SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
RECORDING OF SERVICES: In order to make Sermons and, in due course, Services available online, we are seeking a volunteer or volunteers to organise the recording and uploading of material. We would also like to consider live streaming of Services once these resume. The necessary equipment for doing this will be made available. Please contact the Secretary or the Session Clerk if you are prepared to help with this or know of someone who is available.
WEDNESDAY REFLECTION From the beginning of June, the Minister is offering a short reflection every Wednesday. This may be accessed on our website (script and audio) or Facebook (audio). Last week’s was entitled “RABBITS”. Do take a look!
THE JULY PRAYER CALENDAR for week FOUR is available on the website.
PLEASE do not hesitate to let us know of anyone unwell or struggling at this time. Irene – 265794
REMEMBER – SERMONS and PRAYERS are available on the website. The Wednesday Reflection from the Minister, and a wealth of useful information can also be found here. https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/
COLUMBA NEWS – the next edition is in hand. If you have any material that you wish included in this issue please send to the editor by next Sunday 2nd August. Please email articles to the editor at editor.columbanews@gmail.com
CHURCH SERVICES: Churches are allowed to hold restricted forms of service now that we are in Phase 3 of the government’s route map. Ongoing discussions will allow us to consider when and how we can offer services which will provide good and safe experiences for our members and we will take guidance from the Church of Scotland fully into account. More information will be provided when it is available.
PRIVATE PRAYER – we were pleased to welcome members who took the opportunity to sit quietly in the Sanctuary last Sunday. The Duty Team will open the doors at 10am this coming Sunday.
Please note the change of time next week
The Kirk Session is pleased to be able to make the sanctuary available to you on four Sundays in August, from 10.00am to 11.00 am. Please be aware that the situation you will find in Church will not be how it is in normal circumstances. The maximum number of people who can enter the Church on a Sunday morning is 35.
It is important that members take careful note of all the information on Private Prayer on the Church website which can be found here:
https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/current-information/
Bob Bartholomew, Session Clerk.
SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB at a Distance – Congratulations Stuart on an excellent Holiday Club and well done to all the children (and parents) who joined the fun.
SCHOOL CLOTHING BANK: in previous years you have very generously supported the School Clothing Bank. As with everything else COVID- 19 has brought increased hardship to so many families. Please think about supporting this amazing charity by purchasing a few items of school clothing. If you are able to help please phone me on 265794 to arrange a dropping off point. Thank you so, so much!
FLOWERS: many thanks to our Flower Convenor Anne (Drennan) for the beautiful arrangements that are gracing the Sanctuary during our time of Private Prayer.
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).
SUNDAY WORSHIP – Sunday 26 July – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am – “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” A service preparing for a “Virtually Keswick” Convention, taking place in the last week of July. The theme is hope. At this time of great uncertainty, in the midst of a global pandemic, there is hope in Jesus Christ. Preacher, the Revd Dr Chris Wright, takes the text of a well-known hymn, “Great is thy faithfulness; morning by morning new mercies I see…” which comes from the middle of the darkest book in the Bible – Lamentations. The biblical poet describes the sacking of the city of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of the mighty empire of Babylon. Yet out of utter despair comes hope…such is the character of God.
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.
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the will be hand delivered until we return to normal! If you do not subscribe but would like more information please contact the Life & Work Convenor – Hazel Steele on Tel. 861631
OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call!
FOOD BANK: You will have seen on the news this week the stark figures that indicate how many children are going hungry during lockdown and beyond, as parents struggle to find money for food. The Food Banks are working to capacity under very severe hygiene and distancing regulations to meet this growing need. Please remember those extra food items which can be left at a number of stores around Ayr. (Asda; Tesco, Sainsbury and the Co-op – to name a few). If you are not out shopping you can make monetary donations by cheque – made out to South Ayrshire Foodbank and send to the Foodbank at New Life Church, 62 Monkton Road, Prestwick. KA9 2PA. This is the main – they deal with all donations. You can contact the Foodbank on 0759907114 they ask that you please leave a message if no one answers – this means they are busy making up boxes for distribution. We are looking at the possibility of having a drop off at the Church – but not yet – watch this space.
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
Books for the journey………
Rowan Williams Luminaries: Twenty lives that illuminate the Christian way SPCK
Thomas à Kempis The Imitation of Christ
Anthony De Mello Seek God Everywhere
Esther De Waal Seeking God
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. Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try! https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/
SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH – Revd. Dr. Scott McKenna in conversation with Iain Stewart of Edinburgh Inter Faith Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrX0YdGevd0