Intimations for Sunday 15th December

PRAYER 15th December – Lonely, suffering and bereaved

Lord in the season when hearts should be joyful, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer. When peace does not prevail, stir up your Good News again. Comfort and reassure the lonely and those who wonder when their terror will end, for the terminally ill and the bereaved. We remember Iain, Dawn and their extended families. To all, bring your peace.

TRAIDCRAFT  The stall will be up in the large hall after the morning service .

We have copies of the new catalogue; feel free to borrow one and take time to have a look at what’s on offer in addition to what’s on the stall.  We can order in anything you see there with no obligation to buy if it doesn’t match your expectations. Thank you for your support.

We also have copies of Dr Ann Jackson’s Journal – Last Doctor Out of Biafra – on sale for only £10.  This would make a lovely gift!

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS for 2018 have been passed by OSCR and are available to view online.  A copy will also be available on the Church website https://kirktonchurch.com/

ORGANISATION TREASURERS are requested to prepare their accounts for 2019 and, after having them checked, to submit them for inclusion in the Kirkton Annual Accounts for 2019 by the end of January.  Please see the Treasurer if you have any difficulty in finding someone to check them.  

UPDATE FROM COMMISSION OF ASSEMBLY Changes to the central structures of the Church of Scotalnd were agreed at a Commission of Assembly last month. To keep congregations informed Life and Work has released a FREE four page guide explaining these changes. It is an uncomplicated and easy read and as it has implications for all of us it is recommended that we all take a look. It can be accessed on line at

https://www.lifeandwork.org/resources/church-reform-special-supplement

if any one does not have access to the internet hard copies can be obtained via the church office.

SITUATION VACANT – CHURCH SECRETARY for Kirkton Church – email office@kirktonchurch.plus.com Job description available from Kirkton Church office. Applications should be made to George Bayliss at admin@georth.plus.com

THE GUILD at Kirkton – The Guild’s Christmas Celebration is on Tuesday 17th December. There will be entertainment from the Girls’ Brigade followed by a Christmas Supper.  Please remember we are starting at 7pm.

ADVENT REFLECTIONS– A time to be still in the Christmas rush. Take an hour out and join Dawn in the Manse for some quiet reflections on Advent and the Christmas Story.

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST at St John’s Church at 9.30am on Sunday 22nd December.  Open to all. Come along and enjoy a nice hot roll and fellowship to start your Sunday morning.

ALTERNATIVE GIFTS FOR KENYA gift cards will be on sale in the large hall after the service.

COMMUNAL CHRISTMAS CARD.  We will again be supporting The Church of Scotland Lodging House Mission in Glasgow with the donations from our Christmas cards. There’s only one more week to add your name! If you wish to contribute to the card please speak to Christine O’Neill, Sheila Gavin or Liz in the church office. Gift Aid envelopes are available for your donation. The Mission has been in existence for over 100 years. More than 45,000 hot meals are prepared there every year for those who are homeless or vulnerable. Access is given to essential facilities including food, showers, telephones and laundry. There are support staff, counsellors and chaplaincy. Every Tuesday there is a church service from 11.30 – 12 noon and twice a week there is a time for prayer from 11.30 – 12 noon.

CLYDESDALE FOOD BANK This week’s shopping list: tins of potatoes, cold meat, UHT milk, diluting juice, bleach, washing up liquid and ladies deodorant.

Have a look at our website – http://clydesdalefoodbank.org.uk/ where you will an easy way to give a financial donation.  Alternatively, there are envelopes available in all of the churches for one off donations and standing orders.

Thank you to all for your continuing support. Open at 66 High St, Carluke from 10 to 12, Monday to Friday.

CHOICES – an appeal for volunteers to help, for three hours, once a fortnight at Choices, Churches Community Shop, Hamilton Street, Carluke.
If you could help, please ring Elizabeth on Carluke 750625 for further details.
Many thanks.

COFFEE CLUB at Kirktonis now closed until Tuesday 7th January.We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2020.

CROSSROADS CAFÉ – will be closed on Mondays 16th, 23rd and 30th December. We wish all our customers a peaceful Christmas and look forward to your company on Monday 6th January 2020.

MESSY CHURCH & CHRISTINGLE SERVICE at Kirkton Church, Monday 23rd December 4-7pm

Motherwell Diocesan Choir presents A CHRISTMAS BLESSING. The Christmas story in word and carol in St Athanasius Church on Sunday 22nd at 7.30pm

Come and share COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER for anyone needing company on 25th Dec ,12.30-3.30pm. at St John’s Church, Carluke

No charge.  All ages welcome. Transport provided if needed.

Email carluke.christmas.dinner@gmail.com  or text 07913 820057 for more information and to book your place.  There will be a short Christmas Day service in the church at 12noon. All welcome to attend.

COMFORT AND JOY – CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2019

10th anniversary grand finale featuring the Celebration Choir and orchestra, the Gospels Heirs and more. Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December 7.30pm the Glasgow City Halls Grand Auditorium.

Tickets from box office at 0141 353 8000

www.glasgowconcerthalls.com or http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

WORLD MISSION STAMP APPEAL.  Please remember to keep saving your used postage stamps. There are collection boxes for them in the vestibule. They should be complete but trimmed to have ¼ inch of paper around the edge. The proceeds from the used stamps will support the Chidogi Women Centre in Blantyre, Malawi. Through providing training in tailoring, fashion design and chicken farming the Centre will improve the women’s skills in marketing and entrepreneurship. The aim is that the women’s socio-economic status is improved and their chances of future employment increase. By selling the produce made at the Centre the plan is that when the funding finishes the project will be self-sustainable – able to continue to improve the lives of women in Malawi.

KIRKTON PRAYER CHAIN. – The congregation is encouraged to make prayer requests, as the need arises, via the confidential email address: kirktonprayer@gmail.com Alternatively, you can use the yellow Prayer Request slips in the plastic wallets in the church chairs and pews. Give the first name or the initial of the person requiring and give brief details, place in the box in the vestibule marked “Prayer Requests”. Please advise of answers to prayer or any change in the situation via email or request slip. Prayer request are active for one month from date submitted. If further prayer is required then please submit another, updated request.

READINGS     

Mon 16 Isaiah 35.1-10 Tues 17  Romans 1.1-17
Wed 18 Romans 3.21-31 Thurs 19 Romans 4.1-12
Fri 20 Romans 4.13-25 Sat 21 Romans 5.1-11
Sun 22 Romans 5.12-21