BRINGING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE HEART OF EVERYDAY LIFE REVIEW NOVEMBER

Transcription

1 BRINGING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE HEART OF EVERYDAY LIFE REVIEW AND OUTLOOK NOVEMBER

2 PALMERSTON PLACE CHURCH Minister - Rev Colin Sinclair BA BD Colin can be contacted on or by at CSinclair@churchofscotland.org.uk The manse address is 30b Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh, EH10 6BJ. Ministerial Assistant - Audrey Cisco Audrey can be contacted on or by at audrey@palmerstonplacechurch.com Ministerial Assistant - Dawn Westwood Dawn can be contacted on or by at dawn@palmerstonplacechurch.com Joint Session Clerk - Norma Rolls Norma can be contacted on or by at norma@palmerstonplacechurch.com Joint Session Clerk - Ian Graham Ian can be contacted on or by at ian@palmerstonplacechurch.com Director of Music - David Hare David can be contacted via the Church Office on or by at david@palmerstonplacechurch.com Church Facilitator - Paul Mitchell Paul can be contacted on or by at paul@palmerstonplacechurch.com Church Office - Annan House Monday Thursday : 9am un l Noon & from 2-4pm. Friday : 9am Noon. Scottish Charity Number SC004291

3 Dear All FROM THE MINISTER One hundred years ago this month on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns of the Great War fell silent for the last me. It was the end of a conflict that scarred the na ons that took part very deeply. During the last four years we have commemorated various significant events that took place during the First World War. This year we remember its ending. The revival of interest in Remembrance over recent years has helped new genera ons understand more of what their grandparents and greatgrandparents went through. The hardships they faced, the courage they showed, and the faith they shared have become more real to us. But as we reflect on the end of the war, we also want to look forward in hope. Hope is deeply Chris an. It springs above all from our belief in the resurrec on of Christ from the dead: if Christ is raised, nothing good is impossible. Every day we re reminded that what was supposed to be the war that will end war did not lead to that: human pride, greed and folly has led to millions of deaths since But the Bible looks forward to a me when our hope for peace will be fulfilled. It speaks of the old order of things passing away and God making all things new. And it calls on Chris ans to live today in the light of their hope for tomorrow. One of the lessons of war over the last hundred years is that what we do with the peace ma ers as much as how we fought the war. Our thanksgiving for the sacrifice of others should be shown not simply in a poppy, or the observa on of the two minute silence, important though both of these things are. Rather we show our respect by our resolve to live as good neighbours and to reach out in love to the needy. It is shown in our care for the vulnerable and the voiceless. It will move us to stand up for jus ce and be willing to act as peace-makers bringing reconcilia on and healing to damaged rela onships. We are never meant to stand detached from this world but are called by Jesus to get involved, messy and complicated though that can o en be. May we, this month, recognise afresh the horror of war whilst also honouring those who served, suffered and sacrificed not only in the Great War but in all the wars and conflicts up to the present day. Every blessing

4 ALL CHANGE As most of you now know I have been asked to be the next Moderator of the General Assembly and will take up that office in May In order to prepare properly for the post, I will stop being your minister at the end of February 2019 but will return in July While the Presbytery of Edinburgh will appoint an Interim Moderator to oversee the congrega on, and we will arrange for suitable pulpit supply and pastoral cover, a lot now falls on you, the congrega on. Apart from the things that Ruth and I have been doing over the last twenty plus years that others will have to pick up, this will be a real test as to how you wish your church to be for the future. Periods without a minister can o en go one of two ways. Sadly, in some cases people dri off and opt out. However in many other cases, congrega ons have discovered new gi s among themselves and have gone on from strength to strength. I cannot believe that a congrega on such as ours that has trained up two Moderators in five years (!) cannot also rise to the challenge of coping with our absence. People have been asking what they can do to help us face the coming year. I believe that the best thing you can do is to ensure that our congrega on remains in good heart, with lively and strong worship, deepening fellowship, a hunger to grow and a desire to serve and witness as God gives opportunity. If Ruth and I know that all is well back at PP it will set our minds and hearts free to give ourselves to this unique privilege we have been given. If on top of all that you can pray for us and for our family then of course that would be wonderful. Thank you for all your good wishes, cards and support. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY AT AT PPC Our Remembrance Sunday service will begin at 10.50am on Sunday 11th November

5 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY November 2018 Saturday 3 10am-12 Day of Prayer Event - Lounge, Annan House Sunday 4 11am I know it is somewhere, but where? - Luke 15: pm Church Lunch for Fresh Start, Hall & Lothian Room pm Prac cal atheism - James 4;13-17 Monday pm Kirk Session mee ng - Room 1, Annan House Wednesday am Coffee Morning - Room 1, Annan House 7.30pm South House Group - Manse Friday am Ladies Night - Annan House Sunday am We will remember them 11 3pm Service at Sutherland Street Community Hall pm How to respond to financial uncertainty - James 5:1-6 Monday 12 2pm Banner Group - Room 1, Annan House pm City Centre House Group - Lounge, Annan House pm Property & Finance Mee ng, Room 1, Annan House Thursday pm Prayer Mee ng - Lounge Sunday 18 11am Use what you have - Ma hew 25: pm Hang on in there - James 5:7-12 Monday pm PPC Co-ordinators mee ng - Lounge, Annan House Tuesday 20 7pm Interna onal Bake-Off - Church Hall Wednesday 21 2pm Sunflower Café - Sanctuary Sunday 25 11am Lost son: back from the pigs - Luke 15: pm Student & Young Adult Lunch - Manse pm Ac ve praying - James 5:13-20 Sunday 2 11am Ge ng Ready (Church Gi Service) 2 3pm Thanksgiving& Remembrance Service, Sanctuary pm Evening Service

6 MODERATOR DESIGNATE Our congratula ons to our Minister, Colin, who was last month named as the Moderator-Designate of the Church of Scotland. Colin will be away from the Congrega on for around 16 months as he prepares for and then undertakes the du es of Moderator. This is the announcement from the Church of Scotland ; A S rling University economics graduate who spent three years living out of a car in Zambia has been chosen to be Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly for Rev Colin Sinclair, who is the minister for Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh, will take on the year-long role of ambassador for the Church of Scotland in May 2019 at the General Assembly, succeeding the Moderator Rt Rev Susan Brown. He says: "I am honoured to be selected for this opportunity to represent the Church of Scotland na onally and interna onally. It will be a pleasure to encourage church members in their faith and to see the impact of their faith in communi es across our country. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a parish minister and despite the challenges we face I believe the Chris an Faith is s ll relevant to Scotland. Our message is s ll Good News and it s ll changes lives. Colin grew up on the south side of Glasgow, the second son of Alex and Isobel Sinclair, who were "occasional churchgoers". The family had an interna onal outlook as his father had been a District Commissioner, first in Pales ne and then in The Gambia, before returning to Scotland and working as a lecturer in management at Strathclyde University. It was as a pupil at Glasgow Academy, that Colin first became interested in the Chris an faith. To escape ge ng into trouble a er a prefect saw him taking the wrong staircase, Colin dodged into a darkened room where a Scripture Union camp video was showing. "I enjoyed the film, thought the ac vi es looked great and I felt I could put up with the religious stuff. I did love the camp and had great fun, and I liked the leaders. But to my surprise I also enjoyed the mee ngs with their lively singing and straigh orward message about Jesus Christ. I went back to camp the next year and decided then to follow Jesus Christ. So started an exci ng adventure of faith that has lasted over 50 years." You can read this and the ar cle by the Edinburgh Evening News on our website

7 DATA PROTECTION All of our members should have received a Keeping in Touch le er along with their Communion invita on card. Please can you return the form which was enclosed so that we can check that our records are up to date as we need to do this from me to me to comply with Data Protec on regula ons. If you are not a member but come along to Palmerston Place regularly or con nue to be interested in what we do and have not received a form from us please contact the church office so that we can con nue to let you know what is happening in and around the church. THANKSGIVING AND REMEMBRANCE SERVICE Sunday 2nd December, 3pm at Palmerston Place Church An opportunity to set me aside during the fes ve season and remember the people who are so important to us but have passed away and are no longer with us. The service will last about 45 minutes long with me for contempla- on and the opportunity to light a candle. There will be tea and coffee available a er the service for those who would like to stay. If you have any ques ons, please do not hesitate to contact either Dawn, Audrey, or the church office ( ). GIFT SERVICE - SUNDAY 2ND DECEMBER The Congrega on is being invited to bring along gi s to be given to the children of prisoners at Saughton Prison. The gi s received go a towards helping the children have some happy me with their Mothers or Fathers in prison. It s an opportunity to bring some of the love of Jesus to the children. It would be great if you could bring along a gi for a boy of girl on Sunday 2nd December or if you would prefer, bring along a gi voucher or money to be given to Dalry Primary School. All your gi s will be very much appreciated BURNS NIGHT Due to popular demand The Book Group are going to run another Burns Supper on Friday 18th January 2019 at 7pm in the church hall. Details to follow in December.

8 SUNFLOWER CAFE The next mee ng of the Café takes place on Wednesday 21st November in the Sanctuary. The Sunflower Café offers a welcoming and caring environment for all struggling with issues of memory loss, and for their carers, to enjoy companionship and s mula ng ac vity. If you would like further informa on please speak with Linda Cunningham or contact the Church Office. REGULAR PPC GROUPSG PPC G The Baby & Toddler Group meets on a Monday in the Carlow Room from 10am am. Access for buggies is via the ramp. All babies and toddlers, their parents/ carers are very welcome. The Earlybirds Prayer Group meets each Tuesday at 8am in Annan House. The Friendship Club, which meets on a Thursday at 2pm in Room 1 of Annan House (located on the ground floor) has coffee, games and conversa on. The PPC Book Group and PPC Film Club meet regularly and details of these events are publicised In the weekly E-Newsle er. If you do not receive this, please contact the Church Office to be added to the distribu on list. THE HANDSEL STALL The sum raised by the Stall during the months June to September totalled 322. Thank you to everyone who helped raise this amount which has been divided equally between Chris an Aid and Chogoria Hospital. Joan Meikle COFFEE & CONVERSATIONC & C The Coffee Mornings run monthly on a Wednesday morning, at 10.30am, and take place in Room 1 of Annan House. This room is on the ground floor. The next dates are November 7th and December 5th. Everyone is welcome to come along. Mary Benne

9 BROWNIE & GUIDEG EVENING & G On Wednesday 10 October we had our annual Brownie evening in aid of Friends of Chogoria Hospital. The difference this year is that the 106 Guides are now using PPC on Wednesday evenings as well so it was a combined Brownie/Guide evening. For the second year it was a beetle drive and well supported by the families of the 2 groups and members from our church. There was plenty of fun and cha er with everyone enjoying the frustra on of throwing the correct number to start the beetle! At the interval the Brownies had beau ful bracelets to sell and the Guides entertained us. As usual there were delicious tray bakes provided by our members and the Guides. A big thank you to Pamela and the Brownies, Carla, Kelly and Mairi and the Guides along with their families and all our members who all made the evening a success with 285 raised for Chogoria Hospital. The date for your diary is Wednesday 9 October 2019 when we shall be having a dominoes evening. Life and Work Michael Wilson The cover cost of Life and Work, the Church of Scotland monthly magazine, is going up to 2.80 a month from January. Anyone wishing to take out a subscrip on please contact Mary Benne or the Church Office by the 11th of November please. Church Office The Church Facilitator will be on leave to work elsewhere from 5th - 10th November. Susan Kidston will be covering in the office that week. The Church Facilitator will also be on holiday 14th - 21st November. will be checked periodically during that me. PEW CUSHIONS We hope that you are enjoying the bright, comfortable, new pew cushions. These have been provided by an anonymous donor and we need to say a huge thank you for this generous gi.

10 THE OLD TESTAMENT BANNER On our new banner, created by the Banner Group, is a focus on the Old Testament. Some of the symbols may be very familiar like the lion for Daniel and the pyramids for Exodus but the following may be something of a mystery, especially for the minor prophets with which we are less familiar: for example why is there a well for Jeremiah or a plumb line for Amos? Each design relates directly to a quota on from each of the 39 books of the Old Testament. You can find a full guide a,ached to the Banner itself. Come and have a closer look! Levi cus: But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat. Levi-cus 16:10 Judges: At Barak s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. Judges 4:15 NIV Kings 1 : Elijah said, How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.;... Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire he is God.... Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice... 1 Kings 18:22 Nehemiah : Lord, let your ear be ajen-ve to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name... I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11 NIV

11 THE OLD TESTAMENT BANNER Proverbs: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6 NIV Ecclesiastes: Remember him before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is sha ered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, Ecclésiastes 12:6 NIV Jeremiah: This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are le in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them... so... They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. Jeremiah 38:6 NIV Lamenta ons:.. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamenta ons 3:22-23 NIV Hosea: When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord. Hosea 1:2 NIV Joel: I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten... Joel 2:25 NIV Amos: And the Lord asked me, What do you see, Amos? A plumb line, I replied. Then the Lord said, Look, I am se ng a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. Amos 7:8 NIV Micah: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient mes. Micah 5:2 NIV Habakkuk: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no ca le in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

12 THE OLD TESTAMENT BANNER Zephaniah: Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!... The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:14, 17 NIV Haggai: Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: Is it a me for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this (God s) house remains a ruin? Haggai 1:3-4 NIV Malachi: On the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty, they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. Malachi 3:17 NIV There follows a 400 year gap un l the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Banner Group is now working on a New Testament Banner. PARTY TIME The Annual All Age Christmas Party takes place this year on Saturday 8th December. We d like to invite everyone to come along and join in the fun at the Tom Fleming Centre in Stewart s Melville College. The party starts at 3pm with games, then dancing, quizzes more games before our special visitor arrives with his sack. Therea er a buffet tea is served, a er which we conclude with community singing of Christmas songs and carols, finishing around 6pm. Tickets will be on sale on Sunday mornings from mid-november. 6 for adults and secondary pupils (family cket 20), 3 for primary age pupils, Free for pre-school children. We look forward to seeing you there! CHRISTMAS SINGING We are looking for people to join with our exis ng choir to form an extended choir to perform at our Carols by Candlelight service on the evening of Sunday 23rd December. If you are interested please speak to our Director of Music, David Hare, or contact him at david@palmerstonplacechurch.com

13 BIBLE STUDY Regularly reading your bible is a great way to get to know God be er and it s much easier than you might think to get started! Daily Bread aims to help you hear from God as you read the Bible. If you've ever asked the ques on, 'What relevance can this verse have for me today?' then Daily Bread is for you. You can see a free sample of this here - h p:// Encounter with God is SU s daily reading guide designed to lead to a deeper understanding about what God is saying to you and to his world today. If you would like to take out a subscrip on ( 17) to receive reading notes then please get in touch with the Church Facilitator now by - or call the church office on Alterna vely check-out WordLive from Scripture Union, which has similar material as Encounter With God but it is delivered electronically. These online notes are free of charge, although you are encouraged to make a financial dona on to Scripture Union for their use. ART EXHIBITION Edwin G. Lucas ( ) was one of the most unique Sco sh painters of the 20th century. Born and raised in Edinburgh, he channelled the influence of surrealism in his work, cul va ng an original and highly imagina ve style of pain ng during the 1940s and 50s that set him apart from his contemporaries. Today, however, he is virtually unknown. Edwin G. Lucas: An Individual Eye is the first major exhibi on to focus on this unusual and enigma c ar st. Featuring over sixty artworks from, including loans from the ar st s estate and the Sco sh Na onal Gallery of Modern Art, it traces the untold story of Lucas s life and career. This exhibi on will be accompanied by the forthcoming illustrated catalogue Edwin G. Lucas: An Individual Eye, wri en by Helen E. Sco and published by Sansom & Co in August Edwin Lucas was a former member of PPC. The Exhibi on runs at the City Arts Centre, admission free, un l 10 February 2019.

14 REGULAR GIVING TO TO PPC As Gi Aid Treasurer I am wri ng this note to remind all members of the congrega on that if you are already a regular giver and a tax payer but have not already signed a gi -aid mandate, please get in touch with me so that I can give you the necessary form. It is very easy to complete it just needs a signature it does not commit you to make any payment at any me and yet it lets the church recover a further 25p for every Pound you contribute by FWO envelope or standing order or cheque. The informa on is kept en rely confiden al and I submit claims to the HMRC on a quarterly basis so there is nothing more for you to do. Likewise, if there is anyone who does not already make their contribu ons by Standing Order and would like to do so in the future many members do find it the easiest and most convenient method of payment then please contact me as follows so that I can give you the necessary details:- Either by phone on: , by at: iancgarden@blueyonder.co.uk Or by wri ng to me direct at: 2/2 Rocheid Park, EDINBURGH EH4 1RP Thank you for your assistance. Ian C Garden AN ALTERNATIVE GREETING We are again offering an alterna ve way to send your Christmas gree ngs to people you regularly see at church. All you need to do is pen a few lines (e.g. The Sinclair Family wishes all their friends at Palmerston Place a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ) and send these to the church office by Wednesday 21st November. These will then appear in the next edi on of Review and Outlook and also on the screen prior to the Na vity Service on the 23rd December. If you are able to enclose a small dona on with your gree ng, this will be added to the Christmas offerings.

15 Fruits of the Spirit Prayer for Love PRAYER PAGE Lord help me to fix my eyes on the love you share with me every day. And, may I be reminded of the grace and mercy you extended through your son as I go through my life. Lord, may I look to your love as a guide to love others. And not just those who are easy to love. But God give me your eyes so that I may see all your children the way you do. Help me please God to love myself the way that you love me. For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Fruits of the Spirit Prayer for Joy Lord help me to find my joy in you. God, you are the source of all good things and a life that draws its strength from you is a life of true and deep joy. Even in the tough mes help me to rejoice in your goodness and your plan for my life. And, help me to seek you, as the well that never runs dry so that my joy can overflow into the lives of everyone I meet. Fruits of the Spirit Prayer for Peace Father, please help me find peace. I have placed my life in your hands. Help me to remember that there is no reason to worry or be anxious for you have a plan much greater than anything I could ever understand. May I find peace in your steadiness, your faithfulness, your strength and you desire not to harm me. May I fix my eyes on you in the storms of life to find the peace that passes all understanding, a peace found only in you. Fruits of the Spirit Prayer for Pa ence Help me Lord to find pa ence. As the tests and trials of life come at me day by day help me to find strength in you to make it through. Lord help me to learn to wait for your ming and your plan instead of rushing forward with my own. May I trust you enough to remember that vengeance is not mine. When I am ready to snap remind me, Lord of all the mes, you have been pa ent with me. Help me to be present in the season you have placed me in instead of hurrying life away.

16 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD It s shoebox season once more - me to wrap, pack and fill those shoeboxes with treasures as you join with thousands of generous individuals across the UK and the globe to send love and bring joy to children in need this Christmas. A small shoebox can have a big impact. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal. Be a part of changing children s lives all over the world in Jesus name through the power of a simple gi with Opera on Christmas Child. The mission of Opera on Christmas Child is to show God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1990, more than 157 million children in over 160 countries have experienced God's love through the power of simple shoebox gi s from Opera on Christmas Child. As a reminder, all of the following items should be included in every box. Soap Facecloth Toothbrush Toothpaste Hat/scarf/gloves Notepad/colouring book Pens/Felt p pens Pencils Sharpener Eraser Tennis ball/skipping rope Game/jigsaw Sweets/sell by date March 2019 Hairbrush/comb Hairband/hair clips Toy car/lorry Teddy bear/so toy

17 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Instead of making up a shoebox yourself, we would be very pleased to receive dona ons of money, or, perhaps you would prefer to donate just a few of the items on the list, or several of the one item. We have already received a number of very generous dona ons for our boxes and we are delighted by your kindness. We have also been given some wonderful hand kni ed items and it will be a joy to include these lovely hats, gloves, bags and purses in the boxes we make up. Olesea lives in Moldova and she clearly remembers receiving her shoebox. One day, when I was 5 years old, I was told that something exci ng would happen at church the next day. I remember going to bed extra early, hoping that would make the day come sooner. When I woke up the next morning, I felt it was the most glorious day ever. I was so excited to receive my shoebox and couldn t wait to open it. We opened our shoeboxes once we got home. We sat on the living room floor and took turns opening our shoeboxes. I dumped my whole box on the floor so I could see everything at once. The gi s were wonderful we had items such as colouring books and soap. The thing that stood out to me the most was a pack of colourful markers. I couldn t take my eyes off them. There were so many in the pack! I didn t know some of the colours existed. I was so excited I jumped up and started running around the room. The markers my family had at home were dried out. We would dip them in water just to make them last a li le longer. I always wished I could colour and draw the markers were exactly what I wanted. Shoebox Sunday will be 18 November and is the final day for bringing your completed shoebox to church. At the morning service, we will have on display all the shoeboxes we have received from folks in our neighbourhood and congrega on. Thank you for your support of Opera on Christmas Child and Samaritan s Purse. Joan Meikle and the Shoebox Team

18 SUNDAY AT PPC PPC Services at 11.00am and 6.30pm bringing Chris an worship, fellowship and service to the heart of everyday life A crèche is available every Sunday morning. For children aged 3 and above we have a wide range of Sunday groups Beginners, Seekers, Junior Horizon, and Senior Horizon. Coffee and tea are served a er each service. You can listen to sermons from PPC on itunes, other podcast providers or directly via our website - Copies of sermons are available on CD by contac ng the Church Office. C I li up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 121