Welcome

Going anywhere new for the first time can be a very daunting occasion, whether it be a new school, a new job or a new house. Coming to a church for the first time is no different, even if you have been to church before. I’d like to take you into Ayr Baptist and give you an idea of what to expect.

Our Sunday services begin at 10.30am and 6pm, and it is useful to know our front door here in Fort Street opens about 45 minutes before we start.

When you walk through our door you will be met by one of the stewards on duty that day, who will hand you a sheet with all the notices for the week ahead and some future events being held in the church.

You will then be directed to the main worship area. Ayr Baptist Church is fully wheelchair accessible, and although there are stairs to the main church area, there is a lift for those who would find this helpful. The stewards will be more than willing to help you use the lift.

You then enter the 'main worship area' as we call it. Refurbished in 2004, we removed the old wooden pews and replaced them with 200 comfier seats, enabling us to use this area for a lot more than Sunday services. You are welcome to sit anywhere you want to, and there will always be something going on around you.

If you look ahead to the front of the church, you will see a rolling PowerPoint presentation, showing information of services and other activities going on in the church. Depending on when you arrive, you may hear the praise band having their last minute sound check.

Hopefully by now you will be sitting, relaxed and ready for our service to begin. If you happen to be running late and don’t want to walk into the busy main area, take advantage of our 30-seat balcony, mostly taken up by the young people on a Sunday morning. Our stewards will be able to show you where to go.

The service will begin with lively, contemporary, singing then a few additional notices may be given.

We are very much a family church and welcome all ages to our service. With this in mind, there is a short 'kids talk' in the morning service, before S.A.L.T. begins. S.A.L.T. - Sharing And Learning Together - is Ayr Baptist's 'Sunday school,' held downstairs during the service where children can learn about the bible in activities and games. Visiting children are more than welcome to join the regulars, and if you feel you would like to accompany your child to S.A.L.T., and return once they have settled, this will not be a problem. The children are led out shortly after the 'kid's talk' by one of the deacons. We also run a crèche for pre-school children, which begins at the same time as S.A.L.T.

After a few more songs, the pastor, or another leader of the church, will present an 'info spot.' This may be about an activity going on within the church or perhaps a mission report from a member of the church who has been working outwith the church. We will also uplift an offering around this time. This is for regular church members, and if you are not prepared for this, or do not wish to contribute then please pass the collection bag on.

'Breathe' is the new bible class for young people in S1-S4, and the worship leader will announce when it is time for them to leave. As with S.A.L.T. and crèche, visitors are welcome to join the young people as they study the bible. It is now time for the message. Our pastor Mark usually works through a series or a theme for several weeks, sometimes a book of the bible, other times a topic. Check the homepage of the website for details. We have a loop system for those who wear hearing aids; you will just need to set it to “T”. Mark usually reiterates his main points on a PowerPoint presentation, which you may find useful.

After the message, there will be communion. If it is the last Sunday in a month, the communion will be held in the evening service, so Sunday school and crèche leaders can participate. Communion, to us, is an act of worship in which we remember Jesus' death and resurrection. All who love and worship the Lord Jesus are welcome to participate in this. There will be a time of reflection and prayer, and then the deacons will pass the bread and cups of grape juice down each row. If you do not wish to participate, do not feel concerned about just passing the bread and grape juice on.

After the communion, there will be a closing song before the service finishes. The evening service has tea, coffee and biscuits afterwards, and all are welcome to stay. Although S.A.L.T. is not held in the evening, there is generally something organised for the children. Crèche and 'Breathe' are not held in the evening either, but for young people S1 – S6, Youth Fellowship follows the evening service, beginning at 7.30pm and is held in the lounge.

Hopefully this 'tour' will help you to understand Ayr Baptist more fully. There are always helpful and friendly people to hand if you feel a bit lost! All are welcome to our church services and activities.