ST
ANDREW’S
OUTLOOK
FEBRUARY 2007
Minister: Session
Clerk
Rev Fiona M Nicolson Mr Alex McKee
Coatbridge
Tel: 437271 Tel:
421191
St Andrew’s Church Tel:
431385
www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org
February 2007
Dear
Friends
Well
that’s us well and truly into a New Year now – and I hope it finds you all well
and happy. I wonder are you feeling excited about the year that lies ahead? I hope so!
For
me, well I love the whole idea of being able to start again, with a new year stretching ahead of us and all the exciting
potential that lies within that for all of us. There are endless possibilities
lying just ahead of us and we have to be ready to grab them with both hands and
to revel in it. At least that is what I think!!! Some people might be thinking
that I am being just a bit too optimistic. But you know I think that we have to
look forward with hope and expectation. One of the key themes in the Bible is
of people looking forward and waiting with expectation for what is yet to come.
And yes there are times when they feel like giving up and wonder whether any of
it is worthwhile, whether things will ever get better, or change for the good.
That is one of those inevitabilities in life. Things happen around them and it
makes them cynical and sceptical about there being any good which can come out
of a given situation. But the gospel message for these people,
was that situations can be turned around, that good can come out of bad, that
things can change, things can get better. That what was required of them was
the faith to believe that with God all things are possible. That they had to
look forward with hope and expectation and not get stuck in negative thinking.
And I guess that there is a message there for all of us. That
we have to be positive and to believe in the good that is yet to come. I
know that I believe there are many more good times ahead for St Andrew’s and I
look forward to sharing in them with you.
I
hope that you will know and enjoy the blessing of God in this year ahead and
that together we can make all sorts of amazing discoveries about Him and about
one another
With
love and prayers as always
Fiona
N
Church
Register
Baptisms
28th
January Emily Johnstone
Funerals
30th
November William Rudd
2nd
December Jackie
5th
December Walter Tennant
8th
December Laura McKenzie
12th
December Jackie Shevill Arran House Nursing
Home
15th
December John Cross
2d Weir Street
18th
December William Allan
29th
December George Burns
4th
January Jessie McLean 13 Mosspark Rd
5th
January
OFFERINGS F.W.O. Open Plate Total
December 2006 £7500.35 £488.16 £7988.51
January 2007 £5259.10 £318.60
£5577.70
Fabric boxes for the
year ended 31 December 2006 contained £877.24.
The Christmas Eve
collection was £360, divided between Gideons and
McMillan Cancer Relief. A letter of
thanks from Gideons is on the notice board in the
hall
Boys’
Brigade
Our Anchor Boys enjoyed a trip to the pantomime at the
Our junior section enjoyed a night at the ten pin
bowling for Christmas. They have already taken part in their first two
competitions of the New Year by playing in the Battalion five aside tournament and taking part in the swimming gala. The
boys are also working towards their Bible knowledge and figure marching
competitions.
The company section have also
taken part in two competitions this year. As well as the swimming gala they also took
part in the Battalion Cross Country. The boys are currently practising
for their Scripture Knowledge and P.T. competitions. The Company section chose
to go to the five asides at the Champions league for their evening out at
Christmas.
The Company section also had a visit from Hugh
McKee our church elder and we would like to thank him for taking the time to
come along and see us on a normal company evening. Jim Elliot, Captain
FUNDRAISING
The Fundraising Committee met on the 29th
January and several events have been planned to suit all tastes over the coming
months.
16 March Eastfield & Harthill Flute
Orchestra will perform a Concert in the Church at 7.30p.m. Tickets £5 incl tea
and biscuits from Anne Owens, Sandra Burns, Susan McDougall and Jean MacDonald
18 March Dress down day at
Church. Pay £1 and come casually dressed. Pay £2 if
you don’t!!!!.
28 April Saturday
Night Quiz in the Hall
20 May Sunday
afternoon sponsored walk around
Drumpellier Loch.
16 June Summer
Fete in Church grounds
15 September Table
Top sale
1 December Christmas
Coffee Day with Christmas stalls
Next meeting of fundraising group will be on 19th
February at 7.00p.m. Representatives of
all organizations are invited to attend as well as anyone interested in
fundraising. Jean MacDonald, Chairperson 425301
ORGAN
CONCERT
In our church we have one of the finest organs in Lanarkshire and yet it is a pity that it is seldom
heard outwith church services. However that is to be
remedied when on SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY at 2.30 pm Frikki
Walker, Master of the Music at St.Mary's Episcopal
Cathedral, Glasgow, will chat about and play a programme
of " easy-on-the -ear" organ music.
Although this event is part of the Lanarkshire
Society of Organists season of events it is free and open to all so it would be
nice see many of you there to give Frikki a warm welcome. He is a fine player and speaker. It
is so much more encouraging to a performer to play in front of a good-sized
audience. So please come along on the 24th and hear our fine Willis
organ which is nearly 137 years young and still going strong
!
As usual refreshments will be served at the end of the
concert. I look forward to seeing you there. Stewart Alston
Bingo
Night
Some Girls’ Brigade parents have organised
a Bingo Night in District 22 Social Club,
DIARY
Feb 5 Congregational
Board 8.00p.m
Feb 18 Thinking Day
Service 11.00a.m.
Feb 18 Evening Service
March 4 Communion
11.00a.m. and 3.00p.m.
March 5 Kirk
Session 7.30p.m.
March 7 Guild Closing
Social
March 16 Eastfield
& Harthill Flute Orchestra 7.30p.m.
Why not get
your tickets now £5