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Ferryhill Parish Church
Parish News December  2001

Telephone:
01224 213093
 E-mail:
Office
Minister
Webmaster

Christmas 
Greetings
from
Ferryhill
Parish Church

December 2001


 

ALL OUR CHURCH SERVICES  
 are recorded. Tapes are distributed to housebound folk, but we now have a fast copying machine and can provide tapes to anyone. Just hand a C90 tape to the sound operator on Sunday (it doesn't have to be new or blank) and you can have a recording of the service.
WORSHIP AT FERRYHILL

Sunday 2nd December (1st Advent)
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. Sunday Gang and crèche.
Sunday 9th December (2nd Advent)
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. Sunday Gang and crèche.
Sunday 16th December (3rd Advent)
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. Presentation of Christmas Story by the Sunday Gang. Baptism. 
Tuesday 18th December
12.10 p.m. Mid week service in Memorial Chapel (lasts 15 minutes)

JOIN US AT CHRISTMAS!

Friday 21st December
10.45 a.m. Ferryhill School Christmas Service. (Parents and friends welcome)
Sunday 23rd December (4th Advent) 
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with the Ferryhill Singers. Crèche. 
Christmas Eve (Monday 24th)
10 a.m. Make Christingles in the small hall - All welcome!
6.30p.m. All age Christingle Service 11 p.m. Carols by candlelight 
11.30 p.m. Watchnight Service (bring torch to these services)
Christmas Day (Tuesday 25th)
10 a.m. Worship for all ages (Lasting about 35 minutes) Please bring a Christmas present you have received.


COME AGAIN IN JANUARY!

Sunday 6th January 
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. Holy Communion. Crèche.
Sunday 13th January 
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. 
Sunday Gang and crèche.
Tuesday 15th January 
12.10 p.m. Mid week service in Memorial Chapel. (lasts 15 minutes)
Sunday 20th January 
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. 
Sunday Gang and crèche.
6. p.m. Informal service with Holy Communion in the Memorial Chapel
Sunday 27th January 
11 a.m. Worship for all ages. 
Sunday Gang and crèche.

Services in Residential Homes
(All welcome)
Cowdray Club: 11am 5 Dec, 2 Jan
Devanha Gardens: 6pm 9 Dec, 13 Jan
Maryfield: 6pm 23 Dec, 27 Jan

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Norman Nicoll

Message for the Month

Should we celebrate Christmas?
This may seem a strange question to ask at this time of year, yet many people raise it as an issue and therefore it is something we should be clear about. For many, Christmas is just one big hassle, which they could see far enough. 

There are reasons against the celebration of Christmas: 
It is a pagan festival, not a Christian one. The word Christmas means "Mass of Christ". 



It does not, however, seem to have been a part of the early festivals of the church and there is evidence that it was not celebrated during the first three centuries of the Christian era. The date December 25th, was probably chosen because it was the time when the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrating the birth of the sun-god, took place.

Many of the trappings of our modern Christmas celebrations, e.g. decorated trees etc., only go back as far as Victorian times. The early Christians would recognise very little in what we do at this time every year.
All the trappings of the Christmas celebrations actually obscure any intended spiritual benefit or value that could otherwise be gained. Santa Claus is more popular than Jesus! It is a time of selfishness and self-indulgence e.g. Americans will spend an estimated $45 Billion on Christmas presents this year alone. What could that do for the poor and needy?

In response to the above, I would say that it is not wrong in principle to Christianise a pagan event or festival (ancient Israel adopted but adapted customs and practices from its surrounding culture). It is a symbol that light has conquered darkness and that Jesus is Lord of all. What matters is how we celebrate an event. Jesus said that we are to worship in "spirit and in truth" (Jn.4:24). Is this not the key to having a Christian Christmas? As long as our "hearts" are right with God, and we do not allow paganism or secularism to dilute or obscure the substance of our faith, then God will honour our celebrations. So let's invite Jesus in to our homes this Christmas. After all it's his birthday.

May the challenge for us all this season be to put the Christ back into Christmas, in our hearts, our homes, and our church.

Yours in Christ
Norman Nicoll

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Year of the Child
The Kirk Session invite all interested to view the video 'Year of the Child' after morning service on Sunday 2nd December, the day designated as the start of the 'Year of the Child'. 

Church Christmas Tree Decorations 
Make simple decorations with coloured card (collect it from the Foyer). If you wish you can write prayer requests on your decorations and add them to the Christmas Tree in the Church from Sunday 16th onwards. Prayer requests will be included, as far as possible, during the Christmas-tide services.

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THE FOYER COFFEE SHOP at the church has become a popular rendezvous. Try it for yourself for morning coffee, fresh baked scones and bacon rolls. Open 9.30am to 11.30am Monday to Friday, and until 12 noon on Saturday. Enjoy a full cooked breakfast on Mondays. Prices are very reasonable, but thanks to our volunteer helpers, we have made a profit of around £8000 since we opened in June 2000. Extra helpers are always needed. If you can spare 2 to 3 hours once a fortnight contact Cyril and Edna Sainsbury on 572477.

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DON'T MISS OUR CHRISTMAS FAIR - Saturday 8th December from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Cake and Candy, Christmas Crafts, Plants and Bulbs, Competitions - and much much more including special attractions for the children. Coffees, lunches and afternoon teas will be served to the accompaniment of festive music. Tickets are on sale at the Coffee Shop. Donations for stalls and offers of help will be greatly appreciated - contact Hazel Braynion on 326910 hazelnb@ukonline.co.uk  Christmas Fair Page

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LOOKING FOR A STOCKING FILLER? There are some copies of SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS still for sale. This entertaining history of Ferryhill and its churches has proved very popular and been acclaimed by critics. Lavishly illustrated, it makes the ideal gift for anyone who has a soft spot for Ferryhill. On sale (£9.95) at bookshops and at the Church Coffee Shop. 
  More Information

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THE SUNDAY GANG would like to thank all those who filled shoe boxes to be given as Christmas Presents in Eastern European Countries. 57 beautifully wrapped boxes were collected by Blythswood Care and are now on their way. Thanks also to those who collected Evening Express Children 2000 tokens. Unfortunately, our 86,000 did not qualify for a gift of money. The Sunday Gang's next project is to run two chocolate stalls at the Christmas Fair. They need chocolate bars and boxes of every size and shape. Please place contributions in the box in the Foyer.

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CONTACT NUMBERS
Minister: Revd Ian Dick 589633  minister@ferryhillpc.org.uk
Assistant from 1/10/01 Revd Norman Nicoll 705630 
Church Office: 213093  office@ferryhillpc.org.uk

CHURCH WEB SITE www.ferryhillpc.org.uk

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