Blessed Christmas

Wishing a blessed Christmas Day to you 
and all dear to you.

Sandro Botticelli: Madonna of the Magnificat (1480-81).

We were privileged to see this (and may other masterpieces) 

in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence earlier this year.

Sunday 18th December

·         Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20)

·         Helpers required for making tea/coffee after Dirleton service on Sundays.

Please contact Sue Oliver if you are willing to join the rota.

·           Advent Group - Tuesday 20 December from 7 00 - 8.30pm in Abbey old hall. A 5 week study of Advent Hope by Joel Edwards. Please come along.

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·         Life & Work  - If you would like to continue (or start) to receive a copy each month, annual payments in advance of £17.40 are now due. Please speak to Nancy Chisholm or Joyce at the office. Cheques payable to ‘Abbey Church’.

·         Brand new Youth Alpha starts lunchtimes on 12 January in the Drama Room at North Berwick High School. Come early, avoid queues, free lunch!

·         Would all Abbey hall users please enter future dates and times in the 2012 Halls Booking Diary (in the corridor opposite the west door)

  

Church of Scotland: Abbey Church, North Berwick Scottish Charity – No SC004761       Dirleton Parish Church Scottish Charity – No SC004533

 Sunday 18^th December 2011

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Morning theme: ‘Waiting with Faithfulness’

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship

                        Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (p.1026) – Mary Graham

                                 CH4 323 The first Nowell

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (v.1-4)

                                 CH4 312 Away in a manger

                                 CH4 305 In the bleak midwinter

                                 CH4 301 Hark! the herald angels sing

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Abbey Morning Worship

                        Baptism of Jake Samuel Lennox

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (p.1026) – Stuart Cowan

                                 MP 644 The first nowell

                                 Christmas is coming (v 1-4) - words on sheet)

                                 MP 236 Holy child

                                 MP 337 In the bleak midwinter

                                 MP 211 Hark! the herald angels sing

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Abbey Evening Worship

                        Led by the Worship Group

                        ‘Christmas with a Scottish flavour’

                        Followed by tea/coffee & mince pies in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham 

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD

Church Office  (892800

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door

Sunday 11th December

·         Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20)

·         Helpers required for making tea/coffee after Dirleton service on Sundays.

Please contact Sue Oliver if you are willing to join the rota.

·           Advent Group - Tuesday 13 December from 7 00 - 8.30pm in Abbey old hall. A 5 week study of Advent Hope by Joel Edwards. Please come along.

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·         Life & Work  - If you would like to continue (or start) to receive a copy each month, annual payments in advance of £17.40 are now due. Please speak to Nancy Chisholm or Joyce at the office. Cheques payable to ‘Abbey Church’.

·         Carol Singing in Care Homes on Thursday 15 December. Meet at Abbey Church at 6.00pm. Come along. Everyone welcome.

·         Christmas Carols on the Green at Dirleton on Friday 16th December, 6.30pm led by the Primary School choir. Mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

·         Brand new Youth Alpha starts lunchtimes on 12 January in the Drama Room at North Berwick High School. Come early, avoid queues, free lunch!

Sunday 11^th December 2011

Third Sunday in Advent

Morning theme: ‘Waiting with Joy’

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship

                        Reading: John 1:6-9, 19-28 (p.1063) – Irene Urquhart

                                 CH4 290 The race that long in darkness pined

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (v.1-3)

                                 CH4 285 The Angel Gabriel

                                 CH4 472 Come thou long-expected Jesus

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Service of Holy Communion, Abbey

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: John 1:6-9, 19-28 (p.1063) – Zandra Main

                                 MP 490 O come, let us adore him

                                 Christmas is coming (v 1-3) - words on sheet)

                                 MP 102 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus

                                 MP 162 From heaven You came

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Service of Holy Communion, Abbey

                        ‘Jesus wins!’

                        Reading: Revelation 5:6-14 (p.1237) – Dorothy Kirkpatrick

                                 MP 105 Come, watch with us

                                 MP 71 Child in the manger

                                 MP 98 Come now with awe

                                 MP 451 Love came down at Christmas

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

 Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD

Church Office  (892800

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door

Church of Scotland: Abbey Church, North Berwick Scottish Charity – No SC004761       Dirleton Parish Church Scottish Charity – No SC004533

Dirleton Newsletter

Dirleton December newsletter can be viewed here.

Sunday 4th December

·         Buy for Christmas! - Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20) All are available at Dirleton Kirk or from Joyce at the office.

·         Helpers required for making tea/coffee after Dirleton service on Sundays.

Please contact Sue Oliver if you are willing to join the rota.

·         Abbey Choir practice on Monday 5 December at 8.00pm for those interested in singing at Christmas.

·         Abbey Guild - Carol Service on Tuesday 6 December at 2.00pm in Abbey hall. All are very welcome - do come and join us.

·           Advent Group - Tuesday 6 December from 7 00 - 8.30pm in Abbey old hall. A 5 week study of Advent Hope by Joel Edwards will look at Jesus as the hope and the light of our lives. Please come along.

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·           Regal meets on Thursday, 8 December at 12 noon in the Abbey old hall. Alistair McNeil will give an illustrated talk providing a whistle stop tour of the different aspects of the Stevenson lighthouses around Scotland.

A soup and sandwich lunch will be served afterwards. All are very welcome

·         Sunday, 11 December – Communion Services at Abbey at 10.30 am and 6.00pm

·         Bethany Meals – Donations of NEW warm clothing (eg socks, gloves) welcome and can be handed in to the office to be taken to Bethany on 10 December.

·         Christmas Carols on the Green at Dirleton on Friday 16th December, 6.30pm led by the Primary School choir. Mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Church of Scotland: Abbey Church, North Berwick Scottish Charity – No SC004761       Dirleton Parish Church Scottish Charity – No SC004533

Sunday 4^th December 2011

Second Sunday in Advent

Morning theme: ‘Waiting with Patience’

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship

                        Reading: Mark 1:1-8 (p.1002) – Norma Bruce

                                 CH4 277 Hark the glad sound

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (v.1&2)

                                 CH4 273 O come, O come, Emmanuel

                                 CH4 291 When out of poverty is born

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Abbey Morning Worship

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Mark 1:1-8 (p.1002) – Willie Leslie

                                 MP 210 Hark, the glad sound

                                 Christmas is coming (v 1&.2 - words on sheet)

                                 MP 393 Joy to the world

                                 MP 493 O come, O come, Emmanuel

                                 MP 465 Meekness and majesty

                        Followed by tea/coffee & Traidcraft stall in the new hall

  3.00 pm         Services in Abbey and Fidra Care Homes

  6.00 pm         Abbey Evening Worship – Service to remember loved ones

                        ‘A living hope’

                        Reading: 1^st Peter 1:3-12 (p.1217) – Clare Aitken

                                 MP 50 Be still

                                 MP 201 Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah

                                 MP 673 There is a Redeemer

                                 MP 449 Love divine

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD

Church Office  (892800

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door

Abbey Newsletter

Abbey December newsletter can be viewed here, and the cover letter & diary here.

Sunday 27th November

·         Buy for Christmas! - Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20) All are available at Dirleton Kirk or from Joyce at the office.

·         Bethany Meals – After Abbey morning service today there will be a short meeting for anyone wishing to help or donate food for an evening meal for the homeless this winter.

Donations of NEW warm clothing (eg socks, gloves) would also be welcome

and can be handed in to the office to be taken to Bethany on 10 December.

·         Indian Recipe Booklet (only £1!) from Hilda or Joyce at the office or at the Guild.  Proceeds to the Woman’s Fellowship for Christian Service, Kalimpong.

·           There will be an Advent Group starting this Tuesday 29 November from

7 00 - 8.30pm in Abbey old hall. A 5 week study of Advent Hope by Joel Edwards will look at Jesus as the hope and the light of our lives. Come along to share in this season of hope.

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·           Traidcraft  goods will be available at Abbey next Sunday, 4 December. Last chance until February – stock up for Christmas and the winter!

Sunday 27^th November 2011

Advent Sunday

Morning theme: ‘Waiting with Courage’

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship

Dedication of tapestry for 400^th Anniversary

                        Reading: Exodus 3:1-17 (p.59) – Kathryn Simpson

                                 CH4 161 O God, our help in ages past

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (verse 1 & chorus)

                                 CH4 159 Lord, for the years

                                 CH4 286 Tell out my soul

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Abbey Morning Worship

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Exodus 3:1-17 (p.59) – David McLean

                                 MP 457 Make way

                                 Christmas is coming (V.1 & chorus, words on sheet)

                                 MP 631 Tell out, my soul

                                 MP 428 Lord, for the years

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Abbey Evening Worship

                                    

                        Readings: 2^nd Timothy 2:1-26 (p.1195) – Bob Kane

                                 MP 50 Be still

                                 MP 649 The King of love

                                 MP 673 There is a Redeemer

                                 MP 449 Love divine

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham 

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD

Church Office  (892800

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door

Sunday 20th November

·         Buy for Christmas! - Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20) All are available at Dirleton Kirk or from Joyce at the office.

·           Articles for inclusion in Abbey & Dirleton Newsletters for December/ January should be emailed or handed in no later than Tuesday 22 November

Newsletters will be available for distribution on Sunday 4 December.

·           Abbey Guild - Tuesday 22 November at 2.00pm in Abbey Church - joint open meeting Preshal Trust – May Nicholson & the Duchess of Montrose.

Wednesday 23 November, 10.30am – 12noon Coffee & Book Swap.

Please support these two events during Guild Week - and bring your friends!

·         Indian Recipe Booklet (only £1!) from Hilda or Joyce at the office or at the Guild.  Proceeds to the Woman’s Fellowship for Christian Service, Kalimpong.

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·           'Gloria' - a concert by Opera East celebrating 400 years of Dirleton Kirk takes place on Saturday 26 November at 7.45pm in the Kirk.

Tickets £12 from Alice Stephenson, choir members or at the door.

·           ‘The Burning Bush’ an embroidery designed and worked by Belinda Kane will be unveiled at Dirleton morning service next Sunday, 27 November

·           Bethany Meals – After Abbey morning service next Sunday 27 November, there will be a short meeting for anyone wishing to help or donate food for an evening meal for the homeless this winter.

Donations of NEW warm clothing (eg socks, gloves) would also be welcome and can be handed in to the office to be taken to Bethany on 10 December.

·           This year we are aiming to deliver leaflets about our Christmas services to every house in Abbey parish! As David said in the newsletter, let's use this opportunity to invite people into our church to get to know God. If you can help deliver a few during the week 20-26th November, please let one of these people know: Sally Penman, Sheena Cowan, Chris Livesey, Rose Leslie (or phone the office on 892800 and leave a message).

hurch of Scotland: Abbey Church, North Berwick Scottish Charity – No SC004761         Dirleton Parish Church Scottish Charity – No SC004533

 Sunday 20^th November 2011

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship – Rev Ian Bird

                        Reading: Luke 20:9-19 (p.1055) – Joy MacDonald

                                 CH4 577 Christ be beside me

                                 CH4 528 Make me a channel of your peace

                                 CH4 438 The Head that once was crowned with thorns

                                 CH4 459 Crown him with many crowns

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Abbey Morning Worship – Rev Ian Bird

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Luke 20:9-19 (p.1055) – Linda McLean

                                 MP 729 We have come into His house

                                 MP 456 Make me a channel of Your peace

                                 MP 647 The head that once was crowned with thorns

                                 MP 481 Name of all majesty

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Abbey Evening Worship

                        Led by Abbey Church Guild

                        Readings: Philippians 2:1-9 (p.1179) – Isabel Smith

                                 MP 38 As we are gathered (twice through)

                                 Guild Hymn Called to walk humbly (words on sheet)

                                 MP 162 From heaven You came, helpless babe

                                 MP 465 Meekness and majesty

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham 

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD

Church Office  (892800

  

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door

Sunday 13th November

·           Thank you to all who responded to the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. 126 filled

shoe boxes from Abbey and Dirleton were sent off to Blythswood Care.

·         Buy for Christmas! - Cards for sale at Dirleton (£3.50 for pack of 10) Commemorative mugs in 2 designs (£5.50 each). Beautiful limited edition mounted signed prints (£70). Tea towels (£3.50). 8oz Crystal tumbler (£20) All are available at Dirleton Kirk or from Joyce at the office.

·         Indian Recipe Booklet (only £1!) from Hilda or Joyce at the office or at the Guild.  Proceeds to the Woman’s Fellowship for Christian Service, Kalimpong.

·           Abbey Guild is on Tuesday 15 November at 7.30pm – ‘Called to walk humbly’

Guild Week is 20 -27 November:

Sunday 20 November Abbey Guild will lead the evening service at 6.00pm

Tuesday 22 November at 2.00pm in Abbey Church - joint open meeting Preshal Trust – speakers May Nicholson & the Duchess of Montrose.

Wednesday 23 November, 1030am – 12noon Coffee & Book Swap

·           Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed

by coffee – all very welcome.

·           North Berwick in Bloom  - Christmas Tea & Sale (mince pies & shortbread) on Saturday 19 November from 2.00 – 4.00pm in Abbey Church hall.

·           Leprosy Mission collection boxes can be given to Margaret Maclean or handed in to Joyce at the office

·           Church Membership. If you are interested in church membership, please speak to the Minister. There will be an opportunity for this over the winter.

·           This year we are aiming to deliver leaflets about our Christmas services to every house in Abbey parish! As David said in the newsletter, let's use this opportunity to invite people into our church to get to know God. If you can help deliver a few during the week 20-26th November, please let one of these people know: Sally Penman, Sheena Cowan, Chris Livesey, Rose Leslie (or phone the office on 892800 and leave a message).

hurch of Scotland: Abbey Church, North Berwick Scottish Charity – No SC004761         Dirleton Parish Church Scottish Charity – No SC004533

Sunday 13^th November 2011

Remembrance Day Services

Dirleton Kirk – 9.30am then village green War Memorial at 10.45am

Abbey Church – 10.30am followed by Service at the town War Memorial at noon

After Abbey and Dirleton Services there will be a collection for Poppy Scotland

  9.30 am         Dirleton Morning Worship – Peter Kimber

                        Reading: 2^nd Samuel 18:19-33 (p.324) - Alan Aitken

                                 CH4 161 O God, our help in ages past

                                 CH4 705 It is God who holds the nations

                                 CH4 715 Behold! the mountain of the Lord

                                 CH4 703 God save our gracious Queen (verse 1 only)

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

  3.30pm          Service in Astley House Care Home

  6.00 pm         Abbey Evening Worship – John Evans

                        Readings: Psalm 51:10-12 (p.573); John 4:1-15 (p.1066)

                                        Isaiah 55:1-3 (p.742) - Andrew Cobb

                                 MP 650 The King is among us

                                 MP 990 I will offer up my life

                                 MP 803 As water to the thirsty

                                 MP 697 Thou didst leave Thy throne

                                 MP 383 Jesus, the joy of loving hearts

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham 

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane BD  

Church Office  (892800

We welcome all visitors today.

To use the loop system, set hearing aids at ‘T’ position.

Ramped access to Abbey Church & halls links the High Street entrance

with the Church Road door