How can you be a part?
For those of you who are thinking about membership in the St Andrew's Church Family we have the perfect opportunity for you to find out more about what it means to be a member of this church family.
This regular course is made up of four session, each an hour long. We meet on Thursday evenings from 7 - 8 p.m. followed by tea / coffee in 107 Burnside Crescent. The current sessions will continue on 8, 15 & 22 January.
For more information please either contact Maureen Cochrane (01698 711081) or Peter Johnston (01698 828633).
Church
membership is for everyone who believes and trusts in the Lord Jesus and
who puts Jesus first in their lives. In the Book of Revelation (3:20)
Jesus says in a vision to John: "Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat
with him and him with me."
There are numerous passages where Jesus invites us to begin a relationship with him, not one of dominance and power where Jesus rules over our lives with an iron rod, but a relationship based on compassionate and gracious love.
In becoming a member of the church you publicly assert your faith and make certain commitments before the entire congregation. The day you make these vows is an important day in your life and, with the Holy Spirit as your helper, it will also mark a day of commitment to becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ - a process that continues throughout your life.
St Andrew's runs Enquirer's Groups for those interested in church membership and at other times runs courses looking at the basics of faith: Christianity Explored. Contact Peter Johnston for more information on when these courses will next be running.
The Vows used in the Public Profession of Faith
This assumes that you have already been baptised. If you have not then the Sacrament of Baptism will be a part of the service also.
What is the church?
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The body of Christ |
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A worshipping community, committed to service |
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Ordinary people who share a belief that Jesus Christ is God's Son |
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People who recognise their need of forgiveness and who respond to the love that God has for us |
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A body of people led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim God's work in the world, and to destroy the evils of injustice, slavery and oppression |
Who is the church for?
Everyone, with no exceptions. No one is beyond the welcoming hands of Christ to be a part of his body.
What is the church not?
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An insurance, like joining AA, in case you need it later |
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Just for baptisms, marriages and funerals |
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A nice club to go to if it is raining on a Sunday |
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Full of perfect people |
Who is the church not for?
People who are perfect, but seeing as we all fall far short of God's idea of perfection, then that is okay. Welcome!
You
have professed with us your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In your baptism God brought you into the house of faith, and in goodness
and mercy has shepherded you to this day. We ask you now to pledge
yourself to a life of Christian discipleship:
Do you promise to follow Jesus Christ in your daily life?