Christmas worship 2022

Today’s service is video only, no manuscript. The prayers come from the Wild Goose collections “Winter” and “Hay and Stardust”. The reading is Luke 2.1-20.

May your Christmas be both blessed and a blessing.

The Watchnight Service (Christmas Eve 11:30pm) and the New Year’s Day Service (1 January 2023, 10:30am) will be joint services at Old Gourock & Ashton, which means they will also be livestreamed on the OGA Facebook page.

Announcements

* New Year’s Day worship will be on Sunday 1 January and will be a New Year Communion shared with Old Gourock & Ashton and St Ninian’s (Larkfield). The service will be at 10:30am in OGA.

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and all Sunday worship is also online (or on the phone at 01475 270037, or in print). If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.

* Did you know that it costs us about £10,500 per month to do the ministry we currently do at St. John’s? That includes heating and lighting the building and keeping it in good repair for church and community groups, programming and pastoral care for people of all ages, our contribution to minister’s stipends, and other ministry costs. The Kirk now has online giving! If you have not already set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Peter Bennett, our treasurer, or Teri and she can give you his details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. Remember: no one is coming to your door to collect your envelopes, so please be safe!

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email devotions! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. Feel free to share with your friends, too!

* Would you be interested in joining the readers rota in 2023? Whether you read in the sanctuary or online, or both — whether recording yourself or being recorded by Teri — we’d love to have your voice bringing God’s word to life in our community! There is a wee training to help you feel confident. Let Teri know if you’d like to join in.

* The next Bowl & Blether in St John’s will be on Monday 2 January. Doors will open at 11:30, soup is served from noon. We also now have toasties and board games! The hall will be open into the afternoon for all who wish to stay and enjoy the company, games, chat, and a cuppa. The next B&B in St Margaret’s is on Saturday 14 January, also from 11:30.

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.