BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE



Our Brochure now for sale

 In readiness for our anniversary year next year, a special brochure has been put together and is now available. The brochure celebrates the life of our church today, and shows all we have to celebrate in our 125th year. We are grateful to those who have contributed towards it, as we are for the lovely comments about the brochure and how much our people are enjoying it. HOWEVER we want to share this with everyone, so if you could like a copy, contact us now. They are for sale at £3.50 each from our church office.

It may be next year, but the event is a month away now, and we look forward to welcoming SALVATION BRASS as part of our 125 anniversary year celebrations. Tickets for the Saturday evening celebration are FREE, but you will need to get them in advance. Contact us now! Sunday Celebrations are at 10.30am and 3.30pm and there will be a Sunday Feast inbetween, as well as open air ministry. We pray for this event and that God will use it to bring Glory and Honour to Him.

SHELLEY UPDATE

We are pleased to inform you that Shelley Gallagher is (hopefully) returning home today! What a Miracle. Thank You Jesus. We pray continued strength and health for Shelley and also her family.

Our New Flag

During our meeting this Morning, Captain Ian dedicated to God a new flag which will fly outside our worship hall, to replace the fraing one that we currently have. In these moments, the Captain reminded all that this is just a piece of material, and there is nothing magical in it; yet the significance of what it stands for, should be that which we proclaim not just in the material, but also in our lives. We were encouraged in having a stable relationship with God, that we lived out the proclaimation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Sunday 11th December 2011

The Third Sunday in Advent welcomed a full hall, as we focussed on STABLE RELATIONSHIPS. In this we celebrated the new life of Molly O'Grady, as she was dedicated to God by mum, Sarah and dad, Blake, in a special moment of our meeting. The full dedication had taken place some weeks ago at Nanas and Grandpas home, and now the O'gradys were able to share with the wider family this special event. Songs today included:- O Come all ye faithful, Born in a Stable, The Little Light of Mine, Light of the world you stepped down into darkness, Be near me Lord Jesus, Joy to the world. Captain Susan sang beautifully Mary did you Know? In his address, Ian explored Matthew 2 and the relationship we can have with God. During times of prayer people knelt or stood before God at the Mercy Seat. We thank GOD for another time of great fellowship, family and company.

Christmas Festival 2011

Every ticket was sold, and about 200 people filled our hall for our annual CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. Carols were sang, accompanied by band and piano, and gave the gathered congregation opportunity to sing about the blessings of Christmas. Our band and singing group as ever gave so much to the event, and our children and youth were part of our 'finale' which talked about the Great Light. Some of our older members of the church also took part in this, and it was directed by Barry and Karen. Karen's daughter, Katy, sang Silent Night. Les Daniels read from the Scriptures. The Leechpool Primary School sang some great songs and reminded us through narration of the Gospel message and it was good to have them as part of our event again this year. Cameron Lonie, accompanied by Grandad Neville, presented some Clarinet solos which were very well received. Our corps officer team saw through the evening, which was attended by the High Sherriff of West Sussex and the Chairperson of Horsham District Council. An appeal was given, giving people opportunity to give towards our Christmas Campaign. £1000 was collected, and with tickets sales, the event made a profit of £1500, which will go to helping other people. We were blessed through so many parts of the evening, and in that too the time and commitment of those who took part. Thank you everyone for making this a very special event indeed.

Introducing our new kitchenette. For sometime we have needed to replace the kitchenette in the coffee lounge, and this week this work has been completed - very nice!!!

Updates

We have been inundated with requests in regards to Shelley. Captain Susan has been to visit and reports that Shelley has now moved from ITCU to HD Unit at Redhill Hospital. Shelley was able to chat with Cpt for a period of time, which is great. We thank God for this strength to carry Shelley through - we have all been concerned. We continue though, to pray for Shelley, for Madeline, Jim and Luke, and the wider family as well.

Netta is now home we thank God for, and residing for a short period with her daughter.

MAC

We are sorry to inform you that Ellen MacNaughton has passed away. Mac, as she was known, was only with us at Home League yesterday, but we understand had a fall after returning home and was taken into hospital and died shortly afterwards. We thank God for Mac and pray for her family at this time.

IT'S A BOY

We are pleased to announce that we welcome LUKE GALLAGHER into our church family, and the life of Shelley, Jim, Madeline and the wider family. We pray for Shelley who has been far from well after the birth.

We look forward to celebrating this years CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. All tickets have been sold, and we look forward to sharing with all those who have been able to share with us.

Sunday 4th December 2011

We moved onto today to Stable Moments - Stable Diet. We looked today at John 1, and The Word which came and dwelt among us. Teaching from this passage presented our five essential that we need to feed on everyday. Songs today included: Great is the Darkness; Give thank to the Lord; Jesus Name above all names; We have a Gospel to Proclaim; Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee; Of all in earth and heaven; Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah. During this meeting we bid a farewell to Comfort who is returning to Ghana after time with family in this country. Comfort thanked us for being her family and being a blessing to her.

Together saw a great number of people gathering for an advent reflection, looking at Stable Moments - Stable Door,and we were encouraged to open that Stable Door to see what God wanted us to see. Songs included:- There's a star in the East; Lord I Lift Your Name on High; Praise is Rising; Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise; Meekness and Majesty; The Stable Door. After sometime looking at Luke 2:1-20, we looked at how the world might see the stable, and how we might see it, We looked at Revelation 3:20 at how God longs for us to open the door to discover Him. Some moments were then given to reflect, to be still, to pray, to pray togethre and more. Some knelt at the mercy seat, other shared a love feast together - and so much more. God's Presence was known.

We thank Him for today with all our hearts.

Sunday 27th November

Advent Sunday was launched today, but then it was advent sunday. Our theme throughout this time is Stable Moments, and today we looked at a Stable Environment. Exploring the importance of creating the right environment so the right things can happen. During this meeting Ashley and Richard were enroled as Junior Soldiers of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army. This was quite an emotional time. The children sang: I Love You as they signed their promises. Songs today included:- O Come,O Come Immanuel; Come, thou long expected Jesus; Give Thanks to the Lord; I am a Friend of God; O for a humbler walk with God; Hark the Glad Sound; Following this over 90 people enjoyed our annual advent dinner, arranged and cooked beautifully by Sandra Thomas. A enjoyable time was had by all, and we are so grateful for the way in which people gave of their time to enjoy this special celebration.

Saturday 26th November

THE WINTER WONDERLAND, our Christmas Fair, saw a packed hall from 11am-3pm, enjoying the various stalls and opportunity to be together. The event this year was arranged by Karen Everest and Barry Dowden. So many hours went into the event, and lots of people contributed lots of things. The various competitions were well entered this year. Father Christmas was well visited, and every stall did very well indeed. In fact over £3000 was raised, which is an amazing amount, and we are so grateful to everyone, and to God for blessing us in this way.

Majors Ray and Angela Irving, from Territorial Hq recently visited Friendship Club. Major Ray shared about his work as Director of The Salvation Army's Social Services, and Major Angela shared poetry and something about her and her husband.

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.