40 Days Blog - Day 39

Acts 27:1-44 Heading To Rome - Shipwreck

Wreck and Reputation

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse - Shipwreck!

Once, when travelling in India, I was intrigued by signs as we entered a village announcing its name and population. “Kaza - population 3231 souls”. That word ‘souls’ struck me. Every person was someone loved by God and in need salvation. As we read today of 276 souls saved in a storm we must wonder about the ultimate salvation of their souls. And so too for Strathaven population 8180 souls, Drumclog population 100 souls*

Paul was a seasoned traveller. To be shipwrecked once might be unlucky, twice might be considered very unlucky, three times just stupid - why would you ever get on a boat again? (See 2 Corinthians 11:25). Admittedly this fourth time he didn’t have much option about getting on the ship, but he still voices his concern about the wisdom of the journey from his past experience.

I find the relationships in this passage fascinating. Paul is clearly respected and liked by his guard, the centurion Julius. Though technically a prisoner he is even allowed, “as a kindness” to go and spend some time with friends in Sidon when they land there. I wonder how that conversation went - “Julius, do you mind if I pop off to catch up with …?” The very fact it happens shows what kind of man Paul was - trustworthy and able to garner respect from those who were not prejudiced enemies like the Jews.

Good reputation matters. It is very hard to win and can be lost in a moment.

Wreck

Did you notice back in chapter 20 (5), the subtle switch in Luke’s writing to the first person (we/us)? From that point on Luke has been directly involved in the action. And so this dramatic story is a pure eyewitness account of the shipwreck. I love the detail of it - sea anchor’s, sandbars,, nor’easters, landmarks, the way the sailors bound the ship together with ropes around the hull. It must have been utterly terrifying running before the storm, as they did, for two whole weeks until all hope is lost.

Reputation

But more than that we see Paul speaking his mind and giving warnings and advice. Then he has his, “I told you so,” moment (vs21). So when it comes to the crunch and they decide to abandon ship, Julius sides with Paul and rescues all the prisoners from the soldiers swords. Our influence as Christians is important. We should be ready to speak out, and also be ready, as Paul did here, to encourage people (vs 33 and 36).

The key moment, of course, is found in (Vs 23-24). Paul has been reassured by an angel that he will be saved. Paul will survive. He must stand trial in Rome. The Gospel must be heard in that forum. But God’s power will be seen in the saving of everyone and this event will form part of the story of God’s plans for the advancement of the Gospel.

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Prayer
Lord as we near the end of this 40 day season of prayer, help me keep in mind the need of my friends, neighbours, colleagues, and acquaintances to receive salvation in your name. Help me keep praying for them. Help me too to guard a good reputation of integrity, generosity and faith for your sake. I pray that your name will be honoured. In Jesus name. Amen.

*Online census info.

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