Lenzie Union Parish Church
A Church of Scotland Congregation
After the positive response to our first "Bible & Blether" in the autumn, our Mission & Discipleship Team invites you all to the next one! It will be held on Sunday 27 April after the morning service, led by Donald MacLeod. Once again, there will be the opportunity to discuss a few follow-up questions from the service, while enjoying a snack lunch and a time of fellowship together.
We hope to see you there!
Welcome to our service for Sunday 23rd March, led by Rev Leslie Grieve.
Today we thought about what we can do to get through the narrow door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Click HERE to read
Welcome to our Service of Communion for 16th March 2025, led by Rev Iain Reid.
We heard that we are known and loved by God. He offers us the gift of eternal life and wants us to share this gift with others, whoever they may be.
Register at Dean House,
Everyone is welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult
There will be a reward of hot chocolate and cake at the end
Saturday 22nd March
An Opportunity to Help the Community
Want to help tidy up the litter in your local area? Come along to DEAN HOUSE next Saturday morning at 10am to register for the event. Then set off to gather up as much litter as you can!
When you return enjoy some hot chocolate and cake as your reward!
Hope to see you there!
Welcome to our service for the first Sunday in Lent, 9th March 2025.
Our service was led by Rev Leslie Grieve, and we considered the ways Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
Kia orana'
Kia orano is from the Maori language and means hello but also may you live long and may you live well , may you shine like the sun and may you dance with the waves .
This was the opening to our ecumenical World Day of Prayer service in Lenzie Union church for the Lenzie / Kirkintilloch area but written by the Christian women from the Cook Islands
The ladies taking part were from the various local churches, dressed in bright colours and wore garlands of flowers .
The communion table was decorated with a blue cloth , a bowl of water and seashells to represent the sea . A plant in place of a palm tree and coconut shells and bright flowers as seen on the islands . We even had a full size canoe in the vestibule as that is their main mode of transport.
The main part of the service focussed on the stories of three women, different ages and different backgrounds but all with very strong Christian Faith.
A fifteen year old, anxious through Covid, discovered, “God knows me , and God knows you and God knows everything we are going through.”
A lady in her sixties who had spoken Maori language but, forced at school to learn and speak English, felt devalued, but she knew God was still with her.
The third was a Paediatrician from the Cook Islands who graduated in Fiji but returned to work back home . She has tried to improve services on the islands and says that, “God created me wonderful by blessing me with the motivation to study medicine.”
We all joined and said -
“I am fearfully made and wonderfully made
Marvellous are Gods works that, we now know very well
And we'll praise you all our days”
Welcome to our Service for Sunday 2nd March 2025.
Today Mrs Roberta Logan led us in worship, and we thought about Transfiguration, and how we can reflect Jesus' glory in our everyday lives.
Welcome to our service for 23rd February, led by Mr John Nicolson.
Today our short series on 'Who is Jesus' concludes.
Who is Jesus? - The one who requires new birth! We considered what it means to be born again in the Spirit.
World Day of Prayer celebrated in over 120 countries. Join us at 1.30pm on Friday 7th March in a worship service prepared by Christian women in the Cooks Islands. The theme this year is "I made you wonderful" A warm welcome awaits you.
Welcome to our service for Sunday 16th February, led by Mr John Nicolson
Our series on 'Who is Jesus'continues, this week, 'The one who contradicts!'
Welcome to our service for Sunday 9th February, led by Mr John Nicolson
Our theme today is 'Who is Jesus - The one who heals hearts!'
If we are currently streaming a service it should be accessible through this link
Come along and enjoy the Guild Coffee Morning on Saturday 1st March 2025
10am to 12 noon
in aid of Guild projects
Bibles for Bairns (Scotland)
Build my Church (Bulgaria)
Ticket £4.
The Sunday Service on 26 January led by the Mission & Discipleship Team focused on Mission. Our all age talk explained Mission to the young folks , and the not so young!
We heard about the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow and its work with many vulnerable, homeless people. Not only do they provide them with food, they enable them to turn their lives around as they develop life skills, self-esteem, confidence and a sense of belonging, What a difference this makes!
We read from James 2: 14 –17 “ ….. If one of you says to them Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
We were pleased to hear about the work of our partner Crosslinks and we joined them in praising God that the door is wide open for the gospel to be preached in Moldova, which borders Ukraine. We heard by video link from Graeme who works for Crosslinks in Moldova. He thanked us for our support as he and his wife Bequi lead Bible studies and youth groups for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Callum Henderson from Comfort International gave us a moving presentation of their work in Rwanda and South Sudan and in particular the work of Batsinda Street Kids Rescue. Building schools and ultimately providing a way out of poverty is making such a difference. Hearing how individual lives have been changed and seeing the happiness on their faces was heartwarming!
We also heard of the work of their partners Comfort Congo who work to help the many displaced people there who are affected by war.
Humbled and moved, we prayed for the 3 organisations and also for guidance when carrying out God’s mission work in Lenzie.
The mission and disciple team lead today's service with news and updates from projects that we support.
Welcome to our worship for Sunday 19th January.
Rev Dr Kleber Machado led our service for the second Sunday in Epiphany. We read about a wedding in Cana, and that with Jesus the best is always still to come!
Welcome to our Sunday service for 12th January. This week our worship was led by Rev Leslie Grieve. In the season of Epiphany we thought about the baptism of Jesus, and that we recognise Him as our Saviour.
Alpha is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment. Everyone is welcome and if you are curious about Christianity and finding out more about Jesus and associated benefits to our wellbeing please open the attached link and also email alpha.lenzie@gmail.com to register your interest.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, ‘In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 5, v 17-21 and 6, v 1-2
Welcome to our service of worship for Sunday 5th January 2025, led by Rev John Campbell. On this first Sunday of 2025, how can we be more like Jesus this year?
For the first meeting in 2025 the Guild will have an afternoon tea on Monday 6th January at 2.00pm in the New Hall. It's a Bring, Buy and Blether, so bring some items, buy something new and enjoy a blether!
Welcome to our service for 29th December 2024. After meeting Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem, what happens next?
Praise and Tell!
Together with the parents and young people, John Campbell led our Nativity service for Christmas, thinking about Jesus- The Heart of Christmas. We also celebrated the baptism of Huw, and welcomed him into the church family
They were ….
Engrossed as Mary talked to them in her house,
Amazed when Gabriel appeared,
Excited as they went with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem
Amused by the antics of the shepherds on the hillside,
Worried about the sheep when they heard the howls of the wolves,
Dazzled by the Angel when she brought good news.
Bewildered as they wondered what would happen next,
Intrigued by the Wisemen deliberating on the meaning of the star,
Totally involved as they followed the star all the way to Bethlehem,
Delighted to meet Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in the stable
And reassured that Jesus was God’s Son when they met Simeon and Anna in the Temple.
The evening performances were equally enjoyed by the many people, young and not so young, who came along. Some came for the first time and others came as this is now a Christmas tradition!
Girls’ Brigade’s educational theme is ‘construction’ this year, so what could you ‘construct’ at Christmas? A gingerbread house of course!
First, so that every girl could take part with adequate supervision, we had a 'Baking at Home with Rhona' evening on Zoom, with every girl in their own kitchen, and parental supervision.
With Rhona’s expert tuition the girls made gingerbread pieces to a specific size and shape using a template. Everyone had fun going through the various stages of adding and mixing the ingredients together, rolling out the dough and cutting it to size. The pieces had to be quite thick to be strong enough for the construction. The bonus was that there was plenty of extra dough which could be used to make gingerbread shapes or frozen to use later.
Once baked, the girls cooled their house sections and brought them to Girls' Brigade the following week to construct into gingerbread houses. Help with sticking the sections together was provided, as well as a large quantity of royal icing (thanks to Rhona!). Then everyone went wild with their decorations! You can see all their original designs in the pictures.
2nd Sunday of Advent.
Today our Service of Communion was led by Rev Adah Younger. We considered John the Baptist, through the words of Malachi and Luke.
Our knitted animals have been on a journey again and have finally arrived in the shop windows in Lenzie! Join our nativity trail and find the sheep, donkeys and camels. Look on the tags round their necks and see their names, then jot them down on your trail leaflet. Try not to miss any!
Leafletswill be available through the schools or DOWNLOAD HERE
1st Sunday of Advent
Today we welcomed the young people, parents and friends of the 12th Glasgow/1st Lenzie Scout Group for their annual parade.
The service was led by Rev Leslie Grieve, and we considered the meaning of Advent.
Move around the church from scene to scene as the Christmas story unfolds.
Over the last ten years, this has been a great success with the primary school pupils who visited during the day and more than 250 pupils are due to come this year.
In the evening of Wednesday 11th at 6.30, 7.00 or 7.30 children and adults alike have an opportunity to enjoy this special Christmas drama. Not to be missed!
Hope to see you there! No need to book, just come along!
The church has 3 halls and small room accommodation in Dean House - next door.
New Hall
Old Hall
Small Hall (Session Room)
If you wish to make use of our spaces please get in touch.
Lenzie Union Parish Church was established in 1873. We are a vibrant church, situated at the heart of a busy local community just north east of Glasgow, with easy transport links from the city and surrounding areas. There is on street parking available.
We meet on a Sunday morning at 11am for Worship and everyone is warmly welcomed.
The Service is also live streamed and available on YouTube
Lenzie Scout St Andrew's Day Parade - Youth Service 11.00am
On Sunday 24th November our Service was led by Mr John Nicolson, and the theme was 'Faith - Is seeing really believing?'
Please can you help this Christmas?
Message from the Lodging House Mission
We would love for everyone who comes to us to have something in their Christmas bag that they would like, rather than just what they need. We would also love to provide a bag of goodies to enjoy over the festive period.
We generally need toiletries which we to provide on a daily basis and there is also a miscellaneous list of a few wee extras that would made a big difference.
On the first and third Mondays of the month dance an hour away with Sherrie!
Earlier this year, we were delighted to be successful in our application for the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme which supports local good causes. Tesco customers in Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld, Craigmarloch and Bishopbriggs stores voted during April, May and June with the result that we received a grant to use towards our ‘construction’ theme this year.
One of the crafts we purchased with the grant was Baker Ross kits for every girl to build a doll’s house room. We also bought furniture kits to make tables, chairs, bookcases and beds for our rooms. This project took three weeks and the girls worked hard to construct the kits and strengthen them with wood glue. The furniture was quite fiddly to put together and patience was required! Recycled materials brought from home or from our Girls’ Brigade resources were used to make carpets and curtains, and everyone got inventive with wall coverings, cushions, tablecloths and artwork. The girls had amazing ideas and came up with so many different designs for their rooms.
Finally, the girls made plasticene people for their rooms! Above are some pictures of the craft.
After the positive response to our first "Bible 'n' Blether" in the autumn, our Mission & Discipleship Team invites you all to the next one!
It will be held on Sunday 27 April after the morning service, led byDonald MacLeod. Once again, there will be the opportunity to discussa few follow-up questions from the service, while enjoying a snacklunch and a time of fellowship together.
We hope to see you there!
On Sunday 3rd Nov our service was led by Rev Dr Kleber Machado and included the dedication of the Guild. We also gave thanks for the work of CrossReach. We are called to be 'living stones', building God's Kingdom and leading others in His way.
Meet some of the people who keep our church running!
Feel free to contact them for further information
On Saturday 26th October, the Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir entertained a large audience of family, friends and church members. We were treated to a variety of songs from Alexander’s Ragtime Band to Black Island, an American trilogy and a superb finale of Highland Cathedral to name a few. Soloists sang I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables and Getting to Know You from My Fair Lady and David gave us a lovely rendition of Gabriel’s Oboe on the organ.
The concert was followed by an invitation to join together in the New Hall for chat and light refreshments.
A wonderful evening when over £1000 was raised for Crossreach and Lenzie Union Church!
Youth Cafe is a free space for young people so if you want to hang out and enjoy loads of activities, food or just chat come along and pick up a consent form to attend Youth Cafe. You can email for a consent form in advance. Hope to see you there after school 3.45 - 5.00 pm on Thursday 31st October!
youthworker@lenzieunion.org
Monday 21st October
Our guest speaker this evening was James Carmichael, a retired lecturer and crime writer who grew up in Glasgow. His topic was Polio which turned out to be a most inspiring, thought provoking and enlightening talk. The heart-rending stories of children diagnosed with polio being completely isolated from family with sandbags set on them to prevent any movement and being kept in hospital for a year or more was a reminder of how things have moved on in treatment and care. Polio, however, is still a problem in many parts of the world and James told us of the End Polio Now campaign of which he is President. In this role he travels all over Britain giving talks on the importance of effective vaccines. There is no cure for Post-Polio syndrome which emphasises the need for everyone to be protected.
James explained that Polio can be caught from being in contact with contaminated water for example. The Pro Plus Society is providing clean water around the world as well as protecting hundreds of children with a potentially life saving vaccine. The devastation of war torn countries such as Gaza cause untold misery to the thousands risking their lives to be vaccinated.
James finished his talk by emotionally explaining that his biggest challenge has been to adapt to the simple fact that his condition will deteriorate. All he can do is to `pace` himself which was not an easy thing for him to accept. His final words were “No-one today should contact Polio”.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2, v 15-20
This week our service was led by Mr John Nicolson.
The theme was 'Rejoicing in God' and we read Psalm 66, and thought about God's never ending love for us!
This autumn some of the youngsters from 1st Lenzie Boys’ Brigade and 1st Lenzie Girls’ Brigade enjoyed a fantastic weekend away to Abernethy Outdoor Centre at Nethy Bridge, run by the Abernethy Trust. We enjoyed a selection of activities including crate building, adventure course, zip wire, canoeing, raft building, climbing wall, aerial runway, Jacob’s ladder and archery.
At one point the boys on the raft competed against the girls in the canoes to collect balls around the canoeing pond – we won’t say who won!
Some of the brave young people also chose to jump into the water after their canoeing activity – it was very cold! Everyone had time to also go swimming in the indoor pool at the house and to play in the games room.
In the evening there was a Christian session run by Abernethy, followed by an amazing camp fire and a movie night. After church on Sunday we played a scavenger hunt organised by the BB all around the house.
It was a great weekend for everyone and the young people experienced new activities and enjoyed some independence.
Thanks to the Abernethy staff and instructors for a great weekend.
Today's service was lead by John Nicolson on the theme of "Longing for God"
1As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
‘Where is your God?’
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God. Psalm 42, v 1-5
Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered,
“Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
7 ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 ‘Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13 ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7, V 7-14
Please smile as you greet folks each Sunday.
Thank you to all who help with the flowers in church each week.
For each Sunday, please provide and place flowers on both flower stands to the right and left of the chancel.
It's always lovely to get together on opening night after such a long break, to meet up and chat over a cuppa and some delicious home baking.
Last night however, we experienced a real treat! The entertainment was top notch. Kirsty Duncan, a professional singer from Glasgow, enjoyed singing almost as much as we enjoyed listening to her fabulous rendition of songs from the musicals.
What talent! What an entertainer! What a memorable evening!
Our Harvest thanksgiving service for 2024, led by Mr Phil Allan
'The Journey May be Tough, but the Rewards are Worth it!'
Compromise and No Compromise
On Sunday past (29nd September) the service was led by Rev Donald MacLeod. Reading was from Mark 9 : 38-50
Worship is for everyone.
People who are newly curious about God worship side by side with people who have been Christians for decades. You don’t have to be a Church member to join in, and it’s for all ages.
Worship basically means ‘worth-ship’. It’s about seeing what God is worth and giving him what he’s worth. Worship often involves singing and praying on Sundays, but it flows into loving and serving God through our actions and words every day.
Worship is natural – it can sometimes feel like ‘coming home’. St Augustine (354-430 AD) put it in a nutshell: ‘Great are you, O Lord, and greatly to be praised…You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.’
Jesus took time to worship, and weekly worship on Sundays at 11am is at the heart of Lenzie Union. The service is live streamed on …..link… so that anyone anywhere can join in or watch later. The minister and welcome team are at the church door to meet people before the service starts. The service lasts just over an hour and there’s time to chat over tea and coffee afterwards. You don’t have to dress up. Young people and children are a key part of the church family. There’s always something for them in the early part of the service – and afterwards they can join in age appropriate activities in the New Hall or stay for the whole service if they want.
Worship is about meeting with God. Since Lenzie Union got started in 1873 people have prayed ‘we want to see Jesus’. At each service there’s always a Bible reading so we can hear God’s Word. There are prayers which praise God, and prayers for the world, for the people on our minds, and for ourselves. The music is a mix of traditional and more contemporary and the all age talk and sermon try explore what it means to trust and follow Jesus today.
Worship is for every day. Jesus took time to be still in worship to equip him for the demands of the day. The Lectio 365 app is just one way to pray each day - a ten minute time of prayer, Bible reading and quiet each mornings and evenings…
A Minister is always available to take funerals and to help wherever he can in a time of bereavement. You don’t have to be a church member. Funeral services are always personal and unique for each person.
Lenzie Union with its beautiful ambiance has been the setting for lots of weddings over the years. To find out more just contact the session clerk or interim moderator. Wedding services in the church and other locations are a time to thank God for the gift of love and ask God’s blessing at the start of a new marriage. They’re always personal and unique for each couple.
Baptism (or Christening), is a celebration when adults or children are welcomed into the church family. It usually takes place at the 11am Sunday service. You don’t have to be a church member and a Minister is always delighted to chat about baptism or answer any questions.
Each Sunday throughout the seasons the flower group takes delight in creating floral arrangements, sometimes intricate, sometimes simple, but always beautiful, and always adding to the peaceful ambience of the church as we worship together.
And at the end of the service the flowers are taken to folks who, for different reasons, would benefit from being reminded that we care for them.
Wish to donate flowers, perhaps in memory of a loved one?
Contact Sheila 07791240248
Or help in any way? Contact Elizabeth 07742387027
By being an adult presence at Youth Café on a rota basis? Learn more.
Please contact Kim for further information.
Perhaps join a rota?
At Meeting Place on a Wednesday morning - learn more.
Contact Iris 0141 776 5170
At Coffee Pot on a Friday morning - learn more.
Contact Fiona 0774 846 0325
A few people need help to get to church. Would you be willing join a rota and to help occasionally?
Contact Hugh hugh.wright7@ntlworld.com
Enjoy pottering about in the garden? Join the Gardening Group and help keep our grounds looking attractive. Contact Sheila 07815851777
Do you enjoy arranging flowers? … or simply want to donate a bunch ?
Get in touch with Elizabeth on 07742387027
Did you enjoy going to Boys Brigade in your youth?
Would you consider helping out at Boys Brigade, either occasionally or regularly?
If so, contact Hugh Wright to find out more. hugh.wright7@ntlworld.com
There is a space at this desk for you!
Why not give it a go? We’d be delighted to welcome, guide and support you.
Contact Margaret 07792168826
Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered,
“Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Ensuring a Safe Church for All
The church has a deep concern for the safety and wellbeing of everyone.
Working together with the Safeguarding Service we seek to safeguard the welfare of anyone who encounters the services and activities in the church.
The Gospel proclaims that it is the responsibility of everyone within the church to prevent harm and we always seek to reduce risk.
Our commitment to Safeguarding reminds us that God cares passionately about the welfare and wellbeing of all people. A tenet we follow just as passionately.