EASTER SUNDAY started early with a cooked breakfast enjoyed by about thirty people. Our Morning Worship celebration started with the singing group singing Rock! We then shared many songs of celebration as we looked at the Power of the Resurrection. Ruth Deevoy contributed a vocal soloist, and our band played Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus. A feature of the meeting was a look at the Easter Eggventure, we sang two songs from the event, and also saw pictures from the week. One song even saw the congregational enjoy dancing together in the aisle - a Glory March indeed! Songs today included:- Christ the Lord is risen today; He has Risen; Christ is alive; Oh Joyful sound; Low in the Grave He Laid; To the front the cry is ringing. The meeting also included a song that our captains wrote for the week entitled Victory in Jesus. Captain Ian spoke on being children of God, and reminded us that Easter is NOT a drama, but reflects the extent to which Christ is prepared to go to express His Love for us. Several people knelt before the Cross in Prayer. It has been a great and special Easter week for many. We thank God for all He has done among us.

THE SATURDAY EVENT for April saw us opening our doors and inviting people to come in and enjoy some time together. It was good to see so many friends gathering to enjoy bouncy castles, food, bowls, other games, the Easter Egg Hunt and so much more. We are grateful to those who helped so much, and those who came. Whilst we did not set out to raise money we raised about £500.

GOOD FRIDAY saw us gathering together twice on this day. Firstly Lieutenant Nicola led us in a time of prayer and reflection first thing, before we walked into town for the united witness. Then in the evening over 50 people gathered around the Cross, for an evening of music and reflection. Shelley Gallagher was our soloist who contributed beautiful music to the evening and our Reflections worship group also contributed some very helpful songs. Captain Ian led the evening through looking at It is Finished! Several people came to the Cross to pray.

GOOD FRIDAY SAW CHURCHES TOGETHER gathering together in the town centre to share the meaning of this day with the world.

MAUNDY THURSDAY saw us gathering together to focus on the meaning of this day, and especially in sharing together in The Love Feast. It was a very special evening, and a number of people knelt before the Cross in prayer

The Easter Egg-Venture was held on Good Friday which gave us a great opportunity to share the meaning of this day.

Easter Egg-Venture Day Three

DAY TWO OF THE EASTER EGG-VENTURE saw a good number of children enjoying a great time as we explore the Temple that God wants to come and live in. We looked at how we have been called to be a house of prayer. Games, Craft and so much more brought together a great afternoon - thank you everyone!

As last year our Band and Singing Group presented a great evening of music and reflection, as part of our Holy Week gatherings. Vic Jannels saw through the evening, and it was simply nothing but great!!!!! Captain Susan opened the Word for us and in her usual style, gave us great challenge. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather. Everyone reflected at the end as we drank soft drinks how special the evening had been.

DAY ONE of the Easter Egg Venture got underway as we looked at Jesus riding into Jersulem on a donkey. It was a great afternoon of music, craft, adventures, games and loads more. The winning team was BLUE!!!!

The Rt Hon. Frances Maude, member of parliament for Horsham visited our Friendship Club and spoke on his role, and kindly took questions

HOLY WEEK OUTLINE

• The Easter Egg-Venture is held for children from Tuesday-Friday from 2-4pm
• Tuesday Evening at 7.30pm is an evening of music and reflection with our band and singing group
• Thursday Evening at 7.30pm is our Maundy Thursday Meditation and Love Feast
• Good Friday at 10am we have morning prayer and at 7.30pm an evening of music and meditation, featuring Shelley Gallagher as our soloist
• Saturday at 2pm is our Community Fun Day
• Easter Sunday we have breakfast at 8.45am, and 10.30am our Resurrection Celebration

THERE IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU

HOLY WEEK commenced with our Palm Sunday Celebrations, led by Captain Susan. In a great celebration, we shared Scripture, Music, and a Sunday Challenge which saw two of our young people being William and Kate and parading through our hall being cheered! Songs today included:- Thine is the Kingdom; Sing we the King; King of kings, Majesty; Make way; Hosanna; The Servant King. Lieutenant Nicola opened the Word, and spoke on Jesus as a Humble King. Our hall was full again, and God moved among us, for which we thank God.

To continue the day Messy Church was held in Crawley

MY TABLE was the focus on our meeting for worship this morning, which carries on with our VICTORY study and exploration. We explored how God invites us to feast with Him at the table, and there meet with us in Salvation, Forgiveness, Cleansing, Renewal, Healing, Deliverance and much more. We explored how Christ has called us to live a relationship in the world and to help others to know Christ who died and rose again, through our own personal meeting with Him. The singing group used 'Nothing but Thy Blood' as their contribution and the band 'Jesus loves me'. Other songs included:- Jesus the Name high over all; Lord make Calvary real to me; Jesus, hope of the Nations; I Believe in Jesus; Befriended; My Life must be Christ broken bread; Jesus, keep me near the Cross. The song 'Jesus Himself drew near' was used in moments of reflection.

THE HOLY SPIRIT DAY,  a day set apart as part of the ALPHA COURSE was held yesterday, and attended by course attenders and other friends. Twenty in all enjoyed the day which included teaching on Who the Holy Spirit is, what the Holy Spirit does, and how we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Many people responded to make prayers and ask God to touch their lives.

KIDS ALIVE was a special week to mark the end of term, and a film night was enjoyed, with real pop corn, drinks and ice cream as part of it. We had a great night, and good to be together as always.

ANIMAL MAGIC returned to CHATT-A-BOX for our Thursday group, and being nicer weather was able to enjoy the animals outside. A great time, as you could image, was enjoyed by everyone.

THIS SATURDAY

If you would value a day of retreat and renewal, this Saturday we hold our ALPHA DAY, which focuses on the Holy Spirit. Whilst it is aimed at those attending the ALPHA course, we are opening this to anyone who would value sometime out. It is held on Saturday from 10am-3.30pm. If you wish to come do let us know. We will be having a shared lunch together.

Our monthly TOGETHER meeting was extra special this month when we welcome singer and songwriter David Fellingham. Dave's parents were the corps officers at Horsham many years ago, and so it was very much like returning home. The evening consisted of some worship sang, including some of Dave's own songs, and then he spoke on the Holy Spirit and how He wants to come into our lives. Time was spent listening to GOD and we valued some time of His Spirit ministering to us. The evening started with some refreshments, and we enjoyed some home make cakes as well!!!! We thank GOD for a great ending to the day.

A PACKED HALL gathered together for worship on Mothering Sunday. Despite there being many many people away, it was great to be able to see so many, and especially so many new faces. Sadly our band could not play due to personnel being away, but our singing group and worship group supported beautifully. MAD, our Kids Choir also sang a song they had written themselves for the occasion. Lt Nicola led though the meeting and helped us to focus on our household and on those who loved and love us, and for the importance of listening to others. Captain Ian spoke on Influence, and in times for personal prayer and reflection many people came forward to pray and some for specific prayers. God's Spirit came very closely and powerfully in our midst. Songs today included:- Who is on the Lord's Side; Father God I wonder; Teach me to dance; What a Faithful God have I; Befriended; Blessed Assurance. We thank God for this very special time together.