Cambuslang Parish Church
Sunday 30th November 2025at 10.30am
First Sunday in Advent
Our worship this morning is led by Karen Hamilton DCS
& Rev Hilary McDougall
Scottish Charity Number SC000061
Christian Copyright Licence Number 20302
Welcome to worship, it’s good to see you!
Choir Introit
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
Leader: Let us go up to the hill of the Lord
All: To the Temple of Israel’s God
Leader: He will teach us what to do
All: We will walk in the paths he has chosen
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – Jen and Layla
HYMN: GWA 90
We are a people of hope;
we are a people of hope.
Lighting a candle, we wait for the dawn;
we are a people of hope.
Praise item: CH4 472 Come Thou long expected Jesus
Praise item: MP 1168 Mighty to save
Prayer of Approach and Confession and Lord’s Prayer
Church Family Time
Celebrations/News
Talk
Song: Build Up
Bible Readings Read by Linda Neeson
Isaiah 2:1-5 P672 OT
Matthew 24:36-44 P36 NT
HYMN: How good it is [Tune Amazing Grace]
How good it is, what pleasure comes
When people live as one.
When peace and justice light the way
The will of God is done.
True friendship than like fragrant oil
Surrounds us with delight;
And blessings shine like morning dew
Upon the mountains height.
How good it is when walls of fear
Come tumbling to the ground.
Whan arms are changed to farming tools
The fruits of life abound.
What quiet joy can bloom and grow
When people work for peace,
When hands and voices join as one
That hate and war may cease.
Sermon
Music for Reflection
HYMN: CH4 273 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
During which our offerings are presented
Prayer of thanksgiving and intercession
HYMN: CH4 279 Make Way, Make Way
Benediction
There will be a retiring collection after the Communion service on 7th December in aid of Glasgow City Mission.
“At Glasgow City Mission, your support offers hope to hearts that have been starved of the love and care they need to grow”. £36 will pay for 6 people to have a Christmas dinner at the City Mission where they can join with others in warmth and security. If our congregation could raise £180, we could help 30 people have Christmas Dinner.
Singing and Making Music
We are planning some special musical items for Sunday 14th December in the lead up to Christmas and we would love it if anyone who can play a musical instrument (even a bit!) could be part of that, and if folks would be willing to be part of a singing group for that service. You do not need to have a wonderful voice, and you certainly do not need to read music to join this! Have a word with one of the Ministers or with Tim, if you are interested.
Singing practice will take place after worship today and on Sunday 7th December.
Advent and Christmas
30th November – First Sunday in Advent
7th December – Second Sunday in Advent and the celebration of Holy Communion
13th December – Christmas Tree Festival, including Coffee Morning 10.00am – 12 noon and Carol Service at 3.30pm
14th December – Third Sunday in Advent and Gift Service
16th December – Carol Service and afternoon tea at 2pm especially for those who need transport to church
21st December – Fourth Sunday in Advent and Nativity Service This will be the final service with us of our Deacon, Karen Hamilton, and we will be thanking her and saying ‘Farewell’
24th December – Messy Christingle Family Service at 6.30pm
24th December – Watchnight Service at 11.30pm with Carol Singing from 11.15pm
25th December – Family Christmas Day Service at 10.30am
28th December – Lessons and Carols Service
4th January 2026 – Parish Grouping Service with Flemington Hallside at CPC. Celebration of Holy Communion.
Discovery Group ‘Believing and Belonging’
Another series of ‘Believing and Belonging’ meetings, following the same topics and material as recent courses, will be commencing in January.
These meetings are for those interested in exploring the basics of the faith, or considering baptism, confirmation, or ‘church membership’, or wanting to discover more about God and the Christian Life, or wanting to ‘refresh’ what they believe, or if you are simply a bit curious about the Christian Faith and following Jesus.
These meetings will be on Thursday evenings at 7.00pm in the Morriston Room beginning on 8th January (and ending on 5th February).
For more information speak to, email, or phone David Denniston. (DDenniston@churchofscotland.org.uk T:07903 926727)
Dates for your diary:
Sunday 30th November – Advent begins
Sunday 30th November – Parish Grouping Remembering Service. 3pm at Flemington Hallside
Tuesday 2nd December – Tuesday service and Heavenly Elevenses at 11.15am Hilary leading
Sunday 7th December – Communion. David will conduct the service. Hilary will conduct worship at Fernhill and Cathkin
Tuesday 9th December – Tuesday Service at 11.45 Karen leading
Saturday 13th December – Mens Breakfast Club
Saturday 13th December – CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 10-4pm. Carol Service 3.30pm
Sunday 14th December – Gift Service
Tuesday 16thDecember – Tuesday service at 11.45 David, Hilary and Karen leading. Mince pies and tea and coffee to finish!
Tuesday 16thDecember – 2-4pm Carol Service and afternoon tea for 75yrs and over, including our housebound members. More information to follow.
Sunday 21st December – Nativity and Karen’s last service with us. Lunch will be served in the Large Hall for everyone
Church Family News
For information on any items please contact Karen Hamilton, David Denniston or Hilary McDougall
Our Mission Statement:
We are a warm and welcoming church
who seek to help all people experience and share
the love and teachings of Jesus Christ
in our worship and community involvement.
We affirm the dignity of all people
through compassion and kindness.
Our offerings help support the mission and work of our church and we are grateful to all those who give financially Sunday by Sunday. Many people give by standing order but there is also the option to give via the offering plate in the vestibule area of the church, immediately before entering or leaving the sanctuary. You can pop your offering in the plate either before or after the service. Thank you!
Freewill Offering Envelopes for 2026 are available for uplifting in the vestibule. If anyone either requires a set of envelopes or no longer wishes to use envelopes please contact David Black or speak to your Elder.
David will be on annual leave from Saturday 29th November – Saturday 6th December inclusive.
Reachout would like to create a small gift for all the staff in our local schools. To do this, they are looking for donations of small boxes of wrapped chocolates, such as Heroes, Celebrations, Roses or Quality Street. If you are able to help, please contact Karen Hamilton.
Reachout Trust: There are copies of the Reachout Trust magazine Xpress and prayer letters on the table in the welcome area. Please take one to hear about what this organisation is doing in local schools.
Reachout Quarterly Prayer Breakfast: All are welcome at the Reachout Trust prayer breakfast on Saturday 6th December at 8.30am in Burnside Blairbeth Church. A selection of hot breakfast rolls and drinks will be provided.
Jigsaws are available in the Welcome Area for anyone who wishes to borrow one. When finished, please return to the Welcome Area.
Christmas Unwrapped: We will need help at our Christmas Unwrapped workshops and are asking you to be that help. The workshop runs from 9am-11.30am approximately. It is a lot of Fun for the Kids and us. You need to have a PVG. If you are not PVG think about getting one so that you can help at the workshops next year.
Cairns Primary: In the school. Tuesday 2nd December.
James Aiton Primary: In the school. Wednesday 3rd December.
West Coats Primary:In the Church. Thursday 11th December.
For more information please speak to Karen Hamilton DCS. Thank you
Walking Group: Our next walk will take place on Saturday 6th December. This walk starts at Erskine Sports Centre. Following the Clyde Walkway the route will take us under the Erskine Bridge. The walk will continue along the coastline then loop back past Mar Hall and Eskine Hospital to rejoin the walkway to take us back to the start. The walk is around 5 miles, fairly flat and on firm footpaths, gravel or tarmac. Those interested in going should meet outside the Church at 9:00 am, travel is in shared cars.
Christmas Tree Festival Saturday 13th December: Decorated trees will be on display in the church from 10am to 4.30pm – vote for your favourite. Coffee morning with mince pies in the large hall 10am to midday and refreshments will also be available during the afternoon. Join us for the Community Carol Service with local school choirs at 3.30pm. This is always a lovely day so please come along and enjoy the fun. There will be a second opportunity to admire the trees on Sunday 14th at our Gift Service when the winners of the most popular tree will be announced.
Communion Linen: Volunteers are needed to help with the washing and ironing of the cloths and napkins used at Communion. If you are able to help, please speak to Lorna Morrison after the service or phone/message her on 07962086130.
The Remembering Banner: If you wish to have a ribbon included on the remembering banner for a loved one, ribbons will be available from Linda Neeson after the service for the next few weeks. If you know of anyone who wishes a ribbon for a loved one but is unable to be present at Sunday worship please let the ministry team know.
The wonderful Phoenix Choir will be performing in our Church Sanctuary on Sunday 22nd February next year. Tickets, £10, Children free. A perfect gift for Christmas and something to look forward to in the New Year. Tickets will be on sale on Sunday 14th and 21st December.
Prayer Tree: The congregational Prayer Tree is available in the Welcome Area, along with tags on which names can be written of any for whom prayers are sought. Names on the Prayer Tree will normally be included by the Ministry Team in prayers offered in worship at the Sunday Service and Tuesday Service following. It is the normal practice of the Ministry Team to include first names only to help preserve appropriate anonymity. Prayer requests are removed from the tree after an appropriate time. If you wish a name to be remembered thereafter then please place a further tag on the tree. Thank you.
Halls Convenor: please send any enquiries about hall bookings etc to our Halls Convenor Derek Burns: derekburnscpc@gmail.com
Ohna Robertson will be delighted to receive your announcements for inclusion in the Order of Service by Wednesday at 12 noon: ohna.robertson@ntlworld.com
Worship at Cambuslang Parish Church
Sunday 7th December: 10.30am Communion Service led by Rev David Denniston and our Deacon, Karen Hamilton. Rev Hilary McDougall will be conducting worship at Fernhill and Cathkin Church.
Welcome Team: Jeannette Fearnley, Archie Fotheringham, May Fotheringham
Tea Team: Tony Neeson, Linda Neeson, Margaret MacFarlane, Alastair MacFarlane
CONTACT THE MINISTRY TEAM
Interim Ministers
David Denniston
DDenniston@churchofscotland.org.uk 07903 926727
(Off Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
On annual leave Saturday 29th November – Saturday 6th December)
Hilary McDougall
HMcDougall@churchofscotland.org.uk 07940 455473
(Presbytery work on Monday and off Thursday)
Deacon: Karen Hamilton
KHamilton@churchofscotland.org.uk 07514 402612
(Off Saturday)