NEWSLETTER DECEMBER & JANUARY 2015 Christmas Bumper Edition!!

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1 CROFTFOOT UNITED FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 349 CARMUNNOCK ROAD, GLASGOW, G44 5HH Scottish Registered Charity No : SCO10932 A Designated Religious Charity NEWSLETTER DECEMBER & JANUARY 2015 Christmas Bumper Edition!! THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE THE KIRK IN THE CROFT Website - 1

2 LETTER FROM ANN A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel (which means, God is with us ) Mathew 1.23 It s Christmassssssssssssssssssssssssss! The first two words are actually the beginning of a famous Christmas song we hear every year in the supermarkets and stores. We hear it over and over again with many others and I m sure that many of us could sing all the words. Well, maybe not all of it but we would know the song if we heard it. At parties crowds jump around singing the chorus at the top of their voices. The song is voted number 1 Christmas tune at the top of many polls. It s not my favourite. I have two All I want for Christmas is you and Driving home for Christmas! The songs we hear in Debenhams or Primark may take their toll on us throughout December but does the Christmas nativity and Carols do the same? I admit that we may like some carols more than others (I ll admit Snow on snow from In the Bleak mid- winter doesn t do it for me!) but do we actually see the heart of the Christmas message as we organise turkey, pudding, crackers, presents, ice- cream, trees, tinsel and the 50 th repeat of Rockin around the Christmas Tree? The words of Mathew 1.23 are found also in Isaiah Both readings from the Bible are read in church services all over the world during Advent but could we find them, if we had to, at other times of the year or do we just bring them out for Christmas, repeat them, and then put them away like the tinsel and Christmas songs? Next year we celebrate 80 years in this community and we have the message of Christ to take out into the community. We have to re- live the story of Christ s birth so that we can treasure it in our hearts, know him as our Saviour and share the gospel with others. Jesus is one message we should never want to stop sharing. God came as a tiny baby so that God would be with us for all eternity. Immanuel we should try repeating that word several times a day!! May God s love and peace be with you this Christmas and in 2015 Ann annrdeacons@virginmedia.com Ann 2

3 E100 Below is a list of Bible Readings that we will be covering in our Essential 100 readings through the New Testament: February: 2 Timothy 2 The Lord s Prayer at 12 Noon & 6.30pm Topics for December & January: please pray for the following Youth Sessional Worker: Pray for the person God is preparing for this post. Christmas in the community: Pray that people will hear the message of Christ this year 2015: Pray for the Kirk Session as they look ahead to our 80 th Anniversary Celebrations, that God will guide them in their preparation The Lord s Prayer at Noon ministry is an opportunity for all of us to pray, wherever we are, on a Tuesday at 12 Noon & 6.30; to focus on our church together in prayer. If you do not have the Lord s Noon postcard, and would like one, please speak to the Minister Prayer Tree List Apologies to all waiting for an update on the Prayer Tree List. A new list should have appeared in this edition of the Newsletter. However I have been unable to prepare it in time but hope to make a new list available in the next couple of weeks and will put it at the back of the church, and intimate during worship. Ann D In the meantime I have included a copy of the most recent Prayer List with some updates as the need for prayer is always continuous... People are listed by their first name only. If any name(s) have been missed out please inform Ann Deacons or Jim Owens. Name Prayer Request Cathie Lynn Adrian Margaret Cathie Margaret Sheena, Tom & family Evelyn Isobel Frances Eileen Dorothy Colin Thanks for continued recovery Thanks & continued healing and strength Cancer (He still needs no treatment, praise God!) Cancer to let go and let God s power work Breast Cancer Cancer Tom fighting cancer For healing and strength Healing from pain and strength as she continues her recovery Continued recovery from her operation Continued recovery from her operation Pain in Hip Broken Back 3

4 continued... George Jim Cathy Sarah Healing (In hospital Cardiology) Favourable results from upcoming tests Peace and comfort for friends & family Successful IVF treatment Mum Dad & Son Liam Sofiya & Shiniqua God s healing, & guidance Bethany To turn away from Jehovah s Witness and return to the Lord s Church Colin God s guidance & love Kate Help through pain of past and present. Wholeness Karen Carol Unity at work Elizabeth and Mum Margaret Andrea Ruby and Jean Jim, Jean & Yvonne Blessings for the days ahead Ann (Minister) 4

5 Sunday Worship December Sunday 7 th Rev Ann Deacons Sunday 14 th Rev Ann Deacons - Gift Service* *Please bring your gifts in a carrier bag, include wrapping paper and place under the Christmas tree, thank you. Sunday 21 st Rev Ann Deacons Family Service & Fellowship lunch Wednesday 24 th Watch night Service pm. Doors open 11.15pm.** ** Retiring offering in aid of Tear Fund Why not come Carol singing on Christmas Eve? Anyone wishing to attend please have a word with Rev Ann Deacons, we meet at the church for 6.00pm. Thursday 25 th Rev Ann Deacons Christmas Day Service 10.30am 11am Sunday 28 th Rev Ann Deacons 11.00am ( Big Sing 6.30pm) Special events in December Saturday 13 th December Prayer Breakfast Our next monthly Prayer Breakfast will be held in our small hall on Saturday December 13 th 2014 from 8.45am, let s take time to thank God for his presence in all we as a church of Jesus Christ have achieved over the last year, and pray for His continued guidance throughout Sunday 21 st December Fellowship Lunch Our Fellowship lunch will be held in the large hall after morning worship, if you don t usually stay after church please find some time on the 21 st, it s always a good time of extended chat, everyone welcome! Sunday 28 th December The Big Sing The Big Sing joint evening service with our friends from Toryglen, King s Park and Croftfoot Parish, will be held here at Croftfoot UF on Sunday 28 th December at 6:30pm. Please make every effort to come along and sing about the joy of Christmas.not to be missed! 5

6 All services in January 2015 Rev Ann Deacons Except Sunday 25 th January when Ann will be at King s Park and Rev Sandra Boyd will lead worship here at Croftfoot UF. Special event in January Our next joint prayer breakfast will take place at Queen s Park Parish Church on Saturday 10th January We'll meet with other churches from the south side at 8.30 am for breakfast and a time of prayer. Please make every effort to attend, and for catering purposes let David know that you ll be there so he can inform our hosts. Meetings in January 2015 January 8 th Kirk Session 7.30 pm small hall January 29 th Congregational Board 7.00 pm small hall BIBLE STUDY Our bible study group starts back on Sunday evening 11 th January 2015 in the small hall from Our topic is Soul Keeping. We also offer the same study group on Thursday afternoons beginning 15 th January from ; at the manse. Please see Ann if you wish to attend on a Thursday or speak with David about Sunday evenings. New faces welcome! USED POSTAGE STAMPS Thanks to everyone who donates used stamps that are sent to Leprosy Mission in Stirling. Keep them coming over the festive season. Remember to ensure that you leave a border of at least 1 4 inch (6mm) clear around the perforations. The Kirk Session thanks Ken Stuart for all his work with this very worthwhile project. 6

7 Social Programme On Saturday 15 th November we held a very successful Christmas Fayre. The large hall was full to the brim with stalls selling all sorts of different goodies, while the cafe in the small hall did a roaring trade in soup, rolls & sausage, and cheese toasties. In addition, we had a free bouncy castle outside in the grounds which approved a huge attraction for the local children (including a least one big wean who looked suspiciously like my big brother see Ann D for the photographic evidence). The star attraction of the day however, had to be the visit of Santa Claus, who found time in his busy schedule (along with some young helpers) to come along and bring a smile to all of the children (and adults) with his infectious Ho, Ho,Ho! Thanks to the efforts of a huge number of people, before, during and after the event, we raised a superb total of 520! One last event remains to take place this year, which is our St Andrews Night on Tuesday 2 nd December. Entertainment this year will be supplied by Musicality, which is a concert party of The Theatre Guild. This group has visited us many times in the past and a highly enjoyable evening is guaranteed. Tickets, priced at 5 are available now. Following the St Andrews Night, the Social Committee takes a well earned break for a month, but all of us would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who contributed in any way to the success of this year s fund raising events. We truly appreciate the support that we received from everyone for the various events that we have run throughout the year. Events kick off again in January 2015 and already there are a few dates for your diary, including the reappearance of Lunch at the Kirk on Saturday 17 th January, when there will be the opportunity to come along for a spot of fellowship and a light lunch any time between 11:30am and 1:30pm. Also, we will be hosting the 54 th Annual Burns Supper on Tuesday 27 th January. This event is open to all, and the demand for tickets is expected to be fierce, so keep your ears open for the announcing of the sale of tickets early in January. The events for the remainder of the year are set out below and we look forward to seeing you there. Anne Bryce DECEMBER 14 EVENT St Andrews Night Tuesday 2nd December, 7:30pm Musicality Tickets 5 DATE JANUARY 15 Lunch at the Kirk Burns Supper Saturday 17 th January 15, 11:30am 1:30pm Tuesday 27 th January 15, 7:30pm, 7 FEBRUARY 15 Lunch at the Kirk Snowman Drive Saturday 21 st February 15, 11:30am 1:30pm Friday 20 th February 15, 7:30pm, 4 7

8 HIT THE NET The Church of Scotland is supporting a Commonwealth Games legacy project aiming to prevent children across the world dying from malaria. Rev Neil Galbraith, CEO of the charity Glasgow the Caring City, said: Malaria is a horrible death. We can challenge this situation by providing a net for a child to sleep protected from mosquito bites. To have a child die in front of you as you stand and watch helpless, a child who has suffered at this terror and pain, changes your life, and not for the better. It happened to me in Malawi and I still have nightmares. Let us, the people of Glasgow and Scotland challenge this. In 2014 up to one million people will die of malaria and up to 250,000,000 will become victims of the disease and other parasitic infections. The toll is also expected to increase due to climate changes. But the impact of the disease, a major cause of death and chronic ill- health within many countries who visited Glasgow for the Games this summer, can be greatly reduced thanks to the simple use of mosquito nets that cost just 5 each. With the Hit the Net initiative, any charity can be chosen for a donation, with one proviso the money must go towards paying for a mosquito net for a child or expectant mother. As one of the major partners in this project, the Church of Scotland, through the World Mission Council, are supporting partner church bed net projects in various African countries including Zambia and Malawi. The World Mission Council are asking congregations and individuals to be creative in identifying fund raising ideas which involve nets. For every 5 it receives, a net will be purchased and distributed locally by Church of Scotland partners. The World Mission Council will ensure the number of nets bought is added to the total figure, which will be announced at the Scottish Cup Final in 2015, the year of legacy. In response to this appeal, the Kirk Session organised a Church lunch on Saturday 1 st November, and followed this up with a retiring offering after worship on Sunday 2 nd November. As a result of the donations received through both of these events, we were able to send on funds to buy 33 nets. Thank you for your support, which will make a huge difference to children in Africa. 8

9 DUTY ROTAS FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY DOOR DUTY DECEMBER 7 Team 1 J Hart, A McPherson 14 Team 2 L McPherson, W Neil 21 Team 3 C McCone, A Blackwood, C Henderson 28 Team 1 J Hart, A McPherson JANUARY 4 Team 2 L McPherson, W Neil 11 Team 3 C McCone, A Blackwood, C Henderson 18 Team 1 J Hart, A McPherson 25 Team 2 L McPherson, W Neil THE CUPPA ROTA DECEMBER 7 Beth & Betty 14 Anne & Catherine H 21 May & Catherine M 28 Elma & Catherine M JANUARY 4 Beth & Betty 11 Anne & Catherine H 18 May & Catherine M 25 Elma & Catherine M and A Happy New Year Everybody, God Bless! 9