Monday Spot (19 October 2009)
A weekend which can be described as a defining moment in our corps life. A time when we launched the fund raising programme for phase two of our building works and beyond.
The River Medway at Chatham
Taking the theme for our morning meeting as ‘Building up the Temple’ Major Drew McCombe again followed the vision of the river as recorded in Ezekiel 47: 1-12 beginning with ‘Lay the foundation’ (a Time to Focus). Songs 471 from the Salvation Army Song Book and 42 from Songs of Fellowship were used either side of the reading from Ezekiel.
Continuing with the various aspects of developing a project, ‘Casting the vision’ (likened to Architectural Design) gave people a time to think and to engage in group discussion, then to reflect (Interior Design) as feedback was received. Finally a time of prayer around the vision led to a looking forward in ‘What happens next?’ (Time to Act) and the concluding song, 362 from Songs of Fellowship.
This was a very different type of meeting from that usually experienced on a Sunday morning. There was no musical contribution from Songsters or Singing Company as the time was entirely spent thinking and praying into our future as a corps.
Major Drew McCombe
Richard Craik organised the discussion period and drafted the blueprint
Whilst launching the future it is good to note that phase one of the scheme is moving towards the completion stages although we are sorry to recognize that our contractor, H Goodsell & Sons Ltd, has fallen one week behind programme through a delay by one of the sub-contractors quite beyond his control. We now anticipate handover on Friday 20 November. It is possible that the formal handover might be delayed until Monday 23 November but Goodsell’s have assured us that we will be able to use the building that Sunday (22 November) should that be the case. Hopefully the defaulting sub-contractor will cause us no further problems (he still has some work to do) but, even if he does, we believe we shall be back at Church Street on the 22nd.
Ceilings fixed(well, almost)
Revd. Brian Adams led in the evening on the theme of ‘the God who judges greed’. All the songs chosen were from Songs of Fellowship, Nos 44, 379, 210, 114 and 135. Open prayer time was included in a period of intercession whilst the Band contributed Psalm 91 and the Songsters ‘Vesper’ to the musical ministry.
Revd Brian Adams
Major Beverley McCombe brought the address using scripture from 1 Kings 21 and asked
what are you willing to do for $10 million? In a recent survey 25% of the people asked would abandon their families and an amazing number would do other startling things! Greed? Yes! The bible, of course, gets to grips with this. In recent weeks we have seen ‘the God who provides’ (for Elijah) and the God who is real (Prophets of Baal) and now we look at the story of Ahab the king. Historically he was the last of a long line of bad kings. He allowed the introduction of false Gods, through his wife Jezebel, and lived only for himself. His palace was filled with gold and ivory but he still wanted Naboth’s vineyard for a vegetable patch. These days we are quite used to the concept of compulsory purchase orders but in Ahab’s day there was no such thing. Naboth’s land, under God’s law, had to stay in the family but Ahab was greedy and did not care about God’s law. Naboth refused the deal, knowing it to be unlawful and poor Ahab can’t get his own way. He sulks and plots but God judges what is in the heart and when Ahab contrives with Jezebel to have Naboth killed He moves in with His judgement. The wrath of God is seen, not in the form of a temperamental outburst but based on his own standards. But, alongside judgement there is always the offer of restoration and forgiveness. When Ahab changes his mind and repents, God quickly relents. He does this because He loves the sinner. Do you covet what is your neighbour’s. God judges Greed!
Major Beverley McCombe
No we haven’t forgotten that the Songsters presented a musical evening at Ramsgate on Saturday. We hope to bring you an account of the evening later in the week but, in the meantime, we understand that they had a great time and sang well (as always).
On Wednesday evening the latest Christianity for Life Plus course starts. Anyone requiring further details should contact us.
We invite all readers to pray on our behalf for the successful completion and opening of the cafe/lounge area in a few short weeks time and for its future contribution to our becoming more involved with our local community. We also request prayers for the development of the further stages of the building project so that, in God’s time, we can offer more to those who worship with us and are part of our wider fellowship. As we seek to ‘build up the Temple’ we also, ourselves, want to be built up in our faith because….well, we are the temple aren’t we?
Referring back to the passage in Ezekiel reminds us of the words of the old favourite songster number ‘The Flowing River’ (older songsters will remember it with affection). Let’s think about them.
Grace is flowing like a river.
Millions there have been supplied.
Still it flows as fresh as ever…………….
HALLELUJAH!
Bye now, and have a great week.