10 December 2006

We give the assurance of our thoughts and prayers to all who are unwell, awaiting or undergoing treatment, or anxious or grieving for the loss of loved ones.

Pastoral Charge

During the Rev Mary Patterson's sabbatical (ie to the New Year), please notify the Rev David Firth of any request or need for Ministerial pastoral care. Contact may also be made through the Pastoral Secretary (Jenny Easson), Pastoral Visitors, or the Church Stewards. Please note that this week, the Revs Gerald Bostock and Jean Murrie are available in case of special need in David's absence.

Alternativity

Thanks are expressed to 'tricia and Sandy for their hosting of the Advent Meal, which was an enjoyable and re-creating time of sharing.

Some Alternativity Advent reflections:

• “What is Christmas preparing you for?” - rather than “How shall I prepare for Christmas?”
• Where does the Christmas story begin for you?
• What would your 'perfect Christmas' be like? Is there something you could do to make it happen?
• Light a candle and turn off the light; focus on the flame & think how you could be a light for others in the next few days.

Advent / Christmas Worship

Please

• read leaflet (on Vestibule table) for details;
• note that next Sunday's worship includes reflection on 'pursuits', including an introduction, opportunity for congregational participation, and liturgy;
• put cards to named individuals in the Posting Box on the Vestibule table for distribution on Christmas Eve;
• place any cards which you give or arrive by post for the whole Church in the marked 'tray';
• note that NCH gift envelopes are to be returned on or after 24th December.

Christmas Tags

Clare reminds us that these are available on the Vestibule table: help church funds - support recycling - save a tree!

Preaching Plans

Plans for December - March are now available, free, on the (glass) Vestibule table.

Candlelight Service

Our friends in Salem United Reformed Church invite us to their Candlelight Carol Service next Sunday evening at 6.30 pm (premises in Salem Lane, off Constitution Road, north of dual carriageway).

Flower Rota

Elaine writes: “I would just like to thank everyone on the Flower Rota for this past year and for their support. If you feel you would like to go on the rota for 2007, please contact me at 221486. The Flower Rota for 2007 will be available from the end of December.”

The 'Ministry of Flowers'

The Church's thanks go to Elaine & Tom and all who provide and arrange the flowers during the year. Our gratitude is expressed also to Jean and others for their ministry in “taking out the flowers” each week.

Visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

An invitation has received from our friends in Meadowside St Paul's to join their trip to the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Sunday 14th February. The bus will leave at 12.30 pm. Bookings by next Sunday if possible, please.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in December for work in China. See library area noticeboard.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• travel to remote areas, and resourcing of production of Braille Scriptures in Lesotho;
• HIV / AIDS projects among young people and carers in Swaziland;
• annual provision of Bibles for police graduates and defence forces in New Zealand;
• multi-lingual audio projects and special outreach programmes in South Africa;
• opening of new local depots in Gabon to assist wider distribution;
• use of bilingual Scripture versions in Laos where many people wish to learn English.

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President of Conference visiting the Leeds District this weekend;
• planning for future resourcing of Methodist life and work;
• Mary Patterson in her sabbatical over Christmas;
• the Circuit Plan-making Team;
• human responsibility for poverty & exploitation (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Mozambique, Southern Africa, and Zimbabwe;
• library internet access for young people at the Archdeaconry Resource Centre in Aba, Nigeria (Feed The Minds);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Angola and of Mozambique;
• Bible Society work in China;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Heaton and Wallsend Circuit (Newcastle-upon-Tyne District), and our Circuit colleagues in Scott Street, Perth (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 03 December 2006
• 17 December 2006

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