The Salvation Army Chatham

‘Broth and Brains’ was the title given to the Harvest Supper Quiz evening held on Saturday. About 50 people met for soup and french bread which was followed by a quiz designed and run by Richard Craik.

Quiz master Richard

Kate and Fiona in the kitchen

Guests

To say the least its unusual to have a Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday without a display of produce or flowers. However, due to the circumstances of not being in our own building, this is what happened. It would have been totally impractical to do otherwise.

Nevertheless the long-standing tradition of the children bringing harvest baskets was maintained and well supported.

In the morning our leader was Major Beverley and songs featured were 924, 934 and 929 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 785 and 894 from Songs of Fellowship.

Major Beverley McCombe

Musical ministry was provided by the Songsters and the Singing Company with ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ and ‘Your Father made the World’ respectively.

The meeting began with a ‘Statement of Faith’ in the form of a Powerpoint presentation and a further such presentation was used to portray Psalm 65, the main scripture being taken from Leviticus 23:39-43

In a time of recognition Olive Lockwood and Sylvia Allen were thanked for the years of service they have both given to the Parent and Toddler Groups (‘Mummy and Me’ and ‘The Ark’). Sylvia faithfully carried out the tea-making duties until ill health recently intervened and Olive has looked after the finances since the groups’ inception 12 years ago.

Olive Sylvia

Verna Smith presents Olive with flowers

Olive with Major Beverley, Verna and a representative toddler

Major Beverley’s address centered on the Jewish ‘Festival of Shelters’.

A shelter or ‘booth’

She said the scriptural instruction to the Jews was to live in ‘booths’ for seven days. Jewish families still erect these today to celebrate the festival. This was to be a time of enjoyment. God made us for his pleasure and he wants us to enjoy life. Last evening we enjoyed  ourselves together as God’s people. Beverley decorated very simply a makeshift booth erected on the stage as an example of Jewish custom.

God instructed the Israelites to remember what he had done for them so that they would learn to rely on him. In the desert he had supplied food and water but today we also remember what Christ did for us on Calvary and that needs to be included in our harvest thanksgiving. Beverley concluded her talk by inviting the congregation to write the name of a person who had needs to be met and place that name in the booth. Most of the congregation took part and the small flags containing the names can be seen at the foot of the photo.

In the evening, led by Major Drew, the theme  was ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ and the meeting included songs 927 and 935 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 493, 73, 124 and 27 from Songs of Fellowship.

Major Drew McCombe

Two scripture readings were used, from Leviticus 23:15-22 and 33-44 and also John 6:37-40. The Band contributed ‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and the Songsters ‘Look at the World’

In his message Drew said in these days of continuous seasons what do we make of Harvest Thanksgiving today? Why all the fuss? Is there a deeper meaning? God requires us to recognise him as the provider af all good things. The Israelites needed to rely on God for their daily needs. This leads us to ask if the lack of physical provision deepens the spiritual need. Many people today seem to think they do not need God and therefore don’t rely on  him for provision. So where does satisfaction come from? We will not be totally fulfilled until we learn to rely on God. He alone can satisfy our deepest needs but we often expect an instant response. The Feast of Tabernacles teaches us that seeds need to be sown, fed and watered before the harvest can be reaped. We will find all our needs in Jesus and that’s really worth celebrating.

Good progress continues to be made with the building alterations as the new area takes shape. Plastering is now in progress and new joinery is in the process of manufacture. The next couple of weeks will give a much better idea of the finished area as we approach the time for the finishings works to be carried out.

Following the conclusion of the Annual Appeal music section rehearsals recommence this week as do the regular Bible Studies. This Wednesday will see the start of a study into the Acts of the Apostles and we look forward to much informal discussion around God’s word. Why not join us at Church Street (8pm) if you can?

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