STRAWBERRY TEA

Unexpectedly our STRAWBERRY TEA today was packed out with people (despite not advertising widely) and raised £580. The money from this will go to the Generation Project, part of our helping hand international project for this year, for all adult ministry groups within The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org.uk/generation). People of all ages, from all our adult ministry groups came and shared in this event, and it was really lovely. We were very busy and the cake stall, craft club cards, bring and buy and refreshments all helped to raise this amazing amount, which no one can quite believe. We are so grateful to everyone who came to help, and everyone who came to be a part of the event. A great kids area was also provided, and as the weather was not too bad it enabled us to use the garden as well.

The hall is prepared beautifully for the renewal of the marriage vows on Saturday of Ken and Andrea Wheeler after 25 years of marriage

SUNDAY 24TH JULY 2011

Lieutenant Nicola led us in worship with two challenging videos being used, as well as the songs Hallelujah to the Lamb; All I once held dear; Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise; Befriended. She encouraged us to pray through considering popping popcorn and offer our prayers to God. This linked with Captain Ian's reflections, entitled The Performance will now begin, and explored how for some at times the Christian life and collective worship can be just that - sitting back and letting it all happen. A quote sent to the captain this week was shared - People sing about standing on the promises, but are just sitting in the premises! Looking at Colossians Chapter Three, we looked at what the aspects of Christian Living and Worship consists of. During a time for response a number of people made their way to the cross to pray. Songs used in conclusion included If on my soul a trace of sin remains there; Majesty; Alleluia and O For a Thousand tongues to sing. We thank God for another great day together, and was so lovely to have so many with us, including some visitors from other churches.

RENEWAL OF WEDDING VOWS

Ken and Andrea Wheeler came to the Salvation Army today to renew their marriage vows, after twenty five years of marriage. In an informal, but meaningful service, over fifty people gathered to enjoy this time, where we thanked God not only for the Wheelers but for their family and friends as well. Hymns used were Jerusleum and Father hear the prayer we offer. Captain Susan opened the Word from Colossians 3 and spoke on the clothes to be worn by those in marriage. Captain Ian took the couple through their vows. Ken then spoke a little about their marriage, after which Captain Sue sang 'The Lord bless you and keep yoiu'. People stayed to enjoy refreshments afterwards and relaxed nicely at our church centre, many speaking on how warm they felt in sharing at our church, for which we thank God. We are grateful to Karen and Margaret who worked so hard to support in the kitchen. We pray for Ken and Andrea as they step into the future, and thank them for the opportunity that is ours to have shared in such a special event.

PRAYERS

Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Norway today, and especially remember our Salvation Army brothers and sisters serving in that situation, seeking to bring healing and wholeness at this painful time.

CHATT A BOX

Members of the team who help with Chatt a Box were treated to a morning of sorting out the toys, and then taken for a thank you meal to the local Beafeater, as a thank you for their commitment to this ministry week in and week out, we are so grateful for the time of all our friends in this way.

Please support our strawberry tea next Wednesday in aid of the generation project.

See www.salvationarmy.org.uk/generation for more information

NEW MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS

We are pleased to inform you that the corps leadership have accepted the attached as our vision, mission and purpose statement. This is with immediate effect. It sums up brilliantly what we are about, what God has called us to be and do, and why we do what we do. We trust it will help us to keep focussed and on track - going in the right direction always

Sunday 17th July - as a large number of our family travelled to Bletchingly to the divisional fiesta day, 43 people gathered for worship at our centre in Horsham for the meeting led by Captain Ian. Taking the theme of STRENGTH, which God laid on the captains heart for the theme of the Fiesta, when he had divisional responsibilities, we explored for ourselves the strength we could know in God. We looked at Find Strength (wait on the Lord) Know Strenght (joy in the Lord); Live Strength (trust in the Lord). Songs today included; Jehovah is our Strength; Christ is all; Prayer gently lifts me; Praise Him You Heavens; Streng will rise as we wait upon The Lord; Lord I come to You; Be strong in the Grace of The Lord. Kate Gregory shared a little of her journey towards officership and where she is with God, which helped us to see more of God's work in her and through her. Equally the Strength God has given her in these days which have been full of challenge. After Captain Ian spoke, and during the music of 'His Strength is Perfect' private prayer was prayed and some prayed at the mercy seat. A report on Fiesta 2011 will follow later in the week.

FILM NIGHT concluded our KIDS ALIVE CLUB term, and we enjoyed a great film together with lots of Cinema film. A great time was enjoyed. Captain Susan has given us another great term and we thank God for her x

FRIDAY LUNCHES AND FRIENDSHIP CLUB continues to attract new faces, and today over 50 meals were served. June Belcher was our speaker, showing her flower arranging skills, and getting us all to do our bits as well. It was a great afternoon and we thank June for allowing us such a great time.

We were pleased to attend the commissioning of the Ambassadors of Holiness Session yesterday at the Westminister Central Halls. Led by our territorial leaders and the new chief secretary and territorial secretary for women's ministries, supported by the training principal, the day included time for worship, celebration and testimony. The now Lieutenant Clare Hayward, who led worship with us earlier in the year is pictures. The lieutenant was a members of our officers former appointment in Ashford, so for them it was a very significant and special day to follow the lieutenants journey over recent years. We thank God for a full but lovely day - and great to enjoy the time together.

WELCOME TO NEW SOLDIERS

FOUR NEW SOLDIERS OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE SALVATION ARMY were welcomed today, and celebrated by a full hall of people. Captain Ian led the meeting which focussed on the three type of people we have been called to be:- Blood & Fire People; Covenant People; Serving People. We were reminded that our soldiers need to be such people, and all disciples are called to be the same. Songs today included:- We're an army fighting for a Glorious King; Thank You Lord for saving my soul; Down at the Cross where my Saviour died; Grace there was my every debt to pay; I will offer up my life; Thank You for saving me; All I Once held dear; Give to Jesus Glory. Kofi and his family sang an African song of Praise for us. Captain Ian enrolled the new soldiers and after signing their covenants people came forward to welcome and greet our new soldiers. In concluding moments the captain encouraged people to consider where they are and what they are doing, and several people came forward and renewed their covenant to God, whether as soldiers in The Salvation Army or in their walk with Christ.

SUNDAY 3RD JULY

TODAY saw many extra chairs needing to be added as we celebrated our Kids Celebration Sunday. Well over 100 people gathered and we enjoyed a creative morning with people of all generations. The children able to be present received their prizes and our team members also were thanked and presented a gift of thanks for everything. It was a real blessing to be part of this meeting. Songs included:- God's love is as high as the heavens; Nothings too big; God can change anything; I Love You; I am a Friend of God; Hands, hands, fingers, thumbs etc. After our celebration which encouraged us to Love God, Love Others and Love ourselves, over 90 people stayed to enjoy a family meal, some sitting inside, others outside, but in all, we were together and had a very special time. We thank God for all He did among us and the encouragement we saw in all those who came together. As always Captain Susan involved us all and did a great job in bringing the whole morning together.

Some stayed on to enjoy sometime together in the afternoon, before we stayed and enjoyed our monthly TOGETHER meeting. Captain Ian led the meeting, and Adam Hall spoke powerfully and passionately about God's will. It was a great ministry through His Word. Three people responded for prayer at the end of the meeting. Songs included:- What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought; At the Cross where I first saw the Light; Who is there like You?; Come now is the time to Worship; When I look into Your Holiness; I Worship You Almighty God; Grace there was my every debt to pay; Doing the will of God.

Sunday 26th June 2011

This Morning we celebrated the amazing love of Jesus for all mankind. Our singing group sang I Believe, and our band played O How I Love Jesus. Songs included:- Let us sing of His Love once again; Soldiers of our God arise; O the Blood of Jesus; All Hail the Lamb; Jesus Hope of the Nations; Everyone needs compassion; Come, O Come with tender healing; Revive thy work O Lord. Captain Ian led us through, which also included a voice over of William Booth reminding us to put that amazing love of Jesus into action in all we do and say.

During the meeting people were invited to bring their gifts to God in preparation for the annual appeal in September, and over £1100 was gifted towards this, for which we thank God for.

Captain Ian then spoke on reaching in and reaching out, and looked at the fact that Christianity was more than just doing, it was about a responsive relationship with God - a missionary relationship. He looked at the Two S's on The Salvation Army Uniform (modelled to the left, by Captain Susan wearing her General Trimmings in preparation for 45 years times). We were reminded that for some it stands for Saved to Save, and others Saved to Serve - and how whatever - they are both responses to our Salvation, and thus we have to be making a difference where we are. Taking Acts 1:8, we were reminded as the Power of the Holy Spirit came on the disciples it was for purpose, it was to make a difference not just to an individual but to the world. Thus we have been called to be witnessing/sharing Jesus with those in Jeruslaem - where we are, our immediate family and friends; our Judea, our wider communities; our Samaria - further afield, reaching out with His love in whatever ways we can.

For time of prayer we sang the chorus - O How I Love Jesus, as played by the band, and as we did a number of people knelt in prayer at the Mercy Seat.

We thank God again for another meeting with Him.

Sunday 19th June

Lt Nicola led our meeting, which was a great time for the family to celebrate together as always. We had an opportunity to share some big prayers and some small prayers before God, and bring them to Him. We had an opportunity to thank God for men in our church and to gift them - and more so a blessing was then prayed over them by the Lieutenant. We had time for songs of praise, worship and celebration including Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee; Nothings too big, big, big for His Power; I have a Maker; Father I Place into Your hands. Captain Susan preached, as always clearly and from the heart, on the theme SORTED. She encouraged us to ensure our roots were firmly in God, and that we had a sorted relationship with Him, so that we could grow and be effective. We concluded with these words: For I would live that men might see themselves in me; I would by faith ascend the Holy Hill. And with my thoughts in tune with thy divinity, would learn how best to do thy Holy will.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Over 25 Ladies attended a further night out, the 2nd in the series, and this time enjoyed a pamper night, arranged by our adult ministries officer, Jackie Fisher. Members and friends of the church enjoyed jewellery making, card making, feet washing, nail painting, hair cuts, chocolate fountain, relaxation to name just some of the many activities on offer - all for just £8. There was a real sense a love, acceptance and fun in the air, and we thank God for such a great night. Thank you especially to Jackie for the arrangements and the team that made it possible. The next event will be in September and news about this will be announced soon.

Commissioner Helen Clifton

Commissioner Helen Clifton, former World President of Women's Ministries, was promoted to Glory at 9.20pm London time on Tuesday 14 June 2011. The commissioner, who had been ill for some time, was promoted to Glory from St Christopher's Hospice in south London. Her husband, General Shaw Clifton (Retired), was at her bedside.


Announcing the news, the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Barry C. Swanson) wrote: 'I ask for your prayers for General Shaw Clifton (Retired) and his loved ones as they live through these sad days of great loss. We thank God for the life and faithful ministry of Commissioner Helen Clifton and commit her loved ones to the Lord's care.'

Commissioner Clifton was The Salvation Army's World President of Women's Ministries from 2006 until her retirement in April this year. She was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1973 and served in the UK, Zimbabwe, the USA, Pakistan and New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Please remember the family in your prayers at this time. They have three children, Captain Matt, who has served within our own division here and currently works on THQ, and is known well to our own officers. His wife is our divisional youth officer. Their son, Cadet John, is to be commissioned as an officer this summer, and will also marry then as well. Their daughter serves as an officer in New Zealand.

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PENTECOST 2011

Pentecost 2011 saw a very full hall of people and started with asking the question - What is Pentecost? The children were invited to help us explore what it meant, and Captain Ian shared how very much it is the birthday of the Christian Church, which means we have a party everytime we meet, because Jesus Christ is among us. We explored how its about the living Jesus being at work in us and through us. So we looked at parties and the children helped us by thinking about the fact that when they go to parties they have to dress up. So, the children gathered people together to dress them up so they looked right, but we recognised that actually to this party God wants us to come just as we are. Then Captain revealed his party trolley with un blown up balloons and ripped flags, a bit of food etc. But we realised that actually thats the danger sometimes when we come to God, anything will do. The one thing we did remember was a candle, but it was not lit, and party bags, but everyone complained there was nothing in it. But we were reminded that can be the danger, we expect so much, but may well give so little. People were encouraged today to give what they could, and God would indeed fill it with so so much. From here the band supported us in singing - His Loving Touch - and they did great despite many being away. The singing group sang All that I am. The drama group performed a drama looked at the way church should and should not be done and the right and wong attitudes some people have. The band played Teach me how to love Thee. The worship group led us in singing The Spirit lives to set us free, and O God of burning cleansing flame. Prior to the opening of The Word, which had been read by Jo Howard, Shelley sang His Provision. God's Spirit fell at this point, with many tears being shed by people. In brief the captain spoke about the Power that we need and invited people to come forward to receive that Power, many many people came forward in response to the invitation, as we sang Spirit of the Living God, and the words of the song by Shelley - Holy Spirit, promised presence fall on me; Holy Spirit, make me all I want to be; Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Give Your Power to me O Holy Spirit. We concluded with the hymn O Thou who camst from above.

In the afternoon we enjoyed creative Pentecost at Messy Church