Monday Spot (29 October 2007)
After a series of week-ends which could be described as extraordinary it was nice to relax and enjoy what some might call a ‘normal’ Sunday.
This was the end of the school ‘half-term’ break and some had taken the opportunity of a few days away but, in the main, congregations were well up to normal in terms of numbers.
Major Kathy
Both meetings on Sunday were led by Major Kathy and in the morning she included songs 687, 189, 485 and 826 from The Salvation Army Song Book together with 1013 and 742 from Songs of Fellowship. Musical ministry was provided by the Singing Company and Songsters who gave us ‘This is my Desire’ and ‘Grace Alone’ respectively. For her ministry from the ‘word’ Major Kathy used 1 John 1:1-2:2 as her basis and in her address, which was on the theme of ‘God has a Purpose with Church Fellowships’, said we deceive ourselves if we say we have no sin. In these circumstances Christian fellowship doesn’t have a chance. Fellowship with God begins with fellowship with each other. Loving God includes loving people and being concerned about what happens to them. No belief can be fully Christian if it separates us from others. Fellowship within the church stems from fellowship with God and we, individuallly, need to assess our own position.
In the evening Kathy’s theme was again about reactions to Jesus and, in particular, Peter’s reaction when asked by Christ ‘who do you say that I am?’ Songs used were 356 and 141 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 755, 165, 544, 627, and 1084 from Songs of Fellowship. The Band brought ‘To God be the Glory’ and the Songsters ‘I will sing your Praises’. Major Kathy’s address was based on Mark 8:27-30 and she spoke about Peter’s answer to the question posed above when he said ‘You are the Christ’.
We frequently have visitors in our meetings and it is especially nice when they are former members of our Corps. This week-end David and Gill French were amongst our guests (David was our Songster Leader for a period of about 5 years) and it was good to ‘catch up’ with former times. On Saturday they enjoyed several hours of nostalgia when visiting the Historic Dockyard.
By the old No 1 Basin and on board HMS Cavalier
Both David and Gill worked at the Dockyard before its closure in the early 1980s, David for a period of 24 years. It is now 26 years since they left Chatham to live in Fareham and attend the Portsmouth Citadel Corps where they now worship. Much redevelopement has taken place in the old Dockyard area since those days and both David and Gill enjoyed seeing how things have taken shape and visiting ships (including a submarine) on which David once worked and which are now on exhibition.
So, a good week-end once again. We’ll bring you more news as we receive it but in the meantime, have a great week.