LARBERT EAST CHURCH – LIST OF OFFICE BEARERS

Ministers: Rev Melville Crosthwaite Church Officer: John Carmichael Organist: Margaret Appelbe Session Clerk: Robin Duncan Roll Keeper: Simon Hessett Clerk to Deacon’s Court: Catherine Nichol Depute Clerk: Irene Railton Treasurer: Kate Duncan

Assistant Treasurer: Stuart Rae Gift Aid: Kate Duncan Property Convener: John Green Deputy Convener: Eric Oswald Flower Convener: Roberta Caldwell Hall Lets Convener: Margaret Lightly

Young Church Leader: Senga Smith 562785

Crèche Organiser: Elizabeth Dick Website Editor:

Stuart Jamieson

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556534 556551 556026 555044 557558 557966 556026 556175 556026 570969 570710 556197 632090

562785

556373 077 366 58828

DECEMBER 2016

Scottish Charities No. SC006456

Dear Friends

I wonder if you have heard the expression, ‘There are three truths: your truth, my

truth, and the real truth’?

If eye-witnesses give their testimony in a court of law, for example, each

description might be slightly different. A misunderstanding arising between two

people will sometimes escalate into an argument, often the result of one person

not fully understanding what the other person meant. The different way men

and women communicate makes maintaining a successful marriage a challenge.

John Gray entitled his book on marriage, ‘Men are from Mars and Women are

from Venus’. He argues the difference between them is so great they could be

from different planets!

Critics of Christianity often quote apparent differences between the 4 Gospel

accounts of Jesus’ life, to argue our faith is based falsehood. To me, that is

throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water. I would be more

suspicious if every account was absolutely identical.

As we approach Advent and Christmas, some humanist somewhere will

doubtless take a ‘side-swipe’ at the Christian faith, commenting critically that

Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts of events leading up to Jesus’ birth are different,

and that Mark and John don’t even mention them.

All 4 Gospels speak about Jesus’ coming into the world with their own particular

emphases, but together give us a fuller picture. But whichever Gospel we read,

all are in agreement that Jesus, the Son of God, became human, lived on earth,

experienced all that we experience, suffered and died, and then rose again, so

that we might know God’s forgiveness and new life in Christ. He became like us,

so that we might become like Him.

Today in Western Europe, so many are searching for meaning and purpose. We

can only find faith and hope in something which is true. John’s Gospel says:

‘The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us.’

John 1:14

Now – that’s the truth.

May you know God’s love, peace and joy in every circumstance, this Advent and

Christmas, and throughout the coming year.

Melville

CONGREGATIONAL REGISTER

BAPTISMS

‘Let the children come to me’

28/08/16 Liam Christopher George Henderson 11/09/16 Ruby Catherine Little 18/09/16 Lynne Margaret Gardner (nee Thomson) (Adult Baptism) Caitlin Deborah Thomson-Gardner Kirstin Agnes Thomson-Gardner

Alexander John Thomson-Gardner 09/10/16 Harvey Andrew Robertson Oliver Iain Robertson

MARRIAGES

‘Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God.’

19/08/16 Mr Reece Cairney to Miss Megan Monument 21/10/16 *Gordon Whitelaw to Patricia Ashton

DEATHS

“I am the Resurrection and the

Life”

25/08/16 Mrs Joyce Hunt 31/08/16 *Mrs Joyce Kidson 07/09/16 *Mr Harry Moffat 14/09/16 *Mr Robert (Andy) Anderson 27/09/16 Mr Jimmy Bryson 28/09/16 Mrs Hannah Kolenko 11/10/16 *Mrs Nan Rogers 23/10/16 *Mr Bill Ballantyne 25/10/16 Mrs Isabel MacKenzie * Denotes member of Larbert East

A message from

the Manse

October 2016 November 2015

Sunday 27th November – Advent Sunday Morning Service is at 10.30am

Thursday 1st December Weekday Worship at 11.15am – last service before Christmas

Sunday 4th December – Advent II (Communion) The Morning Communion is at 10.30am The Afternoon Communion is at 2.30pm

The Retiring Offering will be announced nearer the time

Thursday 8th December – Carols for Marie Curie A ‘musical Christmas feast’ beginning at 7pm, followed by tea/coffee and mince pies

Sunday 11th December – Advent III The Morning Service is at 10.30am

Sunday 18th December – Advent IV The Morning Service at 10.30am will be the annual Nativity Presentation

Sunday 25th December – Christmas Day The Morning Service at 10.30am is also the Christmas Day Short Family Service

Sunday 1st January – New Year’s Day

The Morning Service at 10.30am will be the first of 2017

Mr Bill Ballantyne

It was with great sadness that the Session learned that former Session Clerk

Bill Ballantyne died on 25th October.

Bill joined Larbert East in 1987, having originally been an elder in Larbert Old

Church. Before long, his rich voice boosted the choir in Larbert East and he

joined the Session, shortly afterwards taking over as Session Clerk. He was

also Presbytery elder, and Clerk to the Vacancy Committee that invited

Melville to preach as sole nominee in 1995.

Bill resigned from the Session in 2000, shortly afterwards suffering a serious

heart attack – one of five altogether. He also suffered a number of strokes,

but miraculously made a good recovery from all of these serious conditions.

In the last couple of years, both he and his wife Anne have had to cope with

further health issues, but throughout it all, Bill maintained his customary witty

sense of humour and still enjoyed a good blether! His last illness, a serious

and rare condition, was only diagnosed shortly before he died.

Throughout his life, his deep faith in the Lord sustained him during the ups

and downs of life. He was a unique character and will be sorely missed.

Please do remember Anne and her family in your prayers.

Senior Elder…

Mr Bert Martin has served faithfully as an office bearer in Larbert East for no

less than 48 years. He was ordained as a deacon in 1968, and then as an

elder in 1970. His gentle nature has given him a pastoral care and concern

for those in his district second to none.

Bert celebrated his 90th birthday in the summer, but in spite of being in his

10th decade, he remains as active as he can, still takes his car out for a run,

and gets to church whenever he can.

However, Bert has decided it is time to retire from the Kirk Session at the

December Communion, to make way for the ‘next generation’! His family

will be with him in church at the morning service on 4th December when the

Kirk Session will mark the occasion. Please give thanks for Bert in your

prayers, and remember him and his family on this special occasion.

FALKIRK PRESBYTERY – PLANNING GROUP

Bo’ness St. Andrew’s Church

Bo’ness Old Church

Larbert Old and Larbert West

Churches

Falkirk St. James and Grahamston

United Churches

Muiravonside, Shieldhill l/w Braes

and Slamannan Churches

Cumbernauld St. Mungo’s and

Kildrum Churches

Rev. Graham Astles, appointed as

new Minister on Thursday 20th

October.

Rev. Amanda McQuarrie to be

appointed as Minister. Her Service of

Induction will take place on Thursday

1st December at 7.00pm.

The Listening Group appointed by

the Church of Scotland have

meetings planned jointly with both

Churches.

Meeting with steering groups on

Tuesday 8th November in

Grahamston United Church at

7.00pm.

Presbytery Ministries Council have

requested the appointment of an

Interim Minister from The Church of

Scotland to serve these Churches for

2 years.

Progress has been delayed until

Kildrum Church has been surveyed

with costs to bring the buildings up

to required standard. This is then

submitted to the General Trustees of

the Church of Scotland.

An Evening of Celebration To mark the recent completion of the work on the organ, and as a way of

giving thanks to God for the very generous donation which enabled the work

to be completed so quickly, an enjoyable and well attended ‘Organ Festival’

was held on 6th October.

Both Margaret Appelbe and Martin Fairbairn played various very impressive

pieces, and the choir sang too, as well as those present singing some very

well-known hymns chosen by the choir. Ending with time to chat over

tea/coffee, all in all, it was a great evening. Thank you to everyone who came

along to add their support.

Fundraising....

As you know fundraising is fundamental to any organisation or charity to

survive and Larbert East Church is no exception.

The Deacon’s Court is looking for new ideas and willing hands to take

2017/18 fundraising forward.

Don't be shy - If you have an idea or would like to lead an event, please

contact Irene Railton on behalf of the Deacons Court on: 01324 557966 or

email: Irene.railton@me.com. Many hands make light work!

Retiring Offerings….

The September Communion Services retiring offering raised £349.03 for

Barnardos.

The Harvest lunch raised £160 for the Salvation Army's soup kitchen.

The charity who will receive a donation from the retiring offering at the

December Communion Services will be given in the Order of Service.

Your continued support is much appreciated.

A BIG thank you to all who participate in donating via

coin cans. £459.66 was raised last year. If you

wish to take part you can collect a coin can from

the foyer or see Eleanor Neilson.

Mrs Jean Neish

One of our longer serving elders also recently decided it was time to step down

from the Kirk Session. Jean was ordained as an elder in 1998, and has served

faithfully and worked hard ever since, taking exceptionally good care of her

elder’s district. She has also made a very valuable contribution to the World

Mission Team, especially as the congregation’s correspondent to our former

Mission Partner in Nepal, Christine Stone. Jean wishes to continue her

involvement with World Mission as long as possible, but felt it was time for

someone younger to take over her district.

We are very grateful to Jean and for all that she has done for the Kirk Session.

Please pray that God will bless her and uphold her in the days ahead.

Communion…

Please remember that all four Communion Sundays have services at 10.30am

and then again at 2.30pm.

Weekday Worship:

‘Weekday Worshippers’ are enjoying the new Session of Thursday morning

services.

Those who are coping with bereavement, sudden family illness or other major

changes find the Thursday morning service very helpful, especially when

struggling to face the bigger congregation on a Sunday. Almost everyone who

comes to Weekday Worship is no stranger to bereavement, anxiety, various

health issues and so on. Yet the short mid-week service is a truly joyful time

together.

Stenhousemuir Primary School P7s continue the monthly Coffee Mornings in the

Small Hall on the last Thursday of the month. Entry is by donation and all

proceeds go towards school funds.

After the service at 11.15am on 1st December, there will be tea/coffee and

‘Christmas goodies’ and time to chat before taking a break over Advent and

Christmas. Weekday Worship will resume on Thursday 12th January at 11.15am,

also with tea/coffee and home baking to welcome everyone back. Don’t miss it

Enquirers’ Group The next Enquirers’ Group, for those who want to or who are considering

becoming full members of the Church, will begin on Sunday 15th January at

2.30pm in the Small Hall. For further information, please speak to Melville.

CAN YOU CONNECT?

Can you find a word which will make sense when added to the end of the first

word and also to the beginning of the next word?

1) ROCK - - - - - - DRAWER

2) SQUARE - - - - TICKET

3) MAJOR - - - - - MODEL

4) LETTER - - - HEDGE

5) CURTAIN - - - - PULL

6) THUMB - - - - - NAIL

7) SECOND - - - - MADE

8) OVER - - - - WARP

9) DOWN - - - -BAND

10) TELEGRAPH - - - - POSITION

11) HAIR - - - - WAGON

12) FIRE - - - - - - HEARTED

CAN YOU FIND THESE SCOTTISH TOWNS?

(The vowels are missing)

1) BRDN

2) RBRTH

3) FRFR

4) PTRHD

5) DND

6) PBLS

7) THRS

8) PSLY

9) RTHSY

10) CTBRDG

11) GLSHLS

12) DNBRTN

Jean Neish

eLEC UPDATE

Since the last update, the eLEC team have been dealing with all of

the really important things, including the tea, coffee and biscuits!

Sadly, after several months of discussions with Falkirk Council, the

proposal of running the service on Sunday morning in Kinnaird

Primary School is no longer feasible and the launch has been delayed

until the early New Year. We are now planning to have the service in a

similar format during a weekday evening. Once we have feedback

from those who have already shown interest in attending

eLECregarding the best day to run the outreach, we will let you all

know. Until then, your prayers will be greatly appreciated for us to get

this on the go!

God bless,

The eLEC Team."

TEAM TANZANIA

If you are looking for ideas for a Christmas present, there are still a

few copies of Melville’s recent book ‘Team Tanzania’ (£7.95) still

available every Sunday at church or can be ordered directly from:

http://www.gileadbookspublishing.com/team-tanzania

89th SCOUTS....

.... are having a prize bingo in Larbert Bowling

Club on the 8th of December. Tickets priced £1 can be had from

Elizabeth Dick 556373.

CHRISTMAS PAST

Christmas used to be a time

of Peace, Goodwill and Joy

when token gifts pleased adults

and kids were contented with a

toy.

The Christmas fare was simple

but it was the best they could

afford

and the kids got all excited

with their doll or wooden sword.

They all gave thanks for what they

got

with their lot they were content

they knew how hard their parent’s

saved

to get the cash they’d spent.

How different is Christmas now

from the ones we knew

enormous sums of cash are spent

to buy gadgets that are new.

And often times by Boxing Day

the gifts are laid aside

for other things are all the rage

it is an endless tide.

It used to be December

before Christmas was thought

about

but by mid September every store

Christmas goods before us flout.

They now use the pester factor

their expensive goods to sell

they target adverts at the kids

they know their market well.

There isn’t any mystery

what the young ones want they’ll

get

even if it means that families

are plunged deep into debt.

What happened to the message

that we at Christmas used to sing

of peace and feelings of content

with what Santa Claus could bring.

They even try to change the name

and call it ‘Wintermas’

they’ve forgotten what it’s all

about

it really is quite crass.

It’s frightening that He who came

and gave His life for us

should so easily be forgotten

and discarded without fuss.

Why do we let it happen?

Is it because we do not care?

When they take Christ out of

Christmas

Will we not turn a hair?

We sing ‘Onward Christian

Soldiers’

And yet without a fight

Will we let the Christmas story

Drop for ever out of sight?

© Ian Russell

This year's Project, supporting the Church of South India's

Othara Eco - Spirituality Centre, is doing well. The total

raised this year so far, is £2,037 and there are still some

months to go before we change to a new Project in 2017.

Church of Scotland World Mission Stamp Centre in

Edinburgh is very grateful to all those who regularly hand in used stamps and

hopes you will continue to do so. It is one of the easiest ways to help.

If you have never saved your used stamps before, or maybe you have just

started to come to Larbert East, please start looking at all your mail more

carefully and rescuing every stamp you see. CUT round each stamp making

sure you leave a BORDER of at least 1cm. This ensures the whole stamp is

saved. Cutting is better than just tearing off. Tearing risks damaging the

stamp and damaged stamps have no value! Some commerative stamps are

twice the size of the usual stamp. Make sure you cut off the whole stamp.

There are 3 collecting boxes – 2 at the back of the church and one in the large

hall. Or, you can give your collection to Ernie Macintyre who does a sterling

job of checking each stamp and seeing that they arrive safely at the Stamp

Centre in Edinburgh. Leaving a border round each stamp makes the checker's

task much easier. We do not like having to throw away stamps that have been

carelessly torn off.

So a big thank-you once again to all those who support the work of World

Mission in this way. Dare I say it – Christmas is coming and there will be more

stamps coming in with our festive mail!

LMCA EVENTS

2017

Thursday

19th January

Thursday

16th February

Friday

17th March

Wednesday

29th March

Sunday

1st October

Illustrated Talk by Rev. Donald Scott, Chaplain at Polmont

YOI. In Larbert West Church at 7.30pm

Return visit to Network Rail Training Centre at Larbert Station.

TBC.

Annual Dinner in Park Hotel, Falkirk at 6.30 for 7.00pm.

Guest Speaker: Rev. Philip Hacking. Chaplain at FVRH. Also

featuring Sweet Harmony.

Joint Primary Schools Choir Concert in Larbert East Church at

7.00pm.

Larbert Churches Together (LCT). Concert in the Dobbie Hall

at 7.00pm.

******************************

Can you connect - Answers

1) Bottom 2) Meal 3) Scale 4)Box 5) Ring

6) Screw 7)Hand 8) Time 9) Pipe 10) Pole

11) Band 12) Tender

Scottish Towns – Answers

1) Aberdeen 2) Arbroath 3) Forfar 4) Peterhead 5) Dundee

6) Peebles 7) Thurso 8) Paisley 9) Rothesay 10) Coatbridge

11) Galashiels 12) Dunbarton

Jean Neish

CHRISTMAS INVITATION CARDS - FAITH AND HOPE

The Deacon's Court decided that, as we did at Easter time, Christmas

Invitation Cards would be professionally printed and distributed with this

edition of Eastwords. The cards give details of all our Christmas events and

services on the theme of Faith and Hope and can be used as reminders both

for members and, more importantly, friends and neighbours. To that end, two

cards are enclosed. Keep one for yourself and give one to a friend or

neighbour and invite them to come to Larbert East to celebrate Christmas

and find Faith and Hope with us.

If you need more, there should be additional cards available on the big table

at the church door. It would be really great if we were to run out of cards!

There are also a few poster-sized versions which are for displaying in local

shops etc. If you think you can place one somewhere in our Parish, please

speak to David Tooth at the 'Musician's Corner' or the sound desk.

You can find more information about

us on our website

www.larberteastchurch.com.