Monday Spot (12 July 2010)
What a dramatic week it has been!
Paul – the Octopus
Paul the Octopus has been a focus of attention with his football prophesies, but he has been ousted in the media by a spy scandal, a manhunt, a couple of football matches and misinformation handed out by Government. Small wonder, then, that we don’t always notice what goes on week by week right under our noses. We are grateful to God for the wonderful set of youngsters we have in our KAOS group, each one a huge bundle of possibilities.
Yesterday morning our Junior Soldiers participated in what is called, in The Salvation Army, Junior Soldiers Day of Renewal, an occasion specially arranged so that they can refresh the commitments they have already made to God. The morning was led by Kathy Doncaster, Children’s Officer for The Salvation Army’s London South-East Division, based in Maidstone.
Kathy
The meeting opened with a series of worship songs which included ‘Our God is a Great Big God‘, ‘I’m Gonna Jump…‘ and ‘Glory and Honour‘ followed by an explanation of the Junior Soldiers’ Award Scheme given by Junior Soldiers Sergeant Kate Boughton.
Kate
Awards were presented to Joseph Castle (Bronze), Mitchell Castle (Silver), Stephanie Lenton and Gareth Pennington (both Platinum)
Joseph, Gareth, Mitchell, Stephanie
Presenting the awards
Kayley Robinson and Gareth were interviewed by Kathy about being a Junior Soldier.
Kayley
Gareth
The Young People’s Band played music during the Offering and the Singing Company sang ‘ I want to be more like You’.
In an interactive address Kathy spoke about why God chooses people for specific tasks using scripture from 1 Samuel 16.
Jesse had many sons!
She said:
Often God’s choices are unexpected. He doesn’t choose people because they look good from the outside but takes into account their thoughts and intentions. He knows all about us and always has, even before we were born. David was not the obvious choice but he turned out to be a wonderful king. We learn from scripture that God has incredible things in store for each of us, life changing things!
The youngsters were then given the opportunity to renew their promises to God publicly in a moving and quiet time of re-dedication. The meeting closed with two further songs, ‘May the God of Hope‘ and ‘I then shall live‘. However, that was not the end as cakes (and even chicken legs) were served in the ‘Hub’ afterwards to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. Who says church is boring?
Laura’s flag cakes
In the evening we returned to a more traditional format under the leadership of Major Drew McCombe who took as his theme ‘Making Life work – Cultivating Compassion’. After a stirring introduction (Montreal Citadel) from the Band songs chosen were 17, 527 and 833 from the Salvation Army Song Book together with 2034 and 1607 from Songs of Fellowship. The Band also contributed ‘My Father’s World’ and the Songsters ‘Blacklands’. Psalm 103 was featured in two separate portions, verses 1-6 and verses 6-13.
Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe
Major Beverley gave the address and used scripture from Matthew 25:31-46. Using as an introduction a passage from William Booth’s last major public speech she said:
In order for us to respond to the poor we need to have a life of compassion. God calls us to respond as he responded. The poor have a powerful advocate when Jesus says ‘if you treat them badly you treat me badly’. So, how do we cultivate the heart of compassion that is needed? How do we live as God would have us live in regard to them? Firstly we must open our eyes to them and choose to face the issue. Our response will begin with what we see because the need will become real. Opening our eyes will open our hearts and we will see that there is real poverty right here where we are. Opportunities to offer compassion are all around us and when we respond we will be transformed. As we walk with God we will become more like him. Burning love is our need.
Let us finish with a reminder that next Sunday we shall only have one meeting (10am) because of the Divisional Fiesta Day (see image below) and that the following Sunday (25 July) we shall be led by Majors Mike and Elizabeth Lloyd, currently the corps officers at Royal Tunbridge Wells. Mike and Elizabeth both grew up here in Chatham and we look forward to a great day together.
