CHURCH MAGAZINE EXTRACTS

December 2011

My Dear Friends

My best wishes for Christmas to you, and to all the members of our church family. This is a very busy time of year. And there is still so much to do, putting up decorations, buying gifts, and preparing food. If you are a child, and there is a child in most of us, you start to count the days, or sleeps, till Christmas. For older folks, this is the time, to open once again their treasure chest of memories, and re-live past Christmasses. For younger parents, and their children, Christmas is the very stuff of which precious memories are made, and for children it is a time of wonder and excitement and joy. God comes to us in all sorts of ways - even in our busyness. But God comes to us most powerfully in the moments when we are silent before Him. When Jesus was busy he made time to be still before his Father. In the same way, God commands us to be silent - 'be still and know that I am God'. Even at this busy time of the year, if we going to be still, like this, we need a place where we can meet with God on our own. There should be at least a small corner, where no one will find you and disturb you notice you.
You should be able to un-tether yourself from the world. Once you have found such a place, be content with it, love it and cherish it. Seek silence, it brings us near to God. In silence God's still small voice is heard. Out of silence true peace is born in our hearts.
The Lord is my Pace-setter I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness which restores my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
and his guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day
i will not fret for his presence is there.
His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity.
By anointing my mind, with his oils of tranquility,
my cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours
for I shall walk in the peace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.
Still our hearts O God, in some quiet place in the coming weeks, that we may be ready to worship you this Christmas, so that,
Emmanuel will be, what is truly is, God with us!
Jesus is the reason for Christmas.
Make a place for Jesus in your hearts this Christmas,
and if you listen, you too may hear the angels singing!
Now, there's a thought!
May God bless you, and your loved ones - now and always.

Your Locum Minister and friend
Bob

Robert Nicol

Fundraising Committee
The fundraising committee would like to thank everyone for their support at our fundraisers this year. Total so far is £3,483.00 and the Christmas Fayre has still to be added to this total.
 

ONWARD WHITBURN SOUTH!
Stewardship Campaign - OUR GIVING; OUR KIRK; OUR FUTURE

Friday 24th 2012 February 3pm - 'Soup and Sweet' lunch. Saturday 25th 2012 February 6pm - 'Pot luck Supper'

We would love to see you at these events.

Bridges
This is a fun group for young folk from P7 upwards. Anyone interested in joining this group would be made most welcome.


1st Whitburn Boys' Brigade
The boys have had a busy start to the new session. Already they have learned about harvest and now all of Junior Section can make subperb soup. They have also been learning about why it is so important to remember our armed forces on Armistice Sunday. All sections enjoyed a visit to Bathgate Fire Station. Come and see the photos on our notice board in the Church hall. As Christmas approaches may I take this opportunity on behalf of the boys and officers to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Thank you for your continued support to the Company.

Captain - Liz McFadzean


SOUTH KIRK SINGERS
Christmas charity concert takes place on Friday 9th December at 7:30pm.


FRIDAY FRIENDS COFFEE MORNINGS
The regular Friday coffee mornings are up and running again and being supported. We recently held one specifically for MacMillan Cancer Care, at which the wonderful sum of £200 was raised and by the time you read this we will also have held one in support for Pancreatic Cancer Care. Please come along and support Friday friends (10:30am to 12noon) and anyone wishing to make and serve the tea and coffee - rota basis every 4 or 5 weeks - we would be delighted to receive your help.

Girls Brigade
The girls have been extremely busy since the start of the session. All girls enjoyed an halloween party and the Junior Section participated in the division disco where the girls had a great time showing off their disco moves! The Brigadiers have been working hard raising funds for their residential trip which they are organising for March 2012. They also planned and led the evening service in November. The Christmas concert will take place on Tuesday 6th Dec at 6:45pm in the Church followed by tea in the hall.

GREETINGS FROM THE GUILD
Here we are drawing near to the end of our first session. Our first meeting was taken by Rev Robert Nicol and we had Major Margaret Kefferty who spoke as her time as nursing sister in Afghanistan. We had God with us choir in October - fund raiser at which £550 was realised. Our project speaker was Trevor Barnett from Crossreach who spoke of the work supporting the families of the prisoners at Perth prison. Our silent auction raised £300 and at our November meeting we had the Brightons Praise group come and entertain us. We in the guild wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Margaret (President)

 

CHURCH HALL
Many thanks to everyone who helped in helping with the comprehensive programme to get the halls ready following the major repairs resulting from the storm damage (and latterly the theft of lead from the hall roof). Thanks also to the rest of the congregation and organisations for their patience and forbearance throughout what was a fairly long time. We are all looking forward to making full use again of the full facilities and would ask that everyone respects the effort that has gone into achieving a fine result.