The Salvation Army Chatham

Well, would you believe it? Our Christmas programme has started (only 10 weeks behind Harrods store it must be said!)

Trafalgar Square, London, where the tree is an annual gift from the people of Norway

Last Saturday saw the Junior Soldiers Christmas Party, preparations are in hand for the distribution of Christmas parcels to those in need and Christmas music has been rehearsed for several weeks. Next week-end we host our Christmas concert in the town’s Central Theatre.

Why so early? Well. its simple really. Medway Council stage a pantomime every year and so the theatre is ‘out of bounds’ to anyone else from next week until the New Year. Pity there’s not another suitable theatre!

Never mind, come if you can. Tickets are available from the Box Office (Tel: 01634 338338 or email boxoffice@medway.gov.uk. Prices are £3.50 all seats and the concerts are on Saturday 25th November at 3.00 and 7.00pm

So, what happened at the corps yesterday? Well, in the morning we began a new series entitled ‘We beheld His Glory’ based on the first chapter of John’s gospel. This week we considered ‘Jesus the Word - Makes God Audible’.

Major Kathy

Major Kathy led the meeting using John 1:1-14 as her scripture and including songs 219, 181 and 141 from The Salvation Army Song Book together with 298 and 1047 from Songs of Fellowship. In her sermon she asked the question ‘do God’s people still hear him speak? The issue today is not about wanting to hear God speak, but needing to!’. Let’s listen, shall we?

A highlight of the meeting was the enrolment of four new soldiers, John, Phil, Stephanie and Paula. Others are preparing for soldiership and we praise God for that. Each testified to the dramatic change that has occured in his or her life since finding Jesus Christ and they brought moments of real blessing, underlining the fact that nurturing new Christians is so vital to their progress in the faith. The Hall was packed with those who came specifically to offer support.

Our new soldiers

Testimonies from (l to r) Stephanie, Paula, Phil and John

Recruiting Sergeant Rosemary Steadman-Allen who has had the responsibility of preparing our new soldiers

In his testimony John said that, having spent most of his life running away from the police, it was a policeman that finally prayed with him at the mercy seat! In the past, whenever a policeman had knelt beside him, it was for the purpose of ‘cuffing’ him! Contributions from Singing Company and Songsters were ‘Sing, Sing, Children Sing’ and ‘Moment by Moment’ respectively.

In the evening we continued our ‘Cameos of End Times’ (begun last week) with a study of ‘The Unruly Steward’ (Matthew 24:45-51). Songs used included 81, 522 and 163 (SA Song Book) and 1015 (Songs of Fellowship). The Band contributed two movements from ‘Walking with Jesus’ and the Songsters brought ‘One Life to Live’. Major Kathy spoke of the need for us to be ready for the return of Jesus and to prepare for it.

Once again we have experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit today and look forward to a busy, and very public, week-end next week. Watch this space!