40 Days Blog - Day 35

Acts 22:30-23:22 The Plot To Kill Paul

Another day, another mob. Another twist, another unexpected turn and another reassurance from the Lord.

Luke really is a very good writer, isn’t he! Throughout Acts we have seen how meticulous his research and information gathering is. And then he writes a cracking, fast paced, detailed, yet extremely readable story with great descriptions and clear development in the action. We will come back to why he wrote his two books tomorrow.

But for the moment let’s just consider how today’s reading opens with a real scene setter.

Again try to picture it. Paul is released from custody by the commander (Claudius Lysias - we learn his name in the next chapter). Lysias, needing to do what was required of him for an accused Roman citizen, pursues a full and appropriate investigation. What was yesterday’s fuss really about? He wants the truth and he summons the Jewish leadership - their most important people, the whole Sanhedrin - to come and explain themselves. It was a big crowd of angry and opinionated men. They stand before the commander and the action begins.

The real issue is the hard boiled hearts of the Jews. Entrenched in law observance and fiercely defensive of ‘the faith’ as they believe it to be. They cannot see the ‘wood’ for the trees. The truth Jesus brings of eternal life and hope for the ‘trees’ of tradition. Are we ever like that with our faith, where we miss out on relationship with Jesus because our opinions hinder and distract us?

Into this tense, accusatory situation Paul lobs the hand grenade of ‘life after death’. Pharisees believed in resurrection. Sadducee’s did not. Both were Jews - and this sets the two factions so violently against each other that men were tugging Paul physically from both sides so violently, that he had to be rescued again by the commander. Who would have had that man’s job that day!

One thing that may strike you in reading Acts is that the Romans Luke writes about, tend to come out of it fairly well. He brings to his narrative ‘good Romans’ like Cornelius, a God fearing and generous man (Ch 10). And the commander in today’s account is simply, dutifully following his responsibilities under Roman Law for a Roman citizen to be treated properly. (Unlike the hastier actions of the authorities in Philippi (Ch16), it has to be said). And in the latter chapters of Acts we will meet still other Romans generally fairly disposed towards Paul.

What we see in this is a working out of God’s purpose and plans. Paul is aware of the hand of God in the movement of leaders hearts. He wrote…

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". 2 Timothy 2(1-2)

The pivotal moment today is the night time encounter with the Lord. A dream? A vision? A special experience of Jesus? He spoke to Paul very clearly…. “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome.” Vs 11 (NLT)

What an encouragement that must have been - especially as that is a promise he would have to hold onto for another couple of years before it was fulfilled!

The unexpected twist - an overheard conspiracy. 40 men so angry that they are willing to murder Paul and so Lysias is moved to seek safety for Paul.

Psalm 31 (14-15) “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.’. My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.”

Today, in our 40 day prayer Journey, as you pray for the community, pray particularly for the leadership of our land - for that impacts us in so many aspects of faith, of freedom to proclaim the name of Jesus and freedom to live it out.

Prayer
Lord thank you for the way you work out your promises and plans. Thank you that my times are in your hands. I trust you. I pray for our community again today and pray in particular for those in government, in spiritual and cultural leadership and with influence in our land. We pray that there will be a swing to truth, honesty and integrity, and that we will be able to speak clearly of you in all situations.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

The church meets every Sunday at 9.30am at Drumclog and 11am at Avendale.

Sunday worship continues to be live-streamed from Avendale each Sunday at 11am on the Avendale & Drumclog YouTube Channel.

At Drumclog we meet at:
Drumclog Memorial Kirk
Drumclog
South Lanarkshire
ML10 6QG

At Avendale we meet at:
Avendale Old Parish Church
59A Kirk Street
Strathaven
South Lanarkshire
ML10 6LB

For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it at both Avendale & Drumclog. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up and show you where the disabled toilet is located if required.

Our Service - Drumclog Memorial Kirk

Drumclog

At Drumclog, the service begins at 9.30am with a warm welcome from our Minister, or the person leading the service. During the service we usually sing 2 or 3 songs/hymns. The Minister or a member of the Worship Team will usually read aloud from the Bible and lead the congregation in prayer. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. The Minister, or person leading the service, will then give a sermon that is Bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church.

The service lasts approximately 45 minutes. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service. After the service we serve refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) in our church hall. This is a great way to meet people and enjoy fellowship together. We would love to chat to you there!

Our Service - Avendale Old Parish Church

Avendale Wide

At Avendale, the service begins at 11am with a warm welcome from our Minister, or the person leading the service. Before the service begins, we will show a loop of news and notices on the screens in the church. This is a good way to find out what's going on in the life of the church. During the service we usually sing 3 or 4 songs/hymns, often led by our church praise band 'The Elastic Band'. The Minister or a member of the Worship Team will usually read aloud from the Bible and lead the congregation in prayer. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it's all part of our connecting with God. The Minister, or person leading the service, will then give a sermon that is Bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. Throughout the service, we may also show videos on the screens in the church to help us reflect on what is being shared during worship or in the sermon. We then share news and notices, usually about what's going on in the life of the church.

The service last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. After the service we serve refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) in our church hall. This is a great way to meet people and enjoy fellowship together. We would love to chat to you there!

images: Services

What about my kids?

At Avendale, we have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 4 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/carer at all times.
His Kids (5-10 years)
Yoof (11-18 years)

Children stay with their parent or carer at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and short Children's Talk. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the Children's Talk, someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy the first time you come along to church.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, Bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

For more information about what happens in the children's and youth work please visit the Children's Ministry page and/or the Youth Ministry page.

N.B. - there is no children's programme or youth programme during the service at Drumclog.

Getting Connected

Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our Home Groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out our Home Groups page and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a Home Group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group. If you would like us to put you in touch with a Home Group leader, please let us know via our Contact Us page.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team here.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Other Groups in the Avendale & Drumclog Community

The following groups are also part of the life of our church:

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev Calum Stark - Minister		David Moreland - Session Clerk

To find out more about our staff and leaders, please visit our Staff & Leadership page.
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Calum Stark - Minister