As it’s St Fillan’s 900th anniversary I’m looking at Rev. Rutherford’s children’s address, where he talks about the history of the church. There was none for ‘this’ week so instead here is on from 11th July 1976 – the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the church.
Boys and girls, has it crossed your mind that we are worshiping in this beautiful church because of what Rev Johnstone did 50 years ago. It was because of his vision, his faith, his enthusiasm, and his kindly nature which endured him to all the folk in the village. He had the vision when we walked around a rather unsightly and delipidated ruins, to see the wonderful beauty that might be reconstructed that others thought impossible.
Something more wonderful is that we wouldn’t be worshiping here or any other place if it wasn’t for the vision of someone had 1950 years ago. Someone had the vision, faith, enthusiasm and love. Someone had a vision that what untrustworthy folk could become, folk like self centred James and John and doubters like Thomas and Peter, someone who had faith that God could do the impossible. If it hadn’t been for Jesus none of us would be here.
So boys and girls, do you think you could make a difference to anyone in 50 years time? You think not? I’m sure you could if, like Rev Johnstone you have Jesus help, his vision, his faith, his enthusiasm and his love.