Service to mark the union of St. Mungo's with Penicuik South and Howgate to form Penicuik Trinity Community Church

A service to mark the union of St. Mungo's with Penicuik South and Howgate to form Penicuik Trinity Community Church was led by Presbytery on Thursday 7 April. Members from Penicuik South and Howgate, St. Mungos, and the other churches in Penicvuik joined to hear and take part in the formal union of our two churches.

The Rev Peter Wood, minister of Penicuik South and Howgate led us in prayer, asking for the blessing and support of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we venture forward and readied ourselves for the new challenge.    

Congregation member Mary Darling read the bible passage, taken from John 3: v1-21 (NicodemusVisits Jesus') telling the story of a Pharisee Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, conversation with Jesus. The Rev Mark Nicholas returned to deliver his sermon based on the Nicodemus reading.

The Rev Mark Nicholas took over from Robin Hill who had unfortunately tested Covid positive. Mark welcomed the congregation, opening the service and leading us into our first praise 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation' (CH124).

Rev Mark Nicholas with Presbytery clerk John McCulloch

Our second praise 'I the Lord of sea and sky' followed.

Presbytery Clerk John McCulloch Read the history behind this Union, before Rev John Urquhart delivered a Prayer of thanksgiving.

The Consecration of the Union was led by Rev Mark Nicholas who asked the congregation, who having come together agreeing to be one congregation in Christ Jesus, under the designation of “Penicuik Trinity Community Church”, to pledge ourselves, in the presence of God and depending on his help, to be faithful to the covenant of unity, love and peace into which you are now entering, for the better service of Christ’s kingdom and the glory of his Name. We assented by all standing to hear the consecration. The Rev John Urquhart was formally installed and affirmed as minister of Penicuik Trinity Community church.

The Rev John Urquhart led prayers for the new church, concluding with the Lord's Prayer.

Our final praise was the popular and relevant hymn for this service 'Guide me, O thou great Jehovah'. Rev Mark Nicholas closed the service with the Blessing.   

After the service we retired to the church hall for refreshments and the oppotunity to chat with friends,  other congregation members, and the members of presbytery.   

An audio copy of the service can be found by clicking here.

Rev Mark Nicholas

Presbytery clerk John McCulloch

reads the history