The Salvation Army Chatham

This week we begin with an apology for the late publication of Monday Spot. Many readers will have been aware in advance and not surprised that we weren’t able to publish yesterday which was for administrative reasons.

Autumn in South East England

This year the autumn season has been superb. Warm, mostly dry and with good amounts of sunshine showing off the colours at their best. ‘Leaf Peepers’ have had a field day. Just as well really after the dreadful summer this year and so we are pleased to report that the weather was good for the Remembrance Day services held in the Medway Towns on Sunday. This year there were no less than six such events with our own Band taking part in the one held at the memorial in Victoria Gardens, Chatham. Here are some pictures.

Our meeting on Sunday morning was led by Major Drew on the theme of ‘Church Evanglises’.

Major Drew

Songs 687, 22, and 830 from The Salvation Army Song Book were used in conjunction with 646 from Songs of Fellowship. The Singing Company brought ‘Prayer for a new World’ and the Songsters sang ‘I’ll be True’. Drew’s message was about the importance of evangelism. Focussing on John 4: 1-42, which had been dramatically enacted earlier in the meeting, he spoke about how we need to develop the art of conversation and sharing our faith in a natural way. The story of the meeting with the Samaritan woman is a good example of this and Drew referred to it as a ‘God Appointment’. We should cultivate the habit of ‘God Appointments’ in order to speak about our faith. Frequent mention of God in our conversations will help us tap into the Holy Spirit’s power. We all need to tell our story and Martin and Gina both spoke about how the Holy Spirit came to them on the recent Alpha course. Martin said when the Spirit comes its like the soul opening. What was missing has been made whole.

The meeting concluded with an act of remembrance in keeping with Remembrance Sunday.

Major Beverley

In the evening Major Beverley was our leader and the theme was ‘Do this in remebrance of Me’. Plenty of congregational singing included 848 and 96 from The Salvation Army Song Book. Songs 120, 40, 865, 1015 and 480 from Songs of Fellowship were also used. The Band brought us ‘For You’ and the Songsters ‘ God so loved the World’

Using Luke 22:7-23 as her scripture Beverley said as humans we need symbols and ceremonies e.g. wedding ceremonies, the mercy seat. The Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples was the special meal at which Jews celebrated the defining moment of the Exodus from Egypt. By remembering this event through the Passover meal it gave hope that God has used His mighty power and could do so again. When Jesus chose to speak to the disciples about the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup, he redirected their attention from the miracle of the Exodus to Himself. He pointed out that here was another defining moment to remember, when people would receive freedom through Christ and He aligned Himself with a new covenantal relationship.

No ritual, no ceremony is needed to experience the reality of Christ’s grace. Each church sincerely holds its own tradition of expressing the union of our lives with that of Christ. There are symbolic meals and other ways. We respect each church’s tradition. The Salvation Army believes that simple repentance, faith in Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary for salvation. The whole of life is sacramental – every moment of every day can be lived in the grace and knowledge of Christ in our lives. All we need is to be forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Remembrance Day is the last big event before our Christmas activities get into full swing. Much rehearsal and preparation is now going on, particularly for the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ concert at The Central Theatre on Saturday 1 December. Click on the poster below to find the details and make a date with us for this great occassion. Click here and use the link ‘search the calendar/month/next month’ to book on line. See you there!

Last, but by no means least, we offer our congratulations to General John and Commissioner Gisele Gowans who celebrate ther ‘golden’ wedding (50 years) this week.

Half a century of devoted service together

Why not join us in sending them best wishes.