40 Days Blog - Day 24

Mark 10:1-16 - Pharisee Questions

Question Time is one of my favourite TV programmes. I say ‘favourite’ advisedly – it sometimes seems that the politicians on the panel are answering completely different questions to the one that has been asked. I feel like shouting at the TV, ‘Just answer the question!’ It’s interesting that the contributors often get themselves into the worst contortions over the social questions of the day. They seek an answer of some kind that might be acceptable to all the various communities that might be watching. In reality, that often means they say nothing of value at all.

These verses are a similar kind of ‘Question Time’. Jesus gives the Pharisees answers to their debate about marriage and social values. The Pharisees come with questions about detailed matters of Jewish custom and law. Jesus answers them by pointing back to core values of the creation narrative. God’s purpose is for His people to be in close relationship with Him and each other. He ordains the marriage relationship to foster companionship and procreation within a family context. We can all give assent to the good intent of the statement that, ‘….what God has joined together, let no one separate...’(Matthew 19:6). The next verses, as Jesus speaks privately to the disciples, are challenging words to read. They are very definite, very clear. Jesus is re-stating an ideal about marriage to the disciples and we accept this truth.

Yet we also know the lived reality of some will reflect something different. Precious relationships have changed over the years. One love has grown cold and another love has grown strong. Always bear in mind that the default position of Jesus is love and acceptance towards all people who seek Him. His interactions with people show His forgiveness and understanding. As we seek to follow Him, all things – all the varied circumstances of His children – will work for eternal good.

It's interesting that Mark recounts the story of the children being brought to Jesus at this point. We love to tell this story and think of grumpy disciples and cuddly curly-haired kids being encircled by the arms of Jesus, expressing His love to the little ones. But think about this phrase – Jesus was indignant at His disciples. What were they doing? Placing barriers in the way of those who wanted to come to Jesus. The obvious question to ask ourselves is – are we putting barriers in the way of people coming to Jesus? By imposing unspoken barriers on people who aren’t ‘like me’? By an inconsistent Christian life? By deliberate sin from which we need to turn away and seek God’s forgiveness? By omitting to be a clear witness to Jesus? May God the Holy Spirit speak into our heart and soul to show us where we need to change. May He give us power to be more effective witnesses to Jesus.

Finally, if you feel insignificant or small today, for whatever reason; thank God that Jesus longs to welcome you, to place His everlasting arms around you and bless you with peace.

A Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You that You welcome me to come to You. I acknowledge I often have questions and I put up barriers against Your work in my life. Sometimes I even get in the way of others coming to You. Forgive me and help me to rejoice in Your welcome, even if it means having to hear uncomfortable truths about myself.

Thank You that, whatever my past, You freely accept me into Your family to share with my brothers and sisters in faith. Strengthen and equip me for Your work in Your world.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Listen to today's reading and blog post below...

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