ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH

COATBRIDGE

OUTLOOK - DECEMBER 2006

 

Minister:                                                                           Session Clerk

Rev Fiona M Nicolson                                                    Mr Alex McKee

77 Eglinton Street                                                           53e Blairhill Street

Coatbridge                                                                       Coatbridge

Tel: 437271                                                                       Tel: 421191

 

St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385

www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org

 

December 2006

Dear Friends

As I sit and write this I have been making all sorts of arrangements for Christmas services and different events in our Church and in other churches in the town. It hardly seems possible that Christmas is so close – doesn’t it just creep up on you. Mind you the shops and adverts have been reminding us often enough so really I think it just seems to have crept up on me.

I don’t know about you but I love this time of year with all the busy days which lie ahead and all the exciting things to do and take part in. OK if I’m honest I usually go through a “I wish it was past” phase but that is only ever temporary – and usually when I’m up to my eyes with work and some nice person asks if I have done all my shopping yet  (shopping what’s that then???)

But really when you get right down to it all that stuff is of little consequence when you consider what Christmas is really all about. The little baby born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem whose birth was to herald a new era for mankind. This little babe so dear and gentle who  would one day be the man who many sought to follow, who taught a radical gospel and who died and rose again for you and me. Wow – how amazing is that!!!!! A baby who would go on to turn the world and all its self –righteous ways on its head. A baby who would indeed be the one whom we should kneel before and adore. The wise men and the shepherds got it right – they gazed in awe and wonder.

So amidst all the busy time which lies ahead for all of us I hope that you will take time to gaze in awe and wonder, to give thanks for that little baby born 2000 years ago for you and for me, and resolve to live up to that great gift of love.

 

I hope you have a Christmas that is filled with joy and peace and that you will know God’s richest blessings

With love and prayers

Fiona N

 

Church Register

Baptisms

19th November       Beth Mary Grace Smart

19th November       Margaret Ann Crawford

 

Admission to Membership

19th November          Scott and Sharon Cornfield

    “         “                 Margaret Ann Crawford

    “         “                 Blair Duncan

    “          “                Carol Ann Tweedie

Funerals

16th November       Isa Rowney        10 Morven Street

 

OFFERINGS              F.W.O.                        Open Plate          Total

November 2006                       £5,359.00          £371.27           £5,730.27

The amount raised from the retiring collection for the Earl Haig Fund was £310, and sale of poppies £99.81.

 

Christmas Fayre

Very many thanks to everyone who, in any way, made this event so successful. Special thanks to Sandra Brown of the Moira Anderson Foundation for sparing the time from her busy schedule to open the Fayre.  The total raised to date is £3200.

 

Sunday Teas

Many thanks for the support of the congregation during the year.  We hope to again give a significant donation to Church funds.

 

On behalf of the Fundraising Committee may I wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful 2007.  Jean MacDonald

 

Boys’ Brigade

  The Anchor boys have been preparing their banner for their competition. This has been on the theme of Noah's Ark and the boys have been working very hard towards its completion. The Anchor Boy Christmas Party will take place on the 6th December and they will also be attending the pantomime at Coatbridge College on the 20th December.

   Our Junior section took part in the Battalion P.A competition and did very well in coming 4th. Our football team has started off with a win and a defeat in their first two games. The boys are planning a trip to the bowling for their Christmas night out.

   Both the Anchor Boys and the Juniors are going to the Battalion Carol Service on Sunday 10th December at 6.30pm. This service will take place in New Monkland Church, Glenmavis. There may also be a special guest at the end of the service. 

   Our Company Section took part in the Battalion Vaulting competition and did very well to come 3rd. Well done guys.

   Can I take this opportunity to thank all the boys who took part in the Battalion Fun Run. At this time we do not have a final figure but thanks to all those who contributed and remember its not too late.

   Finally I would like to thank all those who took part in the recent Remembrance day parade. Our own contribution was made entirely by the work of our Company Section Boys who worked on this during our camp weekend. I think special mention should be made to William Armour and Lee Findlay who delivered the work on that day

 

The Scottish Poppy Appeal – 2006

Once again many thanks to the, larger than ever, number of the congregation who assisted in making this year’s Appeal an even bigger success than the one in 2005.   Also, many thanks to the members of the congregation who bought Poppies and contributed to the Retiring Collection on Remembrance Sunday.

The total for the town to is £13,350 to date – more than £1000 up on last year.

Well done – I hope that you’re all raring to go in 2007 – it gets harder to produce a record every year.  Alex. B. McKee

 

 

DIARY

 

17 Dec  11a.m.                     Carols and Lessons led by the Choir

17 Dec  6.30p.m.                 Communion in the Memorial Chapel

17 Dec 7.30p.m.                  Christian Aid Service in St. Patrick’s

24 Dec 11a.m.                      Nativity play by the Sunday School

24 Dec 11p.m.                      Carols, followed at 11.30p.m. by the

                                                Christmas Eve Service

31 Dec 11p.m.                       Family Service

8 Jan 2007  7.30p.m.           Kirk Session meeting

 

6th COATBRIDGE GIRLS’ BRIGADE

 I would like to thank Barbara-Anne Willis and Pamela Cochrane for organising a disco on behalf of the Girls' Brigade.   The girls very kindly donated the superb sum of £300 to our company.   I can't thank them enough as our fund raising is constant.  

Thank you to all the girls who helped at the Christmas Fayre it was very much appreciated.

In the last few weeks the company have visited the Library as part of our badge work and the Brigaders visited the Time Capsule, Ice Skating.   Thanks to Sharon Cornfield for helping with the Time Capsule visit.

As there is no pantomime at Coatbridge College this year we will hopefully finish for the Christmas break on 12th December with a Disco when all the girls will be invited to bring their friends (boys or girls).  More details will follow.

Help is needed on a Tuesday night if anyone is able to give 2 hours a week, our Junior section are up to 22 girls and require extra help.  Please contact me on 01236 435611. Irene Krebs, G.B. Captain.

 

INDOOR BOWLING

The match against the Bellshill Churches was due to be played on 2nd December and it is hoped we retained the cup- these games are always played in a very sportsmanlike manner and enjoyed by all.

Our own church game is on Thursday 28th December at 4p.m., followed by High Tea.  Slips will be given out as usual and as we approach the busy time of the year, please return your entry in an envelope at least a week before.

Best wishes to all for a happy and peaceful 2007.  J Ferguson

 

Life and Work

Would visitors please ensure that all monies for the year are handed in by 17th December.  Elizabeth Russell