Notices - Sunday 28th January
Services next week:
11am English Service (Church):
Rev Kenneth I Macleod 11am
Gaelic Service (Seminary):Rev James Maciver
6.30pm English Service (Church): Rev James Maciver
Midweek Meetings:
All at 7.30pm in the Seminary
Wednesday – English -James Maciver
Thursday – Gaelic – Rev KI Macleod
Saturday – English
Children and youth groups
Parent & Toddler meets on Tuesday (1.00–3.00pm) and Thursday (9.45-11.45am)
Campaigners: C Club (6-7pm) and Crosstrax (7-8.30pm) on Monday in the hall
Kidz Zone meets at 6.15-7.30pm on Thursday in the hall
NOTICES
Death- We were sorry to learn of the passing of Mr Donald S Macleod, Newmarket, on 22nd January, aged 81. We extend our sincere condolences to his widow Effie; to their sons Stewart and Neil, and their respective wives Lynn and Nicola; to their daughter Christina and husband Stewart; to the six grandchildren, and to all the near relatives and wider family. We pray that God will comfort them all.
Special Collection- A special collection will be taken at the close of all services today for Bethesda Home and Hospice. Collection points will be in place at each exit and at the two doors leading from upstairs.
Tuesday 30th Jan- There will be a Women for Mission meeting from 7.30pm, in the Upper Hall. The speaker will be Janis Brand, from Point. All the women of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to come along.
Friday 2nd Feb- The Western Isles Free Church Mission Support Group will be holding their annual Supper Evening at 7pm in the hall. The speaker will be Mr Alex Chalmers who will speak about his work with Abraham's Oasis in Ethiopia. Booking is essential so to reserve a place or a table please phone 07733 077972 or 702618 or email [email protected]. Places are still available but we would encourage booking as soon as possible. Donations from the evening will go to Muriel Macleod, Cambodia and Neil and Rachel Rae, the Philippines.
Training Day- There will be a Training Day for those who work with children and young people in the church on Saturday 3rd February from 9:30am to 4:30pm in the upstairs hall. Carina Maciver, youth worker in Dowanvale Free Church, will be with us for the day and will deliver some of the training. This training is provided by the Presbytery Youth Committee and volunteers from across the presbytery are invited to attend, whether you work with toddlers or teenagers. We hope to cover topics such as the Character of a Leader, Discipleship, Games & Resources. Please book your place by Wednesday 31st January by contacting Mairianne at [email protected]
Volunteering Opportunity- Many of our faith community, when in hospital, benefit from the Sunday morning worship services in the hospital sanctuary. The Spiritual Care Department at WI hospital are looking for volunteers who are willing to assist for an hour per month, taking patients from and to the wards to the services. We are also looking for volunteers to lead the singing. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact the Health Care Chaplain, Rev Gordon Macleod, on 01851 704704 ext. 2408 or email [email protected]
Job Vacancy- Hebrides Alpha Project, a Supported Accommodation unit with a Christian ethos, providing a housing and rehabilitation service for persons with substance misuse problems, currently has a vacancy for a Care Worker. The post is for 37.5 hours per week and is initially for one year only. Sports experience and knowledge of health and safety is preferred. Driving licence essential. Understanding of recovery from addiction is also essential. For applicants with a personal experience, a significant time of recovery is necessary. The closing date for applications is 16th February 2018. For further details and an application form please contact Shona Macleod [email protected] or David Graham or telephone 01851 820830.
Donations to TEAR Fund- We were recently advised that the TEAR Fund Christmas Appeal will remain open till 31st January and the UK Government has pledged to match every donation made up to that date. Donations can be made on-line through the TEAR Fund website but if it’s made by cheque it should be marked ‘Christmas Appeal’ on the back.
Congregation’s accounts- The 2017 accounts were presented at the January meeting of the Deacons’ Court. The total income for our congregation amounted £393,562, an increase of £5,288 on the 2016 figure. An increase on this scale is extremely encouraging and our sincere thanks are due to those who contribute so generously to the Lord’s cause from week to week. As a result, the sum remitted to the central funds of the church was correspondingly increased and will be appreciatively used to support its endeavours to spread the gospel through Scotland and beyond.
Gift Aid- Of the sum given for income, over £49,000 is the tax refunded to the congregation from Gift Aided contributions. While this a substantial sum, it’s likely that several tax payers in the congregation have still not completed a Gift Aid form. By completing a form, UK charities can claim back 25p of the income tax you have already paid to HMRC for every £1 you donate. If you would like more information on Gift Aid, please speak to Mr Murdo Maclean (Gift Aid Treasurer), Mr Murdo Macphail (Congregational Treasurer) or one of the office-bearers.
Subscriptions- Subscriptions for the 2018 Record are now due. If you prefer to pay annually please put your remittance of £18.00 in an envelope clearly marked 'Record'. The envelope should also include your name and address.
ADVANCE NOTICES
Tuesday 13th Feb- The Christian Institute is holding a meeting from 7:30pm- 9pm in the Town Hall. The theme is “Families Under Fire- Opposing State Intrusion in Family Life”.
Communion: The next communion is due on Sunday 18th February, when the Lord’s Supper will be dispensed at each of the morning services. The ministers expected for the communion are Rev David Campbell, North Preston Evangelical Church, England and Rev Calum Iain Macleod, Back Free Church. Mr Campbell, from Ayrshire, was a classmate of the minister at the Free Church College. From 1987 to 2002 he was the pastor of the Geneva Road Evangelical Baptist Church, Darlington, and then, from 2002 to 2016, Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He became Pastor of North Preston Evangelical Church in December 2016. Mr Macleod, a native of Scalpay, is well-known to the congregation. He began his ministry at Back in 2010 having previously served as minister of Barvas Free Church from 2003.
