Today was a Family Service, a celebration of the young folk in our congregation and Pentecost, which commemorates the birth of the church. Our opening hymn “All over the World, the Sprit is moving” provided a rousing start.

Have you ever tried to ask a group of children to look at the camera … all at the same time? Today was the last day of the Sunday School groups until they return to school in late summer. The congregation were able to look at some of the work they had been doing over the last few months. They had created posters depicting some of Jesus’ parables which described losing something and then the joy and celebration of finding it again. The stories were about one lost sheep, one lost coin and one returning son and reminded us that God will celebrate just as much if we come safely back to Him. They had also provided images of the Lord’s Prayer. A great deal of work had gone into these pictures and credit must go to the Sunday School teachers who provide steady guidance to the young folk.

Certificates were presented to Naomi, Finley and Rohan for their Cross Reach Christmas Card entries. Books for the creche children were given to Jessica, Oscar, Arti and Rock, to Sunday School children Hannah, Sarah, Rohan, Louise, Naomi, Finley, Matthew, Isabella and Ben, Bibles for Katy and Isobel as they transition to the Youth Group. The minister, Sarah, was presented with flowers and chocolates who in turn had gifts for the Sunday School teachers, Julie, Senga and Margaret, Sarah who leads the teenage group and Helen who tirelessly looks after the creche.

Our next All Age Family Services will be 7th July and 4th August.

Deborah Nicol, who is part of the Church of Scotland Youth Assembly and represented Ardrossan Presbytery at this year’s General Assembly, gave us a positive snapshot of the event from her perspective. Deborah encouraged us to take a closer look at some of the reports which were given.