WELCOME TO AYR: ST. COLUMBA CHURCH: For 115 years this building has stood at the heart of this part of our ancient Royal Burgh. It has witnessed wars, been favoured by a Royal visitor, welcomed holidaymakers, and been served by illustrious ministers, devoted musicians and dedicated members. Throughout these years, in anxious and sad times, in days of celebration and rejoicing, this Church has served the people as a place of sanctity, stability, and continuity. Today, in a society where the things of faith are often neglected, we strive to maintain an inclusive Christian presence, seeking ever to enhance the lives of everyone who comes into contact with us, and to reach out in mercy and compassion to a deeply troubled world. Here we explore and are not afraid to fail; here we are encouraged to ask questions; here we try to be a safe place for all ages. If you are here for the first time today, we pray that you will know something of God’s love in Jesus Christ, and that you will go home feeling inspired, strengthened, challenged and comforted.
AT THE DOORS TO WELCOME YOU TODAY: Team 10: Mr. Norman Wallace, Mr. Alex Eccles, Mr. Robert Shaw, Mr. Millar Muir, Mr. Alastair Swan, Mr. George Templeton, Mr. Iain Campbell, Mrs. Anne Swan, Mr. George Park, Mrs. Lorna Hilderley, Mr. Alan McHarg and Mr. Alan Hawthorn
MINISTRY OF FLOWERS: The flowers, which adorn the Sanctuary this week, have been given to the Glory of God by The Bartholomew Family, Mrs. Chrissie Luke and Mr. & Mrs. Fraser Low.
AYR ST COLUMBA CHURCH
Minister: Revd. Fraser R. Aitken GCSJ, MA, BD
Associate Minister: Revd. David T. Ness LTh
Organist: Mr. Matthew Hynes BA (Hons)
Sunday 7 January 2018: “At the Gate of the Year”
10.30 am Morning Worship Duty Team: 10 Sound: Mr. Alastair Swan
10.00 am St. Columba Kids – on holiday
Sunday 14 January 2018:
9.30 am Morning Worship Duty Team: 11 Sound: Mr. John Crone
10.00 am St. Columba Kids
11.15 am Morning Worship Sound: Mr. George McMillan
20’s IN THE PEWS: total collected in December is £168.22. The Kirk Session has decided to donate funds raised this year to support the work of Parkinson’s Scotland.
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the January edition are available for uplifting at the main door of the Church. There are extra copies available at both doors priced £2.50.
THE PRESBYTERY CONFERENCE takes place next Saturday, 13th January, from 9.30 till 12.30 in Alloway Church. It will be led by the Very Revd Albert Bogle, former Moderator of the General Assembly, an inspiring and thought provoking speaker. Everyone is warmly invited and if you would like to attend, please let the Office know by tomorrow, as breakfast will be provided on the day!
TO ALL who contributed to the magnificent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning Offering of £5,606, we extend our heartfelt thanks! This total will be given to the Lodging House Mission in East Campbell Street in Glasgow, providing help and shelter to the homeless in Glasgow. Our thanks too to Our Treasurer, Tom and his helpers who counted the offering – no mean feat indeed.
FLOWER CALENDAR: The Flower calendar for 2018 is now in the Carrick Park vestibule. If you would like to donate flowers on a special Sunday, please add your name and telephone number.
GUILD: Tomorrow, 8 January at 7.30 p.m. is our first meeting of the New Year and we are delighted to have our own Dr Jimmy Begg who will give us an interesting talk on his involvement with the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Please do come along and give Dr Begg a warm Guild welcome. Anyone else who is interested please do join us and share an evening of friendship and fellowship.
FOOD BANK: items most needed this week are: Coffee, jam, diluting juice, longlife milk, packets of pasta in sauce, small packets of rice and jars of pasta sauce.
“OASIS”: The drop in Café, every Thursday from 10.30am to 12 Noon in the Struthers Room. All Welcome! This is a place to relax, a place to chat – please bring a friend! Morning papers are also available.
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN HOSPITAL THIS PAST WEEK:
AYR HOSPITAL: Mr. Willie Chalmers (Stn. 12)
The service of thanksgiving for the life Mrs Margaret Honigman of St Leonard’s Road will be held here in the Church on Tuesday 16th January at 1.00, followed by the committal at Masonhill at 2.00. Our warmest sympathy and support are extended to her husband, Fred, and the family.
The funeral service for Mrs Margaret Murphy of Claremont Care Home, who died this past Wednesday, is still to be finalised. We send our warmest condolences to her son, Martin, her daughter, Janet, and all the family.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing in Ayr Hospital of Mr John McBride of Riverside Court. The funeral arrangements are to be made and we send our warmest sympathy and prayers to his daughter and son in law, Rosemary and Phil