5th December

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/3475be20-f585-4004-8b68-df3a810c6674.mp4

Today's thoughts and reading are from Kay Macdonald, who supports the work of the Slavic Gospel Association, and a speaker at our ladies' conference earlier this year.

Kay is reading from the prophecy of Micah.

Micah 5: 2-5

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
[5] And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land
and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
and eight princes of men

4th December

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/571413d6-ea74-413a-8467-0bcdb1eca207.mp4

Today's reading and thought is from Eric Macdonald, who is a representative of the Slavic Gospel Association. Eric is reading from the prophecy of Hosea.

Hosea 11:1-4

		When Israel was a child, I loved him,

		and out of Egypt I called my son.

		 The more they were called,

		the more they went away;

		they kept sacrificing to the Baals

		and burning offerings to idols.

		 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;

		I took them up by their arms,

		but they did not know that I healed them.

		  I led them with cords of kindness,

		with the bands of love,

		and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,

		and I bent down to them and fed them.

3rd December

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/cf2abb3d-868a-44a3-a274-0536a3bcc7c1.mp4

Today's reading and thoughts are from Rosie Morgan, who was our main speaker at the Prìseil Ladies' Conference earlier this year.
Today's reading is from Isaiah 7: 10-14 -

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

2nd December

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/58029970-4c97-4088-bd1b-757209e45d93.mp4

Today’s reading and thoughts are brought to you by William MacKenzie. William is the managing director of Christian Focus, who, in their own words, “publish books, which point people towards Jesus and help them to develop a Christ–like maturity, equipped for life, work, ministry and mission.”
Today’s reading is Jeremiah 23: 5-6:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

1st December

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/f8b8105f-ade2-4dc3-ad65-dde489ff3091.mp4

Our meditation today is brought to us by Rev Dr Bob Akroyd Bob is a member of the faculty of Edinburgh Theological Seminary, teaching Systematic Theology and Practical Theology. His reading and thoughts come from Isaiah 9: 2-7 -

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Advent Calendar December 2025

Happy Christmas from the High Free Church

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

Attending the High Free

Where and When

We currently do not have a building of our own yet but we are looking to have one built - click here for more information. In the meantime we use Sandwick Hall for our morning services and The Seminary (Francis Street, Stornoway) for our evening services. We also use the Fàilte Centre on Bayhead for our midweek meetings.

We always welcome visitors to our services and we are glad that you are considering visiting us! We know that attending somewhere new or for the first time can be rather daunting, so we have compiled some information below so you know what to expect…

Should you wish to visit our services or meetings and would like to let us know you are coming along, you are more than welcome to fill out the form below - although, whether you contact us prior to your visit or if you just turn up, we will make sure you get a warm and friendly welcome either way!

Name:
Email Address:
Mobile:
Your Message:

Sunday Morning Service
11:00
Sandwick Hall

Sunday Evening Service
18:30
The Seminary

Tuesday Prayer Meeting - English
19:30
Fàilte Centre

Thursday Prayer Meeting - Gaelic
19:30
Fàilte Centre*

Friday Cuppa 'n' Cèilidh (over 55's) - Monthly
14:00 - First Friday of Month
Newton Centre, Seaforth Road

Saturday Prayer Meeting - English
19:30
Zoom**

*On the first Thursday of the month it is a joint Gaelic meeting with Stornoway Free Church in the Seminary.

**On the first Saturday of the month this is in the Fàilte Centre.

Accessibility
There is wheelchair access to all venues used by the High Free Church. If required, a first aid kit and wheelchair are to be made available in the following locations:

Sandwick Hall:
First Aid Kit - In the kitchen area inside the door nearest to the main entrance.
Wheelchair - In the crèche room to the right as you enter the building.

Seminary:
First Aid Kit - Kitchen area next to the exit door behind the pulpit.
Wheelchair - In the storage room through the exit midway down the sanctuary
on the left-hand side.

How to find us:

Sandwick Hall, The Seminary and the Fàilte Centre are marked below on the maps.

Sandwick Hall

The Seminary, Francis Street

The Fàilte Centre, Bayhead

Our Service

Our services are at 11am in Sandwick Hall and 6:30pm in the Seminary on Francis Street, Stornoway. During the morning service there is a crèche and, during term-time, Sunday School. Services generally follow this pattern:

Welcome & Intimations
Call to Worship
First Singing
First Prayer (Standing, if able)
Children’s Talk
Second Singing (Children leave for Sunday School)
Reading
Second Prayer (seated)
Sermon
Final Singing
Benediction

At the High Free our readings are taken from the English Standard Version Bible translation.

What to wear

This is up to you. We have some people who wear their suits, some who come smart-casual and some who come in jeans and T-shirt. Whatever you chose to wear you can be sure of a warm welcome!

What to take

All the words for the items of praise are projected onto a screen or hymn books will be given out as you enter the building. Take a Bible with you, a notebook and pen/pencil (if you wish) and yourself.

What about my kids?

We have a crèche available and a Sunday School. Crèche volunteers are in the first room on the right as you enter Sandwick Hall. The Sunday School leave after the second singing.