Monday Spot (14 June 2010)
On Saturday the sponsored event (walk/run) took place at Manor Park Country Park, West Malling, in aid of the Building Fund. Approximately 292 miles were walked (or run) and first indications are that over £1650 was raised. We’ll publish some pictures during the week ahead but here’s a couple for now.
Yesterday we were deprived of the ministry of our Songsters who spent the day at the Reading Central Salvation Army Corps where the officers are Majors Iain and Alison Hudson. Iain spent a large slice of his childhood here at Chatham before training as a Salvation Army officer.
Majors Iain & Alison Hudson
We shall be reporting on the day in Reading later in the week.
The theme of yesterday’s morning meeting was the latest in our series on ‘what would Jesus say?’, this time to ‘Billy Graham’. A number of scripture verses showing how God reaches out to us were used as an introduction (Isaiah 55:1-3, 2 Samuel 22:17, John 7:37-38, John 3:16, Psalm 18:16 and Romans 5:8). Choosing songs 357, 824 and 808 from the Salvation Army Song Book, Major Beverley McCombe also selected 290, 894, 1187 and 865 from Songs of Fellowship and used scripture from Matthew 7:15-27.
Fair question!
Zakumi is the football World Cup mascot and is representative of fair play. He was born on 16 June 1994, the year of the first non-racial elections to be held in South Africa, the country hosting the current tournament. Although there were only a few children present (a rare feature in itself), those who were found the explanation interesting and helpful and the adults learned something too.
The absence of the songsters also meant that the Singing Company were without any of the adults who usually participate so the children also had the day off, so to speak.
In her address Beverley said:
Billy Graham was an evangelist who probably preached to more people than anyone else on the planet (in 185 countries in fact). He is said to have walked a fine line between religion and politics and did it well. He managed to engage the issues and unite his country. We imagine that Jesus would have said ‘well done’ to him but Jesus did have a habit of saying the unexpected. Some people living at the time and claiming to do good works found that Jesus did not necessarily welcome them with open arms. They were not always true to their calling. Not so with Billy Graham. He did not fail in this area and was truly faithful. He knew he was ‘going to heaven’ because of what Christ did on the cross and not because of anything he, himself, did during his life and ministry. Most of us are aware that we are not good all the time but we can still be sure of heaven because Jesus died to make it possible for us to be forgiven for our wrongdoings. We need to respond to this teaching. Billy Graham said GOD CREATED US AND LOVES US SO THAT WE MAY LIVE IN HARMONY WITH HIM.
Major Beverley
In the evening Major Drew took the theme ‘Knowing Christ – through his encounters’. Songs 394, 144, 294 and 59 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 1120, 1188 and 721 from Songs of Fellowship to support this theme and Beverley looked at four separate encounters described in scripture. The Band supported with musical ministry (Here at the Cross) and an extended period of voluntary testimony was again included. This has become a real inspiration in our meetings and adds much to the worship. Ephesians 1:17-23 was used in a prayer context.
In four separate short talks Drew spoke as follows:
Encounter 1 – the calling of the fishermen:
This encounter was immediate. He called and they left their nets and followed Him. Jesus wanted them to know they were needed and don’t we all identify with that feeling. Our relationship with Him needs to be alive and vigorous. This encounter helps us deepen our future relationship with Jesus. We are challenged by listening to the testimony of others and should know that God both wants us and needs us.
Encounter 2 – The woman at the well:
Women, in those days, did not talk to men in public. The woman’s encounter with Jesus broke down the social barriers. She sees Him as a kindly person, not judgemental, and a person who can refresh her own thirst. She longs to tell others about Him. Is this not a natural reaction to such an encounter. God gives us more than we need and we need to learn to give some of it away so that we may be open to receive more than we bargained for.
Encounter 3 – Thomas:
Some testimonies refer to moments of doubt. Do we sometimes feel our faith is too good to be true? For Thomas, and for us, it is important to realise that God knows us all, and all about us. Of Course we were not present to witness the crucifixion and resurrection, and neither was Thomas. Jesus later asked him if he had believed because he had seen the wounds and said ‘Blessed are those who believe and have not seen’. We cannot eliminate our doubts but we can develop a trust in a living God who is always present with us.
Encounter 4 – Peter:
Peter is displayed as the leader of the band of disciples. He was determined not to let Jesus down but he denied ever knowing Him when challenged. How many of us have done the same? We may have moments of failure but these can be redeemed. Sometimes we need to hear the truth which can set us free. Failure need not be the end. Better that it is the opportunity for a new beginning with the slate wiped clean and a greater knowledge of God.
Major Drew
The Ladies Fellowship meets tonight at the home of Heather Woodhouse and will eat strawberries. It is hard to think of a better thing to do on a Monday evening in June! Any ladies wishing to sample the fruit should contact us for more information.
For the next week Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe will be taking a short break prior to the commencement of Beverley’s chemotherapy and next Sunday our morning meeting will be led by Lt. Col. Ray Steadman-Allen and in the evening the leaders will be Captains Paul and/or Louise Wood, COs at Bexleyheath Corps. Please continue to pray for both Drew and Beverley as they enter this difficult and uncomfortable period of time.
We would also ask for your prayers for Matt Smith who travels to the USA as a member of staff at Camp Tecumseh for the summer months. This is a Salvation Army camp, under the auspices of Camp America, and we know that Matt will have a great time mixing with other young people in recreation and development.
Matt
We began this week with news of a sponsored event to raise money for our building fund. We conclude with another. Chris Boughton will be attempting the Three Peaks Challenge starting today (Monday) with an ascent of Ben Nevis, continuing with Scafell Pike and concluding with Snowdon, all within 24 hours. His companion on the climbs will be Major Iain Hudson (see above) and Chris will also be supporting the Oliver Fisher Special Baby Unit at Medway Hospital. If you would like to support Chris financially click below as appropriate.
Click here for Chatham Building Fund
Click here for Oliver Fisher
Chris Boughton