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Food, fun, friendship and faith - is there anything else we need to have a church family? Roll on the next event - Sunday 9th May at 5pm - all are welcome!

Messy Church Logo Copyright Bible Reading Fellowship © 1998 - 2009. See www.messychurch.org.uk

We are delighted to announce our new series of services for January and February entitled 'Listening for Voices'. The series of six special services will help us all to take time and listen for the voices around us ... the voices of God.

God can be found in the most unlikely of places and within the most unlikely of people. Whether it is a voice of encouragement, challenge or a still small voice speaking to us from within, God is everywhere. But how often do we actually take the time to listen, really listen?

On Sunday 10th January the theme will be 'A Heavenly Voice' (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22). Sunday 17th January will see us think about 'A Commanding Voice' (Luke 2:1-11) and Sunday 24th January will be the date we think about 'A Challenging Voice' (Luke 4:14-21). 'A Dismissive Voice' will be the theme on 31st January (Luke 4:21-30) and 'An Astonished Voice' on 7th February (Luke 5:1-11). The final service will take place on14th February, Transfiguration Sunday, where we will think of 'A Frightened Voice' (Luke 9:28-36)

Each service take place at 11am and all are welcome to join us to listen for voices, the voices of God. You can download an A5 flyer to print and stick on the fridge to remind you, by clicking here

The Beer and Carols event managed to exceed all of our expectations this evening. The pub was full to bursting with over 380 people in the Clydesdale Inn, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, thinking of the Christmas story through singing carols together.

The minister, Rev Bryan Kerr said “We have not been interested tonight in pushing Christianity down the throats of those who don’t come to church in some sort of mass evangelisation, that was not the point of tonight. Rather, we have said to people, if you celebrate Christmas, even if you don’t sign up to the religious aspect of the festival, think of the story as without it there would be no celebration.”

At the end of the Carol Service Bryan encouraged all who were there to share the Christmas story with at least one person. He said “History has been full of people who have shared the message of God’s love with communities, let us be no different. Tonight has not been about the church building, tonight has been about remembering God’s love for us. The story of Christmas is all about God coming to earth to be with his people, to show them a new way to love and accept everyone. Lanark in 2009 should be no different. So as we leave tonight, wherever we go, tell someone of this story, share with them the carols we have sung, remind them that the Christmas story is one of love for all people.”

We pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas!

For high quality images of the Beer and Carols event suitable for printing click here

It seems that our up and coming Beer and Carols event in the Clydesdale Inn at 8pm on Christmas Eve has caputred the imagination of some people out there! On Monday morning the Church of Scotland Press Office issued a press release and the phone has not stopped ringing.

We have had an article on page 3 of the Scotsman which can be viewed here, a page on the BBC News Website which can be viewed here, an article in the Lanark and Carluke Gazette which can be viewed here, coverage on the religious think tank site Ekklesia which can be viewed here, coverage on Ecumenical News International, part of the World Council of Churches which can be viewed here, and a mention on Christian today which can be viewed here. There have also been interviews by Real Radio news (100-101fm) on Christmas Eve (from 6am to 2pm) and an interview for Good Morning Scotland on Radio Scotland which can be listened to by clicking here (fast forward to 53:55 to hear it) and on BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast Show, click here to listen (fast forward to 2:53:20 to hear the interview).

Yes, imagination has been captured, but as we have said, what we want to do is revive an old tradition of taking the Good News of Christmas to the people of Lanark, outwith the church.

The Rev. Ian Galloway, convenor of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council said about our plans, "Ever since Victorian times, carols have been sung out and about, and the point of them is to relate the Christmas story to others, not just to keep it within the walls of the church. It is very much what the Kirk is about."

So come along and join us celebrate Christmas in a new way, reviving the old ways of doing things!

Greyfriars has lots planned for Christmas Eve this year! We kick off the festivities at 8pm in the Clydesdale Inn where we are delighted to be holding a 'Beer and Carols' event. The staff at the Clydesdale have even ensured that we have our own ale for the occasion and the Greyfriars Kirk Christmas Ale will be on sale from 8pm. If you are not in the habit of coming along to church, why not come along and join us as we sing some carols and remember what the season is all about?

At 10:30pm the church will be open for mince pies and mulled wine before we beign our late night carol singing at 11pm. From 11:30pm we can guarantee a great night as our mass choir and big band gear up for our annual watchnight service. Many people in Lanark come along to this service even although they perhaps don't feel able to come along during the year. So if you want to remember why it is that we celebrate and give thanks with us for Christmas then come along - you will be made welcome!

On Christmas Day we all can get caught up in the madness of the occasion, but why not take some time out of the busyness and come along to give thanks for all that Christmas means. Bring a gift along that you received to show us all what Santa brought! The short service takes place at 10:30am in Greyfriars Church

On Sunday 27th December we join with our friends in St. Nicholas Church for a united service of lessons and carols at 11am. Do join us if you can.

Everyone at Greyfriars Church wishes you and your family a very merry Christmas.

On Sunday 20th December at 11am the children and young people of our church family will be leading much of our service as they present their annual nativity play. They have been practicing hard for many weeks and are looking forward to sharing with everyone the story of Christmas. Thanks must go to all of the Sunday School teachers, Jane Smith for teaching the songs and May Dickman for ensuring the children know what they are doing and making it all come together.

We also have the oppportunity to think of other people as we invite members of the church family to bring a gift, wrapped, and marked boy or girls with an approximate age marked on it. These gifts will be given to a local group who help families who are in crisis at this time of year. We hope and pray that the gifts that we give will help people to know they are loved by God and have a happy Christmas.

If you are in the area, come along and worship with us at 11am.