Welcome to the website for Ballantrae Parish Church linked with St Colmon Parish Church, a charge of the Church of Scotland.
Ballantrae Parish Church meets at 11:30am every Sunday.
Sunday Services have started again with social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks to minimize the spread of the Covid 19 virus.
Services are also held on the first Sunday of the month (April will be 2nd Sunday) at 3pm in Glenapp Church. This a liturgical and ecumenical service led by a dedicated group from the congregation of Ballantrae.
All the services are times of fellowship, prayer, worship and reflection on God’s word, as we get to know the living God more.
It will be great to see you at any of our services and if you want more information about either of the churches, please contact us
Sunday 28th February 2021
Lent 2
Mark 8: 31-38
Living to serve others.
Jesus had been explaining to the disciples that he was going to face suffering and death in the days ahead. Peter thought that all Jesus said sounded defeatist and wanted him to say something easier to stomach. He therefore urged Jesus to stop talking in that manner. This brought from Jesus that famous rebuke: “Get thee behind me Satan..” Although Peter loved Jesus he was trying to encourage or tempt him to take the easy way out. This would not however have glorified God or brought forgiveness for our sins. Jesus had to point out that Peters thinking was wrong.. he had in mind not the things of God but the things of men.
Philip Yancy the popular Christian writer reflected on the thousands of people he had interviewed. He divided those who fascinated him into two categories “stars and servants”. The stars were the icons of civilisation or popular celebrities. The servants were relief workers and others who worked in difficult places or behind the scenes in service to humanity. He was surprised as he got to know the celebrities how generally unhappy most of them were.
He was prepared to be inspired by the servants. “However, what shocked and surprised him was how much he wound up envying them. Low pay, long hours, no-applause people who gave themselves to the poor and uneducated-he wound up envying them. He said he felt that these people, as opposed to the stars, were the truly blessed. They were the ones who were lucky. They were the ones who were favoured. They were the ones who were graced (Wyne Day Abingdon Preaching Annual).
We live in a society and world where self comes first and possessions and status seem to come first. People often live life missing the point. We are here to bless one another and our heavenly father. All the talk of taking up a cross sounds hard and it is. But when we begin our journey of following Christ, he helps us to shoulder its burden. There comes a joy in following where Christ may lead and in following him. He will send his Holy Spirit to equip us to do all that he asks of us. We should ask: how might I use what God has given me to serve and build up others.
Jesus had to go to the cross that we might be reconciled to God. The cross has a glory about it which brings delight to the forgiven. It is something we should never be ashamed of. It`s not always easy serving others, but seeking to do so will help people to know that Christ lives. There can be a real delight in living our lives for others.
Every blessing,
Rev`d Theo Corney
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What Scotland’s new Covid-19 lockdown restrictions mean as at midnight 4th January 2021.
All places of worship will close, except for broadcasting a service, funeral or wedding.
A maximum of five people allowed at weddings.
A maximum of 20 people allowed at funerals; wakes are banned.
This means sadly Ballantrae Parish Church will be closed until further notice.
You are in our thoughts in these difficult times.
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The Church an induction loop system
and disabled access