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A fantastic evening of praise and thanksgiving to God was held on Sunday 2nd October as Majors Russell and Catherine Wyles, Division Leaders of the West Scotland Division, dedicated the new Salvation Army Community Church and Halls to God and to the mission and ministry of the Salvation Army in Ayr.
Captain Graeme Parkhill opened the meeting with the words of Psalm 100, with verses 4&5 seeming particularly relevant for the evening - “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise his Name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Captain Wendy Parkhill then led the gathered congregation, about 250 strong, in the opening song “I stand amazed in the presence” before praying God’s blessing upon our efforts and handing over to the Divisional Leaders who led the rest of the meeting.
Musical contributions from the Ayr Citadel Band and the Ayr Community Gospel Choir, who sang two songs, “Lord I come to you” and “God is working” added greatly to the sense of worship evident in the meeting.
The Reverend Liz Crumlish, minister of Castlehill Parish Church and Chair of the Ayr Mission Committee gave words of welcome and thanks on behalf of local Church Leaders; and Mr Joe Lafferty, a local community councillor, brought civic greetings.
The Divisional Commander reminded the congregation that as Christians living in the world, we should remember that the “bricks and mortar” of new buildings are only part of what is needed for the Salvation Army in Ayr to continue to thrive – all members of the congregation should be Living Stones, built together to take the transforming love of God to our community. His message seemed to be summed up in the words of the fourth song:
“Except you build the house, Lord,
Our work is all in vain,
Except your Spirit fill it,
But blocks of stone remain;
But if our hearts are open
And you in power come down
The glory of your presence
Will all our labours crown.”
(Song 943 in the Salvation Army Song Book)
With prayers said for the Corps Officers, Captains Graeme and Wendy Parkhill; members of the Corps Leadership Team; members of the Corps; members of the wider Christian Church in Ayr; and finally members of the Wallacetown community, which the new Community Church and halls borders; the Divisional Commander sent the Corps out to make a difference in the world, taking the love of God to a hurting world.
