This morning we had our community carol service which this year saw the children take centre stage.

They led us through the nativity beautifully, and it was lovely to have a number of children and parents join with us from Chattabox - our parent and toddler group.

We had our 3 wise men - Roger Moore, Vic Jannels and Adam Hall reading the bible readings, and the children sang 'Midnight' and 'Child in a manger born' - this featuring a beautiful solo from Alysha.

Shelley Gallagher sang 'Gabriels message' and carols sung were O little town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, While Shepherds Watched,We three kings, Away in a manger and O come all ye faithful.

Sunday 19th August

A blessed meeting this morning led by our commanding officers. Major Ann spoke of the refreshing water of God using the woman at the well's story, I don't think it'll take too long for the platform to dry out in this glorious weather! Many people came to the mercy seat to drink literally and symbolically in response at the end. Afterwards came TEA FOR £TWO. We all ate and drank our fill of tea and scones - weren't they delicious???! Kate was able to raise just over £100. Less expenses incurred and plus money from the family car boot sale Kate is able to gift £75 to Horsham Salvation Army and £75 to the William Booth College Cadet's fund. Thank you so much everyone who helped make this possible. We are so blessed and we hope you enjoyed the scones!

Tea for £Two!

Next week as part of her training Kate will be serving cream tea after the meeting.  Scones with cream and jam will be served at a charge of £2.00.  The money raised will go together with the proceeds of her 'family junk sale' which has already raised £60.00.  Her challenge is to raise at least £100.00 which will be split between Horsham Salvation Army Corps and the William Booth Training College Cadets' Fund, for people struggling financially during officership training.  Don't forget to bring £2.00 next week the scones are promised to be delicious as Sarah O'Grady will be baking them for the occasion. (Sarah is Candidate Kate's sister and a renowned home cook!)

... and rest!

Candidate Kate led our meeting today, in place of our leaders who are on holiday this week, focusing on resting and refreshing in order to grow spiritually.  She shared how God rested on the seventh day and Jesus commanded the disciples to rest and that we should also follow their example.  Therefore the challenge to us is to either give up something or take up something in order to grow more.  40 people came to the mercy seat to commit to change, many people lingering to pray afterwards.

Times have Changed!

Horsham Salvation Army Corps is now under the command of Majors Iain and Ann Stewart with Holly and Hannah in support.  It has been our pleasure to greet them (although Holly is still working in Scotland before the term starts for her in Horsham in September and Hannah came to visit on the 22nd) and welcome them as members of our church.  On Sunday 29th the majors were installed by Major Bruce Tulloch.  The meeting was followed by a welcome feast which was enjoyed by all.

Reflections welcomed us to worship today using 'There's a Dance' and 'Shackles'. Today marked the first 'regular' Sunday for the Stewart family and includes tonight their first 'Together' meeting which we look forward to very much.  Major Ann, despite her claim to being nervous, spoke clearly and eloquently about faith and faith heroes based on Hebrews 11. Songs included 'What a Faithful God' and 'Faithful God, Faithful God, All sufficient One'.  Many stood in response before being sent to 'Go in the Strength of the Lord'.  Before going though everyone joined to share fellowship tea and coffee and biscuits, of course!

All Change!!

Candidate Kate led the meetings on Sunday 22nd July speaking on change and how we can embrace it together challenging us all to think about how we approach change.  The biggest change being the one we go through when we welcome Jesus into our lives.  Songs included Are You Washed?, Majesty, Amazing Grace, I am a new Creation and It's no longer I that liveth.  Kate was blessed by very kind words from CSM Trevor before the benediction was said.

Last Days

Well our beloved leaders Ian and Sue with their amazing children Grace, Adam and Hope have left us.  They will very soon be leaving the quarters but before that we know that they have a LOT to do to prepare for their move to London.  We are assured, though, that God will be with them in this and pray for as stressless a time as can be.
For those left behind in Horsham there are no doubt mixed emotions.  Sadness. Loss. Disappointment.  But also we are blessed with new leaders soon to arrive!  Expectation. Excitement.  Anticipation.  Iain and Ann (please note the addition on an i) are a true blessing to us and they bring with them Holly and Hannah.  We were at one point expecting a long period of time leaderless, but God by his grace granted us this wonderful family who we can't wait to meet and welcome to their new church family in Horsham.
Meanwhile, this weekend Adam and Pat Hall will lead us in worship and next weekend I will have the honour of leading the meeting, it will likely be for the last time.  We look forward to everything that God has in store for us in these days!!
Should anyone need ANYTHING during our time without corps officers please get in touch with a member of the leadership team.  We are here to serve and all our contact details are in the newly published corps directory.
I leave you with love and God's blessings in these exciting times.
Candidate Katherine-Ann Gregory (Otherwise known as Kate!!) xxxxxx

If you look back at the first blog you will see a picture of Captains Woodgate being welcomed as our new leaders, and a picture of the family as it was then. The picture above is very different - and whilst we are sorry some people are missing from it, it does reflect a very different family (please note some visitors were also with us, but very few). Today as we conclude this time in our history, we look back with thanksgiving for three years of God's Grace and Blessing. We look forward to all that lays ahead as Majors Ann and Iain Stewart come to join us very soon now.

Your prayers and support are valued well into the future.





An updated version of HOUSE OF PRAYER has now been issued, please ensure you give sometime daily to praying through all the names and situations that are listed. Thank you sincerely.

Sunday 8th July

Sunday 8th July and we celebrated so many things. We started our meeting by commissioning to roles and responsibilities, Karen Everest (childrens and family ministries officer) and Sandra Thomas (community ministries officer). Both have held these roles for sometime and we were thrilled to formally present them with their commissions. We were then pleased to present prizes to those who could not be with us last Sunday for the Kids and Youth Celebration Sunday. This all in addition to our usual family news. Our Captains took us through their final Sunday in which we explored our mission statement and helped us to again understand what it is that God has called us too. Songs used today included:- The Anniversary Song; Come to the Saviour; Would you be free from your burden of sin?; Over all the earth; Praise Him You heavens; Praise is rising; In Christ alone. During the meeting the singing group and band contributed very helpful items as always. At the end of the meeting in response to an invitation for people to pray the front of our hall was full as many people made their way to pray together and to give themselves fully to God. At the end of the meeting, Captain Susan handed back the 'membership rolls' book to the corps sergeant major, and Trevor presented to the captains and their children some gifts and kind words. After a cup of tea..... people made their way home. 

Margaret Sloper

We are thrilled to announce that this past week Margaret Sloper signed her soldiers covenant and became a soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army. We are thrilled to share this with you.

Celebration of Donald Jones

The Worth Crem was packed for the committal service of Donald Jones this past Thursday; and the worship hall at the corps was no different. Major Robin McIntosh, a former corps officer for the Jones Family at Penge led both services, supported by our own corps officers, Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate. There was a lovely family feel as people from all walks of life came together to thank God for this wonderful man of God. We remain grateful to God for his witness, his evangelism gifting and so much more. Donald was a bandman, songster, War Cry Herald, led the brass learners group, helped in a local school, and was the Recruiting Sergeant within our church leadership team. Well done good and faithful Servant.

PARTIES

It's been a week of parties as many of our activities have concluded in time for the Summer Break. Chatt-a-Box enjoyed a party on the Thursday and Friday - games, loads of fun and food were central to it all.... it was very special to have this event together. Kids Alive enjoyed an end of term party as well with loads of dancing and food. In Fact on Friday every generation was served through our centre, as the Friendship Club enjoyed a visit and talk from Southdown Housing, and how they are seeking to help others within this town. Thank you to everyone for making this a very special year together. We look forward to seeing you all in September

DONALD JONES

Everyone is invited to join us this THURSDAY as we bid an earthly farewell to our Recruiting Sergeant Donald Jones. The committal will take place at the Crem in Crawley at 3pm, with a Festival of Thanksgiving at our centre n Horsham at 4.30pm. This will be conducted by Major Robin McIntosh.

Join us this Sunday as we bid farewell after three years, to Ian and Susan, with Grace, Adam and Hope. They will conduct their final celebration meeting as our leaders at 10.30am

SUNDAY 1ST JULY (3)

After such a wonderful morning, nearly 100 people stayed to enjoy a buffet lunch, and the family had great time in talking and sharing together. This reflected something very special about this church community and we are grateful to all those who made time to sit and chat and build further relationships, not just with each other, but also with those who spent that time with our visiting friends as well.

After this, some stayed, other returned, as we shared TOGETHER, which focussed on 'Going Places' and was led by Candidate Kate. A beautiful time of worship prepared well the way for Ian as he spoke on how God wanted our lives to go places, and experience Him being lifted High above all things. The community hall was full for this event, and as God ministered to us, many shed tears, others valued the time to stand and bless one another in the Name of Jesus. Songs included:- Praise my soul; What a faithful God have I; Heart of Worship; My Jesus, My Saviour; This the Power of the Cross; Great is the Lord and most worth of Praise. As our gathering came to a conclusion there was the opportunity for those who wished to be free to share the Love Feast and many responded to this. Others sat and prayed with one another, and after an invitation to do so, people moved among one another and blessed each other in the Name of Jesus. Yet again at the conclusion of this great weekend, God came close and built us close together. A comment from someone stated: There was a beautiful experience of love, blessing and peace for me and us all.

SUNDAY 1ST JULY 2012 (2)

For sometime now MAD, our music, arts and drama group, have been preparing something very special to present as part of our Kids and Youth Celebration Sunday - and we were really blessed as we shared in the presentation of Joseph, which continued our journey for the day, as Captain Susan introduced. Special thanks to Karen, Barry, Katy and Ann for all they did to make this possible. The pictures do not give justice to what happened, but it was really great.

SUNDAY 1ST JULY

KIDS AND YOUTH CELEBRATION SUNDAY, celebrates the end of the school year and opportunity for the church family to welcome all our children and present them with their annual prizes. This year we were 'taken places' and Captain Susan led us through an adventure to discover a little about the challenges that come our way, but how God is in it all. As we arrived Salvation Airways issued boarding passes and our stewards showed us the important procedures for the morning ahead. Songs, challenges and some laughter, all made this part of our morning very special.  It was great to welcome so many people into our centre and to witness the many prizes presented, which included prizes presented to the team. Childrens ministries officer, Karen, presented Star Awards to our Captains

Open House

From time to time over the years our leaders have opened their home, as an opportunity of church friends to come together and enjoy time away from it all. On Saturday 30th June, many people passed through the doors - some staying all afternoon, and some just able to pop in. BUT it was great and we are grateful to all those who joined with us.

Celebrating Vera Standing

 

VERA STANDING has been an important part of our church for many years. Last week we celebrated in our mid week church (home league) 95 years of this amazing lady. Food and games were a great part of the afternoon.