Monday Spot (19 January 2009)
It hardly seems a year ago when we reported on the Corps’ annual review. However, here we are at the threshold of the year with a renewal of our vision and the setting of new objectives for the Corps’ mission. The Sunday’s meetings this week were led by Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe and it was ‘Vision Sunday’.
Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe
The morning began in a lively manner with the Songsters singing ‘I’ve been changed‘ with the congregation also joining in. The theme for the meeting was ‘River of God’. Songs included SoF398, Chorus ‘Our God is a great big God‘, SoF362, SA 525, Chorus 60, SA471. The Singing Company’s music ministry was ‘Amazing Race’ and the Songsters’ contribution was ‘Give me a vision’. Major Drew’s message was rooted in the Corps vision based on Ezekiel 47:1-12. At the Leadership Team’s awayday the Corps’ activities had been reviewed and once again God had confirmed the vision of the river is alive and well. This had been revealed through the fact that at meetings with Property Dept. and engineers they had found that the SA Hall was built on a riverbed. Also, the local Council Ward is ‘River’ Ward. Major Drew’s personal prayer during a 24/7 prayer week-end on 25 June 2005 had been ‘Lord, fulfil this vision in me. Let me, help me step in deeper and flow through me to bring life to all who I have contact with. Do it for me but please do it in our Corps at Chatham.’ This prayer was still being answered in that people’s lives were being changed and transformed. There were personal stories that needed to be told and retold by the people who are now worshipping in our congregation to remind us of how great and good God is.
Drew said we need to have confidence in the power of God. Shake off our fears, step up and step out. There are plans to evangelise on Shipwright Estate, to continue the Band and Corps ministry in the High Street and provide training to equip Christians to witness. He said there was no better way of increasing your spiritual life than to share your own story with others. By giving away what we have we receive blessing and inspiration ourselves.
There was a warning that the river could be diverted. There is a danger of being so fearful that we get swept to the side. We don’t want anybody to be left behind but for all to go with the flow.
In the afternoon there was a review of the year with feedback from the Purpose Group leaders and a presentation of the Corps objectives for 2009. (We will report in more detail on these later.) There was the sharing of food together followed by a time of worship when songs used were SoF42, SoF673, SoF2034 led by the Worship Group, a time of prayer and music ministry by the Songsters and the Band ‘We have a mission’ and ‘With shield and banner bright’ respectively. The day finished with the singing of SA952, ‘Give to Jesus glory’. An inspirational day.
This week a new Post Alpha House Group commences for those who attended the last alpha course. This will be held at the home of Ruth and Paul Woodhouse on Wednesday evening at 8pm.