ARCHIVE - CHURCH EVENTS
2019
Holiday Club
Holiday Club for all Primary School age children again took place in the Storehouse Church on Sunday 4 August. It was well attended and enjoyed. Many of us attended the service and were able to stay and enjoy lunch together.
Coffee Morning
A coffee morning was held in the church hall on Saturday 7th September to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland and Strathcarron Hospice.
A huge thanks to all the volunteers and visitors who enjoyed a refreshing tea or coffee along with a wonderful selection of home baking.
£668.50 was raised!
Thanks to everyone!!
2018
Christmas Concert
Everyone enjoyed the concert provided by the Columban and Balmalloch Primary school Choirs.
They performed traditional hymns such as 'Away in a Manger', mixed with modern songs such as 'The Power of Love' and 'Cowboy Carol'.
Balmalloch Primary school choir performed their own rendition of 'A Million Dreams' taken from the hit musical The Greatest Showman impressing their teacher and families who came along to the concert.
The audience participated throughout the concert singing along to old favourites and formed a lovely harmony singing 'Silent Night' along with the Columban choir singing 'Night of Silence'.
By the end of the evening a total amount of £400 was raised which everyone agreed should be donated to support the local Strathcarron Hospice.
Christmas Services
Christmas Reflective Service
The hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations were put to one side while we came together in the candle-lit church for a meaningful service.
The warmth and light from so many candles bathed the congregation in a beautiful, encompassing glow while sitting in contemplative silence amidst their own thoughts.
We recognise that for many people, Christmas exacerbates the feeling of loneliness, loss or even the daily challenges of life so our short service provided a time for people to sit in the sanctuary of church, pray silently and quietly reflect on their own personal thoughts.
A series of candles were lit throughout the service to represent chapters in our everyday lives. A time to remember the loss of dear family and friends; a time to ack-knowledge challenges in our lives and gather courage to face them and a time to thank God for the support we have from those around us.
One candle stood out from the rest, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, bringing us hope, peace and joy and illuminating our darkness.
For many who attended, the simplicity of the candles and silences, coupled with prayers and the meaningful music and singing performed by James Greechan our organist, provided a welcome time of reflection.
Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Every year, the congregation of Burns & Old prepare shoeboxes containing toiletries, hat, scarf, etc. for Loretta Care Community Services in Springburn. This year a total of 62 shoeboxes were provided.
A representative of Loretto Care visited on 9th December and was delighted to accept both the shoeboxes and items left over from our Christmas Fayre on 1st December.
Loretto Care have expressed their thanks for our continued generosity to those less fortunate than ourselves. Well done everyone!
Christmas draws families together more than any other time of year. It is also a time that draws people who are not regular visitors to Church.
This year Burns & Old held three Christmas Services - Carols by Candlelight, the Watchnight Service and Christmas Day Service.
Even though it was particularly cold - -6 degrees on Christmas Eve! - people bundled up warmly and came out to join together in Christmas worship.
2017
NEW MINISTER
In 2017, the congregation welcomed a new minister.
The ordination of Bob Johnston took place on Thursday 30 March 2017. The officiating clergy were Rev Jeanne N Roddick, Moderator; Rev Thomas L Pollock, Sherbrooke St Gilbert's; and Rev Dr Graham K Blount, Joint Presbytery Clerk.
The service was conducted by the Interim Moderator, Rev Gordon MacRae BD MTh and Bob was welcomed to Kilsyth by Rev Allan Vint BSc BD MTh. Readings were taken from Luke Chapter 5 and Isaiah Chapter 6; Andrew Paterson, member of the Bible Class did the readings. Margaret Strain, member of the Guild led the congregation by reading "A Prayer for our Discipleship" and the choir sang "Out of the Darkness" which was written and composed by organist, Maureen Divers. The closing hymn "The Living Stones" was also written and composed by Maureen.
Reverend Bob, as he has become known, conducted his first service on Sunday 2nd April 2017.