October

24  Stewarton
Stewarton has emerged from the pandemic in good heart and generally unscathed. 
Eternal One
we thank you for your mercies,
for the way you have sustained us in good times and in bad,
for the gifts you shower upon us.
Inspire us all,
to follow you more closely,
and show our love for you in word and deed.
Amen.

31   For Reformation Sunday

On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther, a young professor at Wittenberg University, posted a set of 95 theses on the Church noticeboard. He was hoping to initiate a public debate about what authority the Church could and could not claim for itself when it came to speaking about those who had died (thus the date: All Saints Eve – Hallowe’en). 
Such a way of initiating public debate was common practice at the time; but Martin Luther had no idea where that debate would take him, nor the effect it would have on the Church in Western Europe. The 31st October is now celebrated among those who agree with the general terms of Luther’s complaint as ‘Reformation Day’.
Prayer:
Eternal God, you have given us your Word to be a light for our path through life. We thank you that by the inspiration of your Spirit your Word was written down by your faithful servants in ancient times and read down the ages by those who would know your will. We thank you that through the power of that same Spirit your Word is still faithfully preached and received by those who seek you in our own day.
We thank you for those who, in word and in action, faithfully proclaimed your word in days gone by; and we particularly thank you for those whose faithful witness helped us on our own path towards faith in your Son Jesus Christ. May your Spirit act within us today, so that your Word might fill us with faith, hope and love. Open our hearts to hear what you would have us hear, that we may be witnesses of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all we do. This we ask in his name and for his sake. Amen. 
Rev John Bremner
 
November

7   COP26
 
A short prayer in the month of COP: the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change

Sustaining God:
as our species gathers
in your Dear Green Place,
constrained by the damage injustice has wrought:
so strengthen our hope;
our resilience to disappointment.
Move us on from ‘stewardship’ to partnership
with the Life of the world,
giving thanks for every small step;
stirring our impatience for more.
Show us your way of hospitality:
of warning and encouragement
for those who come and those left far behind:
Christ, in the stranger’s guise
AMEN
Rev David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain, Eco Congregation Scotland

14   Stonehouse, St Ninians
As we continue to re-emerge and discover who we might be in a new world...

On this Sunday of Remembrance
We give thanks
for those who have given the fullest measure
of love to their neighbour,
for those who have gratefully received that gift,
and for all who continue to take Jesus' command
as their guide in their every day living.
Amen

21    1st in Advent 28th
The dawn is breaking over the sea, the reflection is like a myriad of tea-lights flickering and bouncing over the waves.
I sit in awe and wonder of our Creator.
My journey is early. I have a purpose, I have a mission, I need to be travelling these 500 miles.
It leaves me wondering. Did Mary really know her purpose, her mission, when she said ‘Yes!’? Did she know what her journey would entail? Not for her any comfort as she travels 80 miles on a donkey whilst heavily pregnant. Not for her a beautiful landscape to look at in awe and wonder.
As November draws to a close may we have the courage to say our ‘Yes!’ and put our trust in God. May we discover the awe and wonder of the Advent journey, and offer our praise and thanks to God – Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.  AMEN

28    St Andrews Day 30th
Lamb of God, at this time we remember your first-called apostle Andrew, patron saint of our land, and so we pray that we too may readily embrace the call to share the good news of your kingdom with others, and to bring them to you.