30 December 2018

WELCOME TO ST COLUMBA CHURCH: People have been coming to this building to worship God for over a hundred years. While our town has journeyed through many changes over those years, the constancy of the witness of the “Church on Midton Road” has remained uninterrupted. The mission of any Church is to reflect through its presence, its music, its fellowship and its beauty the transcendence of God, and we seek to do that here in all that we share.
We hope that everyone who enters these doors will find an encouraging, friendly group of people. While we are far from perfect, we are regularly discovering truths that are changing us individually and enriching our lives as a church community. As we worship together, learn from the Bible, and pray for one another, we are strengthened in our commitment to Jesus Christ as well as to each other. If this is your first time here, we welcome you, and invite you to share the joy that we have found.
AT THE DOORS TO WELCOME YOU TODAY: Team 11: Mrs. Linda Hunter, Mr. Sandy Allan, Mrs. Annette Cuthbert, Mr. Andrew Muirhead, Mrs. Rita Mackenzie, Mr. Ross Robertson, Dr. Kirsty Muirhead, Dr. Pauline Robertson, Mrs. Janice Paterson, Mr. Stuart McKinlay, Mrs. Janette Leishman and Mr. John Ferguson
MINISTRY OF FLOWERS: The flowers, which adorn the Sanctuary this week, have been given to the Glory of God by Mrs. Christina Kennedy

THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed from Monday 31st December – re-open on Friday 4th

Sunday 6 January 2018 “At the Gate of the Year”
SERVICES CONDUCTED BY THE MINISTER

10.30 am Family Worship Duty 12 Sound: Mr. David Campbell
10.00 am Holiday St. Columba Kids

THE MINISTER is very appreciative of the mountain of cards and Christmas greetings which have arrived at the Manse. Thank you so much. Each one means a great deal.
REVD. NESS and THE OFFICE STAFF thank everyone who has taken time to send cards, gifts and season’s greetings. They are all very much appreciated.
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE KIRK SESSION: A meeting of the Kirk Session will be held at 6.45pm on Tuesday 8th January 2019 in the Midton Road Hall. At the meeting Mr W. Muir will present the recommendations of the ad hoc Funding Committee regarding financial support for the new Charity being set up at Lochside. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME.
GRATEFUL THANKS to all who gave in the Offerings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The magnificent sum of £5816.35 was raised and will be distributed to the chosen Charities – Whiteleys Retreat, Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland at Auchincruive and to the Save the Children Appeal for Yemen.
LOCHSIDE MISSION CHRISTMAS THANK YOU – we would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Christmas Appeal – the response has been overwhelming. Your help and support is very much appreciated. 409 children received gifts including referrals late on Christmas Eve. £1925 was donated to the Fuel Appeal and 21 Food hampers, also including 3 on Christmas Eve, were distributed. We record our immeasurable thanks to all the Mission Team for all their efforts especially over the festive period.
20’s IN THE PEWS: Total collected in November £76.23. The Kirk Session has decided to donate funds raised this year to support the work of ACE (Racerunning) Disability Recreation and Sport, Ayr.
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the December edition are available for uplifting at the main door of the Church. There are extra copies available at both doors priced £2.50
FOOD BANK: please continue to remember a few extra items when you shop- urgently required are tins of meat Mince, Stew, Chilli, Irish Stew , curry etc. The demand for the Food Bank continues to rise.
FLOWER CALENDAR: for 2019 is now in place in the Carrick Park Vestibule. If you would like to donate flowers in memory of a loved one or to mark a special occasion, please add your name and telephone number to your chosen Sunday.

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN HOSPITAL THIS PAST WEEK:
AYR HOSPITAL: Mrs. Anne Ball (Stn 4) and Mrs. May Hunter (Stn. 16)
QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, GLASGOW: Mrs. Marlene Hamilton (Spinal Unit)
The Service of Thanksgiving for Mr. Jim Wilcox, will be held in Church on Friday 4th January at 1.00pm. Our sincere condolences are extended to Jim’s daughters Linda and Shirley and all the family.
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs. Margaret Stirling who passed away last week. The funeral will be held at Masonhill on Friday 4th January at 9.45am.
We record our very sincere condolence to Mrs. Jean Lindsay and all the family on the sudden passing of her daughter Angela. Funeral Service will be held in the Church at 12.15pm on Tuesday 8th January followed by the Committal at Masonhill.