Our Meetings today were led by Major Ian, and on this Father’s Day
the Morning meeting was entitled ‘Come to me…your Father’
‘Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
The Band played lovely piece of introductory music ‘ Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven’ and this was followed by the Notices from CSM Tim Scott, which included information about the Picnic , Prayer & Praise event @ 13:30, in Victoria Gardens , New Road Next Sunday ( No afternoon Meeting at Chatham that week).
Major Ian told us he was going to be speaking about the Fathers Love, and to start this off he began by asking some of the Young People in the congregation to say one word that would describe their Father ( It was Fathers Day after all) , and my favourites of the answers given were , Joel Cripps describing his Father as a Fast car , and Fiona Pennington describing her Father as Interesting . Major Ian asked us to consider ‘What Legacy a Father Leaves’ , and we saw a short Video presentation which showed that we need to Love God the Father, & Love our Children. We need to Follow God the Father & Lead our Children .
Our first song of the morning was Song 936 Wanted, hearts baptised with fire ( John Lawley) to the tune 361 Blaenwern . supported by the Band
Major Ian told us after we had sung it that the Writer , John Lawley , had been on some of the tours around the Country with the Founder , General William Booth , and was often just asked to sing one of his songs in the meeting , “Sing Lawley” he would say . Our second song of the morning was Song 582 Father we love you, to Tune 609 accompanied by the Piano , and from the congregation their followed more than half a dozen prayers
Our Singing Company sang ‘ Rejoice’ and it was great hearing their enthusiasm .
Major Ian read 1 John 3 v1-3 and the congregation sang Song 565 All I once held dear to Tune 725 accompanied by the Piano
The Songsters , conducted by Emma Davis , gave us the song ‘Gift Of Grace’ by Howard Davies/John Martin.
Major Ian’s Message ‘Come to me…..Your Father’ began with a short video , looking at Fathers
Major Ian shared with us that he didn’t have a Father in his life until he was 6 years old, so some experiences were missing early on, but as a Father himself he has found that if he follows God and the Father’s example of Love , pretty much everything else falls into place .
We were asked to think of what hinders us from understanding the Fathers Love, and taking Matt 19 v21, as an example
–21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”..
So that was what hindered one person, but if any of us have something that holds us back, we need to deal with it, so we can follow God more purposefully and not just attend Church events. Major Ian asked us to think about our relationships/marriages/prayer life and to consider what things in our lives pull us away from God & what things in our lives encourage us forward on our walk with God . On a recent trip with Family , Major Ian was a little concerned when his Grandchild walked ahead a little of the family, but was advised that they would not go very far and would always keep the Parents in sight.. Do we have Jesus in sight or do we need to walk a little closer ?
The congregation sang Song 518 Reign in me to Tune 806 and with many people coming to the mercy seat we moved straight on to Song 53 Be Still in The Presence of the Lord, and sang it over those Praying
The meeting closed with the singing of Song 365 He is the Lord and he reigns on High
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Our 5pm meeting was entitled Dad’s Praise
All the songs had been selected by Dads in the Congregation
Those that made the choices were asked to name a Father figure in their life , that they feel was a great influence on them
Our first song was chosen by Barry Robinson, – Jesus with What Gladness I Can Truly Sing
Barry named David French , who had been his YP Band Leader
Song 2 came from Ray Maycock – Holy Holy Holy
Ray Named Cyril Barnes who Ray first knew as YP Leader at Ilford Corp, and years later Cyril ( who retired as a Salvation Army Lieutenant Colonel ) who had kept track of Ray through his military career, came to see a Military Band Event just prior to Ray’s Retirement .
Song 3 was chosen by Ryan Cripps – The well is Deep .
Ryan named his Father & Grandfather as influential figures ( Ryan’s Father had been his YP Band leader) , and this is a position Ryan himself holds in our Corps.
We then had the inaugural performance of the impromptu Dads choir . Any of the Dads could take part, and I think we all did.
The Song we sang was ‘How Great Though Art’ and it was chosen by Roland ( He is standing behind the lectern in the photo ). It was a song he used to sing as a duet with his Father
Thank You Sharon Smith for the Picture
The Band came next with a version of the Joy Webb song ‘Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet’ which had been arranged for Brass Bands by our own Ray Steadman Allen , It was fantastic.
Our next song was chosen by Andy Smith – I Dare to be Different
Andy Named John Cole , who had been Andy’s Corp Cadet Guardian at Bristol Corp
We had a short music video – I Knows My Name
Our Final song was chosen by Steve Burdett – I’ll Go In the Strength of the Lord
Steve named two people , Cyril Adams who was his YPSM and Mike Woodhouse who was his assistant YPSM & also his Scout Leader
Major Peter Clack Delivered the Benediction
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
— St. Teresa of Avila
I HAVE BEEN LONGING TO SERVE AS A VOLUNTEER IN SALVATION ARMY TRADING COMPANY UK,I ORDER TO PARTAKE FULLY IN WORSHIP PROGRAMS.I HAVE POSTED MY DOCUMENTS TO THE SALVATION ARMY TRADING COMPANY FOR ELIGIBILITY AS A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY.