2019 09 29

ABERDEEN ST MARK’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

The Overlooked TWO TOMBSTONES Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday 29 September 2019

“Come and see a man who has told me everything I ever did. Could he be the Messiah?” (John 4: 29) “St Mark’s, sharing God’s love in the City Centre”

Welcome & Intimations: Call to Worship: Children’s Address:

The Woman at the Well (John 4)

Children’s Chorus:

The B.I.B.L.E. The B-I-B-L-E, Yes that's the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E. The B-I-B-L-E, Yes that's the book for me, I read and pray, trust and obey, The B-I-B-L-E. (Children leave for Sunday School)

Praise:

CH4: 201

Worship the Lord

Prayer of Approach including the Lord’s Prayer Praise:

CH4: 132

Readings:

John 4: 1-29 (Page 875)

Praise:

CH4: 722

Sermon:

Two Tombstones

Praise:

CH4: 540

Immortal, invisible

Spirit of God

I have heard the voice of Jesus say

Prayers of Thanksgiving and intercession Praise:

CH4: 622

We sing a love that sets all people free

Benediction: Threefold Amen Please join us downstairs in the Hall after the service for tea/coffee and fellowship.

Future Services

Sunday 6 October

11.00

Morning Worship Harvest Sunday Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Mr. Stiubhart MacChoille.

Sunday 13 October

11.00

Morning Worship Holy Communion Rev. Brian Sheret.

Sunday 20 October

11.00

Morning Worship Rev. John M. Watson

Sunday 27 October

11.00

Morning Worship Rev. Brian Sheret

Sunday 3 November

11.00

Morning Worship All Saints Day Mr. Stiubhart MacChoille.

Sunday 10 November

10.50

Morning Worship Remembrance Sunday Mr. Stiubhart MacChoille.

Sunday 17 November

11.00

Morning Worship Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.

Mr. Stiubhart MacChoille.

CCL Licence No. 409105 Scottish Charity No. SC015451

Church Family News 1.

Bible Study. Understanding Our Faith. The new series of studies exploring our Christian faith continues on Thursday 3 October at 19.30 in the Session Room. Teas, Coffees and fine pieces as well.

Everyone most welcome.

2.

Circle of Care.

Volunteer drivers are required to transport members to and from the Circle of Care Communion and Afternoon Tea on Sunday 13 October. If you can help, please add your name to the list in the vestibule or speak to Helen McKenzie.

3.

The Guild. The theme for 2019-20 is “Companions on the Road” and it will be considered at the first evening meeting of the new session on Monday 7 October.

Earlier, the first afternoon meeting will take place on Thursday 3 October when Irene Sinclair will give a talk on “Notable Women in Aberdeen”. The syllabus is, as usual, varied and ranges from Mountain Rescue and Crossreach to The Drama Wifies and this year’s Discussion Topic “Our Journey, Past, Present and Future”. We are always pleased to have new members, but anyone interested in a particular topic on the syllabus is very welcome to come and join us for that. The full syllabus will be on the notice board in the hall shortly. Meetings are held on Mondays (1 and 3 of the month) at 19.30 and Thursdays (2 and 4 of the month) at 14.00., but please not that this year the October afternoon meetings are on the 1, 3 and 5 Thursdays of the month. There will be a coffee morning on Saturday 2 November with the proceeds going to support the Guild Projects.

4.

Beadle and Door Duty Rotas. Volunteers are required to assist with the Beadle and Door Duty Rotas for Sunday Services.

Beadles work in pairs to open and set up the church on a weekly basis. The greater the number of volunteers the fewer times each year you are on duty.

Full instructions will be given and volunteers may be Elders or members of the congregation. The

same is true for those volunteering to do Door Duty. There are three volunteers on duty for two consecutive weeks throughout the year. Anyone interested in helping St. Mark’s in this way should give their names to Alex McConochie or to the Church Office. Those who have previously assisted but no longer do so for whatever reason but are now able to resume such duties should also advise accordingly. It is proposed to have the new Rotas operational from Sunday 5 January 2020. New volunteers will be on duty with those who already have experience.

5.

The Stewardship & Finance Team is looking for a volunteer to lead our next Stewardship Campaign which is likely to run in the early part of 2020. The next magazine will give details of our 2019 finances from which it will be seen that our givings are below par.

This is an important role in the life of the church and can be filled by an Elder or non-Elder who will be fully supported by the Team.

Anyone interested should, in the first instance, speak to the Treasurer, Alex McConochie.

6.

St. Mark’s Players. Our next meeting is on Sunday 6 October at 18.00 in the Sanctuary.

7.

Margaret Rennie. The Afternoon Tea to raise funds on behalf of CLAN is to be held on Friday 4 October from 14.00-16.00. All welcome.

8.

Defibrillator Training. We now have a Defibrillator, located at the bottom of the stairs leading from the hall to the Church (Library side). Training on how to safely use the Defibrillator has been arranged to take place in the Hall on Sundays 17 and 24 November from 14.00-16.00.

The training is open to all so if you are interested please add your name to the list in the vestibule and indicate which Sunday you would wish to attend. A copy list is also available downstairs in the hall. Numbers are restricted to 8 persons per week.

9.

Exploring Eldership Workshop. Due to announcement of date for Presbytery Prayer Breakfast, the workshop arranged for Saturday 5 October has been postponed. Thanks to those who expressed interest. Anne Smith, Congregational Learning Facilitator will advise when an alternative date can be arranged.

10. Prayer Breakfasts – Draft Presbytery Plan. A series of prayer breakfasts has been arranged in order to give people the chance to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy some fellowship, participate informally in discussion around tables and bring our concerns in excitement before God in Prayer. The first of these vents will held in Mannofield Parish Church on Saturday 5 October. Doors open at 09.00 with breakfast served at 09.30 and discussion and prayer following. Future events will be at: (a) Mastrick Parish Church on 7 December 2019; and (b) Ferryhill Parish Church on 1 February 2020.

11. Holburn West Church has two reading groups being held, as follows: (a) Classic Reading – from Tuesday 22 October 2019 to Tuesday 16 June 2020 (14.00-15.30); and (b) Jane Austen – from Monday 7 October 2019 to Monday 8 June 2020 (19.15-20.45).

Both groups will be led by Alan Jackson (retired O.U. English Lecturer). For further details, please see the posters in the hall.

12. Somebody Cares. If you are able, please bring along one item of non-perishable (canned/packet) food each week to place in the food collections. We currently have two bins located in the hall but once the donations have been uplifted this will be reduced to one bin.

13. Intimations. Please ensure that all intimations are passed on to the Church Office by 12.00 on Wednesday each week for inclosing in the Order of Service.

14. Please let us know of:(a) Any member of the Church or a member of their family being in hospital; or (b) Any member of the Church who is unable to come on a Sunday and who would appreciate Home Holy Communion.

Please contact Carole in the Church Office (01224) 640672 or email: office@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk.