Monday Spot (17 March 2008)
The week-end began with the film night arranged for our young people (up to 13 years of age).The main feature was the new Disney movie ‘Ratatouille’.
About 40 people attended and it seems this was very much enjoyed by the youngsters.
We began our preparation for Holy Week with a topical theme for the morning meeting, that of Palm Sunday. Major Kathy was our leader.
Major Kathy
She chose songs 17, 64 and 156 from The Salvation Army Song Book together with 1419, 1404 and 544 from Songs of Fellowship. Musical contributions were provided by the Singing Company, who sang ‘Little Donkey’ (words adapted fro Palm Sunday) and the Songsters with ‘We Saw Love’.
A moving testimony was given by John Mills who told of the progress he has made since becoming a Christian just 2 years ago. John now leads one of our Bible Studies which for some months has taken place in a local cafe just off the High Street. Three people have found Christ through attending this group in this unusual venue and so our studies have turned into an outreach. He challenged the corps to start at least two more Bible Study groups. John’s first testimony, given when he became a ‘soldier’, can be heard by clicking here.
The Palm Sunday story was the chosen scripture as found in John 12: 12-19 and further scripture used was John 18: 28-19: 6. Kathy went on to say that we had come to the crucial part of Jesus’ life, which has changed the face of history. The crowd in Jerusalem had no problem in identifying Jesus but it changed its mind a few days later. The Jews hoped Pilate would convict Jesus but he could not find a reason to do so. Jesus was, in fact, their king but not as they knew it. The Jews insisted that, according to their law, Jesus must die because He claimed to be their king. How could Pilate really know the truth when the crowd ranted ‘we have no king but Ceasar’? Today, does Jesus meet your expectations? Is He your king? Does He rule over you? Where do you stand?
In the evening we continued with our subject of Easter in the Old Testament . Using Exodus 12 as the scripture reference Kathy chose songs 118, 57 and 437 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 877, 10 and 441 from Songs of Fellowship. Band and Songsters each provided music, in the case of the Band, ‘Stainer’ and the Songsters, God Chose Us.
In her message Kathy said as we begin what Christians call Holy Week we consider the festival of Passover. In this the time when the angel of the Lord ‘passed over’ the homes of the Israelites on the night of the slaughter of the Egyptian first-born is remembered. The Israelites were spared. During her talk a group re-enacted the Passover meal by way of illustration of the occasion and Kathy described the happenings in detail, outlining the spiritual significance of each part including the marking of the door frames with the lamb’s blood as a sign to the angel that this house should be spared. She concluded with Psalm 136: 1-26 about giving thanks (His love endures for ever). She said Jesus ultimately took on the role of the Passover lamb. It is because of Him that we are able to have acces to God, the Father. Jesus came to save us. He was the substitute. He took our place.
During the week ahead the corps has a full schedule of Holy Week meetings beginning tomorrow evening (8.00pm) with a programme of Easter music to be given by the Band and Songsters. On Wednesday we shall have an evening of Worship with a bible message given by Major Ian Barr and on Thursday, a celebration of Maundy Thursday and the last supper. This will commence at 9.15pm after the early conclusion of the Songster rehearsal.
Major Ian Barr will preach
We invite everyone who can to join us on Good Friday at 10am for a meeting led by Commissioner Norman Howe who will also be leading our meetings on Easter Sunday (10am and 6pm). Everyone is welcome to rejoice with us in celebration of the Resurrection.
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