9th December 2022, Weekly Update

1. Sunday 11 December

Services are at 9.30 am and 10.30 am (also live-streamed). We will begin reading Matthew’s gospel together. This week it is Matthew 1:1-17 and the theme, ’Saying Yes to God’. At the 10.30 service, Gordon will be baptised, Gary and Jessye will profess their faith, and all three will become members of the congregation.

2)  Sunday 18 December

The 9.30 am service will be as normal. The Junior Church Nativity will take place at 10.30 am. The Carol Service will be at 7.00 pm.

The Nativity and Carol Service are services that people who don’t normally come to church are drawn to. Is there someone you might invite? Friend, colleague, neighbour, family member?  An invitation from you might be just the prompt they need.

3)  Church Christmas Cards

As well as people we know, we want to inform the whole parish about these services. That’s why Christmas Cards giving details of them have been printed.  They have been bundled up into streets. Could you help by delivering to one street? You can pick up a bundle (which has clear instructions) from beside coffee on Sunday.

4)   Open Door 2023

Barbara Clark is working on the rota to allow the church to be open from 12.00 – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday and from 10.00am – 4.00pm on Saturdays. We thank those who have taken part in 2022 and the rota, from 9 January to 30 June, is being drafted on the basis of many continuing with this important expression of our faith. There are two slots 12.00 – 2.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm weekdays with 10.00 – 12.00 an extra slot on Saturdays when the office is closed. Apart from Monday and Tuesday’s at 12.00 there are vacant slots throughout the week.

It is especially important to have our building open this winter as it informally offers a warm space for those facing increasing energy costs. If you would be willing to express your faith in this way, please contact Barbara (details in the Church Directory) or let Julie in the office know. Barbara will be delighted to explain how straight forward and rewarding this can be.

5)   CrossReach Stall

On Sunday 11 December, there will be a CrossReach Stall from 9am to 12 noon in the High Street Vestibule, with Christmas Cards and Wrapping Paper for sale. For other items, please visit: https://shop.crossreach.org.uk.

6)   Cunningham House

A big thank you to everyone who gave so generously to Cunningham House residents. The items were taken up to Edinburgh this week.

7)   Presbytery of Lothian

Intimation is hereby given that at a meeting to be held online at 1900 hrs on Thursday 15 December 2022 the Presbytery of Lothian will consider matters pertaining to the rearrangement of certain congregations within the bounds.   This congregation is hereby cited to attend that meeting for their interests.

8)   Prayer Gathering

Each Wednesday on Zoom between for 30 minutes starting at 7 pm.

Please contact the office if you would like log on details.

 

Neil

Rev Dr Neil Dougall