Intimations for Sunday 22nd December

PRAYER 22^nd December – All Age

Father God, we pray that your love would shine through for families gathered or split apart at this time.  Thanks for the generosity of hospitality, kind words and gifts. Bless those who share with other in need, the homeless, those in hospital, the lonely and forgotten. Bless those sorting, distributing and travelling with the Shoe Boxes, keep them safe and bless the recipients.

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

Thank you for your support.

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

The stall will not be open in January. We will reopen on Sunday 2^nd February.

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 Scotland 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

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

CLYDESDALE FOOD BANK wishes you all a very Happy Christmas. Thank you all for your support through out the year. We will be closed for 2 weeks and reopen on Monday 6^th January. Referrals will be monitored and dealt with in the usual way during that period.

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.

KIRKTON CHOIR sang carols at Sandyholm Garden Centre on 24 November and at Tesco Carluke on 14 December raising £420 which is being donated to St Andrew’s Hospice. 

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 7^th January.We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2020.

CROSSROADS CAFÉ – will be closed on Mondays 16^th, 23^rd and 30^th December. We wish all our customers a peaceful Christmas and look forward to your company on Monday 6^th 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 22^nd at 7.30pm

Still time to book your place at the 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.

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	23	Isaiah 7.10-25	Tues	24	Isaiah 9.2-7
Wed	25	Luke 2.1-20	Thurs	26	Matthew 1.1-17
Fri	27	Matthew 1.18-25	Sat	28	Titus 2.11-15
Sun	29	Isaiah 60.1-22