Christmas Services

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY, 23rd
9.30am Dirleton Kirk
10.30am Abbey Church
                (all-age service, with baptisms)

CHRISTMAS EVE, MONDAY 24th
4.30pm Abbey Church
               (Family Service, with child's blessing)
11.30pm Dirleton Kirk Watchnight Service
              (coffee in hall from 11pm)

CHRISTMAS DAY, TUESDAY 25th
10.30am Abbey Church
               (Half-hour Christmas morning service)

Christmas Sunday, 23rd December

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

East Lothian Food Bank is collecting items to distribute locally to those in need. Pick up an item list at the back of the church if you can help, and bring items to church or the office.

Used stamps – Please save your used postage stamps from Christmas mail for World Mission remembering to leave a border of at least ¼ inch all round. There are boxes for stamps in Abbey & Dirleton or hand them in to the office. Joyce has 6½ kilo in the office and needs 10 kilo for a free uplift!

Hall Booking Diary – To ensure availability and heating would all Abbey hall users please enter future dates and times in the 2013 Hall 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 23^rd December 2012

Fourth Sunday in Advent

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton

                        ‘Change the World’

                        Reading: Luke 1:39-56 (p.1026) read by Joy MacDonald

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (verses 1-4)

                                 CH4 315 Once in Royal David’s city

                                 CH4 304 O little town of Bethlehem

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey

                        All-age Christmas Service

                        Sacrament of Baptism

                        Choir Introit: It came upon the midnight clear

                                 MP 491 O come, all you faithful (verses 1-3)

                                 Christmas is coming (words on sheet)

                                 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer (words on sheet)

                                 MP 47 Away in a manger

                                 MP 588 See, amid the winter’s snow

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

   6.00 pm       Evening Worship, Abbey

                        ‘Cleansing Fire’

                        Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 (p.693) read by Dorothy Kirkpatrick

                                 MP 105 Come, watch with us

                                 MP 465 Meekness and majesty

                                 MP 537 On Christmas night all Christians sing

                                 MP 71 Child in the manger

                                 MP 39 As with gladness men of old

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

 Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

 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 16th December

Choir practice after Abbey morning service today for the items to be used next Sunday with a full practice on Tuesday 18 December at 8.00pm.

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed by coffee – all very welcome.

Carol Singing in Care Homes on Wednesday 19 December. Meet at Abbey church at 6.00pm. Come along. Everyone welcome.

East Lothian Food Bank is collecting items to distribute over Christmas. Pick up an item list at the back of the church if you can help, and bring items to church or the office.

Used stamps – Please save your used postage stamps from Christmas mail for World Mission remembering to leave a border of at least ¼ inch all round. There are boxes for stamps in Abbey & Dirleton or hand them in to the office. Joyce has 6½ kilo in the office and needs 10 kilo for a free uplift!

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

Sunday 16^th December 2012

Third Sunday in Advent

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton

                        All-age Christmas Service

                                 CH4 312 Away in a manger

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (verses 1-3)

                                 CH4 314 Child in the manger

                                 CH4 305 In the bleak midwinter

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey

                        ‘Change the World’

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Choir Introit: Infant Holy

                        Reading: Luke 1:39-56 (p.1026) read by David McAdam

                                 MP 539 Once in royal David’s city

                                 Christmas is coming (words on sheet)

                                 MP 764 While shepherds watched

                                 MP 588 See, amid the winter’s snow

                                 MP 62 Born in the night, Mary’s child

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

   6.00 pm        Evening Worship, Abbey

                        ‘Consuming Fire’

                        Reading: Zephaniah 3:8-20 (p.946) read by John Guy

                                 MP 196 Good Christian men, rejoice

                                 MP 767 Who is He, in yonder stall

                                 MP 749 What child is this

                                 MP 451 Love came down at Christmas

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

Sunday 9th December

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

Handel's Messiah - It is planned to arrange a block of tickets for the annual performance of Handel's Messiah in the Usher Hall on Wednesday 2 January 2013 commencing at 12 noon. Tickets will cost around £16 and anyone interested should contact Robert Burgon (organist- ( 893564) TODAY.

Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed by coffee – all very welcome.

Regal meets on Thursday, 13 December at 12 noon. As it is our Christmas meeting, it will take a slightly different format. Andrew Scott, the well known and popular bass, will sing some ballads and songs from Gilbert & Sullivan. Afterwards we will sit down to a soup and sandwich lunch.

Christmas Post - Music for Malawi are offering a Christmas Post service (formerly done by the Scouts) within North Berwick. Cost is 30p per card. Collection points are: Fergusons Chemists, Sweet News, Westgate Gallery and the School Office. Closing date is Friday 14 December.

East Lothian Food Bank is collecting items to distribute over Christmas. Pick up an item list at the back of the church if you can help, and bring items to church or the office by 16th December.

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

Sunday 9^th December 2012

Second Sunday in Advent

Morning theme: ‘Change Yourself’

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton

                        Reading: Luke 3:1-18 (p.1029) read by Hayley Kirkpatrick

                                 CH4 641 Seek ye first the kingdom of God

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (verses 1 & 2)

                                 CH4 334 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

                                 CH4 291 When out of poverty is born

                                 Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Service of Holy Communion, Abbey

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Luke 3:1-18 (p.1029) read by Linda McLean

                                 MP 35 Angels from the realms of glory

                                 Christmas is coming (words on sheet)

                                 MP 590 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

                                 MP 484 Now dawns the Sun of righteousness

                                 MP 393 Joy to the world

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

   6.00 pm        Evening Worship, Abbey

                        ‘Refining Fire’

                        Reading: Malachi 3:1-4; 4:1-5 (p.961) read by Janet Raeburn

                                 MP 717 We are here to praise you

                                 MP 119 El-Shaddai

                                 MP 67 Breathe on me, breath of God

                                 MP 579 Restore O Lord

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

  

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham 

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

Christmas Present

Christmas is 3 weeks away

Royal Baby

A Royal baby is expected soon! Come and worship Christ, the new-born King. Service details here.

Advent Sunday, 2nd December

Advent Concert of choral music by Discantus  today Sunday 2 December at 3.30pm in Dirleton Kirk. Tea & mince pies served afterwards.

Entrance free. Donations welcomed.

Traidcraft goods are available at Abbey today.

Next Traidcraft will be February, so stock up for Christmas and January!

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

Choir practice on Monday 3 December at 8.00pm in Abbey hall for all those who would like to join an enlarged choir to sing some Christmas items.

Abbey Guild Carol Service on Tuesday 4 December at 2.00pm in Abbey hall

Please speak to Zandra or Joyce at the office if you would like to go to the Guild Christmas Lunch at Glen Golf Club on Tuesday 11 December.

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

by coffee – all very welcome.

Communion Service at Abbey Sunday 9 December at 10.30am

Sunday 2^nd December 2012

Advent Sunday

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton – Murdo Macdonald

                        Reading: Jeremiah 33:10-22 (p.796) read by Irene Urquhart

                                 CH4 21 Lord, teach me all your ways

                                 CH4 282 Christmas is coming (verse 1 & chorus)

                                 I once was a stranger (words on sheet – omit verse 4))

                                 CH4 273 O come, O come, Emmanuel (verses 1,4&5)

                                 Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey– Murdo Macdonald

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Reading: Jeremiah 33:10-22 (p.796) read by Ewen MacLean

                                 MP 457 Make way, make way

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

                                 MP 49 Be bold, be strong (x2)

                                 I once was a stranger (words on sheet)

                                 MP 493 O come, O come, Emmanuel

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

  3.00 pm         Services in Abbey and Fidra Care Homes

  6.00 pm         Evening Worship, Abbey – Bob Kane

                        ‘from heaven you came’

                                 MP 50 Be still

                                 MP 988 How deep the Father’s love for us

                                 MP 345 It came upon the midnight clear

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

  

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

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

Christmas is Coming!

Advent starts on Sunday! This is the scene outside Abbey Church.
Thanks to the Community Council, Rotary, local Business Association, and a cast of thousands!

Sunday 25th November

Congregational Meeting after Abbey morning service today to discuss the Kirk Session proposal to change to a Unitary Constitution.

Further information is available at the back of the church.

Christmas leaflet delivery We are planning to deliver leaflets about the Christmas services to everyone in our parish If you are able to help with this, please let Sally Penman know.

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

A Christian Year in Song’ – a concert by andate a capella choir in St Mary’s Church, Whitekirk today, Sunday 25 November at 7.30pm. Admission free.

Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed by coffee – all very welcome.

Pastoral Training evening, with 'Encounters' DVD 'visiting people with dementia' Wednesday 7.30pm in Abbey Hall.

Prayer meeting for the work of Shiona Liddle on Friday 30 November at 10.30am in Abbey new hall. All welcome

Leprosy Mission - During November Leprosy Mission monies can be given to Margaret MacLean or Joyce at the office.

Traidcraft goods will be available at Abbey next Sunday, 2 December.

Next Traidcraft will be February, so stock up for Christmas and January!

Concert of choral music by Discantus on Sunday 2 December at 3.00pm in Dirleton Kirk. Tea & mince pies served afterwards. All very welcome.

  

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 25^th November 2012

Theme: Stewardship – ‘Dreams & Visions’

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton

                        Readings Revelation 21:1-5, 9-14, 22-27 (p.1249)

                                           read AileenWalker

                                 CH4 204 I am the Church! You are the Church!

                                 CH4 203 When, in our music, God is glorified

                                                (tune sine nomine 740)

                                 CH4 286 Tell out, my soul

                                 Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Choir Introit: We love the place, O God

                        Reading: Revelation 21:1-5, 9-14, 22-27 (p.1249)

                                           read Ronald Ironside

                                 MP 86 Come and see the shining hope

                                 MP 367 Jesus is Lord!

                                 MP 631 Tell out, my soul

                                 Let us build a house

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Evening Worship, Abbey with Informal Communion

                        ‘The Earth is God’s’

                        Reading: Psalm 24 (p.555) read by Elma Danks

                                 MP 650 The King is among us

                                 MP 642 The earth is the Lord’s

                                 MP 381 Jesus, stand among us

                                 MP 743 We’ll walk the land

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

  

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

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

Christmas newsletters

Abbey & Dirleton's Christmas Newsletters can be viewed by clicking here,  here, and here.

Sunday 18th November

Christmas leaflet delivery We are planning to deliver leaflets about the Christmas services to everyone in our parish If you are able to help with this, please let Sally Penman know.

Congregational Meeting after Abbey morning service next Sunday 25th November to discuss the Kirk Session proposal to change to a Unitary Constitution. Further information is available at the back of the church.

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

Abbey Kirk Session & Board meets on Monday 19 November at 7.30pm.

House Group at 11 Ben Sayers Park on Tuesday 20 November at 7.30pm, looking at the book ‘What if Jesus really meant what he said?’ Just come along, all are welcome.

Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed by coffee – all very welcome.

Guild Week 18 – 25 November

Drop-in Coffee & Book Swap (in aid of Guild projects) on Wednesday 21 November, 10.00-12noon in Abbey new hall.

Concert ‘Illustrated Songs’ by Frank Prior & Friends in Abbey Church on Friday 23 November at 7.30pm. Proceeds to Christian Aid’s Partnership Program.  Tickets £5 (incl. refreshments) from Guild committee members, Joyce at the office, or pay at the door.

Please come along to support these Guild Week events – and bring a friend!

‘A Christian Year in Song’ – a concert by andate a capella choir in St Mary’s Church, Whitekirk on Sunday 25 November at 7.30pm. Admission free.

Leprosy Mission - During November Leprosy Mission monies can be given to Margaret MacLean at Guild Meetings, on Sundays at church or Joyce at the office. Please change the money into notes and keep your little tubs to start collecting next year! Thank you all for supporting this very worthwhile cause.

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

 Sunday 18^th November 2012

Theme: Stewardship – ‘Hidden Talents’

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton

                        Readings Romans 12:1-13 (p.1139) read by Liz Keddie

                                 CH4 172 Sing for God’s glory

                                 CH4 93 Let us with a gladsome mind

                                 CH4 248 For my sake and the gospel’s go

                                 Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Choir Introit: May the mind of Christ my Saviour

                        Reading: Romans 12:1-13 (p.1139) read by Sally Penman

                                 MP 882 Lord of all hopefulness

                                 MP 457 Make way, make way

                                 MP 159 Forth in Thy name, O Lord I go

                                 MP 16 All my hope on God is founded

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

  6.00 pm         Evening Worship, Abbey – Hector Macaulay

                        ‘Boundaries’

                        Reading: John 4:1-26 (p.1067) read by Stuart Cowan

                                 MP 131 Father God, we worship You

                                 MP 662 The love of Christ who died for me

                                 MP 385 Jesus, the name high over all

                                 MP 620 Sweet is the work, my God and King

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

  

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane

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

Remembrance Sunday 11th November

December / January Newsletters – Articles for inclusion in the next Abbey and Dirleton Newsletters should be emailed or handed by 12 November.

Buy for Christmas! Dirleton Christmas cards, notelets and prints designed by Jolomo and Mark Holden are on sale now at Dirleton Kirk and at the office.

Dirleton Kirk Session & Board meets on Tuesday 13 November at 7.00pm.

Dirleton Prayer Service is on Wednesday at 10.00am in the hall, followed by coffee – all very welcome.

Bibleworld Mobile is outside North Berwick Sports Centre 12 – 16 November.

Open night on 14 Nov, 7-9pm for P5, 6 7 and S1 for those who wish to visit again, and on 15 Nov, 7-9pm for anyone who would like to see Bibleworld.

Joint Guild meeting on Tuesday 13 November at 2.00pm in Abbey old hall.

Speaker from ‘Heart for Art’ one of this year’s Guild projects. All welcome.

Jacob’s Well – Thursday 15 November at 7.30pm at 5 Clifford Road.

Proclaim Freedom – ‘How can we remain silent while Christians are being persecuted?’ presented by Dr Patrick Sookhdeo in Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh on Saturday 17 November 2.00-4.00pm.

Opera East Lothian presents ‘Eternal Source of Light Divine’ - a concert of music to sooth the soul - on Saturday 17 November at 7.30pm in St Baldred’s Church. Tickets £10 from Alice Stephenson, Optometrist, Market Place.

Congregational Meeting after the morning service Sunday 25th November to discuss the Kirk Session proposal to change to a Unitary Constitution. Further information is available at the back of the church.

Christmas leaflet delivery We are planning to deliver leaflets to everyone in our parish about the Christmas services. If you are able to help with this, please let Sally Penman know.

Leprosy Mission During November Margaret MacLean will collect the Leprosy Mission monies at Guild Meetings, on Sundays at church or it could be left with Joyce at the church office. If possible, please change the money into notes and keep your little tubs to start collecting next year!

Thank you everyone for supporting this very worthwhile cause.

116 Christmas Shoeboxes were sent off to Blythswood from Abbey and Dirleton. Many thanks to all who contributed.

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

Sunday 11^th November 2012

Remembrance Sunday

After church services there will be a retiral collection for ‘Poppy Scotland’

  9.30 am         Morning Worship, Dirleton – Bob Kane

                        Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-10 (p.868)

                                         Matthew 28:16-20 (p.1001) read by Alan Aitken

                                 CH4 81 I to the hills will lift mine eyes

                                 CH4 493 It’s me, it’s me, O Lord

                                 CH4 251 I, the Lord of sea and sky

                                 CH4 248 For my sake and the gospels go

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the hall

Remembrance at Dirleton Village Green War Memorial at 10.45am

10.30 am         Morning Worship, Abbey

                        ‘Remembrance and Hope’

                        Sunday School & Crèche for children under 4

                        Choir Introit: Peace, perfect peace

                        Reading: Psalm 46:1-11 (p.570) read by Robert Burgon

                                 MP 605 Soon, and very soon

                                 MP 456 Make me a channel of Your peace

                                 MP 488 O Breath of Life

                                 MP 173 Glorious things of thee are spoken

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the new hall

Remembrance at North Berwick War Memorial at 12noon

  3.30 pm         Service in Astley House Care Home

  6.00 pm         Evening Worship, Abbey

                        ‘For all the Saints’

                        Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 (p.1238) read by Isabel Smith

                                 MP 731 We love the place, O God

                                 MP 201 Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah

                                 MP 640 The Church’s one foundation

                                 MP 148 For all the saints

                        Followed by tea/coffee in the church

Minister: Revd Dr David Graham

Pastoral Assistant: Robert Kane