Matthew 5:1-20

The Week Ahead Wed 21st September 10.15am Women’s bible study at Dolina Murray’s house, 34b Lionel. All women most welcome. Wed 21st September 7.30pm Midweek prayer meeting, church hall. Services next Sunday 25th September 2016 11am service (church hall) Rev Murdo Smith 3.30pm Sunday school (church hall) for all P1-S2 children 6pm service (church hall) Rev Murdo Smith Dates for your Diary Covenant Fellowship Scotland are holding a series of evening gatherings with the theme "Glorify God and enjoy Him forever" to allow people to come together and spend some time focusing on those aspects of our faith which encourage and uplift us. We will spend time reflecting on this from His word as well as praising and praying together, and there will be an opportunity to talk with representatives from Covenant Fellowship Scotland. The first of these gatherings will take place in Martin's Memorial Church, Stornoway on 23rd September at 7.30 pm, where we look forward to meeting with you. Macmillan coffee morning on Sat 24th September at the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis. 2-4pm. Donations of baking would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the Comunn Eachdraidh from 12.30pm onwards. The October Communions will start on Thursday 6th Oct, and run until Monday 10th. This year our services will be led by the Rev William Heenan and the Rev Iain Murdo Campbell. Details to follow next week. David and Rebecca Morton, Nkhoma Hospital, Malawi will be visiting us for the Sunday 23rd October 6pm service. The Nominating Committee The Nominating committee would like to take this opportunity to ask for your ongoing prayers as we continue to seek God’s Will in this time of vacancy. Confidentiality dictates that the committee can’t share details of any progress we make, which we appreciate must be frustrating. The committee however is making progress, and we continue to trust in the Lord through this process. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13: 5-6 18th September 2016 A very warm welcome to our services of worship today. We pray that you will all know God’s blessing as we meet together. Worship this morning is led by Mr Gordon MacLeod and this evening by Mr Iain Macmillan. Induction loops are fitted in both the Church and hall for the hard of hearing. Please set your hearing aid to position ‘T’. Recordings of all our services are available on our website www.crossnesschurch.com as free Podcasts. CD recordings are also made of the services and are made available free of charge to the housebound and elderly. Please ask one of the office bearers if you would like a copy. Crèche available by request. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eaglaisnis or via Google by entering ‘@eaglaisnis’ www.crossnesschurch.com for more information and audio content. If you would like information posted on the website, please contact Chris on 810112 or email the website crossnesschurch@gmail.com Cross Ness Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity No.SC000991 11 o’clock service led by Mr Gordon MacLeod Praise: NEP 81 Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty NEP 90 I heard the voice of Jesus say NEP 154 Love Divine all loves excelling Sermon: “Jesus is the new way” Reading: Matthew 5:1-20 (NIV) 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.’ Tea and coffee will be served after the morning service, to which everyone is warmly invited. Christian books Space has been made on the bookshelf at the back of the church hall for Christian books. Please feel free to browse the collection and borrow any books. If you have any books you would like to share then please add them to the shelf. There are books for all ages. 3.30pm Sunday school (church hall) for all P1-S2 children 6pm service – led by Mr Iain Macmillan Please continue to pray for our congregation, that we would know the Lord’s blessing at this time. We continue to pray for all in our congregation and community who are in hospital or are ill in any way. If you know of someone who needs prayer at this time, please let one of the Elders know.