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Aberlady & Gullane Manse
Dear Friends
In Church we have thought about the reception Jesus received when he returned to his home town of Nazareth and began to preach to his erstwhile fellow citizens. After a very short time they were greatly angered by his teaching and attitude and threatened to stone him. At least I do not feel that our homecoming from the United States has been in any way similar. Liz and I have both felt a real sense of appreciation of how lucky we are to be serving these two parishes and just how many good things are happening in them.
The Christmas services were a real excitement especially with full houses at the Aberlady Family Service on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Morning Service in Gullane. The Sunday Schools both produced super contributions to our worship and lets not forget all the extra work put in by our organists over the period. The latter was particularly onerous as we were all feeling the loss of Methven Aitken who had contributed so much to our enjoyment of music and worship over the years we have been lucky enough to enjoy his playing.
Now we are in the rather dark days of January but the sense of belonging to effective worshipping communities brings its own warmth. That can be particularly important and strengthening to people at times when for one reason or another they are at a low ebb in faith, self-confidence or their sense of self worth. This is when any one of us can make a real difference with a word of encouragement, a sign of understanding or an action of friendship. Each one of us has a part to play in making our church a family in the way we care about and act towards each other.
The people of Nazareth did not see that opportunity though it was staring them in the face.
A true story - on the day after my first Sunday back in my first parish Langholm after a pulpit exchange to USA a parishioner said to me "John we really enjoyed having Dr Springer here while you were in his church and its nice to see you home. I nearly came to church yesterday but it was kind a' dreich and I just thought it's only John so I'll no bother!" Home - Sweet Home! One might choose to be offended but actually I rather felt the opposite for here was an openness of friendship and ease of relationship which seems just how it should be and here so often is. Thank you for that and thank the Lord for each other.
John Cairns
As has become the custom in Holy Week the first three services are united services with the other congregations in the North Berwick and District Association of Churches. Please come along if you can, it means a great deal to those involved If their efforts are well supported. More details of these will be given as soon as we can via the intimations but are not to hand at the time of the magazine going to press
The Maundy Thursday Communion and Good Friday
Meditation can give a different dimension and depth to our understanding
and marking of both the events of Holy Week and the joy of Easter
Day. Easter Day starts with the early service, this year at the
Sea Green, Aberlady, followed by bacon rolls In The Stables, to
set us up for the main services at the usual times in the Parish
Churches.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT ANY OR ALL OF IHESE SERVICES
Sunday 16th March Palm Sunday Worship
9.45am Gullane Parish Church
11.l5am Aberlady Parish Church
Monday l7th March 7.30pm: Venue to be announced
Holy Week United Service
Tuesday 18th March 7.30pm: Venue to be announced
Holy Week United Service
Wednesday 19th March 7.30pm: Venue to be announced
Holy Week United Service
Thursday 20th March 7.30pm: Maundy Thursday Gullane Parish Church The Last Supper
Friday 21st March 7.30pm: Good Friday Aberlady Parish Church The Words on the Cross
Sunday 23rd March Easter Day Worship
8.00am Greeting the Day at Aberlady Sea Green
Followed by Bacon Rolls in The Stables
9.45am Gullane Parish Church
I 1.l5am Aberlady Parish Church