Our morning meeting was led by Major Judith P
ayne
and it was a Holiness meeting
Following the announcements by CSM Tim Scott Major Judith read the Bible verse
1 John 3.1: Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvellous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.
Our first song of the morning was
Song 32: How deep the Father’s love for us
Tune 663: How deep the Father’s love for us
We were asked to pray for those we loved
We then heard from our Singing Company , who sang “With all I am “
Major Judith Introduced the Mornings theme, by asking us How do you know when somebody loves you ? . Some of the Singing company sitting on the platform provided some ideas, Someone cares for you & keeps you healthy, or they give you nice things and make sure you go to school.
Major Judith told us of a gift she had kept , it was a Rose that had been kept safe in an old Perfume box for over 40 years, a gift from Major Ian , which another way you know somebody loves you .
Our next song was
Song 29: Have you ever stopped to think
Tune 558: As high as the sky
Following the Offering we heard from the Songsters , who sang ” there’s Still Power In The Blood”
Major Judith told us that currently in Bible Study class they are looking at the book of Moses , and the number of rules that begin with “Don’t” ( 365) and the myriad of other rules that are mentioned , Major Judith then quoted from Matthew 22:37-40
we were asked how do we live differently, as people who know God loves us, be this at home or work or school ..and how would friends and colleagues know that God loves them …?
We sang
Song 169: Here is love vast as the ocean
Tune 369: Here is love
Major Judith Continued her theme of how we Love more than those who don’t know God , acknowledging the fact that it is not easy. Major Judith illustrated her point with her own feelings and experiences .When giving food & drink to someone homeless that the Major would see on the street regularly , she challenged herself ” is that showing enough love ” Probably not was her conclusion .We also heard a story from within her family , where a colleague had seen the Majors Son sitting with the homeless in a subway each morning , and spending time with them, showing a different kind of Love .
Major Judith read from 1 Corinthians 13 v4 onward
Read it through ..then read it through & then read it through again , replacing ” Love ” With your own name … I found it quite humbling .
Major Judith Concluded that the only thing we can do is allow God to change us from the inside 7 give us a loving nature, make it part of our character. Don’t accept the often heard expression ” I just can’t Love so & So” , we should not give in but strive even harder. .
Take time this week to ask yourself the questions , am I willing to allow God to change me . Have I stopped growing in Faith ? . We can only improve through Gods grace
We sang the following song
Song 199: Such love, pure as the whitest snow
Tune 845: Such love
with particular focus on verse 3
Such love, springs from eternity
Such love, streaming through history
Such love, fountain of life to me
O Jesus, such love
and we concluded the morning meeting with
Song 30: He giveth more grace
Tune 527: Blacklands
The Benediction included a great phrase – Help us to know we are precious beyond words to you
Our Afternoon meeting was led by Major Ian
‘What Did you do this Summer’
The meeting began with the singing of
Song 401 We Want to see Jesus Lift High
Tune 916 “ “
accompanied by the YP band
Which was followed by the Singing Company who sang ” Don’t you know it’s time to Praise the Lord” , beautifully sung as usual
What you Did this Summer was the Majors question to the younger Corps members , and we are blessed with so many active youngsters, who have taken part in may Divisional & territorial events this Summer
I believe Elsa Burdett can claim to have attended most things this summer . She worked on Staff @ Kids Club, went to Summer School & travelled with our Scouts to Scoutmob in France .
Song 357 Come on and Celebrate
Tune 583 “ “
More of our youngsters were asked to speak about their Summer , with contributions from Elsa, Louise ,Isabella , Rebecca ,Becky & Katelyn . Laura , Erin , Emma , Martin & Josh . who all went to one or more Summer event. Fiona Pennington went to a National Citizen service course which was held over two venues in Dorset & Milton Keynes .Tony McClure was the only attendee of the Summer College , which is held at the training college
The YP Band played for us next ..the tune was. “I am so Glad “. If you can view this on Facebook i will post a video there
Major Ian read from Scripture Matthew 25:34-4
Following this we sang the Prayer Song Wonderful lord , which is a favourite tune at Summer School
Our final song was
Final Song 959 I’ll go in the strength
Tune 433 In the Strength
Beanediction