Magazine SEPTEMBER 2007

Minister's Letter

MEETING FOR PRAYER

QUARTERLY PRAYER GUIDE

Boys Brigade

Mission Praise

CARSTAIRS AND CARSTAIRS JUNCTION GUILD

FUND RAISER

SOCIAL REPORT

Coffee Afternoons

SEASIDE ROCK

QUIZ

CHRISTIAN AID

Finance

QUIZ ANSWERS

FLOWER CALENDAR

Minister's Letter

Dear Friends,

A strange summer is drawing to a close. The weather has certainly been erratic and challenging. And as I write this, fears abound of a new foot and mouth outbreak, something we hoped wouldn?t appear again after the drastic and traumatic events of the last outbreak.

That is the problem with life. We all have expectations. We expect the summer to be warm and sunny, and snow to fall deep and crisp and even in the winter. We expect modern technology to make our lives easier rather than complicate them further. Regardless of age or experience, lifestyle or knowledge all of us have expectations in life.

And like this summer where flooding, hail and baking hot sunshine have all occurred in a day, it can be hard to deal with unfulfilled expectations. A church should have a minister, the best one that is available and he/she should be Billy Graham, Mother Theresa and Bill Gates all rolled up into one person! As we move through the summer, we are aware that we seem to be no closer to our expectation. But do not be disheartened. The church is always the people, not the buildings and most certainly not the minister. God expects us to work together, to learn together, to share together, to love each other and to worship him. These are the expectations God has for us. And yes, we have ministers to help us meet these expectations, but they are only helpers. And Presbytery will continue to help you meet God?s expectations.

And can we have expectations of God? Yes we can. We can expect him to love us, for he is love eternal. We can expect him to hear our prayers for the right minister to lead our churches. We can expect him to answer our prayers. What we cannot expect is for an immediate answer to our prayers. We don't know who will come to help and support us in our lives as Christians or when but God knows. And so we must faithfully ask for his guidance, for the strength to persevere in our prayers, and for the willingness to continue to meet his expectations. And can I encourage you to pray and support your nominating committee, who like all of you have hopes and expectations for the future as well as the added responsibility of trying to meet everyone?s expectations.

The search for a minister for the United Charge of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction is on-going, so hold onto your expectations, and use them as your prayer in the days to come. And remember God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. God is still working in Carstairs Village and Carstairs Junction. Are you expecting that?
God loves you. Walk in his light, feel his peace and share in his delight.

Regards

Sarah

Sarah Ross (Rev Mrs),
Forth St Paul?s Back to top

MEETING FOR PRAYER

The fortnightly meeting for prayer is for half an hour, from 6.30 to 7 pm, every second Wednesday, in Carstairs Church Library. The dates for the next quarter are as follows:-
September 12th and 26; October 10th and 24th; November 7th and 21st.
If you have not already been to the meeting for prayer, you are warmly invited to come along on any of the above dates. Perhaps you have thought of coming but are unsure of what to expect. Be assured that there is no need to be anxious. It is simply a quiet time spent in prayer, spoken or silent, with no pressure on anyone to do or say anything.

Why though a meeting for prayer? Well you might consider that the very first church meeting, described in The Acts of the Apostles, was in fact a prayer meeting. "Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about a kilometre away from the city. They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers." Acts 1: 12-14. (GN)

No need to explain what happened within the next few days! And if we continue to read through the book of Acts we see many instances where the members of the early Christian Church experienced the power of the Holy Spirit as a result of prayer; they grew and grew as a result; and, if we would see God's abundant blessings in our congregation, we must make prayer a high priority in the life of our congregation, and for the life or our congregation.

The Quarterly Prayer Guide gives some suggestions for our prayers over the next few months. Please use these topics in your prayers, asking God's blessing on those areas in the life of the congregation. Back to top

QUARTERLY PRAYER GUIDE

Week beginning
3rd Sept. The Sunday School, Youth Group and Leaders
10th Sept. The Guild, Office Bearers, Committee and Members
17th Sept. The Boys Brigade, members and Leaders
24th Sept. The Publicity Group

Week beginning
1st Oct. Exploring Worship Group
8th Oct. Harvest Services; Preaching and Attendance
15th Oct. Pastoral Care Group
22nd Oct. The Church Website
29th Oct. Nominating Committee

5th Nov. Remembrance Day Services next week
12th Nov. Primary Schools;Lanark Grammar;Pupils;Teachers
19th Nov. Monteith House, Patients and Staff
26th Nov. Communion Services and Mission Praise Evening
next week

If you sometimes feel you are just too busy to make time for prayer on a regular basis, perhaps the verses which follow will convince you of the importance of prayer, and that prayer works!

THE DIFFERENCE

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn?t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task.
'Why doesn't God help me? ' I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on, grey and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray. Back to top

Boys Brigade

Dear Parents,

The Boys Brigade will be starting on Tuesday, 4th September, 2007 at Carstairs Village Community Centre.

All boys made welcome.

Anchor Boys (age 5-8 years) 6.30pm. - 7.30pm.
Junior Section: (age 8-11 years) 7.30pm. -9.00pm.
Weekly subscription is £1.00.
Uniform:
Existing members please wear full uniform.

Anchor Boys: - red BB jumper, trousers,  grey, black or navy, no jeans. Indoor shoes for sport.

Junior Section: - BB. Sweatshirt, trousers , grey, black or navy, no jeans, BB hat and armband. Indoor shoes for sport.

New uniforms can be purchased from any Officer or Motherwell (01698 259135) The Boys Brigade, Battalion Headquarters, 353 Orbison Street, Motherwell. Wed 7 - 8.30pm. & Sat 10 - 12 noon.

We are grateful for Davina, Sean, Leah, Fiona, Ronnie and Louise for offering to help provide fun teaching and delivering spiritual devotions to the boys.

Elizabeth Brown.


BOYS BRIGADE ENROLEMENT SERVICE

There will be an enrolment service on Sunday 16th September 2007 at 12 midday at Carstairs Village Church. All boys and officers should meet at the old hall car park at 11.45am and march to the church. This service will be conducted by Rev. Susan Cowell. Also there will be a special presentation so all past boys will be made most welcome. A special appeal- could all parents and boys please support this very special service. Back to top

Mission Praise

This monthly service which is conducted by the Youth will take place on Sunday 2nd September at 7pm. All welcome. Back to top

CARSTAIRS AND CARSTAIRS JUNCTION GUILD

At the time of writing, the syllabus for the 2007-2008 session of the Guild is still being organized and will be available at our first meeting.

It is not yet possible to give a date for the first meeting, due to difficulties in organizing speakers and conveners. Arrangements are in place for most meetings, with only September and December to be finalized. We hope to commence in September but if this is not possible, our first meeting will be in October. Please watch for intimations from the pulpit and in the Gazette.

As we have said many times before, the Guild is not just for women of the congregation - it is also for the men. We are delighted to have several male members of the congregation coming along regularly, and they will, no doubt, be pleased to know that we have more male guest speakers than usual this session.

We look forward to meeting together in the Guild and we extend a warm welcome to everyone to come along to our meetings whenever they can.

Details of meetings, starting in September or October, will be intimated in advance from the pulpit and published in the Gazette under Church News. If any of the topics and speakers appeal to you, please do come along. We will be delighted to see you. Back to top

FUND RAISER

Over the past few months the Boys Brigade, Board Members, Kirk Session, Bible Class, Mr Singh and Margaret the Hairdresser have been busy selling key rings as a fund raiser for the churches, the total sum raised was £400.00. Elizabeth Brown would like to thank everyone for their support, either selling or purchasing for a worthwhile cause. Back to top

SOCIAL REPORT

PARISH COLLECTION
The recent collection of clothing, shoes, bags, etc. raised the total of £476.00. The Social Committee wishes to thank everyone who helped in any way to raise this amount for Church Funds, whether by donating bags or uplifting them, it is very much appreciated.

SPONSORED WALK
Robert Cowan completed his 15 mile Sponsored walk on Monday, 2nd July 2007, managing to dodge most of the July summer showers. The total collected is now £798.50. Once again, the Social Committee would like to thank Robert for doing this in aid of Church Funds and to everyone who sponsored him.

MANSE APPEAL- Latest
The total at present for the Manse Appeal is £1932.00.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Social Night - Saturday 29th September in Carstairs Community Centre.
Harvest Thanksgiving Service - Sunday 14th October.
Christmas Fayre - Friday 23rd November in Community Hall, Carstairs Junction. Back to top

Coffee Afternoons

The next coffee afternoon will be Tuesday 25th September and will be in aid of MacMillan Cancer Care. Donations of baking will be greatly received.

Due to falling numbers we have decided to continue with the coffee afternoons but less frequently. Therefore the one thereafter will be November 27th and will be for church funds. Dates for 2008 will be announced in the winter edition of the Link.
As always the coffee afternoons are held in Carstairs Community Centre from 1.30pm until 3.00pm. If you can bake for any of these 2 dates or for the 2008 afternoons please speak to Linda Brown, Heather Forrest , Mary Stokes or Una Doak . Back to top

SEASIDE ROCK

The sun was shining, the picnic was there and Carstairs beach was the hottest place to be from the 6th-8th August. Approximately 35 children packed the beach each evening to join in the fun and games.
Lifeguards Susan and Sara led the daily beach activities and daily weather reports were provided by Heather on the Weather. Lynn the Bin kept the beach clean and tidy by collecting jokes, messages and prayers.

We sang songs, danced, made fish, painted rocks and created seaside brooches and magnets. Sharks, Tidal Wave, Sand Treasure and Beach belles caused great hilarity and a parachute on the Wednesday evening was brilliant for playing Lifeguards, Sharks, Toss the Beach Ball and much more.

Peter, the rock, a good friend of Jesus happened to be at the beach fixing his fishing nets on the first night and told everyone about his change of name from Simon to Peter and how he knew Jesus was the Son of the living God. He had such fun he came back on the Tuesday and told a story about the Wise and Foolish builders and on the Wednesday he told us that having Jesus as a friend in your life is like a stick of rock with the words Jesus the Rock running right through the middle.
Many thanks to all who helped with the holiday club :-
For those who have donated items to help with decorations and activities. To the many who supported quietly by words of encouragement and of course continuous prayer.

Special thanks to :-
Sara, Susan, Holly and Victoria for leading on the nights and decorating the hall. Rob and Abbie Hall for music and amazing crafts. Alison Barr, Anne Best and Angela Ward for ensuring the safety of the children each evening and to Alison for creating all the badges and register. Irene Williams for picnics each evening and Elizabeth Brown, Una Doak, Maria Stewart and Heather Forrest for supervising the Rock Groups. To everyone for being prepared to join in and at times make a fool of themselves all to share the gospel with the children and show them that having Jesus as a friend is good fun.

The above report was written by Linda Brown.
Linda has put in an enormous amount of work in the organisation of Seaside Rock, she also acted as Peter each night telling the children of Jesus in a way simple enough for them to understand. As well as doing all of this Linda and Irene provided the helpers with a special picnic of their own on the final night after all the clearing up had taken place, this encouraged everyone involved to express their thoughts on the event. Thanks Linda for sharing your many talents with us! Back to top

QUIZ

Here is short quiz for fun only to get those brains working.
These are anagrams and are all women who are mentioned in the bible. Answers are near the end of the magazine..No peeping!

1. A rash 9. Amino
2. Aargh 10. Sabath eh
3. Brake eh 11. Threes
4. Heal 12. At harm
5. Habitat 13. Cars do
6. Rim aim 14. Daily
7. Bad hero 15. Clips rail
8. Hide all 16. Rap a ship

Taken from (www.biblequizzes.org.uk) Back to top

CHRISTIAN AID

Thank you to all who supported Christian Aid this year either by collecting, providing food and baking for the lunch or by donating to the cause.
The door to door collection raised £1506.90 and the Christian Aid lunch £317. This makes a tremendous difference to the relief work supported by Christian Aid and an amazing difference to the lives of individual people. Back to top

Finance

The United parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction
Offerings to the end of July 2007

May 2007 F.W. £1611.70
Ordinary £62.00
June 2007 F.W. £2102.30
Ordinary £160.00
July 2007 F.W. £1768.90
Ordinary £73.40

Total £5778.30
Retiring Offerings:
Fabric Fund: £81.75
Fundraising
Parish Collection (Bags): £476.00
Key Rings: £400.00
Sponsored walk: £734.50
Manse Appeal: £1755.00

Gift Week
This year the Gift Week envelopes will be distributed in the week commencing the
17th of September.

The envelopes will be collected in the week commencing the
1st of October.

Envelopes should be returned to Carstairs Church Library on the
5th of October
We would like to express our most grateful thanks to everyone
for their continued support of both churches.

*Please Note: All Cheques should be made payable to:
The United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction Back to top

QUIZ ANSWERS

1.Sarah 2.Hagar 3.Rebekah 4.Leah 5.Tabitha 6.Miriam 7.Deborah 8.Delilah 9.Naomi 10.Bathsheba 11.Esther 12.Martha 13.Dorcas 14.Lydia 15.Priscilla 16.Sapphira Back to top

FLOWER CALENDAR

Carstairs Flower Calendar

02.09.07 Mr. & Mrs. I. Brown
09.09.07 Mrs. D. Broadfoot, Douglas
16.09.07 Mrs. M. Finlay
23.09.07 Mrs. Baird & Mrs. Stirling
30.09.07 Mrs. M. Morris

07.10.07 Wedding
14.10.07 Mrs. M. Jamieson
21.10.07 Mrs. J .T. Orr
28.10.07 Mrs. Anderson & Jean Anderson

04.11.07 Mr . Trevor Mee
11.11.07 Mrs. J. Nelson
18.11.07 Mrs. M. Inglis
25.11.07 Mrs. I. Jarvie

02.12.07 Mrs. Spence & Mrs. Gordon
09.12.07 Mrs. E. Crawford & Mrs J. Brown
16.12.07 Mrs. M. Cowan
23.12.07 Mrs. L. Lauder
30.12.07 Mrs. G. Robley

Carstairs Junction Flower Calendar

02.09.07 Mrs. M. Jardine
09.09.07 Mrs. M. Jardine
16.09.07 Miss. H. Ferguson
23.09.07 Miss. P. Little & Mrs. I. Milne
30.09.07 Mrs. J. Burrell

07.10.07 Miss. P. Little & Mrs. I. Milne
14.10.07 Mrs. S. Grainger
21.10.07 Mrs. A. Howland
28.10.07 Mrs. H. Owen

04.11.07 Mrs. B. Kay
11.11.07 Misses. A & J. McInnes
18.11.07 Miss. H. Ferguson
25.11.07 Miss. P. Little & Mrs. I. Milne

02.12.07 Mrs. Liz Warnock
09.12.07 Mrs. M. Jardine
16.12.07 Mrs. R. McAllister
23.12.07 Mrs. R. Campbell
30.12.07 Mrs. F. Cheeseman & Mrs.S.
Grainger Back to top

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