15TH MAY 2011

What a joy it was to have our first Lord's Day services in our new church! The Lord has indeed provided a beautiful building for us, and it is just right for our needs. Our minister preached a very appropriate word from 1Chronicles 7:1.

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.

• The ark had been returned to its rightful place in the new temple. Return to biblical preaching should be given its rightful place at our services.

• We also need the spirit of prayer. Solomon prayed reverently at the opening of the temple He prayed to a personal God, and he pleaded God's promises. Over and above, he made his requests known to God.

Fire followed the prayer. The glory of the Lord filled the temple: God delights in the gathering of his people. Let us all be in our place in our building at the various services. See Jeremiah 20:9, "...his word was in my heart as a burning fire", and verse 29: "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD.....".

The sacrifice show the need for the atonement of our sins, which was accomplished in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

The result of the fire was that the people worshiped, showing by their posture their humble and awed submission to God. We are not worthy of our building, but what a privilege to know God's blessing on us. At the opening of the temple the people were honoured to have the great King Solomon in their midst. Our guest is the one who is "greater than Solomon", the Lord Himself!

Then, Solomon and all the people celebrated the feast. At the end of that time, Solomon sent the people away joyful and glad of heart for the goodness of the Lord to them. One day God's people will also celebrate a special feast: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

THE GENTLE GILLIESES

It is a long way from Stornoway on the Island of Lewis to Edinburgh, and the driving and the roads are something else altogether! But what a pleasure it is to meet up again with this lovely family.

Go for it Jonathan!

Will she manage to get a sound?

Your playing has come on so well, Joanna! Well done!

And so has your recorder playing, Jonathan. Keep at it!

MAY VISIT 2

May is a lovely month to visit Scotland, often dry and sunny. You can see that this day was a little cold as we headed to Anstruther in Fife to get a boat to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, to see some sea birds.

We had a good view of shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, and fulmars, sitting on their nests, or feeding their young. Some female shell ducks were sitting on nests close to the paths.

In particular we were keen to see the endearing puffins. We were not disappointed. There are 42,000 puffins on the island. The nest is underground so we were warned to please keep to the paths, so that we would not collapse the earth and disturb or kill the birds. While the female sits, the male goes out to sea to fish. We saw some on the water as we approached the island, and, once on land, we could see some perched on the rocks - not as close as we would have liked!

And, yes, you are right! I did not take this picture. It is a photo of a beautiful post card!

Back on the mainland, we thought it appropriate to have some fish and chips before returning home, stopping on the way at the Kirkcaldy sea front.

We enjoyed 8 days together. Our guests even spent a Saturday morning helping us to paint and clean our new building. One evening they shared of the work of the Lord in Rumania and China with our congregation. They explored historical sites, especially those of church interest. We ate, laughed, even cried a little together, and enjoyed fellowship in reading the Word of God and praying. But then, all too soon, it was leaving time again. We sang "God be with you till we meet again" just before they left for Holland and Rumania.

God bless you, our dear friends!

A MAY VISIT 1

We have enjoyed a visit from friends from Holland and Transylvania. Our first visit was to see this amazing pineapple beautifully carved out of stone, set in old gardens.

Nature's own garden.

WORKING TOGETHER

Those who were able came together to help clean our new church building. It is an exciting time for all of us.

Norman, you really are making such a good job of the pulpit!

Here is one happy pastor!

Refreshment time!

Hmmmm! Deep discussion here!

Donald, I think you have done this kind of thing before!

Keep your strength up, folks!

Just leave me to get on with what I am doing!

There are many prayers of thankfulness to our God for providing us with this building which is just right for our needs. We do pray that the Lord will be with us as we move forward into this new chapter of our congregational life, to bless us and enable us to witness for Him in this needy city of Edinburgh.