THE PERIOD OF LENT HAS STARTED TODAY. To help people in their reflection throughout this period, we have produced a booklet based around our series for Holy Week and Lent, entitled VICTORY. Copies of this are available at £2 from the resource centre, or for blog visitors by email contact and order. There are six sections which mean that one subject can be taken a week and explored well. We do hope you enjoy this helpful resource.

book you place for the next Sunday Feast, 27th March following morning worship. Captain Susan will be sharing her story. We conclude by 3pm.

donation £3 for adults and £2 for children

DOLLY BERRETT

Captains Susan and Ian will be conducting the funeral service for Mrs Dolly (Dorothy) Berrett today at East Surrey and Sussex Crem. The Salvation Army was requested to conduct this service.

MISSION TEAM

The first meeting of the Mission Team took place last evening.

VICTORY

Copies of a booklet produced to help us journey through Lent, or ideal for any other period, VICTORY, is now published and available from our resource centre for just £2. Do make sure you get your copy. You can use it weekly, or journey with it through Holy Week.

124 SUNDAY

Our anniversary celebrations continued with the leadership of Commissioners John and Betty Matear, Captain Scott Linnett and Lieutenant Colonels Anthony and Gillian Cotterill. Our morning meeting also featured the first time our Kids Choir, MAD, sang, and our worship group also contributed, as did our band and singing group. All were fantastic and added so much to worship. Songs included:- Lord for the years; All Heaven Declares; King of Kings; Knowing You Jesus; Be still; Ye Servants of God. Commissioner Betty opened The Word, and a great move of His Spirit was known among us. Many sought God at the Mercy Seat.

Commissioner John spoke in the United Praise meeting, where friends from Brighton Congress Hall joined our band and singing group musicians. Songs included:- O for a thousand tongues to sing; Jesus what a beautiful Name; I know not why; Lord, I come before Your throne of Grace; Master Speak; The Power of Your LOve; He giveth more grace.

Many people were greatly encouraged and blessed through the weekend, and we enjoyed concluding with a celebration tea. We are thankful to all those involved in so many ways, and above all to God who did His workof Power and Grace among us.

Thank You Jesus!

124TH ANNIVERSARY EVENING

Nearly 150 people packed into our worship hall to celebrate our 124th anniversary, and what a good start it got off too. A welcome reception to our territorial leaders and the chairperson of horsham district counil, Councillor Brian Donnolly, commenced, and our team, headed by Peter Callum, contributed an amazing buffet to enjoy. Our celebration meeting got off to a start at 5.45pm, supported by our divisional leaders, and the private secretary to the territorial commander, Captain Scott Linnett. Reflections worship group started the evening, followed by worthing songsters singing Rock Eternal. Throughout the evening they contributed various aspects of music, and our own band supported. Additionally at the end of the evening, our singing group united with the songsters to sing Under His Wings. The Territorial Leaders led through the evening, after they were welcomed by the divisional commander. The Territorial Commander opened the Word from Isaiah 43, and reminded us to look to the past but not hold to the past. Congregational Songs included And can it be?; Teach me to dance and Let all the world in every corner sing. Pictures will follow.

HOME LEAGUE

Lt.Colonel Gillian Cotterill visited our home league on Wednesday and conducted the meeting. It was a great afternoon. Good to see so many people attending this mid week opportunity for church.

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.