YOUTH MATTERS

A group for tweenagers has started at our centre from 12noon in our coffee lounge. The group is led by our new youth officers, Scott and Kate Gregory. Everyone is very welcome to attend

THE UPPER NORWOOD BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY led Sunday Worship on 20th June, in a hall that was packed full of people, including more new faces. Various people took responsibility for the Sunday morning meeting, before the band enjoyed a meal prepared by June Belcher. During the afternoon the band shared music on the bandstand in Horsham Park, which attracted a good number, and an opportunity for community hymn singing was also enjoyed. As always thank you those who have been a part of this day, and to our corps sergeant major Trevor, for arranging this.

The Friendship Club enjoyed a strawberry tea as part of their programme on Friday afternoons.

On Saturday 13th June some of our church enjoyed a day out in Eastbourne, and then in the evening attended the Divisional Prayer Wave event at the corps in Eastbourne.

Sunday 13th June

Captain Susan led a very powerful time of worship this morning, using songs including For the beauty of the earth; He is the Lord and He reigns on High; Over all the earth; Send a New Touch of Power; Great is the Darkness; Blessed Lamb of Calvary.

Captain Ian spoke on Acts 1: 8 - AND YOU SHALL HAVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU - and we explored how we needed the Power of God within us to be the people God has called us to be.

Hospital Care:- this week Eric Day entered hospital, Ted Longhurst had a stroke and has been admitted to Guildford hospital, Ruth Deevoy is in Redhill having had a knee replacement. Please remember them all in your prayers and their loved ones.

Tuesday 10th June: our hall was packed for the service for thanksgiving for the life and influence of Trisha Reay. Captains Ian and Susan led the service, supported by various people who shared their own reflections, including previous corps officers, Major Kevin and Captain Catherine Rand and our own Marion and Les Daniels. Beth Reay spoke on behalf of the family. A tea was held back at our church afterwards.

Sunday 8th June was a great day, and we knew and celebrated God among us. The captains returned, Susan was in Crawley today, and Lieutenant Nicola shared with us in Horsham to lead worship, and Ian preached. We continue to explore the Holy Spirit, and Ian looked at Zecariah 4: 6 - Its not by might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit - reminding us all of the importance of allowing it to be all about God and not ourselves. Being the first in the month TOGETHER we held in the evening, and a great number attended. Lieutenant Nicola led the event and focussed our thoughts on Worship.

Two special events this week.... CHATT A BOX our parent and toddler group held a teddy bear's picnic as part of their session and then afterwards a good number stayed to enjoy a picnic together. KIDS ALIVE concluded this half term with a Cool Dudes Party - lots of games and food. This was attended by some new people, and quite a few were away as half term started early in a number of schools. However both events gave people a great time.

Captains Susan and Ian will be away over the next week. This Sunday Lt Nicola will be leading our worship and speaking, and it will be a united meeting with Crawley.

TRISH REAY

A service of thanksgiving for the life and influence of Trish Reay will be held at our church on Tuesday 8th June at 2pm.

Pentecost reflects a coming together of God;s People, and somethings amazing happening among them. This weekend we saw that reflected in so many different ways. It all started on Saturday when we held our Garden Party, attended by hundreds of people and raising just over £1000. Although financially is not why we did it, we wanted to very much invite people to come to us and meet with us - and they did. Some of them our new contacts through KIDS ALIVE and our other groups. Stalls, were married together with face painting, bouncy castles, side stalls, the firemen and police were there, as were musicians making together a band, which allowed for great music. There was also garden games that was enjoyed, and a treasure hunt and much more. Refreshments were also a major part of the event. The day concluded with a community songs of praise, which was led by our visitors for the weekend, Majors Anne and John Read. They stayed over and on the Sunday led our celebration meeting in the morning. Songs in this included:- Come on and Celebrate, Thou Christ of burning cleansing flame, Breath on me, The way its gonna be, I've felt a new and loving touch, Be still for the presence of the Lord, Love divine. SUNDAY FEAST followed which included a lovely roast meal and then a concluding time when the majors shared something of their lives and their current appointments. We are grateful to God for such a great weekend, and look forward to more of what God has in store for us. We are also grateful to Majors Read and others who worked so hard to make this weekend possible.

TRISH REAY

It is with deep sadness that we write to inform you of the death of Trish Reay this morning at 1.30pm. We rejoice, though, in someone who knew Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, and who has gone home, to live with Him! Our love and prayers are for her family and friends at this time.

Members of the corps supported the COME AND CELEBRATE meeting on Sunday evening at Thornton Heath Corps Hall.

The following is what junior soldier David shared with us during his enrolment this morning:- Jesus is very kind, He is my friend and my hope. He keeps me away fron sin. I worship Him. He cares about everyone in the world. Jesus said 'I'm the way, the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father except through me'. That means that Jesus is the only way to heaven and glory. Jesus went to the cross and sacrified His life so that our sins can be forgiven. That is why during Easter we remember Jesus' Sacrifice/ Thank you and God Bless. Amen.

When sharing words of encouragement, Davids dad, Melusi, shared with the congregation how proud he is of David, as what he read out to us was all his own words. But then with his amazing family, that does not surpirse us!!!

another special sunday morning, as we welcomed two new junior soldiers, David and Flora. Both of them spoke, and shared their story a little. Representatives from both families gave words of encouragement to the new junior soldiers. Captain Ian spoke on promises and looked at Peter as to how despite breaking his promise to God, God reinstated him and took him into new places. Songs today included:- Standing on the promises; All the promises of God are sure; O Jesus I have promised. Two people knelt at the mercy seat today.

Come and Celebrate

To celebrate Ascension Day a divisional Come and Celebrate evening of music, worship and teaching was held, where our divisional commander, Lt Colonel Anthony Cotterill spoke.

CRE

A small group visited this years Christian Resources Exhibition in Esher.

Corps Council

The corps council met this week. Among its discussions included a review of our community provisions, and a review of the corps council structure. More information will be issued soon.

The Reading Central Band of The Salvation Army were our guests on Sunday. They led two worship meetings and took part in the 'podium' summer features in Horsham Park. The brave bandsmen and women sat for an hour through very cold weather. The Sunday enabled us to build relationship with other Salvationists, as well as to reach out to others in our community. We are so grateful to all those who worked to make this Sunday work and very special. Specials thanks to our sisters and brothers from Reading