Monday Spot (31 May 2010)
Yesterday was designated by The Salvation Army as Candidates Sunday. In Salvation Army terminology a candidate is a person who has been accepted for training as a Salvation Army officer. In the UK this training will usually take place at the William Booth College in South London.
William Booth College
Currently two Chatham salvationists are undergoing such training. Steve and Mel Scoulding will be commissioned to officership in 2011.
Cadets Steve & Mel Scoulding
Meanwhile, back at the corps, Steve and Mel’s son Mark was the leader of our morning meeting yesterday.
Mark Scoulding
Focussing on the thought that ‘God is and will be all that you need Him to be’ he prepared the meeting with an emphasis on a vibrant and positive message. All the congregational singing came from the Salvation Army Song Book using songs 22, 49, 402, 579 and 754. Other musical contributions featured strongly and were given by the Songsters (‘Sing and be not Silent’ and ‘Moment by Moment’) and Singing Company (‘Then I Remember’). Scripture portions included were Psalm 103:1-5 and Psalm 23.
A ‘fun’ illustratration of the theme for the children found us watching an attempt to eat soup with a fork and ice cream with a knife. But there’s never a shortage of kids when food is around!
Mark’s message was based on Exodus 13:17-18 and 20-22, Mark 15:33-39 and Acts 2:1-12 and he said:
What difficult situations are you facing at the moment? I have good news for you. God is, and will be, all you need him to be and will give you all the resources you need. In Jewish history we know that God delivered them from Egypt and eventually gave them a land of their own. We learn that God, too, can set us free and calm our fears and that he will guide us through life. The crucifixion of Jesus reminds us of His atoning power, the power to change lives and bring us release from our sins. The coming of the Holy Spirit shows that God can use us despite our deficiencies and always gives us the skills we need to do his will. This is life transforming because every need we have can be met.
Major Drew McCombe was our leader in the evening and his chosen theme was ‘Spiritual Disciplines – Fasting’. He chose songs 19, 177, 512 and 532 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 935, 742 and 168 from Songs of Fellowship. Scripture used was 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 6:16-17 and Isaiah 58:1-14. The Songsters contributed ‘Nothing but thy Blood’ and the Band ‘Tis so Sweet’.
Allan Dyke, local coordinator of Medway Street Pastors, addressed the congregation and brought some interesting information about the work of his group, particularly its attempts to get alongside many who find themselves out on the streets late at night in a condition which can only be described as ‘worse for wear’. He said ‘I want to follow Jesus teaching and be a neighbour in my community. The work of street pastors is a way of showing the love of Christ in the community. It is a challenge to do something’.
Allan Dyke
Major Drew McCombe
Drew spoke to his theme and said:
As we practise spiritual disciplines they will become part of who we are. But we don’t need to turn them into a means of seeking attention from God. We have His attention already. Fasting can be a means of us discerning God’s will but it is not something a Christian is obliged to do. There are various types of fasting including full and partial disciplines and sometimes medical and other conditions will influence our choice. Fasting in the bible is nearly always linked to understanding and worship and in this way we can begin to take on more of the spirit of Jesus. To live life well we need to know what is important to us. Our own fasting is about others and sharing what we have with our neighbours because we have a responsibility towards them. Perhaps our understanding of this is limited but, quite simply, God wants us all to share and be a blessing to others. then out ‘light will break forth like the dawn’.
As we now look forward to next weekend we would remind readers that the Songsters will be presenting a concert Gillingham Methodist Church (Third Avenue) next Saturday evening at 7.30pm. A good expression of christian music will be made and all local readers are invited to attend.
Finally a sad piece of news. We have heard this week of the Promotion to Glory of Norman Barney, Christine Lockwood’s father. We will bring more information when we have it but please remember the family in your prayers.