25 November 2007

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 care

Please note that Ministerial pastoral care in the Circuit is being undertaken this week by the Rev Mary Patterson.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

This year's theme is “Water for Children”; jars are to be returned today or, later, to Mary F..

Christmas Tags

Clare Small reminds us that gifts tags are available on the Vestibule table: proceeds to Church funds.

Preaching Plans

Plans for the quarter December 2007 - February 2008 are now on the Vestibule table - please take / distribute.

Advent and Christmas Worship

Our observing of Advent / Christmas this year will include

• the customary lighting of Advent candles, with accompanying Litany, during morning worship;
• a Faith lunch after worship on the first 3 Sundays in December, during which there will be conversation together on “the trappings of Christmas”: the topic will be introduced by the host each week (next Sunday, Heather Dean) from material produced by “Alternativity”- everyone is welcome, please bring food to share (drinks provided);
• mince-pies served with coffee after Worship on Sunday 23rd December;
• Christmas Day worship at 11 am on 25th December led by Jenny Easson (who will be pleased to know of anyone willing to take part) - Offering for NCH;
• arrival & decoration of the Christmas Tree on Saturday 15th December - details to be intimated.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in November for work in the Dominican Republic and in December for work in Azerbaijan. See library area noticeboard for more details.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to:

• completion of 20 years' work in Hong Kong on the Revised Chinese Union Version New Testament;
• translation of the New Testament into contemporary Taiwanese, also work starting on translation of the Old Testament;
• 3-month literacy course in Cambodia and its outcomes;
• the small Christian community in mainly Muslim Azerbaijan and its plans to distribute Scriptures to young folk in churches.

World AIDS Day - next Saturday, 1st December

• red ribbons (from South Africa) - Vestibule table - £1
• Theme for 2007: “leadership”, highlighting the
• need for innovation, vision and perseverance in the face of the AIDS challenge
• call to ALL sectors of society to take the initiative and provide leadership on AIDS.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The Vice-President of Conference at MRDF Reception, Houses of Parliament, Thursday;
• Stationing Matching Group meeting, Monday-Wednesday;
• outcomes of ACTS Forum meeting last Wednesday;
• 'Ministers in other appointments' in Scotland;
• projects in the Liverpool District, mutual enrichment of staff and residents (Methodist Homes Prayer Diary);
• work of Sidreh, Bedouin women's non-governmental organisation, in the Negev, Israel ('Feed The Minds');
• Bible Society work in the Dominican Republic and in Azerbaijan;
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Chad, Guinea, and Niger;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Sleaford Circuit (Lincoln & Grimsby District), and our friends in Riverside, Blairgowrie (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 18 November 2007
• 02 December 2007

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