The Salvation Army Chatham

Our Songsters’ busy year continues. On Saturday they were at Plumstead Corps presenting a musical programme and we shall be reporting on that in more detail during the coming week.

The Songsters at Plumstead

Yesterday our meeitngs were both led by Major Kathy, Majors Drew and Beverley being on Divisional Headquarters duties.

Major Kathy

The theme for the morning meeting was ‘what is God like?’. Songs 22, 732 and 6 were chosen from The Salvation Army Song Book and 92, 145 and 1067 from Song of Fellowship. The usual musical ministry was provided by the Singing Company who sang ‘Praise His Holy Name’ (soloist Jessica Boughton) and the Songsters who brought ‘More than Wonderful’.

Jessica

During this past week the fourth Christianity for Life course was concluded and delegates were recognised and presented with a momento of the occasion. Mel Scoulding and Martin Castle spoke of the effect the course had on their own lives and encouraged others to attend future courses.

L to R: Delegates, Mel & Martin

Using Psalm 46 and Daniel 1:1-21 as her scripture Kathy spoke about Daniel, explaining that the story took place about 600 years before the coming of Jesus. She asked how could these four young men preserve their faith in the face of these pagan rulers? They discovered that God was already in the situation. Daniel was to learn that if he prayed to God, even in another country, he would prevail. This is still true today. Daniel was also to find out that God was already at work. Again, true today. We are not working in a vacuum. Daniel would serve the king but he would not give allegiance to this pagan authority. He would maintain his beliefs and his faith and so must we. This far and no further must be our approach to worldly compromise. Where do you stand? Stand with God, so people will know your position.

Beginning a series on Samuel, the evening meeting contained songs 862, 680, 614, 585 and 488. The solitary contribution from Songs of Fellowship was 1013. The Songsters brought ‘God and God Alone’ and the Band ‘Praise, my Soul’ and ‘God’s Love’. Two of our ladies spoke briefly about the Women’s Weekend reported on this website earlier in the week.

Using Samuel 3:1-21 Kathy spoke about the fact that most of us have known the story of Samuel since we were very young. She asked what unites his story with ours? Born as an answer tp prayer? Dedicated to God? Taken to church when he was young? Yes, the links are tenuous but what about Samuel’s experience of God? He had an encounter with God and there are distinct elements of this which are important. He was in the right place, God could find him and He did. But why then and there? Was it so that we can understand God’s will, so that we can hear His voice? But then, how often do we hear and not listen? We must drop everything and concentrate when God speaks. How do you compare with Samuel and what can you do to be more attentive to God’s voice? Being in the right place has nothing to do with geography and everything to do with attitude.

A number of our people are attending The Salvation Army’s ‘Roots’ event in Southport next weekend and we wish them a beneficial and spirit filled time. We hope to bring a report on the happenings in due course. In the meantime, have a great weekend if you’re going, and if you’re not going, still have a great weekend.