… from the Ministers
I read this recently and thought it was worth sharing with you all.
Malcolm ….
One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday school, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, "I took your place."
Yes, we live in a broken world and life is filled with pain, challenges, dark times and trials, but today can still be a day in which we can choose to give God praise because praise has very little to do with a holiday or even our circumstances and everything to do with our inner attitude toward God. It really doesn't matter how much we lose here, in this life, we win ... for all of eternity! We just need to take the time to remember ... and give thanks.
Let's Pray
God, we come to You today, praising You for meeting our needs this year in ways that we may or may not have understood at the time. Looking back, we see Your hand of mercy and love. We recognize Your presence and your power and we celebrate You ...we celebrate life. Amen
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Competition
The forms are available in the office for the photographic competition for next year’s calendar and believe it or not, the closing date is approaching!
The photographs must be in landscape format and either A4 or 10” x 8” preferably on photographic paper. They should reflect the outstanding beauty of Kirriemuir and the Angus Glens in any season or mood. Remember that we need all the seasons for the calendar.
This year the judging process will be the same as last year with the exhibition from 22nd to 27th April and the public will vote for their favourites. The most popular will be included in the calendar if they are of the required quality. The final decision will be made by the committee in consultation with experts to ensure the continuing technical quality of the calendar.
There are prizes of £25, £15 & £10 for the winners and a chance for your picture to be sent round the world as part of the calendar.
So, get those cameras working and give it a try – we could do with a few more photos of the town itself! Last year there were very few of Kirrie and people who live away from the area like to see the town as it is now.
Closing
date is 31st March 2010
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Book Sale
Thanks to everyone who supported the Book Sale this year. This was the most successful ever, raising £1093. We sold a huge number of books over the week.
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Quiz Night
Don’t forget the Quiz Night on 5th March in the Golf Club £20 per team of 4 (includes supper). Teams must register in advance.********
Fairtrade Church
For many years we have been using Fairtrade coffee, tea and sugar in the Old Parish Church for all meetings and events organised by church groups and we have been selling Traidcraft products through the office for a long time. Recently we applied to become a Fairtrade Church and we received our certificate and official status last week.
We will continue to encourage people to try Fairtrade products and keep a small selection in the office – coffee, muesli, geobars and chocolate – and would be willing to stock more if there is a demand. Do come in and have a look at what we have and there is a catalogue as well.********
Haiti Appeal
We have deposited a total of £1343 in the D.E.C. Appeal for Haiti. That includes the £580 raised at the Sunday afternoon ‘Hymns for Haiti’ event which was a super afternoon with people from all the different churches in the area taking part.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the appeal.
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Water Aid - Buckets of Change for Buckets of Water
Don’t forget that Lent has now begun and we are asking you to save your small change in a jar – labels are available in the office – and bring it to church on Easter Day to empty into our buckets.
This has been a very successful appeal for the last couple of years so let’s see if we can raise even more this year.