Christmas Gospel Carol Service Announced

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

Following on from the success of our 2010 summer concert the Ayr Community Gospel Choir are calling all singers from 14yrs upwards (no limit!) to do it all again - this time for a Christmas Carol Concert on Sunday the 12th December 2010.

It would be great to see everybody again and you are more than welcome to bring someone new along!

The rehearsals will be in Wallacetown Church Hall (John Street Ayr) - the venue of the concert is still to be confirmed.

• 14 October Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 04 November    Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 18 November    Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 02 December    Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 09 December    Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 12 December    Rehearsal 3:30pm and Concert 7:30pm

All new participants will need to register (click here!) 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.

SUMMER GOSPEL PRAISE!

A near capacity audience filled the Ayr Town Hall on Sunday evening, the 13th June, for the first Summer Praise Concert of the Ayr Community Gospel Choir.

It was an inspiring evening for all who attended, with folks young and old alike leaving with raised spirits and a song in their hearts.


The Gospel Choir reformed after a tremendous debut Christmas Carol Concert and under the leadership of Bobby Irvine contributed five songs to the evening. The first song, "Wake up O sleeper", really got the audience's toes tapping and hands clapping and it was noted that a group of ladies from a Cumnock Church were even dancing in the aisles!


The timeless "I know a fount" and the reflective arrangement of "Holy Ground" was contrasted with the vibrancy of the singing of "Praise His Holy Name".

Members of the choir and audience alike enjoyed it to the full.

Special guests for the evening were Keith Johnston, who wowed the audience with his two cornet solos. Keith is the bandmaster of the Salvation Army's Edinburgh Gorgie Band and his contributions of The Carnival of Venice and Burn's My love is like a Red Red Rose were very well received. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army once asked the question "Why should the devil have all the best tunes?" and Keith reminded the audience prior to his playing of the favourite Burn's song that the words of "There is a green hill far away" fit well with this tune, he particularly highlighted the verse including "He [Jesus] only could unlock the gate of Heaven and let them in", which linked very well with the preceding drama, "Knocking on Heaven's Door".

Vocal soloist, Marjory Watson contributed songs from the stage and motion picture following the themes of love and hope. Accompanied by her husband Stuart on the piano, she really engaged the gathered audience with her singing of many favourites. Her varied repertoire showed her flair and talent and Marjory linked a favourite of many "I'm finding" to the search for true love that we all go through, recognising the love of God as the ultimate expression of love. Her contributions culminated in a powerful rendition of The Prayer, where she was joined by Bobby Irvine.

The evening concluded with the Gospel Choir singing Total Praise, which summed up the whole atmosphere of this Summer Praise concert.

Graeme Parkhill

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.