Gospel Festival

SUMMER PRAISE! GOSPEL FESTIVAL

AYR TOWN HALL

SUNDAY 13th JUNE 2010 - 7PM


FEATURING

AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR
MARJORY WATSON (VOCAL)
KEITH JOHNSTON (CORNET)
BOBBY IRVINE (VOCAL)
DRAMA GROUP (WENDY PARKHILL)

ADMISSION FREE

FREEWILL OFFERING

PROCEEDS TO: AYR SALVATION ARMY BUILDING FUND
www.salvationarmyayrcitadel.info

Life's Plan

Life's Plan

As I sit at my Desk in the Lloyds Banking Group in Halifax England, I know it is not the best work situation I have ever had. If I am being honest it is not the worst, however, I must be getting old (or older) as I miss being home every night with my family. This has led me to a feeling of uneasiness as well as a feeling that I would like to be working closer to home. When you are feeling disgruntled, you often forget that you are in the middle of a life plan. My life plan had been created and posted long before I even set foot on this earth.

I have been far too busy worrying how I will change my situation, how I will get a new job, how I will only think of me. I need to remember I am in the middle of a plan and God is the ultimate programme manager. God knows what my next activity is and I am sure I will find out in his good time. I need to look back and see his hand on everything I do; he is not going to leave me to my own devices now.

I can however make a difference to the plans conclusion, I can forget who is greater than me, who sees the full plan, who sees the contacts I make and as I forget - plan delays issues and risks arise. However if I put my hand in the Lord's and do as Bobby Irvine (Ayr Bandmaster) described in his thought on the 14th of February from Psalm 99 "I, will say of the lord" then I will be able to cope, I will be put in a place that is right, but more important I will be on plan with God as the programme manager.

I saw a sign on the London Underground last year that said a baby's DNA was 50% of the mother and 50% of the father, but that they were a 100% loved - for me I am 100% the child of a King!

Robin Black

Celebrate Easter with us

Easter Morning Worship
4th April 2010 – 10.45am
Wallacetown Church Hall
John Street
Ayr
KA8 0BS Map

Easter Sunday Celebration Rally
The Salvation Army – West Scotland Division
4th April 2010 – 5.30pm
Castlehill Church of Scotland
Old Hillfoot Road
Ayr
KA7 3LW Map

Guest Speaker
Lt. Colonel Robert McIntyre:

Celebration Chorus, Govan Band, Vocal Soloist.

Everyone Welcome

Which side are you on?

Which side of the fence do you live on?

According to Aesop's fables, a long time ago when the world was young, the birds and the beasts were engaged in a bitter war. The bat, not wanting to be on the losing side--whichever that might turn out to be--tried to be on both sides. Whenever the birds won a battle, he would fly with them, telling everyone he was a bird. When the beasts won, he would walk around, assuring everyone that he was a beast. Because he refused to make a choice, he was rejected by both the birds and the beasts. From that day on, according to Aesop, the bat has had to go into hiding, living in dark caves, only daring to come out at night.

Only a story, perhaps, but one that finds parallels in the Bible. In Jeremiah 21:8 the Children of Israel are given a choice between accepting the way to life, or choosing the way of death.

There was no third option.

It is a dangerous place if we find ourselves slipping into a sense in which we try to get the best of both worlds, just like the bat above. When we are in the presence of Christians, we think holy thoughts and do good deeds and when we meet with non-Christian friends we put God “on hold” and fit in with the worldly lifestyle they adopt.

It’s a life of dualism – one minute one way; the next the other.

God desires that we choose the way of life – “life in all its fullness” and live that full life, with its truth and convictions 24/7.

What kind of life do you enjoy?

May God bless you this week as you consider which side of the fence you live on?

Graeme Parkhill

Want to sing gospel (again)?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SING GOSPEL!

Calling all singers who would like to sing in The Salvation Army’s AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR


Following on from the success of the Ayr Community Gospel Choir which had a huge impact on The Salvation Army’s Christmas Concert, we are calling all singers from 14 upwards (no limit!) to do it all again - this time for a Summer Concert on Sunday the 13th June 2010.

There will be six rehearsals to be held during March, April & May.

All rehearsals will be in Riverside Evangelical Church Hall (John Street Ayr).

1. 11th March Kick off – reunion night 7:30 till 9:00pm
2. 25th March Choir Rehearsal 7:30 till 9:00pm
3. 15th April Choir Rehearsal 7:30 till 9:00pm
4. 29th April Choir Rehearsal 7:30 till 9:00pm
5. 13th May Choir Rehearsal 7:30 till 9:00pm
6. 27th May Choir Rehearsal 7:30 till 9:00pm

We are planning an open night on Thursday 11 March at 7.30pm in Riverside Church Halls, John Street Ayr. You can meet existing Choir members and find out more about the Choir. There will be tea / coffee and we will be showing the DVD of ‘The Joy of Christmas’ carol concert which will also be available to take home for a donation of £5. This will be an opportunity to bring other interested friends and neighbours from our community along. We will also have a sing and begin preparing for the Summer Concert.

For further information please go to www.salvationarmyayrcitadel.info or telephone 01292 285237.

All new participants will need to register and for those of 14-18 years of age we will also require parents consent.

This invitation is to members of the local community and beyond to come together and form a ‘Community Gospel Choir’ which is open to everyone aged 14 and above – you, your friends, local people …. In fact, anyone whether they have a faith or not.

Had enough?

Had enough? Aghh!!!

I wonder of you ever get to the stage where there are so many demands placed upon your time that you simply feel that they are threatening to swamp you?

Perhaps you feel that there simply aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all that you need, or that you've got to the stage where you've pushed yourself so hard for so long that you simply don't have the energy to keep the pace up any more.

The temptation is to run away from it all – or stare hopelessly as the mountain of jobs grows in front of your eyes.

The Bible recounts the story of Elijah. His problem wasn't busyness, but a death threat put on him from Jezebel (1 Kings 19). His solution was to run away – to the desert – where he sat under a tree and prayed, "I'VE HAD ENOUGH, Lord. Take my life, I am no better than my ancestors."

God came to Elijah, but not in the mighty wind, not in the earthquake, and not in the fire… but in a still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

If you're feeling like you've had enough … for whatever reason … may the words of Psalm 46:10 revive you this week as you put them into practice:

“Be still and know that I am God”

May God richly bless you.

Graeme Parkhill

Stand Firm!

We sometimes make good resolutions at the beginning of the New Year. These two snowmen were built at the same time. The one on the left started off well but got a bit lopsided once he began to thaw out. The Salvationist snowman, on the other hand, seems to have weathered the conditions rather better. The person who lowers their standards, in response to a change in the climate around, that is to fit in with the standards of the crowd, is weakened and sooner or later their lives fall apart.

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind”. Romans 12:1,2 (Good News Bible)

Major Paul Latham