news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
December 2008

From the Manse

With Advent and the lead up to our great Christian festival of 'Christ-mas' come the long dark nights and crisp, clear weather that often defies the forecasters.(It'll be cold in the Trossachs!). As I write, I am still mindful of the 90th anniversary marking the end of the Great War. Christmas, during that bloody conflict, recorded the moment when soldiers of both sides sang together 'Still the Night' providing a brief spiritual respite from the constant bombardment. Also that Christmas, there was the remarkable football match played on the front lines by troops from opposing armies! A letter, written during that time, apologizes to his 'girl' that his writing is blotchy and hard to make out, since he is scribbling in a shell-hole that is filling with snow! The writer was a young artist and, as his Generals planned for the onslaught of Passchendale, his thoughts were on the forthcoming exhibition of his work and how they should be displayed! It's almost as if it were business as usual, despite the wretched war all around him.

This Christmas, many will be trying to make it business as usual too, even with the worries of 'Credit-crunch' and concerns about redundancies and Interest Rates. Others will be thinking of loved-ones in far countries and those who are trying bring peace to foreign shores.

It was to such a world of tension and conflict that Jesus Christ was born, in darkness, in a rudimentary shelter, and to a young couple who were betrothed. Out of that darkness there came a great light and a step change in the lives and love of humankind.

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"

May the joy and comfort of these words be yours this Christmas - Duncan

Christmas Services

1/ Sunday, 21st December
Burghead - Service at 11.30am. Alves - Afternoon Service at 3.00pm.

2/ Christmas Eve - Wednesday, 24th December
Burghead - Evening Service at 6.00pm. Kinloss - Watchnight Service at 11.30pm.

3/ Christmas Day - Thursday, 25th December
Findhorn - Service at 10.00am. Burghead - Service at 11.30am.
(Children encouraged to take a favourite new toy to show us)

4/ New Year - Sunday, 4th January
Alves - Service at 11.30am. Burghead - Service at 11.30am.

Parish Register

We extend our condolences to members of the families.

28th October Mrs I Ralph, Hamewith, Grant Street, Burghead
27th November Mr John Kerr, 3 Torridon, Burghead

Christmas Mail Delivery

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

Guild

Tuesday, 9th December:- Christmas Celebration.

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, 16th December. Please ensure that no bags are left until the day or the night before the collection.