ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
RESUMPTION OF CHURCH SERVICES: The Kirk Session is pleased to announce that Church Services will take place in Ayr St Columba Church on Wednesday afternoons at 2.00pm on each Wednesday in August and September on Sunday mornings at 10.00am only from 6th September onwards. The Services will last for approximately 30 minutes. Due to the restrictions on numbers a booking system is in place.
ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND WORSHIP on Wednesday 26 August should phone Irene on 01292 265794 on Monday 17th or Tuesday 18th between 10am – 12 noon to reserve a seat. Anyone wishing to attend worship on forthcoming Sundays should do so on the Thursday and Friday only preceding the Sunday.
CALLS TO THE OFFICE during the reservation time will be restricted to that purpose only. Calls on any other matter should be made before 10am and after 12 noon – thank you for your assistance!
PRIVATE PRAYER – For the remaining Sundays in August, members and friends are welcome to sit quietly in the Sanctuary between 10.00am and 11.00 am. However, from 6th September onwards, these sessions will cease and Sunday Services will resume.
ELDERS – COLUMBA NEWS – a few districts remain to be collected. Please call the office on 01292 265794 to arrange when you can uplift your District. Many thanks to our Editor Norman for another excellent magazine.
WEDNESDAY REFLECTION: The Minister continues to offer a short reflection every Wednesday. This may be accessed on our website (script and audio) or Facebook (audio). Last week’s was entitled “TORTOISE”. Do take a look!
RECORDING OF SERVICES – discussions are ongoing regarding the equipment required. We are currently finalising plans to upload a Worship Service to the website. We expect to announce starting dates very soon. The website will be updated when we have this information.
AUDIO SERMON – an Audio version of the sermon is available on the website.
DIAL-A-SERMON It is now possible to access Scott’s Wednesday Reflection and 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. This service is in addition to the Wednesday Reflection already available on the website (in both script and audio) and Facebook page (in script and audio) as well as the Sunday Sermon (in script) on the website.
THE AUGUST PRAYER CALENDAR for week FOUR is available on the website.
DEATHS Our sincere sympathies are extended to the family and friends of Cynthia Pitt, Templeton House, died on 15 August. The funeral is in Masonhill Crematorium on Tuesday 25 August at 12 noon.
Condolences are extended to Lily and the family of James Clark, Glenfairn Care Home, died on 17 August. The funeral is in Masonhill Crematorium on Friday 28 August at 10.30am.
Condolences are extended to the family of Margaret Berrey, Heathfield House, died on 20 August. The funeral is in Masonhill Crematorium on Friday 28 August at 11.15am.
Our condolences are extended to Helen on the passing of her sister Mabel Davidson, who passed away this week. Mabel’s funeral will be held in Dumfries.
WE continue to pray for all our bereaved families and for the Ministers and Office bearers as they continue to seek a way forward for our Church that will be safe for all.
OUR APOLOGIES are extended to Mrs Phyllis McBride for the omission of the following message from the Columba News.
“Phyllis, David & Colin wish to thank everyone concerned for their cards, flowers and expressions of sympathy at this sad time. Thanks also to those present at the Church as the cortege passed. Special thanks to the Minister, Organist and Muriel Wilson for their very comforting service. Many thanks. Phyllis McBride & Family”
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/
SCHOOL CLOTHING BANK: a huge “THANK YOU” to those who have already donated a superb array of school uniforms. If you are able, please think about a few items in support of 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 01292 265794 to arrange a dropping off point. Thank you so, so much!
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the L&W 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
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 16 August – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am – The inspiration of listening – Exploring the inspiration of listening with writer Anna Magnusson and poet Pádraig Ó Tuama. During this strange summer Pádraig and Anna find solace in time spent listening deeply.
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.
OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call!
FOOD BANK: Please remember our Food Bank. They are working to capacity under very severe hygiene and distancing regulations to meet this growing need. Extra food items can be left at a number of stores around Ayr. (Asda; Tesco, Sainsbury and the Co-op – to name a few). 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 or you can contact the Foodbank on 0759907114.
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/
FACEBOOK – THIS 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. Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try! https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/
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.
Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:
SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH – Revd. Dr. Scott McKenna in conversation with Iain Stewart of Edinburgh Inter Faith Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrX0YdGevd0