Following the four days (and nights) of prayer our Sunday was a little different from usual. Just one meeting was held, led by Majors Alec and Andrea Still with other specialized activities later in the day.

 Majors Andrea & Alec Still  

‘Holy, holy, holy’ was the song used to open the worship, followed immediately by scripture from 2 Peter 1:16-18. Prayers were introduced with the song ‘This is the air I breathe’ and the Singing Company, fresh from its excellent performance on Saturday evening (see tomorrow’s post), brought ‘Be a friend’

An important part of the meeting was the enrolment of Steve Phillips as a Soldier and the recognition of Ronald and Glenys Parkes  as Adherents. This included the song ‘How great thou art’. Steve spoke briefly about how he had received a calling from God whist at another church but had felt he was in the wrong place. Because of earlier family associations with The Salvation Army he started coming to Bible Study and then to meetings and feels confident that this is where God wants him to be.

 Steve  

 Ronald & Glenys

Further scripture was chosen from 2 Peter 1:3-11 and the contribution from the Songsters was ‘Use me Jesus as you need’. Major Alec delivered the sermon (What do you hear?’ and said (summary):

After that beautiful song do we need a sermon? It has such power, revealing many of the issues found in today’s society. It is our calling to try to meet these needs with God’s empowerment in our lives.

So, what do you hear? Often we don’t hear what was intended, do we? What about when God speaks to us. Do we hear that correctly? This morning we have heard Steve commit himself to God’s calling as he understands it. He will be obedient and this aspect of our journey of faith is common to us all.

But sometimes there are those who are just ‘consumers’ of what this church has to offer. That is not good enough, we must be participators because that what we are called to be. God’s power has given us all that we need and we are responding to a great God who is active in our lives. He continues to meet every need when we ask him.

But it is more than that because we are able to experience God’s divine nature. If he is truly living in our hearts how can we do anything other than participate. Let us look at two questions.

In scripture we have a list of Christian virtues which we all strive to attain. But we must make a real effort to engage with God asking continually for more from him and a greater knowledge of him. How eager are we to do this? A contented Christian worries me because we must always try to develop more. Be someone who is striving for the next thing God is trying to show you. He has promised that if we trust him we will not fall.

Let us, therefore, be a group of missional people always seeking the next pat of God’s plan for our lives.

The song ‘Lord I come to you’ gave time for reflection as two knelt in commtment at the Mercy Seat and the meeting closed with a great hymn of triumph ‘In Christ alone’.

As last week the seminar on Spiritual Gifts continued a 1pm led again by Major Janet Robson and the Mission Forum met at 3pm, thus completing a very busy weekend for many.

 Major Janet Robson

We offer our congratulations to two of our young people who this week have received successful 11+ results. Well done Jodie and Ethan.

We learn that the all female band concert given in our hall on Saturday evening raised £1500 for breast cancer charities and that the evening was also most enjoyable.

Major Karen Ramsay is now on holiday for a couple of weeks and we wish her a restful time although we doubt that she will get it as she is on ‘grandma’ duty with the latest addition (sixth) to the family. We are sure she will enjoy it, however!

 Major Karen Ramsay

Thank you for reading our website. We hope you will return often. Have a great week.