some more pictures capturing our international night on Saturday

Commissioner Margaret Sutherland led our Celebration Meeting, and launched our month focus on the self denial missionary appeal. Songs included:- Lord, I lift Your Name on High; Thank You for Saving me; We are Marching in the Light of God; O Lord whose human hands were quick; In my life Lord; Christ of Self Denial. The commissioner challenged us to ask whether we were living below the spiritual poverty line, and used Ephesians to look at the spiritual blessings that we can know in Him. Sunday evening we enjoyed time for eating together; worshipping together and breaking The Word together. Commissioner Margaret spoke powerfully on Victorious Praying. Captain Ian led worship with songs that included: And can it be?; Your love is amazing; Blessed be Your Name; Christ of Calvary. We concluded the evening with Jesus is the Name we honour.

To launch our Self Denial Missionary Focus Month, we held an INTERNATIONAL NIGHT, attended by about ninety people, which was an amazing turn out. Dishes of food were contributed from throughout the corps family, and we enjoyed time eating and chatting together. Extra tables have to be got out to accomdate all the extra people. Then after we had enjoyed food, Donald Jones got us to look at ways of saying THANK YOU in different languages. To conclude Captain Ian thanked everyone for coming, all those who had been involved, especially in catering to Jennifer, Sandra and Peter. Ian then encouraged everyone to enjoy singing We are Marching in the Light of God, supported by Reflections Worship Group. A retiring offering was taken up towards the missionary appeal which has its gift day Sunday 13th March. Commissioner Margaret Sutherland, our guest leader for the weekend concluded the evening with a Blessing.

GOD'S ARMY WEEK ONE was attended well by a good number of our church community and friends. A helpful introduction was launched for the first week. The second week is next Thursday!

The first meeting of the Corps Council - Pastoral Team met last evening, and was well attended.

PLEASE JOIN US THIS WEEKEND! We celebrate internationalism, and have the very special visit of Commissioner Margaret Sutherland. The commissioner is a gifted communicator and has experience of internationalism in her ministry experience. We start at 5pm on Saturday for our monthly SATURDAY EVENT and it will be an international themed evening, organised by Donald Jones. Sunday at 10.30am we have the launch of our self denial missionary appeal. Sunday evening is our monthly TOGETHER meeting, where commissioner will speak on the Ministry of Healing and Deliverance.

Sarah Gorrell, presenter on BBC Radio Sussex gave us an opportunity to travel to the studios in Brighton to share a little of the stories of those who form part of our family here in Horsham. You can listen to more of these stories next week on BBC Radio Sussex. We willl try and give information as we have it. The picture shows Scott Gregory being interviewed.

NEW INTERNATIONAL LEADER

Following over a week of the meeting of the HIGH COUNCIL, a gathering of the senior leaders of The Salvation Army from throughout the world, Commissioner Linda Bond has been elected as the new General of The Salvation Army. She will take over from General Shaw Clifton as he retires in April. Our thoughts and prayers are with General Shaw, and his wife, Commissioner Helen; as well as General Elect Linda Bond.

This will mean some changes in senior leadership in these days, and we pray for great wisdom for those making these decisions.

a reminder that the next two thursday nights, at the home of the horsham officers, from 7.30pm, we will be sharing together in this exploration, discussion and journey. we would love to see you.

PASTORS HEART. Those with a heart for loving and caring for others; or with a pastors heart, are encouraged to attend a new pastoral team starting on Wednesday evening at the home of the officers in Horsham, 7.30pm.

YOUTH MATTERS SUNDAY ADVENTURE had its first gathering today, a new monthly opportunity to get out and about together. A report and pictures will follow soon.

A full hall gathered together for Worship today, led by Captain Ian. The singing group introduced a period of preparation, in singing Mid all the traffic of the ways and In Wonder. Songs shared in congregational singing included Come to the Saviour make no delay; Whosoever will may come; Come now is the time to worship; Jesus we enthrone You; I worship You Almighty God. The Sunday Challenged asked a panel of people to look at a picture of people and tell us what they knew of them. However we were reminded that its easy to know about people, but many of us have not met many people, so have never had that personal meeting, and how that can be the case for too many people when it comes to Jesus. The singing group sang during a period of prayer Nothing but Thy Blood. Captain Ian, opened God's Word and got us to explore different meetings that Jesus had with people and how God longs to meet with us face to face (Psalm 27). During reflective time for prayer a number of people came forward to make prayers and respond to God.

For three days this week, officer leaders from the south east of london division shared time in retreat, and looked at the subject of 'a shared journey'. Lieutenant-Colonel Bob McIntyre gave the teaching.

Commissioners Raymond and Judith Houghton led our day today. Our morning celebration saw a full hall celebrating the greatness of God, and received teaching from the commissioners on Holiness. Songs included:- O Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness; Purify my heart; Be still for the presence of the Lord; In my heart a song is ringing. Following our meeting, we enjoyed our belated Christmas dinner, which saw near on 90 people eating. Thanks to Peter Callum and his team of supporters to make this possible. The Commissioners then shared a little of their journey which has impacted their lives especially in recent years.

HORSHAMS GOT TALENT was the first Saturday Event for 2011 and it was great. A large gathering enjoyed the many gifts and skills of members of the church, hosted by Michael and Jackie. Marion and team prepared a lovely supper. We are so grateful for such a great event. Thank you everyone for making it so.

FRIDAY LUNCHES got off to a great start with over thirty people enjoying the first gathering, and staying to enjoy Friendship Club. Thanks to Clive and Ann for their contribution to this event.

THIS IS ANOTHER SPECIAL WEEKEND AT HORSHAM. Join us on Saturday night for the EVENT - the first in our monthly series of special events on a Satutrday. From 5pm we will enjoy Horsham's Got Talent, and evening of talent and food (tickets available from us). Sunday we meet at 10.30am for our celebration meeting led by our guests, Commissioners Judith and Ray Houghton. We will then share our belated Christmas Dinner (or early for this year) and then the commissioners will then share some of their story to conclude the day.

Sunday 16th January 2011. A packed hall again gathered together for worship, led by Captain Ian. The theme and focus today was RUN, and followed The Salvation Army's commitment sunday material. Songs today included:- Great is Thy Faithfulness; Great is Your Faithfulness; Faithful God; Standing on the promises; Strength will rise as we wait; Lord, I come to You; The Saviour sought and found me. Other choruses were used during an extended time of prayer ministry as many sought the Lord and renewed their commitment to run the race of life and seek to make a difference. During the earlier part of the meeting, the junior soldiers renewed their promises to Jesus, and someone knelt at the mercy seat. Later the mercy seat was used time and time again. God's Spriit came very close to many. The meeting ended with the singing group singing - God be with you till we meet again.