CHRISTMAS DAY

Once again we opened the doors of East Stour School on Christmas Day. We started the morning with a carol service led by Mark and Emma with our band accompanying the carols.

With military precision a wonderful meal was cooked and served by our fantastic volunteers. An afternoon of entertainment and activities followed. We even had a visitor from Graceland, who sang a few of his famous hits including 'Blue Christmas'.

We like to thank all our volunteers who gave up their day to make Christmas Day 2009 a day to remember.

Ashford Auction - 7th November 2009

We are holding our second auction in aid of Ashford Salvation Army's community work. We have guest auctioneers from KMFM Ashfords Breakfast show, Kirstyn & Webbo and refreshments will be available too.

We have loads of great Lots including items from Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United football clubs as well signed memorabilia from the 2009 British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa. A copy of the 2009 Winning Ashes team Picture and signatures from the ECB and tickets to sporting events and attractions as well as a year's supply of chocolate from Green and Blacks and loads more.

Please check out the Auction Catalogue at our website please see the link below.

It would be great to see you on the day, come and get that treat for yourself or a great once in a life time gift for somone else.

http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/ashford

A GIFT FROM ABOVE - SUNDAY 26th APRIL 2009

Today is a very important day for us as we dedicate the life of our daughter Lillie to God. We truly believe that she is a gift from God and one that has brought so much joy in the five months since she has become part of our family. We want to thank God for his graciousness in trusting her little life into our hands and accept willingly the responsibility that comes with parenthood.

We recognise that Lillie has been entrusted to us while she grows and develops, and want to teach her that God is her heavenly father and that he loves her very much. This, of course, is true for each of us and God regularly gives us gifts, because he wants to remind us of this love, a love that we saw ultimately in the Easter story.

This week, while at our review, we were reminded that each new day is a gift, and we were challenged to have the attitude that every morning provides us with a fresh start. This means learning from past mistakes but not holding them against those around us – forgiveness is so important. I wonder how good we all are at choosing to forgive others quickly, so we can give them a fresh st

art each day too. After all, if we want to be forgiven we must forgive. Part of this attitude is not only forgiving others, but also asking God for our own forgiveness and believing that we are free from these past situations

.

Mark & Emma

Our celebration meeting was led by our Territorial Adult & Family Ministries Officers Majors John & Lorna Smith, who also happen to be Lt Emma's parents.

During the meeting John & Lorna, dedicated to God Lillie Eva Scott. Both of Emma's and Mark's families took part in the service, Mark's parents read from scripture and Emma's sister sang a song written by Emma & Mark and she was accompanied by Mark's brother on his trombone.

SUNDAY, 1ST MARCH 2009 - THE EVENT

Today, the first Sunday in the month, was our monthly all age 'Event' and was led by Carl Whitewood. We began today's worship with singing, songs included Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour; King of Kings; Here I am ....; Jesus Hope of the Nation.

We took the next view minutes to pray for burning issues affecting members of our corps; Jan, one of our soldiers is due to return to hospital for a last hope operation on her knee. Viv's sister due to have medical tests on Tuesday. Sue Wall's step-mother and finally that Diana's daughter is able to find employment.

Rachel & Joel Whitewood sang 'They need Christ' while we collected our boxes & envelopes for Self Denial and the children wrote or drew how this money will be used.

Jasmine, one of our newest junior soldier performed the Pom Pom Dance, all together now; 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? SALVATION ARMY. 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? JESUS !!!!

Carl put on his quizmaster hat and we had 2 rounds of 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' The first team children (Mike, Hayden, Imogen and Lucy) lost the money on the last question despite phoning Emma who gave them the correct answer. The second team (Ben, Hannah, Jasmine and Caleb) won the million pounds, their reward is waiting for them in heaven.

It was the adults turn to be quizzed, we were all asked to bring 2 questions with us today, the 1st a question I would ask to help me understand God and the second understand the world. So a team of four (Patricia, Emma, Gavin & Rachel) were chosen to attempt to answer them.

The questions chosen and the answers given were:

1) Why does God allow suffering, particularly to children?
God does care & we need to ask ourselves how can we relieve that suffering? Senial Denial money can help. This was not God's perfect plan for the world. Most suffering is man made, ultimately we have freewill, if we didn't we may live our lives dangerously and expect God to save us. We have to take reponsibility as christians to help people in a practical way, we need to know our 'neighbours'.

2) Why does 20% of the world have 80% of the wealth?
Again God gave us freewill and some people are just plain greedy. Gavin reminded us of the Good Samaritan, we often walk by and don't see what is happening around us. This is sometimes due to the media but ultimatelywe need to see where the needs are.

3) Why do you have to say prayers outloud & not in your head?
Caleb said that in church we often pray aloud so others are aware of needs.
It can allow those on our hearts to hear our prayers and it can uplift them.

4) Did God make the world in 6 days or is it symbolic?
God does not work in our timing, God's ultimate timing is eternity. The world was made in 6 days but not our 24 hour days.

The meal at the end of the Event saw a good number of people enjoying a really lovely meal thanks to Elsie and her team.

SUNDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY 2009

To begin the service we were reminded that prayer should be our breath of life and God's love comes from North, South, East & West.

During This Time Tomorrow Carol Monk shared how at 11.10am tomorrow she would be at the Salvation Army Hall at our weekly drop-in GLOW. She will be making drinks or chatting with folk, the people that come along are mainly elderly and live alone, so spending time talking is a vital part of her role. We took time to pray for Carol and thank her for her commitment.

Today's reading was Psalm 103:1-14.

Lt Emma Scott led the sermon, this month we have been looking at fear, love and this week anger. What do we get angry about? Emma shared that in a previous job she had worked with 29 fitfteen to eighteen year old, who had either offended or likely to offend. She shared how in her four years on their unit she had seen them learning to manage their anger. Even God gets angry but his anger is different to ours, it is righteous anger. God gets angry at the world, why does 20% of the population have 80% of the wealth? We need to channel our anger into righteous anger.

Songs used in this morning's worship were: Great is the darkness; It's rising up...;Purify my heart & In Christ alone.

DISCIPLE COLLEGE - 21ST SEPTEMBER 2008

Discipleship College continued the theme of "The Parable of the Good Samaritan". The road to Jericho is like our lives and Jesus is our Samaritan.

We started the evening by reading Psalm 146 - Praise the Lord.. He reigns forever! We then split into 5 groups and each group rewrote 2 verses, in order to update but not change the meaning.

Worship songs used this evening were: To be in your presence; Thank you for saving me and Lord you have my heart.

We listened to some classical music and reflected on some questions that Emma gave us:

How much individual time have I spent with God this past week?

How much time have I spent talking to God and how much time have I spent listening?

Who have I seen/heard in pain this week?

What global situations have touched my heart this week?

What did I do next, once I'd seen them?

Have I spoken to anyone about what I've seen/heard?

Have I sacrificed anything in order to give something to someone/thing else?

Who/what have I thought badly this week?

Would I take pity and do something for them/it?

The yoke God has given us is light. He encourages and does not judge.

It is hard for us to love ourselves sometimes, we know our true selves and so does God and He still loves us!

During the evening Nathan Hayward drew what he felt God was telling him. His picture was a jumble of feelings; Hope, anger, love, crying and reaching out. But Jesus is at the centre.

HARVEST CELEBRATION

Join us on Sunday, 5th October for THE EVENT - our first Sunday special time for people of all ages. Refreshments will be served from 10.15am, and we start about 10.30am for our Harvest Event, which will be followed by our Harvest Feast (Harvest Meal) for all the family. Please do come along and share THE EVENT with us.

HARVEST PARTY 2008

THE HARVEST OF THE SEA FAMILY PARTY

is being held Saturday, 4th October at 4.30pm at the East Stour School.

We would love to see everyone sharing with us. Please don't forget to bring something for the buffet table.

There will be lots of fun and is ideal for people of all ages. We really hope you will be able to share it with us.

ANNIE

This week marked the first anniversary of the promotion to glory of Annie Wheeler, a soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army in Ashford. On Wednesday, 17th September (1st anniversary of Annie's death) Home and Family Ministries remembered Annie and her daughter Margaret was able ot be there too.
Today, Carl Whitewood led us in a time of remembrance and shared his memories of Annie. Shw had had a hard life and a particularly difficult marriage. She had to work very hard to make ends meet and lost her son Stuart at a young age, separation in her family and her health especially the loss of her leg. History made her the way she was. Annie knew the danger of pride and was always honest if she got it wrong. Annie knew the Lord most of her life and in her seventies she became closer to God and He continued work in her life.
Eddie Maddison spoke of the love and joy she brought ot his life.
Valerie Carter shared how Annie cheered her up and told her not to worry about her disability.
Viv Sanderson was Annie closest friend, Annie came into her life at the same time that Viv lost her big sister. Annie invited Viv to drop by her house anytime she was lonely. Annie also invited Viv to the Salvation Army, where Viv came to faith and thanks to Annie, Viv continues to worship with us.
We prayed in thanks for Annie and her friendship with Viv.

SUNDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER 2008

We began this mornings service with Pam and Sally's All Age Presentation,they reminded us that with Jesus we have a second chance and he can help children to be good.

During this week many good things have happened to some of our members; Caroline Marshall (our Toddler Ministries Officer) got a new job, working for the Salvation Army at our Divisional Headquarters. Alex Smith and Eddie Maddison spent Friday collecting at the Ashford Post Office, something neither of them would normally feel able to do. Alex felt uplifted as people put their pennies in, one lady even took a photo of both of them, What will she do with it?

During This Time Tomorrow Tracey James shared how at 11am tomorrow she would be at her desk at Ashford Borough Council's benefits office.

We read the bible passage for today Luke 10:25-37, with actions. Emma led the sermon on "The Parable of the Good Samaritan".

A very well known story, but we tend to focus on the end with the Good Samaritan, we miss the the start, the original question. The man asking the question is well educated and has studied the scripture & the laws and listened to his leaders. In verses 26 & 27 when asked the question the expert in the law quoted the law in his reply (Deut 6:9 and Lev 9:18). In verse 29, Jesus wanted to show him that these words are to be acted on and not just quoted. Previously in chapter 9, Jesus explained the law and when we come to him, we become a new creation; the law takes on a whole new meaning. The Book of Wisdom says that a neighbour is a fellow Jew, not a sinner. The priest and the levite may have not wanted to become unclean on their way to worship. The book of wisdom also says if family is not nearby they can tend to the sick. So we cannot question why neither stopped.

The Samaritan did not just take pity but attended to his wounds and paid for him to be looked after. This Samaritan gave Holistic medicine, not just the physical but the spiritual.

Who is the Good Neighbour? In this situation it was the man who stopped to help!

Who is our neighbour? Anyone around us, forgetting our prejudices and helping all.

The priest and levite chose to do nothing, the Samaritan chose to help.

We are the neighbour, we cannot help everyone but we can help some. No task is too big with God's help. But we can help our next door neighbour or befriend the Big Issue guy! Something small is better than nothing. Instead of focusing on being able to nothing for everyone, look at doing something for someone.

Following the sermon we listened to a piece of music and thought about how we can help 'our neighbour' and if we needed it, the prayer team were on hand to pray with anyone.

Songs used in worship this morning were: Let everything that; Your Love is Amazing; In the secret, In the quiet place; We bow down and Before the Throne.