Welcome to Dalgety Parish Church

at the heart of the community…
… with a heart for the community

Dalgety Parish Church of Scotland is registered as a charity in Scotland, number SC020926

Happy Christmas

It’s Christmas Eve. 7pm Christingle Service at Dalgety Church, Watchnight at 11.30pm – Carols from 11pm. Tomorrow Morning – Half Hour Christmas Morning worship – 10.30am. Hope you have a very happy Christmas time.

Global Warming – Petition to World Leaders in Copenhagen

Petition to the 110 Presidents and Prime Ministers negotiating in Copenhagen:
We call on each one of you to make the concessions necessary to meet your historic responsibility in this crisis. Rich countries must offer fair funding, and all countries must set ambitious targets on emissions. Do not leave Copenhagen without a fair, ambitious and binding deal that keeps the world safe from catastrophic global warming of 2 degrees.

You can sign the petition online at: http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_copenhagen/   where over 11 million people have signed already (as at Wednesday noon)

Dalgety Parish is an Eco Congregation – I encourage you to play your part in the good stewardship of creation.
Donald.

Advent Day 12 (Dec 10th)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”, Joshua 1: 9

Words from God to Joshua, as Joshua took on the leadership role following the death of Moses.

Words to us…  in all that life brings to us…

 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Advent Day 11 (Dec 9)

Today we added “the law” to the Jesse tree.  The 10 Commandments were God’s gift not only to the Israelites but to humanity.  They form the basis of the legal system for so many in the world today. Law has its place, and is necessary for the ordering of society – but of higher standing is grace.  I recently attended a conference on “Conflict and the Soul of the Nation” – two of the keynote speakers had a background in law, but having found dissatisfaction in a process which seeks to apportion blame and establish rightness are now leading lights in the field of mediation. Jesus was/is the ultimate mediator, who brought the ultimate law – “Do for others, the kind of things you would want them to do for you” – now that’s grace. But without law, could we know what grace is?

There’s a hymn which begins: “Grace is when God gives us the things we don’t deserve”, and continues with the thought, “Mercy is when God doesn’t give us what we do deserve”   Imagine a world where prominence is given to Grace and Mercy…  and begin by pondering how that might begin in and through you this Advent.

Favourite Christmas Carols

Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol?  The orders of service for our Christmas Services will be finalised quite soon. You can put your requests in the box in the Hall of Fellowship, or add a comment to this post.  Thank you.

E-pistle

On Sunday 13th December, holy communion will be celebrated at 9.30am and 11am services.  In the evening at 6.30pm will be the last of the Advent series of joint services around Forth Churches Group – at North Queensferry Parish Church, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry.

Each weekday prior to that, Adventurous Space continues – a brief time for peaceful contemplation.  The church will be open…  no formal led worship… just space and a few pointers to guide your thoughts as we journey through Advent.  All welcome 9.30am to 9.50am.

On Saturday 12th in the morning Dalgety Bay Playgroup have their Christmas Fair in the Church Hall – all are warmly invited to come along.  Thanks to all who supported the Church Christmas Fair last Saturday…  still some cash coming in… the total is somewhere around £1500.

On Sunday 20th Bruce Davies, folk singer, will be in concert at Dalgety Parish Church – tickets £5 are available from the Church Office, 824092

Would you be able to assist with our Audio Visual equipment on Sunday mornings?  There are a few gaps in the rota – which you can see on-line at www.tinyurl.com/dpcworship  If you can help please contact me, or come along to the Church on Saturday morning 9am – when we can run through what is required for Sunday.

with all good wishes this Advent

Donald

Audio Visual Desk

On Saturday 12th at 9am, there will be an AV Workshop to go over the requirements for Sunday’s Worship. We still need someone to volunteer to be at the Desk for the 11am service on Sunday 13th.  If you are interested please let the minister know or come along on Saturday morning.

Advent: Day 10 – Passover & Exodus

On Tuesday we add a “Passover” symbol to the Jesse tree and remember the beginning of the journey from Egypt to the Holy Land. The hurried departure has been remembered every year since in the festival of Passover.  One of my favourite passages of Scripture takes us to the banks of the Red Sea – to the first obstacle on the journey – Exodus Chapter 14…  the people begin to wonder if they should just turn back – perhaps they have bitten off more than they can chew – maybe old Pharaoh wasn’t that bad after all – at least they knew where they were in Eqypt – Let’s turn back.  But God had other ideas, and God said to Moses and Moses said to the people “Tell my people to keep moving forward” (Ex 14:15).  Keep moving forward…  words to inspire and encourage you today in the face of obstacles, doubt, fears…   “Be not afraid of going slowly; only be afraid of standing still”,  says the Chinese proverb.

Advent Day 9: Moses

On Monday we added Moses’ symbol to the Jesse Tree – the burning bush.  Moses like so many who have been called by God to a particular task felt unworthy and unable for what lay ahead. He would go on to be the one who would lead God’s people from the slavery of Eqypt towards the Promised Land.  “Towards” because Moses would not reach that place, but died on Mount Nebo having caught just a glimpse of the land flowing with milk and honey.  As we journey with God through this Advent what are we being called to do, to say or to be…  not just for ourselves, but for others…  and for those who will continue the journey when our earthly days are over…

Adventurous Space at the Fair

The Christmas Fair starts at 10am on Saturday.  Along with all the stalls – books, games, cards, decorations, gifts, chocolate, auction of original paintings, and the tearoom, and loads more…  the Church will be available as a place of quiet in the midst of the hustle and buste…   if you would like to, do take a moment or two to visit Adventurous Space.  Adventurous Space will continue each weekday morning 9.30 to 9.50am until Christmas Eve.