FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
STOP PRESS: Please note SUNDAY 20TH December all available places at 10am and 11.15am have been allocated.
CHURCH SERVICES Due to the restrictions of Level 4 – The Church will be closed and there will be no SUNDAY Services until further notice.
Sunday 27 December NO SERVICE
Sunday 3 January NO SERVICE
Sunday 10 January NO SERVICE
RECORDING OF SERVICES: The Sunday Worship Services continue to be recorded and uploaded to the website (look under the tab “Worship Services”) and to our Church Facebook page. The link will allow you to watch the Service via our YouTube channel on your smart phone, iPad, Laptop or smart TV.
OFFICE: The Office, both main and Satellite, will be closed from 12 noon Tuesday 22nd December until Monday 28th December. And again from 12 noon Thursday 31st December until Monday 4th January 2021
REMEMBER that while the building is closed the Church remains open.
The Minister and Office staff continue to work.
Online services, sermons, audios, Dial a Sermon etc will continue to be available
SERMONS ONLINE: The text and an audio tape of the sermon for this week is available on the Sermons Tab on the website https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/sermons/ and the
Recorded Service is available on the Worship Service tab
https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/worship-service/
DIAL-A-SERMON It is possible to access Scott’s Sunday Sermon by using your telephone; no internet is required. All you need do is call 01292 851074. The call is charged according to your landline or mobile phone package.
ST COLUMBA KIDS GROUP – NATIVITY AT A DISTANCE is ready and is available to watch from 10am this Sunday on the church Facebook page. Thank you so much to everyone who made a video to contribute – it has been wonderful to see them and the amount of work you have all put in! Please be sure to watch the Nativity once it is up. We wish all the children and their teachers a very Happy Christmas.
WE continue to pray for all our members and friends who are ill at home and in hospital, for our bereaved families and for the Ministers who are closely involved in their pastoral care.
THE PRAYER CALENDAR for December week THREE is available on the website.
FLOWERS: A special “Thank you” to Anne and the Flower Team – the Christmas decoration of the Sanctuary is superb. All the arrangements bring joy to our worship service. Please let the Minister or Irene know of anyone who might benefit from a delivery of flowers.
REFLECTIONS AT THE QUAY on 20 December. Reflections from Rev Paul Graham, head of spiritual care, and Rev Ali Pandian, health care chaplain, at University Hospital, Wishaw, from the foyer of BBC Glasgow. Music is from archives of hymns and carols recorded in earlier years with congregations across Scotland. Live music in studio is by Celtic Worship.
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of L&W – many thanks to Hazel (and Charlie) who uplifted all your Magazines and hand delivered them this past week. If you do not subscribe but would like more information please contact the Life & Work Convenor – Hazel Steele on Tel. 861631
PLEASE do not hesitate to let the Minister know of anyone unwell or struggling at this time.
ELDERS are encouraged to let the Minister know directly of any concerns or updates they have about members of their district.
THANK YOU – a huge thank you to members who have continued to collect their 20’s and coppers for our Charities.
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.
OFFERINGS: During this time when the Church building access is restricted, members may be considering how they can continue to give offerings to the Church. You can contact the Treasurer
(01292 443271), the Session Clerk or the Church Secretary (both at 01292 265794).
FACEBOOK – IS FREE – there is no cost in using this service. You do not require a FB account to access the Church FB page. Something new will be uploaded every day.
https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/
INTER-FAITH TRIBUTE to the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, to which Revd Scott is a contributor may be found at – https://www.facebook.com/EIFA.page/videos/an-interfaith-tribute-to-rabbi-lord-jonathan-sacks/202127924851476/
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………
Marcus Borg The Heart of Christianity
Days of Awe and Wonder: How to be a Christian in the 21st century
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. www.cac.org/sign-up/
Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:
THANK YOU from the Ministers Scott and David, Organist Matthew and all the office staff for all your thoughtful messages and cards. Each one is greatly appreciated.