Kinlochleven Church - the next service is on Sunday 17 May at 10.00 am led by the Rev. Ann Winning.
Duror Church - the next service is on Sunday 24 May at 8.30 am led by the Rev. Malcolm Kinnear.
Nether Lochaber Church - the next service is on Sunday 17 May at 11.30 am led by the Rev. Ann Winning.
South Lochaber Parish :
Bible Study - on 12 may at 10.45 in Jeremy's home led By Tony Walters on "Caleb".
Bible Study - Kinlochleven on Friday 29 May at 11.00 am.
Sunday 10 May 2026 - Available on YouTube at - https://youtu.be/WN2acAG5Ia0
Hymn There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul's diseases.
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
he will guide till the day is done.
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.
No, not one! No, not one!
Prayer Loving God, I am so glad that Jesus loves even me. Help me to live for you and to be there for others, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Bible Reading Matthew 13:31-33 Jesus told a parable: The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.” Jesus told them another parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.” John 14:15-16 ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, he will give you a Helper, the Spirit, who will stay with you forever’.
Message In 1896 John Gilmore of Montraive and Kinlochbeg donated ten pounds sterling for the poor of the parish of Glencoe and Kinlochleven. He later became a baronet and got involved in politics. In 1896 he was connected to the lodge known as Kinlochbeg, later the Tartan Hotel in Kinlochleven. His wife was a photographer, ahead of her time. Her photos of Glencoe and Kinlochleven are preserved.
This is the start of Christian Aid Week where we think about how to help those who struggle with poverty. This year the focus is on Kenya. In Nairobi one of the big cities in the informal settlement Dagoretti many people live in cramped conditions without electricity or running water. Work is hard to get and money is scarce, but people are coming here because they are running out of options. But with help from Christian Aid many now grow their own produce, planting seeds in grow bags and in small containers, and making fertilisers. Hope is returning, a future is being built.
These parables of Jesus speak of how God’s purposes grow out of small insignificant beginnings. Seeds or grains of yeast are tiny but they out of them something big grows. Mustard seeds produce a garden plant up to 4 metres tall, and birds come and nest in its branches. This could be a picture of the church, where people find shelter and security. Small acts of love, of giving and sharing can make something happen for God’s Kingdom, as we live and act in humble, prayerful obedience.
In the history of the church the actions of just one person have brought great results. Apollonius was a merchant in Egypt. He adopted a simple lifestyle and earned money to buy supplies to heal the sick. He travelled around delivering these. This was the first free dispensary of medicine. Thalassius was a fifth century hermit from Syria. He built two small houses for blind people, gave them shelter and spiritual guidance and so began the first institute for the blind.
Jesus said, if you love me, you will do what I ask of you. Christ’s way of life is founded on loving action. Jesus said, a new commandment I give to you, that you love another as I have loved you. In his caring actions and in going to the cross for us, Jesus showed great love. Greater love has no man than this, than that he lay down his life for his friends. Our actions can lead to growth that is both internal and outward. In the parable of the yeast or leaven the leaven makes the dough rise. Our inward selves can grow, we can grow in our character as the power of God is at work in us. Never underestimate what our actions of prayerful giving or serving can achieve.
Jesus speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit enables us to be united with Jesus in his risen power and to live the sort of life Jesus wants, the sort of life Jesus lived when he took our place in humanity. We need a God-centred, prayerful life. Self is displaced. The love and compassion of Jesus, through us, can reach others.
Prayer God of love, I am learning how to live for you. Give me the strength to be the person you want me to be, in Jesus’ name. Amen.