Communion Weekend at Balintore United Free Church
May 2026
Our Communion Weekend at Balintore United Free Church, held on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026, was a deeply encouraging and spiritually refreshing time for our congregation and for the many friends who joined with us from different parts of Scotland, and one family member coming all the way from London to be there for the Saturday night.
Over the course of the weekend, we were delighted to welcome Rev John MacLeod as our guest preacher. Originally from the Isle of Harris, John has served as Pastor of Allander Evangelical Church in Milngavie since 2009, having previously ministered in Newmilns, Ayrshire, and as Interim Pastor in Nassau, Bahamas. Alongside his pastoral ministry, he also serves on the Board of the Faith Mission and as a Trustee of Children for Christ, supporting gospel work among children in Romania. John was accompanied by his wife Carol, and it was a joy to have them both with us over the Communion Season.
The weekend began with our Preparatory Service on Saturday evening. Rev John MacLeod preached from Psalm 24, setting before us the glory, holiness, and kingship of Christ as we prepared our hearts for the Lord’s Table. It was a solemn and uplifting beginning to the Communion Season, and a particular highlight of the evening was the baptism of Stuart and Laura Sutherland as they publicly professed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It was also a joy to welcome Elizabeth Murray into membership of Balintore UF. What a precious reminder of God’s saving grace and covenant mercy toward His people!
Following the service, many gathered in the hall for a warm time of fellowship and refreshments. During the Fellowship Meeting, one of our elders, Andrew Ross, shared a deeply moving testimony in which he reflected on the Lord’s faithfulness through the changing seasons of life. He also reminded us of the precious words of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s well-loved hymn “Jehovah Tsidkenu,” directing hearts once again to Christ alone as our righteousness and hope.
On Sunday morning, the Communion Service gathered many visitors and friends alongside the congregation for a deeply moving time of worship and fellowship. Rev John MacLeod preached from Psalm 22, directing our hearts to the sufferings of Christ and the wonder of the Cross as we gathered around the Lord’s Table together. It was especially encouraging to witness new members sitting at the Lord’s Table for the first time, publicly identifying with Christ and His Church. Throughout the service there was a real sense of warmth, reverence, and thankfulness for the Lord’s presence among His people.
Following the Communion Service, the church hall was packed for a congregational soup and pudding lunch, where there was much happy conversation, fellowship, and encouragement shared around the tables. It was a lovely opportunity for visitors and congregation alike to spend time together and enjoy the blessing of Christian fellowship over the Communion Weekend.
The weekend concluded with our Thanksgiving Service on Sunday evening. Once again, Rev John MacLeod ministered God’s Word, this time from Psalm 23, reminding us of the tenderness, faithfulness, and shepherding care of the Lord toward His people.
Following the service, many remained for the closing Fellowship Meeting in the hall. The meeting was opened in prayer by Rev Martin Allen (who happened to be on holiday with his wife Ann). Rev John MacLeod went on to share an encouraging personal testimony of coming to faith in Christ and of the Lord’s guiding hand throughout his life and ministry. After the rousing singing of Scottish Metrical Psalm 72:17–19 to Effingham, the meeting was brought to a close in prayer by Rev Roddy MacRae (Mission International). It was a fitting conclusion to a precious and memorable Communion Weekend.
As the Communion Season came to a close, there was a shared sense of gratitude for the fellowship enjoyed, the blessing of gathering together in worship, and the encouragement received through God’s Word. Above all, we give thanks to the Great Shepherd, whose goodness and mercy continue to follow His people, and whose presence alone makes such seasons truly precious.
