Church - Family Worship
Date and Time :
24th April 2011
-
11:00am
- 12:15pm
TWhat’s happening in Church today?
Content of Worship
The Rev Jack Holt, parish minister, will conduct the service.
Andrew Douglas will read the Bible passages.
Susan Zappert will provide our musical accompaniment.
It is Easter Day. The theme is: Have we been conned? The reading is Matthew 28:1-15. The service is an audio-visual presentation throughout with hymns, readings, responses all appearing on the screen. There is NO Junior Church.
What’s happening in Church this week?
The Ladies’ Fitness Class
This takes place on Monday evenings at a new time of 7.30pm and lasts an hour, which the organisers hope might make it feasible for new members to join the group.
Presbytery
On Tuesday at 7pm Presbytery will meet for Ordinary Business. This will include the customary informalities of recognising Jack’s translation to Edinburgh. This involves a member of the congregation addressing Presbytery regarding Jack’s ministry in the parish, remarks to Jack by the Moderator and Jack being given the opportunity to reply. It is customary that a delegation of the congregation is present to hear this: if you are free and wish to attend can you speak to Malcolm Littlejohn. This will come early in proceedings and you are free to leave immediately after the conclusion of that item of business.
Next Sunday
Next Sunday the service at 11am will be conducted by the Rev John Forbes. It is the first Sunday after Easter. As it is also the first Sunday of the month the service includes the Sacrament of Communion.
Intimation
Pastoral Cover
From today until 5 May pastoral cover will be provided by the Rev John Forbes and anyone in need of a minister should contact John in the first instance. 01330 850785 johnrose.bbbb@talktalk.net
Vacancy
Jack and Sandra are leaving the manse at Finzean on Thursday 5 May. Presbytery has appointed from that date as Interim Moderator during the Vacancy the Rev Bill Wallace. Bill is a retired minister living in Banchory and should be regarded as the parish minister during this time and he will preach the charge vacant on Sunday 8 May. He can be contacted from the 5 May at 01330 822259 williamwallace39@talktalk.net
Fireside reflections
The LORD be with you…And also with you. Jack writes: and so for the last time…Good morning! Today will be my last time conducting worship as the minister of this parish. And shortly I will be taking my leave of you to translate to Polwarth Church in Edinburgh. So I hope everyone will please indulge me in using this page to say my farewells (especially for the sake of those unable to attend the informal supper evening on Saturday).
When I came here I was 36 years old, married for 14 years to Sandra, and bringing with us a 10 year old son (Jonathan), and 7 year old son (Adam) and an almost 3 year old daughter (Sarah). I leave coming up for my 53 birthday, married for almost 31 years to Sandra with children now 26 year old (and married), a 23 year old and a 19 year old. Time has indeed passed by.
Firstly I want to thank Birse and Feughside Church for extending to me a Call. It brought us, as a family, to a place and a people among whom I have known great joys and few sorrows. I tell my colleagues, to their disbelief, that I have never had to try and bring warring sides together in this congregation, I have never had an elder or member who has made my life miserable. That, in itself, make this congregation very unique and very special.
I know – because I have been told! – that it felt like taking a chance on me because it was assumed I would quickly get the measure of the place and decide it wasn’t for me. Indeed my first few years were spent repeatedly telling everyone who asked (and they asked a lot) that I wasn’t planning on leaving soon.
I want to pay tribute to the late Mrs Sheila Hay who caught the vision and gathered a team and created the first banner that gave me the image around which to build our worship in those early years: We did Walk in pilgrimage while united in faith.
Also to pay tribute to the dedicated and loyal office-bearers that have undertaken their service to the congregation diligently and made my life so much easier; Bette Watt and Malcolm Littlejohn, Session Clerks and Roll Keepers, Robb Watt, Angus Farquharson and Kenny Lawson, keepers of the 3 buildings; Tony Dyer, Richard Rogers and John Hector, Fabric Conveners, Frances McCance and Elizabeth Rose, Clerks to the Board; and Dorothy Dinnie my one and only Treasurer (and treasure).
Then there are the people who were there when I needed them: Norman Taylor, Martin Atkins and Catriona Farquharson when we built the new building, Pat Lawson for taking over the Newsletter; Margaret Ross for the Millennium Banner, Andrew Douglas for the website and my colleagues Mary Haddow, Ann Cameron and Sally Atkins for their incredible input into this church.
There are the elders that I inherited and those I trained and ordained, all of who have served this church faithfully and diligently, taking on many various tasks. While in no way trying to show favouritism there are some who did so much in support of my own ministry: Alison Farquharson as beadle at weddings and funerals; Maureen McLellan arranging all our communions and some of the rotas as well as hospital visiting; Ness Morrison who took so, so many pictures. But I pay tribute to all the elders who contributed so much to the life of this congregation.
And there are my organists Barbara Sandison and Susan Zappert without whom the worship that is so central to who I am and what I do would be so greatly diminished and who gave me nothing but support and a willingness to play what I asked of them. I have been blessed.
And finally, and hopefully including everyone not mentioned by name, there is the congregation. It has constantly changed in terms of its people; so many faces sadly no longer with us. Yet it has remained the same: strong, committed, generous, faithful, courageous, hard-working, joyful and warm-hearted.
We have shared in numerous social and fund-raising events for ourselves and many charities, walked the parish, had our Songs of Praise service, helped in the formation of BCT, created a CD, calendars, banners, new building, celebrated the Christian Year, special occasions, anniversaries, welcoming visitors, other churches, groups, hosted exhibitions, concerts and so much more. There have been many times over the years when through you I have experienced the presence of God and the providence of God generously bestowed.
I wish the congregation well, believing that God has clearly demonstrated an intention to give you a long, sustainable future. So do not lose heart, but continue to love and support each other; do not abandon the practice of worshipping together, nor let the enthusiasm for the unique ministry of Birse and Feughside in the parish and beyond, fade. Continue to make me, what I am and always will be, proud of you. The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
Content of Worship
The Rev Jack Holt, parish minister, will conduct the service.
Andrew Douglas will read the Bible passages.
Susan Zappert will provide our musical accompaniment.
It is Easter Day. The theme is: Have we been conned? The reading is Matthew 28:1-15. The service is an audio-visual presentation throughout with hymns, readings, responses all appearing on the screen. There is NO Junior Church.
What’s happening in Church this week?
The Ladies’ Fitness Class
This takes place on Monday evenings at a new time of 7.30pm and lasts an hour, which the organisers hope might make it feasible for new members to join the group.
Presbytery
On Tuesday at 7pm Presbytery will meet for Ordinary Business. This will include the customary informalities of recognising Jack’s translation to Edinburgh. This involves a member of the congregation addressing Presbytery regarding Jack’s ministry in the parish, remarks to Jack by the Moderator and Jack being given the opportunity to reply. It is customary that a delegation of the congregation is present to hear this: if you are free and wish to attend can you speak to Malcolm Littlejohn. This will come early in proceedings and you are free to leave immediately after the conclusion of that item of business.
Next Sunday
Next Sunday the service at 11am will be conducted by the Rev John Forbes. It is the first Sunday after Easter. As it is also the first Sunday of the month the service includes the Sacrament of Communion.
Intimation
Pastoral Cover
From today until 5 May pastoral cover will be provided by the Rev John Forbes and anyone in need of a minister should contact John in the first instance. 01330 850785 johnrose.bbbb@talktalk.net
Vacancy
Jack and Sandra are leaving the manse at Finzean on Thursday 5 May. Presbytery has appointed from that date as Interim Moderator during the Vacancy the Rev Bill Wallace. Bill is a retired minister living in Banchory and should be regarded as the parish minister during this time and he will preach the charge vacant on Sunday 8 May. He can be contacted from the 5 May at 01330 822259 williamwallace39@talktalk.net
Fireside reflections
The LORD be with you…And also with you. Jack writes: and so for the last time…Good morning! Today will be my last time conducting worship as the minister of this parish. And shortly I will be taking my leave of you to translate to Polwarth Church in Edinburgh. So I hope everyone will please indulge me in using this page to say my farewells (especially for the sake of those unable to attend the informal supper evening on Saturday).
When I came here I was 36 years old, married for 14 years to Sandra, and bringing with us a 10 year old son (Jonathan), and 7 year old son (Adam) and an almost 3 year old daughter (Sarah). I leave coming up for my 53 birthday, married for almost 31 years to Sandra with children now 26 year old (and married), a 23 year old and a 19 year old. Time has indeed passed by.
Firstly I want to thank Birse and Feughside Church for extending to me a Call. It brought us, as a family, to a place and a people among whom I have known great joys and few sorrows. I tell my colleagues, to their disbelief, that I have never had to try and bring warring sides together in this congregation, I have never had an elder or member who has made my life miserable. That, in itself, make this congregation very unique and very special.
I know – because I have been told! – that it felt like taking a chance on me because it was assumed I would quickly get the measure of the place and decide it wasn’t for me. Indeed my first few years were spent repeatedly telling everyone who asked (and they asked a lot) that I wasn’t planning on leaving soon.
I want to pay tribute to the late Mrs Sheila Hay who caught the vision and gathered a team and created the first banner that gave me the image around which to build our worship in those early years: We did Walk in pilgrimage while united in faith.
Also to pay tribute to the dedicated and loyal office-bearers that have undertaken their service to the congregation diligently and made my life so much easier; Bette Watt and Malcolm Littlejohn, Session Clerks and Roll Keepers, Robb Watt, Angus Farquharson and Kenny Lawson, keepers of the 3 buildings; Tony Dyer, Richard Rogers and John Hector, Fabric Conveners, Frances McCance and Elizabeth Rose, Clerks to the Board; and Dorothy Dinnie my one and only Treasurer (and treasure).
Then there are the people who were there when I needed them: Norman Taylor, Martin Atkins and Catriona Farquharson when we built the new building, Pat Lawson for taking over the Newsletter; Margaret Ross for the Millennium Banner, Andrew Douglas for the website and my colleagues Mary Haddow, Ann Cameron and Sally Atkins for their incredible input into this church.
There are the elders that I inherited and those I trained and ordained, all of who have served this church faithfully and diligently, taking on many various tasks. While in no way trying to show favouritism there are some who did so much in support of my own ministry: Alison Farquharson as beadle at weddings and funerals; Maureen McLellan arranging all our communions and some of the rotas as well as hospital visiting; Ness Morrison who took so, so many pictures. But I pay tribute to all the elders who contributed so much to the life of this congregation.
And there are my organists Barbara Sandison and Susan Zappert without whom the worship that is so central to who I am and what I do would be so greatly diminished and who gave me nothing but support and a willingness to play what I asked of them. I have been blessed.
And finally, and hopefully including everyone not mentioned by name, there is the congregation. It has constantly changed in terms of its people; so many faces sadly no longer with us. Yet it has remained the same: strong, committed, generous, faithful, courageous, hard-working, joyful and warm-hearted.
We have shared in numerous social and fund-raising events for ourselves and many charities, walked the parish, had our Songs of Praise service, helped in the formation of BCT, created a CD, calendars, banners, new building, celebrated the Christian Year, special occasions, anniversaries, welcoming visitors, other churches, groups, hosted exhibitions, concerts and so much more. There have been many times over the years when through you I have experienced the presence of God and the providence of God generously bestowed.
I wish the congregation well, believing that God has clearly demonstrated an intention to give you a long, sustainable future. So do not lose heart, but continue to love and support each other; do not abandon the practice of worshipping together, nor let the enthusiasm for the unique ministry of Birse and Feughside in the parish and beyond, fade. Continue to make me, what I am and always will be, proud of you. The Lord Bless You and Keep You.