DAILY PRAYING May I recommend the website pray-as-you-go.org which offers a daily 10 minute reflection with music, Scripture and help with sensitive praying. It will help you reflect on the day. You can listen first thing in the morning, during the day or towards last thing at night. Often, I find them very peaceful, though they differ each day. Scott
SUNDAY WORSHIP – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am Sunday 17th MAY – Discovering the gifts of the Holy Spirit, with the Rev Dr Alison Jack of New College, Edinburgh, and Fr Dermot Preston SJ of St Aloysius’ RC Church, Glasgow.
Please note the BBC changed the published times of the following two services last week. Please check they have not been rescheduled to start earlier.
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY – BBC1 TV – 10.45am – SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – The Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland Jones leads the service on the sixth Sunday of Easter from St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, filmed before the closure of all church buildings was announced. With hymns recorded for Songs of Praise in July 2019.
REFLECTIONS AT THE QUAY (from Glasgow) – BBC SCOTLAND 11.15am Sir Aelred Timmins, Sister of Mercy and Rt Rev Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, bring the reflections for this week. Music from Rory Butler.
OFFERINGS: During this time when the Church building is closed, members may be considering how they can continue to give offerings to the Church. Information on this is available on the Church website https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/options-for-offerings/ This link will take you directly to the page. Alternatively, you can contact the Treasurer (01292 443271), the Session Clerk or the Church Secretary (both at 01292 265794).
INDUCTION OF THE MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY – Special service to install Rev Dr Martin Fair as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday 16th May at 11am. This will be a very special moment in the history of our Church, and will also be an event where we can be assured of hope and inspiration in these challenging times. https://stream1.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/general_assembly/
Heart and Soul 2020 – Sunday, 17th May – 2.00pm – 4.20pm
We’re delighted to announce, as part of that ‘Big Weekend’ for the Church of Scotland, a special ‘Heart and Soul 2020′ event will take place (online) on 17th May 2020.
A number of features from the event in Princes Street Gardens can be transferred into an online format, and we’re going to screen an abridged ‘Heart and Soul’ at 2.00pm on 17th May – when the original event would have taken place. The programme will run until about 4.20pm. A recording of the event will be available soon afterwards. You will be able to watch the event live on the Church of Scotland website (www.churchofscotland.org.uk) and live on the Facebook page (fb.me/churchofscotland).
20’s IN THE PEWS: Please continue to save your 20’s – we will provide a very large collecting jar when we all return to Church.
MARY’S MEALS: likewise your coppers for Mary’s Meals – there will always be a great need to help.
THE MAY PRAYER CALENDAR for week THREE is available on the website.
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the will be retained until we return to normal! In addition to the hard copies that have been ordered – Life & Work, this month, is available online. Follow this link: https://www.lifeandwork.org/resources/free-download-may-2020.
There is a short highlight on the website.
COLUMBA NEWS: the April edition is available on the website. Thank you Norman.
OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call!
FOOD BANK: Please remember that the need for donations of all basic foods is even more urgent during this crisis. If you go to the Church website or FB page you will find details of places where food can still dropped off.
REMEMBER – WEBSITE has lots to offer. Sermons and Prayers and a wealth of useful information.
Books for the journey………
Thomas à Kempis The Imitation of Christ
Anthony De Mello Seek God Everywhere
Esther De Waal Seeking God
Mark Oakley My Sour-Sweet Days
Also, you can sign up for the daily meditations of Fr Richard Rohr, Centre for Action and Contemplation.
SERMONS ONLINE: The text of the sermon for this week is available on the Sermons Tab.
https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/sermons/
Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:
Facebook – you do not require a FB account to access the Church FB page. Something new will be uploaded every day. Prayers, short video from the Moderator Revd Colin Sinclair and his wife, and the new idea – Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try!
DEATHS
We continue to remember our Minister in our prayers as he in turn ministers to the bereaved families.
We extend or warmest condolences to Nicholas and Gary Orr on the passing of their mum – Morag. A most faithful and diligent member now reunited with her beloved Jim.
You may wish to light a candle at the time of the funeral service in memory of these good folks and others whom you knew and loved.