CAPTAINS Ian and Susan with Grace, Adam and Hope, now start their holiday and return for Sunday 28th August. In their absence all administration matters should be addressed to Margaret Feist on 01403 254624; and pastoral matters can also be left here for dealing with the leadership team. Trevor Belcher, our corps sergeant major, oversights the mission and ministry of the corps in the officers absence, supported by the corps leadership.

The outline for the next Sundays are:-

Sunday 14th August led by the Time Out Bible Study Group
Sunday 21st August led by Ray and Dorothy Kear, from Upper Norwood Corps
Sunday 28th August led by Captain Ian, with Melusi Nkomo as the speaker.

We keep praying, and we keep believing!

TOUCHING HEAVEN - CHANGING EARTH was the focus and theme of our meetings today, led by Ian. Our focus this morning looked at Touching Heaven, and the importance of people who seek after God in everyway - living authentic lives for the Glory of God. Songs used today included:- Revive Thy Work O Lord; Are you seeking joys that will not fade?' Wake up O Sleeper; We will seek Your face O Mighty God; When I Look into Your Holiness; To Thy Cross I come, Lord; And can it be? Several people came forward in prayer, to offer prayer and be make prayers.

Following morning worship a time was given for our families to enjoy time for play and building relationships. It was lovely to see our families enjoying time together and getting to know each other better.

Being the first Sunday in the month we gathered for TOGETHER. Ian looked at Changing Earth and Acts 4 was our passage. Songs included:- We are witnesses for Jesus; O Happy Day; Far and Near; Men of Faith; He is the Lord; Send a new touch of Power; We will seek Your Face O Mighty God; Lord, for a mighty revival we plead.

A great day, and we thank God for the opportunities of touching heaven - and now to change earth!

There will be a Safe and Sound course at our hall on Thursday 29th September from 7.30pm. This will be led by Captain Sue. The course is important for all those engaging in any form of church ministry, but also for all members and friends. It covers matters relating to safeguarding of children and vunerable adults, and we encourage everyone connected with The Salvation Army to do this. If you can add them please let the captain know. Thank you.

FRIDAY LUNCHES AND FRIENDSHIP CLUB yesterday had the visit of our youth ministries officer, and our MAD, Kids Alive and Youth Matters group. We were so grateful to those who had given up their holiday to come and share with all those who gathered. We are also grateful to the catering team, who have given so much of their time to this, and managed today to cook nearly 60 meals. Thank you Kate and everyone.

A hard working team met together yesterday to prepare packs ready to go to those who will engage in door to door collections or the annual appeal. We desperately need people willing to collect door to door for the appeal, and if you would be willing to do that, either on your own, or with a team, do contact us. Our coordinator is Vida Lyne. So far we have just over £1500 towards the appeal. Our target is £9000. Thank you to those who gave the time today.

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY as we explore Touching Heaven, Changing Earth. Captain Ian will be leading the two meetings at 10.30am and 6pm. Captain Susan will be leading Kids Alive. Lieutenant Nicola will be away throughout August.

FAMILY OUTING ENJOYED TODAY

The Church Family (including those linked to us in some form) enjoyed a day out today to Southsea and Portsmouth. Some even ventured up the Spinaker Tower. It was a lovely day, the weather wonderful too, and great to be together. Over fifty attended.

The Pastoral Team met this evening

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD - Sunday 31st July 2011

Through the ministry of Lt Nicola and Captain Susan today we were reminded that the Battle belongs to the Lord. We need to trust Him and allow Him to lead us and carry us through. Its no game, its real, but God is with us. Songs today included:- Stand up and bless the Lord; In the Army of Jesus we've taken our stand; Jesus thou art everything to me; The Splendour of the King; All Hail the Lamb; Our God is a great Big God; O God of burning cleansing flame.

The Sunday Adventure took place later in the day, which took the young people to the Pizza Hut.

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.