Notices - Sunday 24th December
Creche: 11.00am in the upper hall for children up to age 3.
Volunteers Today: Elaine, Fiona, Catherine, Ruby and Alison Maciver.
Volunteers 31st December: Annette, Kathleen, Anne Mackenzie and Tina.
Holiday Tweenies: 11.00am in the main hall for children aged 3-7.
Volunteers today: Johan, Elizabeth and Lydia.
Volunteers 31st December: ChrissAnne, Anna and Gillian.
No Sunday School and Bible Class today due to school holidays.
Everyone is welcome to the M. A. Hall after the morning service for a time of fellowship. Tea and Coffee will be served by Murdo and ChrissAnne.
Wednesday 27th December at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Rev Calum M. Smith.
There will be a Psalmody class following the meeting.
Thursday 28th December at 7.30pm – Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Mr Murdo Martin.
Saturday 30th December at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Lord’s Day – 31st December
English Service at 11.00am (Church) – Rev Calum M. Smith
Gaelic Service at 11.00am (Seminary) – Rev James Maciver
English Service at 6.30pm (Church) – Rev James Maciver
There will be a service on New Year’s Day in the Kenneth Street church at 12.00pm led by Rev Calum M. Smith.
Fridays at the Free
We have enjoyed a busy year, and we wish to thank everyone who contributed.
We are looking for more volunteers to help in a variety of ways. Please see the sign-up sheet at the doors for ways you can serve as part of this outreach.
If you would like more information, speak to Calum Murdo, or come along.
Islands Study Conference
The conference relaunches on the weekend of 2nd to 4th February 2024.
The lectures will be held in the North Harris Free Church to which all are welcome to attend. The speakers will be Rev John Macleod, Allander Evangelical Church and Rev David Court, Christ Church Edinburgh.
No pre-booking is required for the lectures. There is a residential accommodation option available in the Harris Hotel for the duration of the conference.
For further information or to book accommodation or meals please contact:- [email protected].
Let Us Pray Campaign
The Scottish Government has promised to publish a consultation before the end of the year on ‘ending conversion practices’.
A letter has been written by the Let Us Pray Campaign to the Equalities Minister, Emma Roddick, expressing serious concerns that the Government’s plans for a ‘conversion therapy’ Bill threatens to criminalise aspects of the ordinary work of churches. Stephen Allison, Public Engagement Coordinator for the Free Church, is one of the lead signatories.
Church leaders, pastoral workers and anyone else in Scotland is encouraged to sign the letter. Your name and information will not be made public.
If you would like to sign, go to: https://letuspray.uk/take-action/scotland and feel free to share this with your friends.
Free Church Youth Camps 2024
Registration has now opened for those in P5-P6. No payment is due until after a space at camp is confirmed, and invoices can be paid over time.
Anyone needing financial help can make use of our Campers Support Fund.
More information nan be obtained at freechurchyouthcamps.org.
Heart for Asia
Heart for Asia is an informative event for anyone interested in encouraging young children to develop a passion for mission in East Asia.
We will be introducing our new Third Culture Kids Advisor, looking at the various resources OMF has to offer, and how to facilitate a suitable learning space for your church group.
The event will take place online on Saturday 27th January 2024 from 10.00am until 12.00pm.
For registration and more information contact Vatha Theodald: [email protected].
There is also information on the website: omf.org/uk/event/heart-for-asia-24/
Luke Chapter 2 1-20
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (E.S.V.)
