Church Information

Sabbath Observance Committee

This Committee has been expressing its concern about football matches being played on Sabbaths in Scotland, which is now a regular practice. The Convener, Rev D J MacDonald, has written to all the clubs in the Scottish Premier League to protest. The text of a typical letter follows:

I am writing on behalf of the Committee to protest against the playing of a football match by your club on the Lord’s Day 27th August. We would respectfully point out that the first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath and is bound by the strictures of the Fourth Commandment, which says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). We would remind you that the Fourth Commandment is an integral part of the Moral Law and is binding on all mankind to the end of time. To play a football match on the Lord’s Day is to desecrate the Sabbath and so is a sin against God. Whatever commercial advantage may have been gained, it cannot be weighed against the sin you have committed.

While it is true to say that many others are engaged in this form of Sabbath-breaking, that does not constitute an excuse as we are all personally responsible for our actions.

The following Synod committees will meet on Tuesday, October 3, DV, in Inverness Free Presbyterian Church as follows.

9.30 - 10.30 Magazines Committee
10.30 - 12.00 Training of the Ministry Committee
12.00 - 1.00 Religion and Morals Committee
2.00 - 3.30 Welfare of Youth Committee
2.00 - 5.00 Finance Committee
5.00 - 6.00 Sabbath Observance Committee
5.00 - 6.00 Outreach Committee
6.30 - 8.00 Publications and Bookroom Committee
8.00 - 9.00 Dominions and Overseas Committee

(Rev) John MacLeod, Clerk of Synod

Meetings of Presbytery

Skye: At Portree, on Wednesday, December 27, at 6.45 pm, DV.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway, on Tuesday, November 28, at 1 pm, DV.

Texas Communion

The Richmond, Texas, Kirk Session has decided that the congregation’s first communion will be on the third Sabbath of November 2000, God willing. It is hoped that Rev Angus Smith will assist, with the Interim Moderator, and that the usual services of a communion season will be held, beginning on Thursday, November 16, and ending on Monday, November 20. All are welcome.

(Rev) Keith Watkins, Interim Moderator

Mission Staff

Applications are invited for the following posts, initially for a two-year period:

1. Administrator of the Free Presbyterian Mission at Sengera, Kenya.
2. Nurses for Mbuma Hospital, Zimbabwe.

Enquiries should be made initially to the Clerk of the Foreign Mission Committee, Rev J R Tallach, F P Manse, Raasay, Kyle, IV40 8PB. Tel: 01478 660216.

(Rev) J R Tallach, Clerk of Committee.

Dominions and Overseas Fund

By appointment of Synod, the second special collection of the year, on behalf of the Home Mission Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during October.

R A Campbell, General Treasurer

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