- Sunday 24 March
Services at 9.30 am and 10.30 am (also live-streamed). It is Palm Sunday. The passage is Luke 19:28-44 (also Zechariah 9:9-13), the theme, Who is King?
2) Church Finance 2023 – Thank you
On Tuesday the Kirk Session approved the accounts for 2023. Thank you for your generous giving and thanks to God for supplying what was needed. Unexpectedly the year ended with a surplus of £31,000. The main reasons for this were:
Offerings:
£8,000 above budget
Hall usage:
£9,000 above budget
Building maintenance: £9,000 under budget (half its usual level – and not expected to repeat).
3) Church Finance 2024 – Please help
The Kirk Session approved the budget for 2024. In order to balance the budget a 6% increase in offerings is required. That’s because costs will INCREASE by £40,000. The main reasons for this are;
Contribution to Church of Scotland;
£15,000 increase (those who have more, are expected to give more)
Heating and lighting:
£6,000 increase (fixed rate deal has ended)
Building maintenance:
£9,000 increase (the usual level)
Inflation:
£10,000 (everything costs a little more)
Last Sunday I talked about how we are stewards not owners of the time, talents and money God has given us. One way this works out is our offerings.
– Are you giving regularly? If not, please could you consider doing so. Pick up forms to start a Standing Order and Gift Aid. Talk to Keith Murdoch about other ways to give.
– If you already give regularly, thank you. Could I ask you to review your giving? Most people’s salary or pension is increased once a year and it’s a good practice to adjust your giving in line with this. If you haven’t done this in the last year, would you pray about this and ask God to help you be the best steward of the money he has entrusted to you.
4) Holy Week Services: All at 7.30 pm
Monday: St Baldred’s
Tuesday: North Berwick Christian Fellowship in Abbey building
Wednesday: Our Lady Star of the Sea
Thursday: St Andrew Blackadder (Communion).
Friday: Abbey
5) Guild Easter Coffee Morning
Saturday 23 March: Church Hall, 10.30 – 12 noon.
6) Gilbert and Sullivan concert: 12 April
St Andrew Blackadder Guild is hosting an evening with the Edinburgh G & S Society in aid of Guild projects on Friday 12th April at 7.30pm in St Andrew Blackadder Church. Tickets costing £10 (children free) will be on sale from Guild committee (see Ann Braid) and from Greens and Blues or at the door on the night.
7) Easter Cards
Thank you to everyone who took an envelope for a street in the parish. The whole parish has been covered which means the news is out there. Please pray that God will use the cards to prompt people to reflect on the story of Jesus over Easter.
There are a few loose cards still available. Take as many as you want to give to friends.
8) Prayer Gatherings
Every Sunday in Prayer Room between 10 and 10.20 am
Every Monday in Room 1 between 10 and 11 am.
Every Wednesday on Zoom between for 30 minutes starting at 7 pm.
Please contact the office for log on details.
Neil
Rev Dr Neil Dougall
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