Presbytery of Aberdeen Christmas 2008

The Church of Scotland
Presbytery of Aberdeen

Christmas 2008

Christmas Message from the Moderator
Advent and Christmas Services

Revd John M Watson			The Moderator's Christmas Message Sunday 30^th November spoke to me very clearly about the love of God in three different ways. Firstly as a congregation in the morning we celebrated St Andrews Day, St Andrew who was close to our Lord and who has become the Patron Saint of our Country as well as a few others That tied in very well with the first Sunday in Advent. In the afternoon as Moderator I was privileged to witness 40 happy children enjoying a Christmas party at Harlaw Academy courtesy of Rev Hugh and his committee, and band of willing helpers. What struck me was that most of those children had never been to church or Sunday school, yet were clapping and singing and dancing to songs about Jesus and enjoying doing it. When asked who the party was for and why we were having it they were in no doubt. Perhaps there is a message there for all of us. Having to leave early from the party I went to the Citadel to be present at the service for the lighting of the Christmas tree gifted to Aberdeen from Stavanger in Norway. Again despite the horrendous cold well over 100 gathered to worship God and hear the simple message of the birth of Jesus. Shoppers passing by stopped and joined in the singing which was augmented by the Citadel’s Salvation Army Silver Band. In two out the three occasions the church took the story of Jesus’ birth to the people and it was welcomed. This simple story that we are all so good at telling but so bad at selling is still what people want to hear, as long as it is not stymied with doctrinal and theological treatises. Keep it simple is the message and the people will come back for more. May your time in His presence be blessed and may your Christmas be a happy one, and your 2009 one filled with hope and prosperity. Blessings Revd John M Watson Moderator
			Top

Sunday	7	December	10.30am and 11.15 am	Hospital Chapel, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Remembering the Babies, an annual pre-Christmas service organised by the hospital chaplains in association with SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) . 10.30 am Quiet Service. 11.15 am Family Service, children and babies welcome. Contact Rev Fred Coutts Hospital Chaplains. Tel 01224 553316 E-mail Fred.Coutts@arh.grampian.scot.nhs.uk
			3.30 pm	Mannofield Church Carols and Candlelight, Annual Unicef Concert with the Acclamations interdenominational choir. Adults Ł5 and children Ł3.(Available at Door). Contact: Jackie Mullinor, Tel 01224 733373, E-mail acclamations@mullinor.co.uk
			11.00 am 6.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Morning Service Evening Service: Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
			6.30 pm	St Mary's Church King Street Evening Ribbons Service (for people who lost someone dear to them throughout the year or are feeling low and are looking for some hope)
			6.30 pm	Woodside Parish Church Christingle Candlelight Service for all ages followed by refreshments in the Social Area.
			7.00 pm	Midstocket Church The 15th Annual Candle Service 'Remembering Children who have Died' Led by staff from the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital and Aberdeen Maternity Hospitals - Neonatal Unit.
			11.00 am	Rubislaw Parish Church Communion Service

Monday	8	December	2.30 pm	Royal Cornhill Hospital Chapel Advent Service - a service of reflection and hope who find Christmas a difficult time of year. Co-ordinated by The Solas, ‘light in the darkness’, depression support group. Contact: Pamela Adam 01224 557231 or Jim Simpson 01224 557293

Tuesday	9	December	12.45 pm	Gilcomston South Church Lunchtime Service

Wednesday	10	December

Thursday	11	December	6.30 pm	St Mary's Church, King Street Outdoor Carol Service around the Christmas Tree in the Church grounds followed by Christmas Pies and mulled wine

Friday	12	December	1.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Prayers for Justice and Peace in the Mitchell Chapel 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Saturday	13	December

Sunday	14	December	11.00 am	Craigiebuckler Church All age Worship for Advent and Christmas
			6.30 pm	Craigiebuckler Church Children @ Christmas present Stories Round the Christmas Tree with Storyteller Grace Banks and the Children @ Christmas Choir.
			6.30 pm	Garthdee linked with Ruthrieston West Church Christmas Music with contributions from Ruthrieston West Church and Broomhill Primary School Choirs. at Ruthrieston West Church
			11.00 am 6.30 pm	Gilcomston South Church Morning Service Evening Service
			6.30 pm	Mannofield Parish Church Service of Lessons and Carols
			11.00 am	Rubislaw Parish Church Children's Gift Service
			5.30 pm	St John's Chapel at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting (entrance through Back Wynd) "Blue Christmas". A more reflective Service for Christmas for anyone who finds the season difficult. Contact the office 01224 643494 or visit the website www.kirk-of-st-nicholas.org.uk for more information.
			11.00 am 6.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Morning Service Evening Service: 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
			11.00 am	St Mary's Church, King Street Nativity led by the young people of the Church and St Mary's Singing Group.
			6.30 pm	St Stephen's Church Carols by Candlelight
			10.30 am	South Holburn Church Nativity Service with the Sunday School members
			11.00 am	Woodside Parish Church Christmas Communion Service

Monday	15	December


Tuesday	16	December	12.45 pm	Gilcomston South Church Lunchtime Carol Service

Wednesday	17	December	12.30 pm	Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy Annual Christmas Carol Service, 12.30pm. All welcome. Contact: info@ukoilandgaschaplaincy.com
			3.30 pm	Robert Gordon University Carol Service, 3.30 pm, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, with St Andrew's Cathedral Girls Choir, Aberdeen Signing Choir, and solo singer. Mulled wine and mince pies served after the service. All welcome; admission free.
			7.30 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar University of Aberdeen Carol Service

Thursday	18	December	7.30 pm	Holburn West Church A Festival of Five Lessons, Carols and Mince Pies, featuring Holburn West Choir See www.holburnwestchurch.org.uk/choir for more information.
			12.30 pm	Queen's Cross Church Carols for People at Work in the Parishes of Queen’s Cross and Rubislaw

Friday	19	December	1.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Prayers for Justice and Peace in the Mitchell Chapel Israel, the Palestinian States and Jerusalem

Saturday	20	December	10.45 pm 12.30 pm	Gilcomston South Church Carols on the Church Steps Meet in the church hall at 10.45am Carols in Union Terrace Gardens. Meet in the church hall at 12.30pm

Sunday	21	December	11.00 am	Cathedral Church of St Machar Family Service, with contributions from young members of the congregation
			11.00 am	Craigiebuckler Church Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with the Craigiebuckler Choir and Band
			10.00 am	Garthdee linked with Ruthrieston West Church Family Christmas Service led by the children of the Sunday Club and A.L.F at Ruthrieston West Church
			11.00 am 6.30 pm	Gilcomston South Church Christmas Family Service Carols by Candlelight
			10 am	Mannofield Parish Church Young Church Nativity Play
			10.30 am	Midstocket Church Family Nativity Service
			11.00 am	Rubislaw Parish Church Service of Lessons and Carols
			11.00 am 6.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Family Service Evening Service: Poem at Six: Lo! A Child is Born by Hugh MacDiarmid
			11.00 am	St Mary's Church King Street Nine Lessons and Carols
			11.00 am	St Stephen's Church Christmas Family Service
			6.00 pm	South Holburn Church Carols by Candlelight 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm An evening of festive music and fun in the church hall
			10.30 am	South St Nicholas, Kincorth Church Sunday School Nativity Service
			3.00 pm	South St Nicholas, Kincorth Church Special Candlelit service for the bereaved
			6.00 pm	South St Nicholas, Kincorth Church Candlelit evening service
			11.00 am	Woodside Parish Church Christmas Family Service with Christmas Play
			3.00 pm	Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Hospital Carol Service Phase 2 Dining Room ARI. Music by members of the CLIC Sargent Carol Concert Choir, Salvation Army Band. All welcome: patients, relatives, staff, families.

Monday	22	December

Tuesday	23	December	12.45 pm	Gilcomston South Church Lunchtime Carol Service

Wednesday	24	December	11.30 pm	Craigiebuckler Church Watchnight Service Mulled wine and Christmas cake will be served in the Church Hall from 10.30 pm.
			6.00 pm 11.30 pm	Garthdee linked with Ruthrieston West Church Family Service at Ruthrieston West Church Midnight Service at Ruthrieston West Church
			11.30 pm	Gilcomston South Church Watch Night Service
			7.00 pm	Mannofield Parish Church Family Carol Service
			11.30 pm	Mannofield Parish Church Watchnight Service (Mulled Wine, Mince Pies and Carols from 10.45pm)
			11.00 pm	Middlefield Parish Church Watchnight Service (10.30 pm tea and mince-pies)
			7.00 pm	Midstocket Church Christingle Service (bring your own orange)
			11.15 pm	Midstocket Church Watchnight Service
			6.30 pm	Oldmachar Church Family Service
			7.00 pm 11.30 pm	Rubislaw Parish Church Family Service by Candlelight and Torchlight Watchnight Worship
			6.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar, Christingle Candlelit Service Come by 5.30 pm to make your Christingle!
			11.00 pm	Cathedral Church of St Machar Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols and First Service of Christmas
			6.00 pm	St Mary's Church, King Street Festive Family Service for the Parish with St. Ninian's (includes an Adult Nativity)
			11.15 pm	St Mary's Church, King Street Watchnight Service
			11.15 pm	St Stephen's Church Watchnight Service
			11.15 pm	South Holburn Parish Church Watch Night Service starting with carol singing
			7.00 pm	South St Nicholas, Kincorth Church Candlelit service - focusing on children and families
			10.30 pm	Woodside Parish Church Christmas Eve Watchnight Service starts with refreshments and carol singing

Thursday	25	December	10.00am	Garthdee linked with Ruthrieston West Church Family Service at Garthdee Church
			10.30 am	Gilcomston South Church Christmas Morning Family Service
			11.00 am	Rubislaw Parish Church Worship in Rubislaw
			10.30 am	St Mary's Church, King Street and St Ninian's Church. Christmas Day Service at St Ninian's
			11.00 am	Cathedral Church of St Machar Holy Communion
			11.00 am	Craigiebuckler Church Christmas Day Family Worship Celebrate the Saviour's birth
			10.30 am	Mannofield Parish Church Family Christmas Day Service
			10.30 am	Oldmachar Church Christmas Day Service
			11.00 am	St Stephen's Church Short Family Service
			10.30 am	South Holburn Parish Church Christmas Day Family Service children are invited to take along one of their gifts to show the congregation
			10.30 am	South St Nicholas, Kincorth Church Christmas day service for all (Tea/coffee and mince pies served before service)
			11.00 am	Woodside Parish Church Christmas Day Service with St. George's Tillydrone at Woodside

Friday	26	December

Saturday	27	December

Sunday	28	December	11.00 am 6.30 pmn	Gilcomston South Church Morning Service Evening Service
			10.30 am	Midstocket Church Nine Lessons and Carols
			11.00 am	Rubislaw Parish Church Morning Worship with Baptism
			11.00am	Cathedral Church of St Machar Morning Service: Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper No evening service
			10.30 am	South Holburn Church Service of Lessons and Carols

Top