Intimations for Sunday 8th December

PRAYER 8th December – Pastoral Care

Lord we pray for our communities, those we are called to love and care for. Grant us discernment to know how to serve in practical and spiritual ways. Teach us through your eyes that we might more fully understand the lives of others. We pray for those with dementia. May your love touch their innermost being and give life, strength and hope to them and their loved ones especially when challenges come.

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.  

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.

COMMUNAL CHRISTMAS CARD.  We will again be supporting The Church of Scotland Lodging House Mission in Glasgow with the donations from our Christmas cards. The cards are given out during the 4 Sundays of Advent. 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: sugar, dried rice, tins tomatoes, sauce for pasta and for rice.

This December we want to give our clients an extra bag of seasonal food so the shopping list for that is as follows: –

good quality soup, oatcakes/crackers/breadsticks, tinned meat or salmon, tinned potatoes, tinned vegetables, Christmas pudding, custard, tinned fruit, mince pies, biscuits, sweets, juice (fruit or cordial), napkins, bag for life. If you plan to donate these items can we please have them by Monday 16th December so we can distribute them in time for Christmas.

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.

PANTO FROM BALDY BANE THEATREWyliecoat the Wizard in Kirkton Church, 8th December 4-5pm. Adults £4, Children £2, Family of 4 £10, under 1year old free.

CHRISTIAN AID – Sunday 8th, at 7.00pm, the Carluke Churches will join together in Kirkton Church for the annual Christian Aid Carol Service. You are warmly invited to come along for a time of carol singing and hear about Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal, for which an offering will be taken.The service will be led by the Reverend Iain Cunningham with additional musical items from Grace Notes. Refreshments will be served after the service.

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 Kirktonon 10th December The choir from Kirkton Primary will visit for the last meeting of 2019. Come along and enjoy the choir.

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.

QUIET DAYS IN ADVENT – at Braehead House Make an Advent Pilgrimage as you prepare for the Child who is to come. Led by Rev Elizabeth Clelland.

Saturday 14th December 10.00-3.00pm    Fearing and preparing.

Cost of day is £15. Lunch will be provided. To book a place call 01555 860716

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

LANARK AND HAMILTON EAST CONSTITUENCY HUSTINGS

On Tuesday 10th December at 7pm in Greyfriars Church, Lanark (ML11 9ET) you can have the opportunity to hear from the four candidates seeking to be elected as the Member of Parliament for our constituency. Questions will be taken from members of the public at the event and all are welcome to attend. The broad themes for the evening will be Poverty & Inequality in the UK, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, The Climate Emergency and The Union. There will also be the opportunity for general questions.

You can submit a question in advance by emailing hustings@lanarkgreyfriars.com<mailto:hustings@lanarkgreyfriars.com>. The event is free to attend and will also be broadcast live online at www.lanarkgreyfriars.com/live<http://www.lanarkgreyfriars.com/live>

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.

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 9 Matthew 3.1-12 Tues 10 Malachi 3.1-18
Wed 11 Malachi 4.1-6 Thurs 12 Matthew 11.1-19
Fri 13 Matthew 11.20-30 Sat 14 Isaiah 11.1-9
Sun 15 Isaiah 12.1-6