Monday Spot (26 July 2010)
With the onset of the school summer holidays corps activities take on a different face for the next few weeks.
We aim to keep you posted so watch this space.
To begin with we had the KAOS outing to Joss Bay and a renewal of wedding vows this weekend to which we will devote individual space during the week ahead. Saturday also saw an evangelical ministry in the High Street where it was possible to make contact with many in the name of Jesus.
Majors Mike and Elizabeth Lloyd were our leaders yesterday and both grew up right here in Chatham corps before training to become Salvation Army officers. They are currently in charge of The Salvation Army’s work in Tunbridge Wells, quite near neighbours in fact. The theme for the whole day was ‘Experiencing God’s Presence’.
Commencing with Psalm 100, the morning meeting, attended by members of our Baden Powell groups and led by Major Mike, a former scout leader at the corps, included ‘God of life, we come‘ and songs 40, 1084, 1207 and 894 from Songs of Fellowship. There was a special time for the children, led by Major Elizabeth, and the Singing Company and Songsters provided musical ministry with ‘Blessed be the Name of the Lord’ and ‘God and God Alone’ respectively.
Baden Powell flags
Some of them burst!
Scripture used was Genesis 28:10-17 and in his message Mike said:
Most of us would like to know more of God’s presence as a reality in our lives day by day. What does this mean? Jacob did everything, right or wrong, with energy. he had a dream about a ladder with the Lord at the top. Promises were made to him which made a big difference in his life. But he had to know God for himself. Hev needed to be reconciled to both his family and to God. We often come to that realizationn ourselves. We need to see the face of God and enjoy him. the ultimate reality is that God is always with us wherever we are and whatever we are doing. We are never outside his prevailing presence even if we don’t always realize it. He never stops speaking to us or reaching out to us, still loving us and believing in us. God is faithful. My prayer is that we may all experience the richness of God’s presence in our everyday lives.
Vic and Val Smith renewed their wedding vows in the afternoon. The ceremony was led by Major Drew McCombe and a fuller account will be released during the week.
Vic & Val Smith
The Salvation Army Song Book was in use in the evening. Songs 9, 717 and 731 were chosen together with 1067 from Songs of Fellowship and ‘If your presence’. The Band (Be still for the presence of the Lord) and Songsters (Lord you know that we love you) brought musical contributions and a period of personal testimony was again an important part of the meeting. Four people gave voluntary testimonies, all speaking of great things being done in their lives. Exciting!
Using Exodus 33:12-23 as scripture Elizabeth said:
Where does the knowledge of God come from? Why is it that we, despite years of involvement in church, do not always seem to know him.? Why don’t we always feel his presence with us? The book of Exodus is full of God’s revelation of himself to Moses and yet Moses asked God for reassurance again and again. He also asked that God should teach him his ways. He wanted to experience a real relationship with his Lord so that he could better lead his people. He wanted God to go with them on their journey so that his presence could be felt by all of them. Moses was hungry for intimacy with God and the knowledge that he did not have to lead his people in his own strength. Sometimes we can see God’s presence better when we look back on past times. But he is with us now and even goes ahead of us to prepare our way. We must follow where he leads because of his faithfulness in the past. We can have every confidence in him whatever may come our way. We can face anything and he will be with us. That is his promise!
Music section rehearsals have now finished for the summer break and will recommence in September. Dates will be notified through this website.
A number of our young people have gone to the Salvation Army’s Territorial Music School this week. We pray for an inspiring time for them and that their Christian experience will be deepened. We also look forward to hearing from them in due course.
Finally we were sorry to hear of the Promotion to Glory of Rachael Mills on Thursday. Those who knew Rachael will be aware of the long battle she stoically fought with illness and will experience a sense of relief that she no longer has to suffer. We thank God for her life and extend our prayers to husband John and all members of Rachael’s family and friends. The funeral will be at The Salvation Army, Church Street, Chatham, on Thursday 29 July at 10.00am followed by the committal at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane at 11.20am.
Here’s a thought, from the end of our morning meeting, to take you through the week:
What a faithful God have I,
What a faithful God.
What a faithful God have I,
Faithful in every way.
Reassuring isn’t it?