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Magazine April 2012 No 611 ‘Our aim is to draw closer to God and to each other, so that, through us, He can make known to all people the joys and challenges of following Jesus’ Vision Statement April 20092012 Page 1 page page Alpha Course at Liberton 14 Messy Church 19 April Diary 16 Money Matters 10 Bible Readings for April 12 Neighbourhood Scheme 29 Cameron toll Chaplaincy 15 Nether Liberton History (part 2) 11 Change of Address form 29 New Neighbours? 19 Christian Aid Book Sale 9 Ogwini School, South Africa 13 Christian Aid Week 23 Our page 5 Church and Society Council Conference 8 Senior Citizens Club 9 Congregational News 9 Take time to Pray 2 Crèche Rota 15 The Soup Pot 23 Crossword 21 Useful ‘phone numbers 30 Crossword - March answer 29 Web addresses 30 Easter Services back cover Welcome Desk Rota 15 Elder’s Sunday Duties 18 Woodworkers wanted 19 Flowers 15 World Mission Council News 20 Fresh Start 12 Volunteers needed 30 Good Friday and Easter 13 Youth Report 4 Guild News 8 Adverts Heart and Soul 2012 14 Alan Johnston Plumbing 24 of giving personal perspective 6 Capricorn Florist 24 of giving - and Messy Church 7 Bluebird Care 27 Legacies 22 Brightcare 25 Libbis Café 22 DHP projects 23 Liberton Kirk Website 8 HCC Electrical 27 Liberton Names and addresses 31 John Cameron Blacksmith 26 Life and Work 22 Julie Bell Piano Care 28 May Diary 18 Lemon Squeezy 26 Minister’s letter 3 Toddler’s Group 28 Take Time to Pray Loving God, I want to trust you, but I’m scared of getting hurt. I want to follow you, but my weakness makes me stumble. I want to soar high, but my doubts keep me firmly on the ground. I want to run far and fast but I lose strength at the first hurdle. I want to walk with you, but I grow tired so quickly. Give me the courage to face my fears. Give me the patience to follow where you lead me. Give me the stamina to keep going when things are tough. Give me a new strength. Amen (based on Isaiah 40:31) Web Address www.libertonkirk.net Scottish Charity Number SC011602 Page 2 Liberton Kirk Magazine No.611 From the Minister What are the makings of a good leader ? Jesus’ death and resurrection on training up lead- offers us all the hope of a new ers from within the beginning. Herein lies both the joy church.” and the power of Easter. Jesus’ Over the last death has dealt with the sins of our fifteen years I have found out the past, and his resurrection, and his hard way that the main thing which Holy Spirit’s presence, offers us the stops us being the church God wants hope of a much better future. us to be is not a lack of money, nor It’s very timely that someone a lack of people (he always seems who will be having the opportunity willing to provide them both). It is a of experiencing beginning again this lack of leaders – of people who are Easter is our very own Malcolm confident enough in their faith and Jefferson, as he is welcomed as the in their ability to lead others. new leader of St Andrew’s Leckie This is a problem which Jesus too Church in Peebles. As you know, had to face, and when we look at Malcolm has been serving with us what he did about it we discover here for the last 15 months, but the some interesting things. None of his time has now come for him to move disciples, for example, were from on. ‘religious’ occupations, nor were I well remember what it felt like they well known or prominent citi- at the beginning of my own ministry zens. In fact, Jesus didn’t seem to here at Liberton. I’ve often de- choose them because of their back- scribed it as feeling as if I’d jumped ground at all, or their knowledge for aboard a stagecoach which was that matter, or their experience. He hurtling down the road, and some- seems to have chosen them because one had just handed me the reins. of their character. He saw in them Looking back, I’m so thankful that I the potential to be leaders and that wasn’t alone. I soon discovered that was good enough for him. God was still around to give me Later on, in his letter to Timothy, directions, and that there were Paul gives some good advice about lots of fellow passengers who were choosing leaders. He suggests that happy to offer encouragement they be “. temperate, self- and support. controlled, respectable, hospitable, One question which I have been able to teach, not given to drunken- pondering recently, however, has ness, not violent but gentle, not been, “If I were to begin again at quarrelsome, not a lover of Liberton, what would I have money.” (1 Timothy 3.2b) As I sit done differently?” The writing this, what strikes me most is answer I would that the description Paul is giving now give is, “Focus here is one that, in my mind, seems much more of my to fit Malcolm to a tee. The Folks at time and energy St Andrew’s Leckie have certainly April 2012 Page 3 chosen well, and, as the fellow passen- gers on his stage coach, we wish them God’s blessing as they set off on this new stretch of their journey together. Much love * For a good book on the subject, see “Twelve Ordinary Men”, by John MacArthur Youth Report . from Alex Many of the young people have been involved with helping Andy transform his house into an amazing space for his girls and for future youth work. They have been coming after school and during week- ends to help move all of the Chittick’s stuff out of the house, help take wallpaper of the walls, hit through walls and even help lay laminate flooring. It has been a great time to share fellowship with each other and with the American team who came over to install the struc- ture for the new attic level. As well as being hugely helpful the work has given the chance to put into practice what we have been studying at Deeper, the school bible study. Recently, we have been doing a study on how we can change the world and impact our community. 1 John 3:18 talks about showing our love through actions and that is exactly what the young people have been doing with Andy’s house. I know Andy is hugely thankful to everyone who has provided help, food or anything else over this time of construction! Fischy Music were back with us on 7th March, and over 800 primary school children packed the church over 2 concerts. With some awesome actions from both children and teachers, it was great to see so many children hav- ing fun on their first visit to church. With the songs being used by many of the schools, most children knew the words and actions and it was great to Page 4 Liberton Kirk Magazine No.611 hear the church being filled with confident singing and so much laughter. Every year, about 20 Gracemount high school pupils walk up to the church for an afternoon with The Guild. This year was no different and we saw a very competitive quiz take place, with John Young’s team taking the trophy home! We rounded off a great afternoon with tea and cakes, which were enjoyed by all. – This year’s holiday club will run each morning between 6th and 9th August, from 9 to 12:30, as requested by parents. BEAUTIFUL EGGS Chocolate eggs are a new idea; the tradi- tional Easter egg is a decorated hen’s egg. Why not make some as special gifts to share the good news of Easter? EASTER EGGS Easter eggs have been in the shops since just after Christmas but they are not a new idea. The egg has been used as a symbol of rebirth and new life since before Christian times. The English name for Easter is said to come from Eostre, a northern god- dess of spring. The rebirth of grow- ing things in the spring, after the long dark days of winter, was a time You can decorate them in the traditional of rejoicing in the pagan world and method of wrapping eggs in onion skins many of their rites and symbols have and then boiling them. This gives a mot- been carried over into our Christian tled, golden look to the egg (or try a cou- festival of Easter. ple of slices of beetroot for a different effect). In pagan times they celebrated the return of light and warmth to the If you are not going to eat the egg after- world but our Easter celebrates so wards you can decorate it with paint or much more. We celebrate the fact felt tip pens. Painted eggs can look very that Jesus died for us and yet is not special if, when the paint is dry, you stick dead. We celebrate because Jesus on sequins and small beads. Rather than overcame death. waste a perfectly good egg find out how And if all those brightly wrapped to ‘blow’ the egg out of the shell – then chocolate eggs in you can eat the egg as well as having a the shops help us perfect empty shell to decorate.