The Salvation Army Chatham

Heralding a New Year

This picture reminds us that in a few hours time the chimes of Big Ben will herald the year 2008. Wherever we are in the world this famous timepiece, situated as it is almost on the line of zero longitude, is accepted as the world standard in timekeeping.

Since last week’s Monday Spot the Christmas holiday has come and gone and we now have a welcome ‘breather’ in our corps activity programme. Time to recharge the batteries and prepare for a busy January schedule. Last Monday evening we met for our Christmas Eve ‘midnight’ service when we reflected upon the birth of Jesus and made our own commitment to worship Him. A few of our homeless friends who share a weekly meal with us joined the assembled company and at least some of them showed an interest in why we were there. Then on Christmas morning a number gathered for a time of worship and celebration. At this period of the holiday many have gone to visit families in other parts of the country but in return we had a number of visitors sharing these occasions with us.

Major Kathy

Yesterday we had only one meeting (in the morning) and this was led by Major Kathy. Many were still away visiting but the number of visitors made the congregation seem as large as usual. No doubt this expereience is common to many corps at this time of year.

Following the theme of thanking God for Jesus Kathy spoke to the children about Christmas decorations and how many of them have links to Him. Why not try to connect the decorations in your home in this way. You might be surprised at the result. Song 22 from The Salvation Army Song Book was used along with 1113, 1013, 1099 and 1346 from Songs of Fellowship and the Singing Company brought ‘Once again I thank you’ as its contribution to the ministry.

Scripture from John 1:1-14 and Matthew 3:1-12 was used as the basis for Major Kathy’s message in which she spoke about ‘making way for the King’. She said in preparation for the coming of Jesus to our lives we must repent from our sins and resolve to sin no more. The repentance that John the Baptist spoke about was not a whim of the moment but the adoption of a lifestyle. If we are ‘in Christ’ the old has gone and we have become new. This is a message particularly to complacent Christians. Every Christian is called upon to examine and evaluate his own life and must ask himself if he is different to others or if he has merged with society. The time has come for commitment, not just casual allegiance. We cannot rely on a prayer made in childhood. We must renew our commitment daily and prepare the way for Jesus in the lives of those in whom He has not yet been born.

The Songsters introduced the final part of the meeting by singing ‘When we cannot see our way’ helping us to focus on renewal and rededication. These are sentiments often dwelt upon at this time of year and were particularly relevent to our meeting as renewed commitments were made. We pray God’s blessing on all our worshippers as we enter the New Year, especially those who have made special promises at this time.

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe and Major Kathy Woodhouse (pictured above) extend best wishes to all our readers, regular or casual, and wish you a very happy New Year.

Majors Drew and Beverley

You are welcome to visit our website as frequently as you find it possible. More than that, if you are ever in our area why not make contact. We’d love to meet you. God Bless!