The Salvation Army Chatham

With Easter now behind us we are beginning a new series of worship themes for both morning and evening meetings.

……says there is no God

From now until Pentecost our morning theme will be ‘who’s the fool?’. this week we looked at those who say there is no God. Major Beverley led the meeting and chose songs 234, 453 and 1346 from Songs of Fellowship together with 795 and 119 from the Salvation Army Song Book. The chorus of ‘How great Thou art’ was also used.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Musical ministry was provided by the Songsters with ‘Know my Heart’ and the Singing Company with There’s a Way’. Both groups again added much to the worship.

A lovely dedication ceremony took place, that of baby Kami (Lance Kamohelo Bule), son of Lancelot and Shingirai, conducted by Major Drew.

In her message Beverley said various criteria might be used to define a ‘fool’. To quote from the TV programme ‘only fools and horses work’ At this point a clip from the TV series was shown and who can forget Delboy’s famous fall whilst waiting at the bar? Beverley also reminded us of the BBC’s spoof on spaghetti trees one April fools day and this year’s showing of instant hair restoration treatment.

She continued we often regard people as fools when they have a different perspective from our own but today we are looking at what scripture says (Psalm 14). People tend to listen to those who appear to have authority. Sometimes there can be no absolute proof that there is a spiritual realm but we accept it by faith. In addition to those  who express atheism, there are also those who deny the existence of God by the way they live their lives. Others make God what they want Him to be. He must suit their own particular lifestyle. God says all these are fools. He requires us to have a real relationship with Him as our saviour and Lord. Paul pointed out that fools appear differently to different people but Christians preach ‘Christ crucified’, a God who gave himself completely on the cross on our behalf. Foolish? The truth is that the cross is the hope for us all, the hope of the world. But the cross will remain foolishness for those who live for themselves. Christ died for you and me because Jesus loves us – enough to give everything for us!

Majors Drew & Beverley McCombe

Major Drew was our leader in the evening when he began a series, again leading up to Pentecost, reflecting Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit. He urged us not to be satisfied with the ‘crumbs’ when there is ’so much more’. This week we considered the ‘gift of the spirit’ using John 20:19-23 and Luke 11:1-14 as the relevant scripture.

Songs chosen were 50 and 215 from the Salvation Army Song Book, 955, 1013 and 1562 from Songs of Fellowship and ‘I dare to be Different‘

The Band brought ‘The Road to Emmaus’ and the Songsters ‘Breathe’. Sue Willard, wife of Peter who spoke last Sunday, testified to the many opportunities God has given her to witness this week. Outlining some of her experiences she confessed to often finding it difficult to initiate conversations about her faith but this week it has been made easy. Sue wants to always be able to take the opportunities God gives her.

Sue Willard

In his message Drew made a comparison between our earthly and heavenly fathers and said this parable is often used to encourage persistence but this was not Jesus’ intention. We often seem to get the ‘wrong end of the stick’. Jesus said that we only have to ask, not badger him, and we will receive. This is the ‘how much more’ and God is in that business, turning defeat into victory. Drew referred to his recent blog on this website in which he gave examples of how God gains victories, the ways in which He gives the ‘how much more’. God wants to breathe His spirit into our lives so that we can receive it for ourselves. What is stopping you from receiving it?

So. once again many blessings from our day of worship together. We are being encouraged on all sides by what is happening in the corps and want to give thanks and glory to God for all His goodness. If you would like to know more, please contact us.

Keep in touch. See you again soon. Have a great week.