SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY: Our corps officers returned and Captain Ian led the meeting looking at 'God Bless You'. We explored how so easily we say it, but how we need to consider what we are saying. Looking at the Blessing of the Children in Mark's Gospel, we looked at how Jesus stands before us longing to bless us, and hold us, but how things get in the way (ie the disciples in this passage). At the end of the meeting a large number of people came forward to receive a prayer of blessing over their lives. Songs today included:- Stand up and bless the Lord; Praise Him on the Trumpet; Praise Him you heavens; Bless His Name He sets me free; Bless me now; Jesus shall reign. The singing group sang Give me a Vision, and the band played, Turn Your eyes upon Jesus.

We look forward to an exciting weekend next weekend, but in the mean time there is much to enjoy this week too. Do not hesitate to contact us if we can help you to know God;s Blessing in the week ahead.

OUR ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND WILL SOON BE HERE and we do hope you will be sharing with us. We look forward to having our Territorial Leaders with us for the weekend. Commissioners Betty and John Matear are responsible for the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the UK and Republic of Ireland. They join us from London, along with Captain Scott Linnett, their private secretary and our own divisional leaders, Lieutenant-Colonels Anthony and Gillian Cotterill.

Saturday 5th March we start with a welcome reception at 4.30pm for invited guests (due to limited space) and then at 5.45pm with a Musical Celebration with our own musical groups and the Worthing Citadel Songsters of The Salvation Army. Admission is free

Sunday 6th March we meet at 10.30am for worship under the leadership of the territorial leaders; and then at 4pm, for a United Celebration with our leaders, plus the Brighton Congress Hall Band of The Salvation Army.

Its going to be a VERY special weekend, and we do so hope you will do all you can to make sure you can spend some time with us. We look forward to the weekend very much.

A REMINDER, Alpha starts first week in March
Wednesdays from 9.30am, Thursdays from 7.30pm

Do let us know if you can come

KIDS ALIVE will host a visit from Animal Magic, from Eastbourne, in April. Tickets are very limited so do book now.

Our leaders, Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate, will be on holiday for the next week. In their absence Lieutenant Nicola Brooksbank will be leading our meeting on Sunday Morning. There will be no kids and family events during half term, but craft club and home league continue as normal.

This half term KIDS ALIVE have been looking at Hero's, and especially those in the Old Testament and what they teach us about what God wants for us. To end the half term we enjoyed a super hero party, attended by over thirty children, enjoying games and craft and food. Thank you to all who made this possible.

Our Friday Lunches and Friendship Club today (Friday) celebrated with a visit from the Belle Plates Team who got us all enjoying playing music together. Our lunches now attract over thirty people each time, and we are grateful to the team who are making this happen. There is always room for more people so do book to come and join us.

Music is an important part of the life of our church. Friday evenings our family enjoy making music, and learning music. Here are some of our instrumentalists learning more!!!!

Messy Church continues to grow and be popular as we meet once a month at Ifield West Community Centre. This month we explored the Good Samaritain and the love God had for him and us all.

2nd year Cadet Clare Hayward from the William Booth College, led us in Sunday Celebration on the 13th February. She challenged us to consider what foundation we stand on. The pictures reflect the Sunday Challenge which asked the whole congregation to build a strong tower. Songs today included:- Immortal Invisable; How firm a foundation; Everyone needs compassion; Who is there like You?' Don't build Your house on a sandyland; At the foot of the cross; When I was lost. A great response of people to standing firm in God followed.

Due to popular request we will be launching ALPHA at our church - to which we ask you to consider joining us. The course will run for six weekly session on  a Wednesday morning from 9.30am and a Thursday evening from 7.30pm. This is a great opportunity to explore the basics of the Christian Faith, and to explore some of the claims of Christianity.

Commissioner Margaret Sutherland invites the children to enjoy some chocolate during the Sunday Challenge in our morning worship meeting yesterday!!! It all had purpose!

REFLECTIONS, is our worship group, which were part of our worship meeting yesterday. They did a prelude to worship and accompained some of our songs. Thank you to this amazing gifted team of people.  

Our worship hall has been decorated with flags representing those territories and regions in which we partner in mission, through the self denial missionary appeal.

This past week have been special celebrations for two of our church. Louis celebrated one year, and Christine eighty!!! We held a small party to celebrate both parties prior to our Together meeting yesterday

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.