The Salvation Army Chatham

This weekend should see the end of the Annual Appeal collecting. Our picture shows Claire Anderson hard at work (but enjoying it apparently)

Calling for the envelope

Harvest Thanksgiving was the theme of our Sunday, the hall being decorated in harvest colours.

The morning meeting, led by Major Beverley, followed the theme of ‘God’s Provision’. The children brought gifts of produce to add to the display and focus our thoughts on what God has provided for us.

Major Beverley McCombe

Songs chosen were 924, 929, 12 and 959 from the Salvation Army Song Book and 493 from Songs of Fellowship. Emma Davis sang ‘More than These’ and other musical ministry was provided by the Singing Company (Harvest Prayer) and the Songsters (For the Beauty of the Earth). Psalm 136:1-9 & 23-26 was also included.

Emma

A special feature was the recognition of the new ‘Welcome Team’ which will start to operate from next Sunday. An outline of the purpose of the group will appear on this website later in the week.

Some members of the new team were not present for this introduction

In her address, based on John 6: 30-35 & 47-51, Beverley asked if we had ever felt really hungry. Hunger is a powerful desire. It can warp our perspectives and drive us to do things we would not normally do. We often forget the truth that God is the source of everything. We have full cupboards and full freezers and we can easily be blind to this basic truth. Miracles can make us hungry for more miracles. We focus on the gift and not the giver. Miracles will not satisfy our real ‘deep down’ need for God; only an experience of Him can do this.

The essenece of human life is spiritual and not physical. We can have fat bodies and famished souls. But everywhere people want more than a full stomach. They want spiritual nourishment as well. Jesus is the bread of life and he alone brings real satisfaction. He lived on this earth and died for our sins so that we, too, might know eternal life. We can have a relationship with Him and this will satisfy. Actually He’s the only way to find satisfaction.

‘God’s Happy Meal’ was the title of our evening meeting, led by Major Drew.

Major Drew McCombe

Songs chosen were 927, 277 and 935 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 1404 and 496 from Songs of Fellowship. The Band contributed ‘Our Bountiful God’ and the Songsters ‘Look at the World’. In the scriptural context the ‘meal’ comprised three courses, God’s Proposal (Isaiah 55:1-5), God’s Purpose (Isaiah 55:6-11) and God’s Promise (Isaiah 55:12-13) and Drew spoke, after each reading, about its implications.

About the proposal he said God reminds ua that He is in the market place. He goes where no other market trader would go and what He offers is free. He has paid for our salvation with His grace. What kind of person does this? Our God! He wants to bless you with the richest of fare.

About the purpose he said what God says he will do. He will achieve His purposes because His ways are much higher than ours. This world is crying out for pardon and forgiveness and we must pray for this end so that we may participate, not only in the harvest of goods, but in the harvest of souls.

About the promise he said Isaiah reminded us of God’s purpose and now he reminds us of His promise. He will make us His people. One day we will reflect the glory of the risen Lord. God’s creation will be redeemed. He will make it whole again and establish His Kingdom. His reign will be complete.

Finally we would like to encourage as many as possible to be present next Sunday (5 October). The meetings have been arranged through the Service & Ministry Purpose Group and will be led by Lt. Cols. Roland & Dawn Sewell.

Lt. Cols. Roland & Dawn Sewell

An extra meeting will be held at 4pm and will focus on the topic of Human Trafficking and how it affects Medway. A representative from the Army’s International Development Department, and possibly the local police, will also be in attendance and will provide a major input. This meeting will be followed by refreshments prior to the normal 6pm meeting.

Lt. Col. Dawn Sewell (2nd from right), Anti-trafficking Response Coordinator for UK and Ireland Territory, is pictured here with The Salvation Army’s delegation to the United Nations on the Status of Women.

Readers of Salvationist will have read the article by Dawn in this week’s issue (27 September). Those who haven’t may like to do so in preparation for next Sunday. It is the custom of THQ to post on its website articles from Salvationist during the week following publication and no doubt this will be the case during this coming week. Click here to access the article when posted.