The Salvation Army Chatham

This has been a big weekend for our youngsters. The Young Peoples’ Band and Singing Company visited Bedford Congress Hall corps on Saturday evening for a programme of music.

The Chatham Sections

The United Bedford and Chatham Sections

We believe our young people had a great evening and really enjoyed themselves. A member of the audience spoke of their performance as superlative.  The music included ‘God is  Good’, ‘Hand me down my silver trumpet’, ‘Shackles’ and ‘Purpose for Life’ and a member of the audience described the contributions as ’superlative’. Well done kids!

But now for, Sunday:-

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe

The Majors have been taking a few days well earned break and we had alternative leadership for our meetings yesterday.

Mel Scoulding

The morning meeting was led by our Junior Soldiers’ team headed by Mel Scoulding and took the form of a ‘Day of Renewal’ for the youngsters. For those not familiar with Salvation Army terminology this is an occasion, held annually, when they are encouraged to take a fresh look at their commitment to Jesus Christ in the light of their growing understanding.  Click here to learn more about being a ‘Junior Soldier’.

Naturally the young people took a very prominent part and we are glad to report that Father’s Day was not forgotten! Two of the children paid tribute to their fathers including a real  ’send-up’ from Jessica Boughton who had the congregation rocking with laughter as she described her Dad’s ‘extremely tidy’ habits and said she loved him just the way he is.

Jessica

Songs 124 and 362 from Songs of Fellowship were chosen together with 801 from the Salvation Army Song Book and ‘Our God is a great big God‘. The Singing Company provided two songs entitled ‘Purpose for Life’ and ‘Shackles’ and the Young Peoples’ Band provided music during the offering and four of the children enacted a drama presentation about Jesus finding helpers. Two Bible portions were used, both from Matthew’s gospel, chapter 11:28-30 and chapter 4:19-20

In her message Mel said I really love Junior Soldiers’ Sunday because we are reminded about commitment and, particularly, our commitment to God. This is an entirely personal journey and we are all at different stages of it. We need to remember that Jesus was fully human and also God with all the implications that has. The fishermen in the bible story were at the point where deciding whether to accept the challenge of following Jesus, just one of the many points of their own personal journey and a point we have all had to deal with. In fact, we often join our Christian journey at this very point. Mel went on to say that the children had planned this meeting in all it’s aspects and their presence was a witness to that planning. A number of them helped Mel by speaking briefly about where they were when they ‘joined’ and told of the different stages of life they were at when this happened, comparing it to where they are today. Mel continued Jesus wants to be your friend. He will give you the strength you need because he knows you so well. He will enable you to live your life in Him.

A time of renewal was introduced, a very private time as many of the young people reaffirmed their promises. They were joined by many older members of the congregation in what was a very moving time of dedication for all, each of us alone with God for precious moments, which were brought to a conclusion by KAOS (Kids Alive On Sunday) who brought a final song entitled ‘Holy Spirit fill me up’.

The KAOS children

After the meeting the children served tea and coffee to all. The ‘Dads’ particularly enjoyed this!

The evening meeting was led by the Band and it was good to have them back after their trip to Coventry last weekend

At Coventry

Bandmaster Carl Woodman

Using mainly music prepared for Coventry the Band played ‘Saints of God’, ‘We saw Love’, ‘Canaan’s Land’ (Euphonium Soloist Adrian Horwood) and ‘Wyndfield’. The Songsters brought two songs, ‘Jubilant Song’ and ‘I surrender all’  whilst the congregation shared in the singing of 1607 from Songs of Fellowship together with 400 and 59 from the Salvation Army Song Book. Greg Davis gave the address based on John 10:7-10. and commented ‘given the financial crisis, swine flu, unemployment, repossessions, MP’s expense accounts and countless other disasters recently one might be tempted to reconsider Jesus’ words in the above passage’.

Adrian Greg

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe will return to lead our meetings next Sunday whren the Songsters will be in Belfast. We will pray for an inspired weekend in both Chatham and Northern Ireland.

In conclusion we can now announce the venue for the Family Fiesta Day being held on Saturday 4 July. This will be at Fort Pitt Grammar School for Girls, Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham and take place between 11am and 4pm. Let’s hope the weather is good!

click on image to enlarge