17 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.

Advent / Christmas Worship

Please

• read leaflet (on Vestibule table) for details;
• note that next Sunday's worship includes reflection on 'presents', including an introduction, opportunity for congregational participation, and liturgy;
• put cards to named individuals in the Posting Box on the Vestibule table for distribution next Sunday;
• 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 next Sunday, on Christmas Day or soon after.

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.

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 today if possible, please.

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. The Flower Rota for 2007 will be available from the end of December.

Alternativity Reflections

• Jesus had twelve disciples - think of twelve people and pray for two of them each day
• Write yourself a letter describing what Christmas means to you - think
  • How do you feel in the “lead-up” time?
  • How do you feel on Christmas Day?
  • How do you feel in the days after?
  • Are these healthy and positive feelings?
• Look at a Christmas card with the Nativity scene, choose a character, and have an imaginary conversation with them. Does it make you view the scene any differently?

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

BLESMA

The November Communion Offering was sent to BLESMA. In addition to the formal receipt for our donation to their work, we have received a Christmas card, with a letter describing the work at the Ancaster Home in Crieff (one of only two in Britain). The Home has 19 residents, but it has also provided for 326 respite care and welfare visitors. At the end of October an activities week was held for younger BLESMA members, many of whom lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan. See letter for more news. -

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

• the mobile Bible shop and Living in Hope audio project in Namibia;
• elected politicians working for social, political and economic stability in Burundi;
• completion and publication of translation work in Uganda;
• launch of the Kinyarwanda 'common language' Bible in Rwanda;
• opportunities in Afghanistan for distribution of the New Testament and Book of Genesis in Dari.

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President 'at home' over Christmas;
• members of the Connexion's Policy Support and Research Unit;
• ministers and their families in Scotland Methodism over Christmas;
• Rev Bill Gates with 45 RM Commando (based at Condor, Arbroath) in Afghanistan;
• the miracle of human life and potential (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's relationships with people affected by leprosy;
• leadership training for the Russian Orthodox Church by the interdenominational Heritage College (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in China;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Botswana and Zimbabwe;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne (West Circuit) (Newcastle-upon-Tyne District), and our Circuit colleagues in Riverside, Blairgowrie (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 10 December 2006
• 24 December 2006

© 2002—2006 Dundee Methodist Church.