news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
December 2007

From the Manse

ADVENT and CHRISTMAS

Advent and the run-up to Christmas can be a noisy and fraught time. Children, (bless them!) can get over-excited and overtired, resulting in overwrought parents with headaches and a short fuse! Add to all this, the sound of cash-registers and corny Christmas music assaulting our ears, begs the question - just where is Christmas in all this? More and more it seems to be drowned out by commercialism and bad humour. Well it can be, however each year in one High Street or another, my sanity is usually restored and my spirits uplifted, by a very unique and unmistakeable sound. It's the mellow sound of brass instruments and carols played by Salvation Army or school musicians, cutting through all the cheap and hollow sounds of Christmas in the market place. In Old Testament times they knew a thing or two about the influence of brass instruments at festivals.

The Book of Leviticus (see right column) speaks of a 'feast of trumpets' when the new civil year was celebrated. It was marked by a special day of rest and worship in the temple, summoned by the sound of trumpets. Even more spectacular was the account of the fall of Jericho. Joshua was instructed to march around the city with his soldiers and the priests who blew on their trumpets! On the seventh day they all shouted and the city fell to them. Now, I'm not suggesting that the sound of carols played by the Salvation Army in our towns and cities has exactly that effect! Perhaps however it can help knock down the walls we create in our own hearts. Walls of impatience, tiredness or bad temper that often surface at this time of the year. Knocked down to let the true message of Christmas flood into our hearts:

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"

This Advent and Christmas, let us all prepare in our hearts to go unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass. May this Christmas be special and the most precious gift of life and love be yours.

Duncan

Parish Register

Deaths

We extend our condolences to members of the family 17th November Mrs J Hay, Roddach Cottage, Cummingston. Burghead

Advent Praise

Sunday, 2nd December at 7.00 pm in Burghead Church featuring the RAF Kinloss Voluntary Brass Band and Burghead Primary School

Let there be light!

Saturday 8th December around 4.00 pm the Burghead Christmas lights will be switched on. Come along and join in the carol singing followed by refreshments in the Village Hall.

Christmas Services

1/ Thursday , 6th December
Alves Christmas Praise with Alves School Choir and entertainers
2/ Sunday, 23rd December
Burghead - Service at 11.30am. Alves - Evening Service at 6.00pm.
3/ Christmas Eve - Monday, 24th December
Burghead - Evening Service at 6.00pm. Kinloss - Watchnight Service at 11.30pm.
4/ Christmas Day - Tuesday, 25th December
Findhorn - Service at 10.00am. Burghead - Service at 11.30am.
(Children encouraged to take a favourite new toy to show us)
5/ New Year - Sunday, 6th January 2008
Alves - Service at 11.30am. Burghead - Service at 11.30am.

WFO Envelopes

Envelopes for 2008 will be issued shortly. Please note that envelope numbers have been re-allocated. Therefore your envelope number may change from that of 2007.

Guild

Burghead

Sunday 2nd December: - Advent Praise - at 7.00 pm in Burghead Church featuring the RAF Kinloss Voluntary Band and Guests.
Christmas Club for P4 to P6 in the Church Hall, 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, 6th and 20th December.
Tuesday, 11th December:- Christmas Meal in the Church Hall. 6.30 for 7.00pm.

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 18th December.

Christmas Mail Delivery

In Burghead, it is hoped that the Boys Brigade will be carrying out their usual Christmas Card mail service. Arrangements will be announced later.