What's Happening at Ayr Citadel?

Cycling for building renovation

2012-05-24T17:30:00.000+01:00

During the week of June 10-17 our very own Capt. Graeme Parkhill and Daniel Elliot are planning to cycle from Ayr to John O' Groats and back in order to raise funds for our building renovation project. They are collecting sponsors for this effort and you can sponsor them online! Capt. Graeme has set up a donations page at http://www.justgiving.com/Graeme-Parkhill where you can support their effort!

Pray for fair winds and strong legs as they undertake this adventure!

Use it or lose it!

2012-05-01T23:18:00.000+01:00

Just the other day I was talking with one of the teenagers in our congregation and he was telling me that he has just finished his prelim exams. He’s a 6th year pupil at Prestwick Academy and is hoping to study at the Strathclyde Business School – one of my old stomping grounds.

As we were talking, it put me in mind of a conversation that I had with one of my teenage neighbours a couple of years ago.

She was struggling with higher maths – don’t we all – and she knew that when I was at school, maths was one of my best subjects. So she came and asked if I would tutor her.

I explained that it had been some years since I had studied maths, but agreed to at least look through her text books to see if I could help.

However, although my exam certificate proudly shows an ‘A’ for higher maths, when I looked at her text books, it was like Double Dutch. And I mused – It’s true – “If you don’t use it you lose it”.

Religion is better kept when it is practiced. Faith is about relationships. Christianity – living a relationship with a loving God –relationships are strongest when there is much contact and communication. The same is true with our relationship with God – but watch out – if you don’t use it you lose it.

Graeme Parkhill

Midsummer Concert Announced

2012-04-25T19:00:00.000+01:00

You should mark your calendar now to attend this concert on Sunday 17th June 2012 at 6:00 PM in Ayr Town Hall.

Come Sing With Us

2012-03-03T08:30:00.000Z

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 our 2011 Christmas concert and visit to Govan the Ayr Community Gospel Choir are calling all singers from 14yrs upwards (no limit!) to do it all again - this time for a Summer Concert on Sunday the 17th June 2012 at 6pm in Ayr Town Hall.

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

The rehearsals will be in Ayr Community Church Hall 59 John Street Ayr.

22 March Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
03 April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
19 April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
03 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
17 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
31 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
14 June Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
17 June Rehearsal 3:30pm and Concert 6.00pm

All new participants will need to register (click here!) and for those of 14-18 years of age we will also require parents’ consent.
We will request a subscription of £5 for the session, this will cover the cost of music and other expenses.

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.

Believe!

2011-12-15T06:15:00.000Z

Click the photograph to see more of the 2011 Carol Concert

Believe!
Not even a power cut could de-rail the 3rd annual community carol concert at Ayr entitled Believe!

As an unexpected bonus, the concert, featuring the Corps’ Community Gospel Choir, Kilmarnock Concert Brass Ensemble and the Gordon Anderson Praise Band morphed into a “Carols by Candlelight” evening of praise and adoration of the Christ-child.

The 700-strong congregation was treated to some fantastic singing from the Gospel Choir and a collection of £1,350 was uplifted to support the Army’s work in Ukraine and a local homelessness project.

Alongside the singing of favourites such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Starry Night, the evening also included more contemporary numbers and concluded with a superb finale – Rebekah Parkhill thrilling the packed church with her angelic singing of “He is Immanuel”, followed by Bobby Irvine’s rendition of “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and a final carol “O Come all ye faithful”.

It certainly is a great time to Believe – in God and in His plan for His Corps at Ayr.

In the bleak midwinter

2011-12-13T16:55:00.000Z

Join with us on Midwinter’s Eve as we ponder again the Christmas Story as it is presented through the reading of nine passages of the Holy Scriptures and sung in many of your favourite carols, including Once in Royal David’s City, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, O Come all ye Faithful and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Set in the beautiful Tudor Gothic Church recently purchased by the Salvation Army, this service follows the traditional format of the Carol Service produced by the choir of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Each Christmas Eve since 1928 the service has been broadcast from the Chapel by the BBC.

The Dean of the Chapel, Eric Milner-White explains, “The main theme of the service is the development of the loving purposes of God as seen through the windows and words of the Bible.”

The centre of the service is still found by those who will go ‘in heart and mind’ and who consent to follow where the story leads.

Community Carol Concert 2011

2011-11-23T07:50:00.000Z

Living Stones!

2011-10-06T18:51:00.000+01:00

View more photographs of the occasion by clicking here!

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.

Celebrate With Us!

2011-09-26T21:43:00.000+01:00

The Salvation Army in Ayr has been without a permanent home for the last 9 years -- until now!

We are so happy to be able to move into the Wallacetown area and are really excited about becoming a part of the community here.

We would like to invite you to join with us as we enjoy a week of celebrations to mark the opening of our Ayr Community Church.

Sunday 2nd October      5pm – Church Dedication Service
Monday 3rd October      2 – 3pm – Indoor Garden Party
Monday 3rd October      6pm – Kids Party Night
Tuesday 4th October     7:30pm – Bible Study
Wednesday 5th October   7:30pm – Pampered Chef Evening
Thursday 6th October    7pm – Open Band and Songster Rehearsals
(Listen to the Band and Choir and enjoy a cuppa)
Friday 7th October      7:30 – 10:30 pm – Ceilidh (Light buffet provided)
Saturday 8th October    10am – 1pm – Coffee morning
(Entry £1 – various stalls)
Sunday 9th October      10:45am – Back to Church Sunday Worship
(Coffee fellowship after service)

Let's do it again!

2011-09-17T00:48:00.000+01:00

Ayr Community Gospel Choir

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 our 2011 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 11th December 2011.

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

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

29 September Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
13 October Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
27 October Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
10 November Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
24 November Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
26 November Rehearsal 10.30am
08 December Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
11 December Rehearsal 3:30pm and Concert 6.00pm

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.

Joyful, Joyful!

2011-06-24T23:25:00.000+01:00

Ayr Community Gospel Choir

The title of the concert certainly permeated the whole evening as the Ayr Community Gospel Choir (Bobby Irvine) hosted a summer concert.

Ayr Town Hall was full with members of the community and filled with the sound of enthusiastic community singing ably led by Gordon Anderson and his Worship Band.

The choir changed the mood throughout the evening with thoughtful presentation of songs such as "The Power of your Love" and "You Raise me Up" to energetic gospel renditions of "God is Working" and "Hallelujah Get Happy", which was enhanced by great solo work from Captain Wendy Parkhill and Alison Black supported by superb accompaniments from Robert Dibden.

This was in contrast to the rich sonorous sounds of Queen Victoria Brass Ensemble (Martyn Ramsay) who added a touch of the classics as well as some traditional brass band music all delivered with musicality and style.

Punctuating the evening with thoughtful and humorous drama items were the Ayr Citadel Drama Group, as ever leaving the audience with a clear and though provoking message.

Captain Graeme Parkhill drew the evening to its later stages by encouraging the community members gathered to always remember the importance of fulfilling promises that we make.

The finale to the evening included the choir and worship band in the song; Joyful! Joyful! which introduced to the audience the final guests for the evening, the Heathfield Primary School Cheer Leaders. The children thrilled the audience to a fantastic display, which was immediately repeated to the delight of the crowd.

Although admission was free for the evening there was a free will offering in aid of the Ayr Salvation Army Building Fund. A wonderful sum of £2,400 was raised, prompting a huge thank you to all who supported and gave so generously.

The title for the evening was inspired by the words of the song; "Joyful! Joyful! we adore Thee" and it is in that spirit that we give thanks to God for a great occasion.

More photographs of the occasion here.

Bobby Irvine

Praise Report

2011-06-10T23:09:00.000+01:00

Breaking News....!

We have just heard that the trustees of the Church of Scotland have decided that our bid for the Wallacetown Church is successful!

As is so often the case, we do what we can do, and then God does what we cannot do!

Many thanks to all those who have been praying on behalf of the Corps even when circumstances appeared to be adverse.

Please pray now that as we have come to the end of this beginning we will seize the marvelous opportunities this new development will present.

In everything give praise and thanks to God for His goodness.

Book the date!

2011-05-16T03:23:00.000+01:00

Let's do it all again!

2011-02-20T07:03:00.000Z

Summer Concert 19th June 2011

Following on from the success of our 2010 Christmas concert the Ayr Community Gospel Choir are calling all singers from 14yrs upwards (no limit!) to do it all again - this time for a Summer Concert on Sunday the 19th June 2011.
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 and time of the concert is still to be confirmed.

10th March Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
24th March Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
14th April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
(this rehearsal is during the second week of the Easter holiday but we can have a rehearsal for whoever is available)
28th April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
05th May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
19th May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
02nd June Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
16th June Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
19th June Concert (afternoon rehearsal, times and venue still to be confirmed)

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.

New International Leader Elected

2011-02-01T02:21:00.000Z

Today The Salvation Army announced its new world leader and the 19th General will be Canadian-born Commissioner Linda Bond!

She was elected by The Salvation Army’s High Council, a group of senior leaders from around the world who met this week near London. Commissioner Bond will succeed the current world leader General Shaw Clifton, who retires early April.

Commissioner Bond will be the 3rd woman and the 4th Canadian to hold the post of General of The Salvation Army in our 146 year history. She offers more than 42 years experience of ministry and leadership and currently heads up the church and charity’s work in Eastern Australia. This region includes the recently devastated state of Queensland where The Salvation Army continues to be heavily involved in assisting victims of widespread flooding.

Once in post as General of The Salvation Army, the Commissioner will become the head of more than one million Salvationists in 123 countries. Read more HERE at IHQ’s official press release.

Congratulations, Commissioner Bond! We wish you the best as you prepare to lead The Salvation Army.

Glory be!

2011-01-11T23:15:00.000Z

Thanks be to whom? …

Where should we start when thanking people for the Community Carol Concert at Castlehill Parish Church, Ayr, on the 12th of December 2010?

Perhaps with Liz Crumlish, Minister of Castlehill, for allowing us to use the venue for a second Christmas, and, as she commented herself, recognise that we have now created a Christmas tradition?

Or the Ayr Community Gospel Choir and its leader Bobby Irvine who, over a three month period, have rehearsed on a Thursday night in order to prepare for the carol concert? They presented a wide variety of songs from ”Joy to the world” to “Christmas song” and “Christmas Wonderland” to ”Praise his Holy Name”.

Or perhaps with Marjory Watson, the guest soloist for the evening. Her outstanding talent provided us with a number of fantastic solos, among them, "It's the most wonderful time of the year", "Emmanuel", "They followed His star", and "Mary did you know"?

On the other hand, we could begin by thanking the Riverside Church Praise Band for leading the Community Carol Singing; or Alistair Simmons, pastor of Riverside Evangelical Church, who reminded us that Christ was set into the world on a Divine rescue mission – to save sinners; illustrating this message with the rescue from above of the Chilean Miners.

Let us not forget the Drama group, who brought two amusing, but thought provoking presentations; first, auditions for the heavenly Choir, and secondly, a play that reminded us that we can get so caught up in the Christmas tinsel and trimmings that its often difficult to find Jesus in the midst of our celebrations.

Or do we just say that as a community we came together and had a wonderful time singing and being reminded of Christmas, and as a community donated over £900 to Hansel Village.

However you like to put it, thanks be to God for a blessed evening singing His praises and celebrating the story of the Babe of Bethlehem – born to be our Saviour and Lord.

God has richly blessed us again this Christmas season.

Robin Black

Lessons and Carols

2010-12-13T22:25:00.000Z

Midwinter Christmas Lessons & Carols
Tuesday 21st December 2010
7.00pm
Wallacetown Church
Located in John Street
Ayr

Ayr Salvation Army invites you to a traditional Christmas service of 9 Lessons and Carols.
Following the service refreshments will be served in the church hall – all welcome.

Marjory Watson to Headline Community Carol Concert

2010-12-07T01:32:00.000Z

International Singing Star Marjory Watson to Headline Community Carol Concert

Marjory Watson

The Salvation Army in Ayr is delighted to welcome back Marjory Watson as our guest vocal soloist for our 2010 Ayr Community Carol Concert on 12th December at 7.30pm to be held in Castlehill Parish Church. See the details here.

Marjory returned to Scotland last year after working in Los Angeles. Before that she worked as a freelance singer in London. She has appeared as a soloist in many of the country’s best concert venues including The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, The Cadogan Hall, London, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and The Royal Albert Hall, London. Internationally, she has performed in the Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht and the Cerritos Performing Arts Centre, LA. On television, she appeared as a soloist on BBC1’s Heaven and Earth Show. She is a regular soloist with The All Souls Orchestra (Langham Place, London) and was guest soloist for their Scottish tour.

Marjory is an experienced recording artist and has recorded for many different groups and albums (including Simon Beck’s solo album to be released soon). She released her first solo CD, The Spark of Creation in 2004. She can also be heard as a singing dolphin on the soundtrack of the motion picture The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005).

In 2006, Marjory made a successful debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe performing her own one-woman show, The Circle of Life.

Theatre credits include: Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy; Kings Theatre, Edinburgh); Sleeping Beauty in Into the Woods (Byre Theatre, St. Andrews) Mrs Cohen/Ensemble in Rent (Dundee Rep, Dundee) Songs for a New World (Starlight Showroom. Dundee). She sang on the recent UK tours of The Rocky Horror Show and 42nd Street.

Marjory recently started teaching at the RSAMD in Glasgow as a lecturer in singing on their Musical Theatre courses.

Marjory and her husband Stuart both attend the Salvation Army in Kirkcaldy where Marjory leads the choir.

2010 Carol Concert Announced

2010-11-17T02:05:00.000Z

Ayr Salvation Army

Community Carol Concert

12th December 2010 7.30pm

Castlehill Parish Church
3 Old Hillfoot Rd, Ayr KA7 3LW
01292 267332 ‎
click for directions

Featuring

Ayr Community Gospel Choir

Marjorie Watson - Vocalist

Timbrel Dance Group

Pastor Alastair Simmons

Community Singing

Free will offering on behalf of Hansel Village

For Information about Hansel click link: www.hansel.org.uk

Full time?

2010-10-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4: 11 & 12

Our Officer (Pastor) asked us last Sunday if we were full-time ministers - and there wasn’t a great show of hands!

Full-time to many people equates to paid employment. However as transformed followers of Christ, we have been called to do full-time service for the expansion of the kingdom.

As the quotation from Ephesians says, we have been given appointments by the Lord through the Holy Spirit, each one sealed by the contract of us accepting Jesus, and Jesus paying the price for our sins.

It is our job to carry out that appointment full-time, not just on Sundays or at church activities, but 24/7 - 365 days a year (366 each leap year), by sharing with the people with whom we come into contact.

So next time you are asked are you a full-time minister, the answer should be YES!!

Robin Black

Gospel Choir Rehearsals Underway

2010-10-16T00:08:00.000+01:00

The first rehearsals for the Ayr Community Gospel Choir have taken place, but it's still not too late to get in on the action!
For the second year in a row they are planning a fun Christmas celebration. All are invited to participate. If you haven't joined up yet, all the details are here!

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to meet new friends and have a great time singing!

Closed box or a gateway?

2010-10-13T06:42:00.000+01:00

Many people who profess to be Christian - attending church services every week and participating in church-related groups during the week - believe they are doing their part in extending God’s kingdom. They hope that by their worship style and the programmes they offer, new people will be attracted to their location. And once they get them to enter the church building, only then they can work with the Holy Spirit in converting them, and sharing the good news about Jesus.

While it is never a bad thing to have new people entering our church buildings, it would seem we have badly misinterpreted what "church" really is! The "Church" in the Bible refers to the people who have come to know Jesus as their personal friend, and are striving - with his leading and intervention of the Holy Spirit - to lead lives like Christ! The Bible refers to "the church" as the "body of Christ". And one of the purposes of that body is to reach out and win new members to that body - to replicate!

Over the centuries many christians never learned or have (conveniently?) forgotten that Jesus called us to be disciples! And not just at the weekend or when we meet in our groups! Jesus commanded us to be disciples every day and every hour of the week, and in every situation!

The only way we can expand the body of the Church is to be alongside the people we with whom we work, have coffee, share school runs, and stand in the shopping queue! It is in these situations we are required to share the good news as The Holy Spirit leads!

This is what Jesus meant when he sent the disciples out to go into the highways and byways to share the good news, because the “Field is white unto harvest”. As God’s people and church we have to be "whole life" - 24/7 - Christians.

This can be a scary thought because we will need to depend wholly on the Holy Spirit and his leading. We will have to live what we believe and pass that on in conversation and testimony.

This is how the Church becomes a gateway. It is through this door of committed discipleship that those whom God has challenged using our influence, come and are nurtured in the church. They can then be trained in our various groups to equip them to be disciples too, as Jesus intended. And then they will become gateways themselves engaging in whole life discipleship ministry.

Are your Church doors locked - keeping you in? Or are they wide open to allow disciples to be made, used, and replicated?

Remember Jesus didn’t just choose disciples in Bible times. He chose you to be disciples in the present time, before you were born.

If you would like to know more please contact us.

Robin Black

Do you have the right copyright?

2010-10-05T00:25:00.000+01:00

I was sitting in our service at Ayr Citadel Salvation Army, the other week when our Officer (Pastor) asked us to turn up a song in Mission Praise, nothing unusual in that, however it was the song next to it that caught my attention. It wasn’t for the beauty of the words, or the lovely tune, as it had neither of these. In fact the song didn’t exist, well it did exist, because it had a song number allocated, I think it was 325, however it was not available to be sung. The reason was given in a single line of text, “this Song has been withdrawn due to copyright issues”.

This one sentence made me think and ask a few questions:

What was the copyright issue?
Why hadn’t it been resolved?
What have I missed because the song wasn’t there?
Did anyone else notice it was missing?

It then struck me that the same thing could happen in my spiritual life, it says in the Bible “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
If we don’t accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we don’t have our Copyright in order, therefore when we get to heaven, will there be an entry next to our name “Withdrawn because of Copyright issues”

What could the possible answers be to those questions in relationship to my personal Copyright?

The copyright issue was I failed to be covered by the blood of the lamb, in other words I had not accepted Christ as Saviour
I always reckoned the expiry date was tomorrow, unfortunately tomorrow never came
I missed the peace and Joy and contentment of being in the safety of Jesus the risen saviour
Did anyone else notice it was missing? Unfortunately, that I don’t know, however, I am sure 2 would, Myself and God

I know I have to constantly to go back to the source of renewal for my copyright and that is Jesus, sometimes it is easy sometimes it is hard, however the consequences are not just a missing song but a missing soul and a life of living in eternity with God.

Is your copyright up to date?

Robin Black

Christmas Gospel Carol Service Announced

2010-09-29T01:20:00.000+01:00

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

SUMMER GOSPEL PRAISE!

2010-07-01T04:28:00.000+01:00

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