Category Archives: Worship

Christian Unity Service

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held on Wednesday 19th February at 7.30pm in St John’s Episcopal Church in Princes Street. The service has been prepared by Christians Together in Malta, and has a focus on “unusual kindness”.

Christmas Celebration

The 15th-century St John’s Kirk, Perth was the beautiful setting for the 2019 Christmas Celebration, watched by viewers of BBC Scotland and BBC One Scotland across midnight into Christmas morning. It was in 1490 that King James IV funded the start of the present building, but there has been worship on this site in the heart of the city of Perth for a thousand years. St John’s remains the focal point for significant city and county services and ceremonies.

Six well-known traditional carols, Once in Royal, Hark the Herald, O Come All Ye Faithful, See in Yonder Manger, As with Gladness and O Little Town of Bethlehem were sung by a large congregation gathered from all over Perthshire, accompanied by Alba Brass.

Other carols were sung by smaller choirs. Jambouree, a mixed children’s and adult choir, performed songs from Scotland and Malawi. Chansons, a Perth-based chamber choir, sang Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day and two other songs. And Caritas, a new choir formed at the suggestion of the Duchess of Cambridge which performs on significant national occasions, sang Torches by Jean Joubert and a new version of Silent Night by Paul Mealor, who has composed for the Cambridges’ wedding and for the Army Wives choir.

The traditional Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus along with modern meditations were read by 13 pupils from nine Perth primary and senior schools.

The organist was Howard Duthie and the minister, the Rev John Murdoch.

Holy Week and Easter at St Leonard-in-the Fields and St John’s Kirk

 Holy Week Services : 14 – 21 April : in St John’s and St Leonard’s in the Fields on Sunday 14th : Palm Sunday Morning Services at 9.30 am and 11.15 am respectively

Sunday 14th : Palm Sunday Morning Services at 9.30 am and 11.15 am respectively

  • Monday 15th : The Drama of the Passion Narrative : Readings : 7pm in St John’s Kirk
  • Tuesday 16th : Easter Singings  : 7pm in St Leonard’s in the Fields   
  • Wednesday 17th : Reflections : Poetry, Music, Prayer : 7pm in St John’s Kirk
  • Thursday 18th : Maundy Thursday Holy Communion  : 7pm in St Leonard’s in the Fields  
  • Friday 19th : Good Friday in St John’s Kirk
  • Walk of Witness 1030 until 11 30
  • 12 noon until 3 pm : Three Hour Liturgy  
  •   [ Come and go at any point during the three hours ]  
  • 8 pm : Tenebrae Service  

Easter Day : Sunday 21st April

8 am : Early Service on the South Inch near St Leonard’s in the Fields

8 30 am : Breakfast in Church Hall

Easter Day Service with Holy Communion at 9 30 am in St John’s Kirk

Easter Day Service with Holy Communion at 11 15 am in St Leonard’s in the Fields

PACT Carol Service 2018

The 2018 PACT Carol Service was held in St John’s RC Church, Perth, on Friday 21st December. The Rev Graham Taylor (St John’s Episcopal Church), PACT Convener, welcome a congregation drawn from local churches. Lessons were read by Jenny Dawson (St John’s RC Church) and the Rev Kelvin Bristol (Perth Methodist Church) and the address was given by the Very Rev. Steven Canon Mulholland.

The combined choir was directed by Michael Ellacott and accompanied by Susan Cassidy at the organ.

Marjorie Clark (St Matthew’s Church of Scotland), Secretary of PACT, outlined the work carried out by the four charities which had been selected to received the collection which was uplifted during the service. The selected charities were Churches Action for the Homeless (CATH), Perth Starter Packs, The Harbour Counselling Service in Perth and Mary’s Meals.

Last year’s charities, Living Waters, EMMS International and Perth and Kinross Foodbank received £300 each.

Before giving the blessing, the Rev Graham Taylor thanked Canon Steven for his inspired reflection, and also all who had contributed to the occasion through their preparations and participation.