1 Samuel 27

15th April 2018 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 Chris Barrowman and this evening by Mr John Hebditch 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’ for more information and audio content. If you would like information posted on the website, please contact Chris on 810112 or email the website www.crossnesschurch.com crossnesschurch@gmail.com Cross Ness Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity No.SC000991 11 o’clock service led by Mr Chris Barrowman Praise: Psalm 45: 1-6 Praise: Hymn 178 Praise: Paraphrase 2 Reading: 1 Samuel 27 (ESV) Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”2 So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow. 4 And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him. 5 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given me in one of the country towns,that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” 6 So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. 7 And the number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months. 8 Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt.9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. 10 When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.” 11 And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking,“lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.” Tea/Coffee will be served after the morning service to which everyone is warmly invited No Sunday school until after the Easter holidays. 6pm service (church hall) – Mr John Hebditch The week ahead Mon 16th April 7.30pm – Congregational AGM (church hall) All welcome Wed 18th April 10.15am - Women’s bible study at Rachel Barrowman's house, 16 Eorodale. All women welcome. Wed 18th April 7.30pm - Midweek prayer meeting at the church hall. Services next Sunday 22nd April 2018 11am – church: Rev John Murdo Nicolson 6pm – church hall: Rev John Murdo Nicolson Dates for your diary Tues 24th April 7.30pm Society for Distributing Hebrew Scriptures, Church hall. The nomination committee would value the congregation’s prayers at this time for Gods guidance, wisdom and discernment as they continue to search for a new minister. PRESBYTERY OF LEWIS Dear all, You will have heard the disappointing news that the Board of An Lanntair Arts Centre has decided to open the facility on Sundays, on a regular basis, "as soon as operationally possible". This follows a trial opening of the Cinema and operation of Family Arts Activities over three Sundays. The local branch of the Lord's Day Observance Society (LDOS) has been developing a response to the trial opening and, now that the decision has been taken to open on a regular basis, the matter becomes all the more pressing. Dan Macphail of the LDOS invites us, as individuals and as congregations, to subscribe to his organisation's 'Community Statement' which reads, "As a resident in this island community, I am disappointed that An Lanntair chose to trial Sunday opening. I hope that the trial does not result in any permanent Sunday opening. It is my sincere view that An Lanntair has not well represented our local community in this matter. I have no desire to see any further erosion of our heritage and unique culture as regards a peaceful Sunday". Up to now, there has not been a formal mechanism for the community to make collectiverepresentation against Sunday opening of An Lanntair and the LDOS intends to present this 'Community Statement', countersigned by as many people as possible, to the Board of An Lanntair in due course. The 'Community Statement' can be signed online athttps://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/community-statement-1 A paper copy of the 'Community Statement' can be taken for gathering signatures and completed paper petitions should be in the hands of the LDOS by 18 April 2018. Please make the availability of the 'Community Statement' for subscription known to your congregations over the coming two Sundays, 8 and 15 April 2018. Thanks, John John Cunningham Presbytery Clerk Church of Scotland Presbytery of Lewis 1 Ravens Lane STORNOWAY Isle of Lewis HS2 0EG 07789 878840 The Presbytery of Lewis is part of the Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity Number SC011353.