ALSO THIS WEEK

In a full week again, Our Home League looked at Jesus the Light of the world; our ladies enjoyed a night out, which was in, with a film night, and again Jackie arranged a fantastic evening. Today Sunday Adventure enjoyed time swimming in Burgess Hill.

Sunday 20th November

Captain Susan led our worship meeting and opened The Word today, and as always the anointing of God's Spirit was upon her. Worship included songs, sharing the Psalms, meditation on a piece of music and slides (Come into our world) and more. The Sunday Challenge took us back to the days of blankety blank and we were encouraged to find the missing answer. BROKEN...... lives was the answer, and it launched us into our meetings reflection on Mending Broken Lives. Captain Susan took some time to thank those who this year supported her and Ian in the annual appeal, themed Mending Broken Lives. This year over £10.000 was raised through our church. Vida Lyne, Margaret Feist, Sheila Jannels, Tony Hockney and Anne Denyer all took major roles this year, and a small gift of thanks was given to them. In opening The Word, we looked at the reality that at times we avoid dealing with those things which can cause our brokenness, and using reflections from 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, we looked at the difference ways in which King Saul and King David were prepared to face the problems, the enemines the realities in our lives. In time of prayer many people used the mercy seat to make their own prayers before God. Songs today included:- Praise to the Lord the Almighty; Give thanks to the Lord our God and King; Give Thanks with a grateful heart; Have Thine own way Lord; Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour; And Can it be?. We thank God for the awesome way He moved among us.

Remembrance Sunday - 13th September 2011

Our beautiful Remembrance display, created by June Belcher

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Celebration and Worship saw again a very packed hall as people of all generations came and shared worship. Our central piece today, as depicted in the picture, was beautifully created by June Belcher. Thank you June. Captain Ian led our meeting, supported by his wife, Captain Susan. Songs included:- Praise is rising; Come, now is the time to worship; Dear Lord I do surrender; O God our help in ages past; I'm in His Hands; All the Jesus I surrender; Unto Thee O Saviour King. Captain Ian explored words from an old childrens programme - Record Breakers - Dedication is what you need (to be a record breaker) Our thoughts reminded us of DOC from John 15 - we need to be DEVOTED people, OBEDIENT people and know we are CHOSEN people. We recognised how that very much is the life that soldiers who have fought wars and continue to fight wars live for our freedom, and how for us to know Victorious lives, we need to apply such to our way of being. In moments of Remembrance a film clip was used with suitable music, and some shared prayers spoken. Following our time of reflection and remembrance the singing group sang He Sought me. We then shared in the Dedication to God of Zoe Whiting, dedicated by her mum Louise, and supported by dad, Dave. In the ceremony, conducted by Captain Ian, poems, prayers and a chorus was used. Captain Susan prayed a prayer of Dedication for the Family.

Dave, Louise and Zoe

In concluding moments, Captain Ian invited people to come forward and before The Cross, to spend some moments thanking God for our freedom and for our lives; asking that God would take our surrendered lives and make something awesome out of them. Remembering too God who sent Jesus into this world, and the greatest sacrifice of all, there was opportunity for people to use bread and juice as a celebration of the love of Christ on which we could feast. Many many people came forward and stood before the cross in prayer and thanksgiving.

The Dedication Card created for us to be reminded of today

We thank God for an amazing gathering together again, and pray a special blessing over the beautiful Whiting family today and of course into the days to come.

Wednesday 9th November

Major Christine Clement, from International HQ, visited our Home League meeting this week, and looked at Birthdays.

Sunday 6th November

New Commissions for Michael and Shelley

Celebration filled the packed hall again, for the welcome of five new adherent-members to the church. The focus of our meeting was THE OLD, OLD, STORY and Captain Ian sought to encourage people to bring that Story alive, so they could see the Living Story of Jesus in and through His people. That was reflected through Testimony, and our youth officer spoke about how she witnessed living faith and worship in the youth gathering for the youth rally last Sunday. Three of our youth attended this. Music today included Beneath the Cross of Jesus by our band, and Master speak by our singing group. Songs included:- Tell me the old, old story; I want to tell you; Everybody should know; Praise is Rising; Lord the Light of Your Love is shining; How deep the Fathers Love; I love You Lord; All Heaven Declares; Befriended; Blessed Assurance. Our new adeherent Members were welcomed, and shared their story, after which the Captain invited people to come to the Cross and celebrate their own story, or ask that God would enable them to live a living story among our communities, work and school. Many many people came forward.

Jenny and David Turner first came to our church after reading our story in the local paper; Mary Dececio first came to bring some items to sell; Peter Callum lives locally and felt called to our church; Louise Whiting came after noticing a difference in her daugher who started attending through an invitation from Grace Woodgate. There were a lot of living stories celebrated today.

During the meeting, Shelley Gallagher was commissioned as assistant music ministries officer for singing group and Michael Nye as the assistant corps sergeant major for organisation.

Horsham Bowl was the place for KIDS ALIVE last evening, when kids, parents and other siblings enjoyed a good family night out for bowling and laser-quest. Lots of laughter was on the menu. Thank you Captain Susan for arranging this great night out.

Maureen Ross, our divisional family officer, visited our FRIDAY LUNCHES AND FRIENDSHIP CLUB to be our after dinner speaker. She spoke on Stress!!!

SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER

Les and Marion Daniels

The hall was buzzing today as a packed hall gathered together for worship. As every Sunday there was something special. Today we celebrated with Hayden Jannels and his football trophies. We celebrated too with those celebrating their birthdays. We celebrated too with Marion and Les Daniels, who wanted to mark their 25th wedding anniversary with a prayer of blessing on this special event. BUT we did more than that. MAD sang LEAN ON ME, and that was great. Various members of the corps prayed blessings on them, and we all had an opportunity of bringing our own words of blessing and love to the couple. Les and Marion also shared some words with their family. It was lovely to have so many of their family with us too. As part of this part of our meeting we sang Be Still and Know. Other songs today included:- O for a thousand tongues; Can you wonder?; Oh to see the Dawn; O love that wilt not let me go; What a fellowship, what a joy divine.

MAD sharing Lean on me.

Captain Ian spoke from Ecclestasites looking at te importance of family, community and relationships. At the conclusion of the meeting many people came forward 'and gave Him back the life they owe'.

We thank God for all that He has done among us.

Our thoughts and prayers have been with our youth who after our meeting travelled to Tonbridge for the regional youth rally, and we have thought of our own Lieutenant involved with that as well.

Friday 28th October. Our next family outing was enjoyed by thirty people who visited Finchcocks, near Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Sunday 23rd October was led by Lieutenant Nicola. Captains were away on holiday. From Monday - Wednesday the Lieutenant and Captains attended the Territorial Officers Councils at Swanwick Hayes Conference Centre, focussing on Kingdom Opportunity.

Friday 21st October and our Kids Alive club enjoyed the Posh Party

Friday 21st October. Friday Lunches and Friendship Club is visited by Ira Thomas from the Music Ministries Unit at THQ. An afternoon of music and laughter was very much enjoyed.

GROW UP was our focus this morning, led by Captain Ian. We look at Ephesians 4, and how Paul teaches us that we must not stand still, but move on. We explored this passage of Scripture and looked at:- Growing up is what we have to accept  we have to do; Growing up is what we have to do; Growing up and how to do it, as Paul teaches us. As part of the meeting three members of the corps were welcomed into roles of responsibility. These were Don Jones as Recruiting Sergeant; Kosi Nkmo as music ministries sergeant; Victor Jannels as leader fo our music ministries. Songs included:- We Plough the Field; Sowing in the morning; Sing to the Lord wit all of our hearts; Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise is rising; Christ beautiful Christ; Reckon on me; All Praise to Thee. Our singing group sang His Provision and our band played Turned Your eyes upon Jesus. Two people came forward for prayer during our ministry time. Karen Everest led a great time of reflection and prayer looking at Praise and Worship.

LAUNCHED TODAY BY OUR GENERAL

The Salvation Army's International Vision

ONE ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st century - convinced of our calling, moving forward together

We will

deepen our spiritual life
unite in prayer
identify and develop leaders
increase self-support and self-denial


ONE MISSION: Into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means

We will
emphasise our integrated ministry
reach and involve youth and children
stand for and serve the marginalised
encourage innovation in mission


ONE MESSAGE: With the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life

We will
communicate Christ unashamedly
reaffi rm our belief in transformation
evangelise and disciple eff ectively
provide quality teaching resources

Local charities, organisations and heroes gathered together tonight in the Capital Theatre in Horsham, for the Community Awards with the County Times. The Salvation Army Band played music as the audience took their place, and host, theo cronin, piloted the evening through. Introducing the Charity of the Year, the sponsors of the award spoke of how proud they were of the award, and Mr Cronin spoke of how the paper valued the link between the charity and the paper and the annual christmas campaign that we run togethr. Of course, The Salvation Army received this award and Captain Susan, with other members stood alongside her to celebrate. This was a fantastic opportunity for the army to be able to be seen in the community as being alive and active and we Thank God for the opportunity that was afforded us in many ways., Our certifice and trophy will take pride of place at our centre, a standing reminder of the great body of people we have who work daily to ensure that Hope is known by all.

Saturday and Captains Ian and Susan conducted the Dedication of Molly-Lousie O'Grady, the daughter of Blake and Sarah, at the home of Nanna and Grandad in Tadley. This was a very special celebration

Sunday, our youth ministries officer Kate Gregory led our meeting, supported by our youth and young people. Our captains led the children's prizegiving weekend at The Salvation Army in Reading Central.

A reminder that our next gathering for MEN will be this Friday when we will hold a sports quiz and a fish and chip supper alongside that. HOWEVER you need to book your supper beforehand, so please do so through Gerry Slessenger or Roger Moore. Many Thanks

 HARVEST CELEBRATIONS were led by the Birmingham Citadel Songsters of The Salvation Army. The hall was beautifully decorated by June Belcher, and helped set the excitement for the day. During the first song the children brought in their gifts of fruit and vegetables which added beautifully to the display. The hall was very full of church members and friends gathering together to worship, and we had a very special gathering together. Following this some of our own members and friends, with some from Birmingham, went into the local streets and while the band played, other knocked on doors to invite people to come back and enjoy the afternoon praise meeting. Some did indeed respond. 140 then shared together a Harvest Festival Meal and as the weather was so beautiful, we were able to serve many people in our garden seated. The afternoon praise meeting then followed, and it was another great meeting. Our own singing group was featured, and they also at the end unted with Birmingham musicians to sing a united song.

Thanks were expressed at the end of the weekend for the work of our own captains, alongside the rest of the team. We recognise June Belcher who sorted the billets, Sheila Jannels who sorted the welcome tea, Jackie Fisher who sorted the welcome meet and greet, Michael Nye who arranged so much of the weekend himself, Sandra Thomas who arranged the last tea, and all those in between.

Our gift day saw over £1600 gifted to support the mission of our own church and also 25% to be gifted to mission projects throughout the London South East Division. We thank God for this too.

THE SATURDAY EVENT for OCTOBER took us to the Brighton Road Baptist Church for an evening musical festival with the Birmingham Citadel Songsters. The event saw about 300 people gather to enjoy and be blest through the music. Over £400 was collected in a love offering during the evening.

I DO. I DON'T

OUR CELEBRATION MEETING focussed on the welcome of four new adherent-members, Barry Dowden, Karen Kinsella, Ruth Deevoy and Andy Richards. All four spoke of the welcome they had received in this church family, and thanks certain people for helping them on their spiritual journey. The new adherents had chosen songs to be used during the meeting, and songs today included:- Would you know why I Love Jesus?; My Jesus, My Saviour; Great is Thy Faithfulness; All that I am; O Jesus I have promised. Ruth sang her choice of song; Kneeling in Penitanence. Reflecting on Belonging, Captain Ian asked people if they were I do, or I don't people, and encouraged us to embrace all that God wanted for us and be those I do people, who do want what God wants and do not get in the way of His will and purposes. He spoke on how too much the Christian Church can be full of I don't people who stand against what God is doing, or will not do certain things, but how GOD wants to be honoured and adored. In closing moments someone came forward to make prayer at the Cross.