15 December 2013

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.

Christmas Tree Decoration

The Christmas Tree for the worship area will be collected this week, to be erected and decorated on Saturday morning from 10.30am. Able-bodied people are especially welcomed to help with the physical work involved, and an invitation extended to all to come and join in decorating the Tree.

Refreshments will be provided to sustain the workers!

AfC / Action for Children

The Worship Group recommended that donations, which are traditionally given to AfC (as to its predecessors) at this season of the year, be specifically identified for use locally in Dundee. We are invited to make bring our “gifts of money” to worship next Sunday, or give through the Church Treasurer, and / or in today's Communion Offering.

Christmas Worship

There will be no public worship in Marketgait on 24th or 25th December, when we are encouraged to join Services in local communities. Our own Christmas Celebration, as last year, will take place during the Café Service on Sunday 29th December, when we will be joined by Meadowside St Paul's Church of Scotland and Dundee United Reformed Church in worship led by Mrs Marcia Mackenzie.

(NB help in setting out tables on Saturday 28th will be appreciated)

Philippines Typhoon Relief

The sum so far raised through the retiring offering for donations via MRDF amounts to £95. The plate for offerings is out for a further week today.

MRDF have already sent an initial donation of £90,000, channelled through its ACT Alliance partner, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UNMCOR).

Details of relief work on site.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

Jars may still be returned (with contents!) or donations given to Margaret. Total to date is £120.44.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks

We support the Dundee Foodbank by bringing in any of the suggested items from the Shopping List (on the table on the upstairs landing) and placing them in the large blue Bucket provided nearby. An explanatory slip is also available. There is also need for plastic carrier bags of suitable size; please place any spares by the Bucket. Monetary donations are also welcome. Contact Liz Kay for further information.

Thanks are expressed for all contributions, from church folk or others using our premises and facilities.

Bible Reading Notes

It is time to order the IBRA Bible reading notes for 2014.

Note that the format has been changed - examples will be on the desk, together with an order form for you to sign up.

It looks to be an excellent format and worth taking for your daily Bible readings.

Please look at them and sign up for an order for 2014 - payment on receipt. Further information from Heather.

Methodist Prayer Handbook 2014-15

The request has been made for prayers and images for inclusion in the next Handbook, on the theme “Partners in Sacrifice” (a phrase from Fred Pratt Green's hymn: H&P 804 / StF 415). Prayers should be no more than 120 words in length and submitted by 12th January. More detailed information.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks

We support the Dundee Foodbank by bringing in any of the suggested items from the Shopping List (on the table on the upstairs landing) and placing them in the large blue Bucket provided nearby. An explanatory slip is also available. There is also need for plastic carrier bags of suitable size; please place any spares by the Bucket. Monetary donations are also welcome. Contact Liz Kay for further information.

Thanks are expressed for all contributions, from church folk or others using our premises and facilities.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in December for work in Lesotho.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• translation projects in Liberia into Kisi and Kpelle, also funding for three new projects - Gola, Mano and Dan;
• staff and members of the Board of the Bible Society in Sierra Leone;
• peace in violence-hit areas of Nigeria, especially the North, where distribution has been affected.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference;
• preparations to celebrate Christmas in our Circuit churches;
• Shams el Birr provision of a loving family life for children with cerebral palsy (Embrace);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Mozambique, southern Africa, and Zimbabwe;
• residents and staff in the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District (Methodist Homes);
• work in the west, north and north-east of Uganda (MAF);
• partner, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in Lesotho;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
• we remember Methodists in Bradford North (West Yorkshire District) and in Cullen (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 8 December 2013
• 22 December 2013

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