your continued support.
The Guild has been glad to meet again this autumn despite still having to wear masks and sit a metre apart. But we have had a good programme and are happy to meet even for a shorter time.
Our Christmas Lunch is at Brew 74, near Morrisons in Stewartfield on Wednesday 15th December, 12.30 for 1pm, cost will be £20 to cover two courses. If you wish to come but have not already registered, please phone Mary Smith on 226718 by 8th December.
We return on January 12th at 1.30pm when Barbra Campbell will tell us about her life as a policewoman.
Church Calendar
The Kirk Life Team is putting together a 2022 Calendar with the assistance of our EKO editor, David, and our secretary, Louise. The cost of the calendar has still to be decided. All going well they should be ready for Christmas so they can be used as a wee extra present.
Burns Supper
It is hoped that we will be able to celebrate Burns Night as usual in January, but this has to be confirmed.
Prize Donations
In readiness for the re-establishment of the Kirk Life programme, could I ask if any of you has anything you could donate for raffle prizes, please could you contact any Kirk Life team member, and we can make arrangements if necessary to get them picked up. Note: Messages can be passed on if you use 'Contact Us'on this website, or the Church Office number.
Hogmanay Ceilidh
After much discussion and soul searching, it has been decided that we really cannot hold a Hogmanay Ceilidh this year. There are so many issues with Covid that it was felt wise not to hold it this year.
Let’s hope that 2022 will allow us more freedom in presenting events in a more usual fashion. (Ken R, Kirk Life)
8. Art Group
The group of around 20 registered primary school aged children meets on a Thursday afternoon from 4.30-6pm in our Glebe St Hall. We will hold our first Art Group Christmas Party on Thursday 16th December and then have a couple of weeks off restarting again on Thursday 13th January 2022.
9. EKO Magazine for December
A digital copy is available when you click on the picture below:
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 .
Please note: The deadline for articles to go into the December magazine is 24th November.
10. Harvest Appeal
Thankyou to the congregation for their generosity in responding to the Harvest Appeal. We collected £699 half of whih will go to Loaves and Fishes and half to Water Aid.
11. Our Prayer Group
Our Prayer Group is meeting in person once again and welcome your 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. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”
This Month's Prayer Diary
DECEMBER
1st. Lord, guide our church elders in the work they do for our church.
2nd. Lord, be with all those in Afghanistan without homes and food. Give them hope.
3rd. Dear Lord, we pray for those people at home in distress over the effects of the pandemic. Give them hope and peace.
4th. Lord, thank you for everything we have but take for granted. Teach us to value everything we have when others have to do without.
5th. Lord, reach out to humanity today to those without faith and help them understand the power and the glory of the Kingdom of God.
6th. Dear Lord, we thank you for being our Prince of Peace.
7th. Hear my cry for mercy as I call on you for help.
8th. Lord, as I travel along the road, help me to be more understanding and less judgmental and to appreciate all that is around me.
9th. Thank you, Lord for each new day and for the changing seasons
10th. Guide me Lord in all I do.
11th. We pray for all children around the world regardless of their faith or colour and ask you to keep them safe.
12th. We think of the joy in Mary’s heart as she prepared for the birth of Jesus.
Church of Scotland
12. Church of Scotland Website Prayers
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.
Introduction to the Prayer for 21st November* (with link to the video below):
"'So you are a king?' We can picture the scene as Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate asks: ‘Are you the King of the Jews?'
"In response, Jesus speaks of a kingdom ‘not from this world' and ‘not from here'. Pilate, perhaps perplexed, asks: ‘So you are a king?' (John 18: 33-37)
"In the exchange between Pilate and Jesus, we sense the contrasting understandings of what a ‘king' will be and what a ‘kingdom' will look like. We can well imagine that Pilate had a clear understanding of what these were at that time.
"However, when faced by a Jesus whose kingdom is ‘not from this world', Pilate struggles to comprehend how he might be a ‘king'.
"Nevertheless, in time, Pilate will crucify: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews'. (John 19: 19)
"The Jesus who is present before Pilate is a King whose Kingdom is to come and is already present in his life lived out in this world.
"We respond in faith to the King who is present in our midst, crowned with thorns and robed in purple, and pray that the Kingdom will come…"
Click Here to hear the prayer for 21st November*, read by the Moderator.
Click Here to hear the prayer for 14th November, read by the Moderator.
* No link to the prayer for 28th has been posted.
... 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).
14. 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 o2r Facebook page, click the link below.
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
