ABERDEEN ST MARK’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Member of the Aberdeen City Centre Parish Grouping

Sunday 9 December 2012

Second Advent Family Service

‘Tree of HOPE’

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in

Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its

roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are

always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to

bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17 v 7 – 8 (NIV)

Welcome to everyone here today on this second Advent Sunday

Church Family News

Call to worship

Leader: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

You have set Your glory in the heavens.

All: Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Leader: Let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for

joy.

All: Lord spread Your protection over us now. Help us to rejoice

in You.

AMEN

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Carol: CH4 282: Christmas is coming (verses 1, 2 and 3)

The Offering

Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

Children’s address: ‘The first Christmas Tree ‘

Carol: CH4 305: In the bleak midwinter

Reading: Isaiah Ch 11 v 1 - 5 (page 566)

Carol: CH4 316: Love came down at Christmas

Readings: Matthew Ch 1 v 5 - 10 (page 789)

Jeremiah Ch 17 v 7 - 8 (page 633)

Carol: CH4 543: Longing for light, we wait in darkness

Sermon: ‘Tree of Hope’

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Carol: CH4 320: Joy to the world

Benediction

CCL Licence No 409105

Scottish Charity No SCO15451

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

Sunday 9 December2012

1. Anyone who requires pastoral care should contact the Session

Clerks (321882) or the church office.

2. Home Communion: if you know of anyone in the congregation who

would like to have a Home Communion please speak to the Session

Clerks.

3. The Congregational Board meets tomorrow at 7.30 pm. Papers are

available in the Deacons’ Room this morning.

4. Will you need a lift to church on Christmas morning? If you do

please speak to Diane, or to Ian and Marjorie Lord.

5. The Guild of Friendship meets tomorrow afternoon at 2 pm for its

Christmas party.

6. The Strollers will meet on Tuesday 11 December at 10 am outside

Lloyds TSB at Holburn Junction. You are welcome to join them

7. The Scottish Country Dancers meet at 7.30 pm on Wednesday

evening.

8. The Aberdeen City Centre Parish Grouping Prayer Circle will meet in

the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting on Wednesday 12 December at 2.30 pm.

You will be made very welcome.

9. The third Christmas Coffee Shop will be open on Saturday 15

December. Please do come and support this.

10. Life and Work Subscriptions for 2013 are now due. The discounted

rate to each subscriber for paying annually is £19.50. Please give your

cheque to Rosalyn Rennie or Alex McConochie as soon as possible.

Starting on Sunday 6 January 2013 the way in which the offering is collected

is to change. Your offering will no longer be collected during worship by

passing collecting bags along the pews. Instead your offering will be

given/collected when you enter the vestibule and before you enter the

Sanctuary. This will apply to FWO envelopes and to ‘open plate’ donations.

Duty Elders will remind worshippers in the first few weeks of the change so as

to avoid any problems. The offering will be brought into the Sanctuary by the

Duty Elders for dedication in the usual way. Any member who wishes to

change from FWO/Open Plate to giving by Standing Order will find

application forms available in the vestibule or from the Treasurer.

Forthcoming Services

Sunday 9 December 6.30 pm OAK Evening Service

Crown Terrace Methodist Church

Sunday 16 December Third Sunday in Advent

11 am Morning Worship

Thursday 20 December 12 noon: Shoppers’ Service

Sunday 23 December Fourth Sunday in Advent

11 am Nativity Service

led by the Sunday School

Monday 24 December 10.45 pm Carols

11.30 pm Watchnight Service

followed by tea and mince pies in the Hall

Tuesday 25 December 10.30 am Christmas Day

Family Celebration Service

Bring along a toy or other present to show

to everyone.

Sunday 30 December 11 am Morning Worship

Endings and Beginnings.