THIS SUNDAY

Don't miss this Sunday - this will be our FIRST SUNDAY EVENT - being the first Sunday in the month!!!! This month people of all ages are invited to come together and celebrate being The Champions! and knowing The Champion of the world!

We meet at 10.30am for our Family Celebration, and then for those who wish, or are able, share together in our Family Celebration Meal, concluding with THE EVENT, which will be a whole host of fun and excitement based around this theme. If you would like to join us for dinner, please let us know. This is an event for everyone and anyone.

THE LIGHT

Today in our morning prayers as a church (we meet every Monday and would welcome anyone to join with us from 9.30am) we recognised the influence that The Army is and the Light that it is seeking to be beyond our on centre - and we do thank God for that:-

This includes ministry at Farrow Court, The Revival Centre, Athena House, War Cry Ministry in Ashford and Tenterden, Ministry at East Stour School and other schools, links with local councillors and civic officials, good links with local newspaper and radio, links with local churches and communities, organisations and more - and thats just a start.

We recognised the ministry of this church to people of all generations - through drop in centres, lunches, parent and toddler groups, childrens groups, youth groups, pastoral care and support, listening services, worship meetings and more.

We thank God for what He has raised up among us - for those people are who are part of this - the people that we are reaching and touching in His Name, and those we are yet to meet and will soon welcome into our lives.

We above all, thank God for opening doors, giving opportunities and allowing us to be part of His Great Big Plan

WARNING: WATCH THIS MAN

THIS IS ADHERENT MEMBER GARY CHITTENDEN.

Brother Gary is pictured here taking a picture of Captain Ian taking a picture of him. In recent days the adherent member has taken a picture of Captain Ian dressed as a women, and published this on his blog - which isn't very nice at all.

Actually Gary is a great guy and a real blessing to our church community. He is a real guy, honest and wears no masks, and we love that about people. He brings so much to our church community and we thanK God for sendng Him among us. God has great things for Gary and has been using his ministry on his blog to touch the lives of many others. Follow the links through on the links section to visit Garys Blog

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL 2007

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL was a great day. Our morning worship meeting was led by our senior leaders, and featured an exciting word from Envoy Val about the exciting developments in South Ashford. Clare Hayward, our acting childrens ministries officer spoke, and spoke about messy Christians, and challenged us to allow God to do what He wanted instead of placing so many barriers before Him. Many, many people came forward to pray and some for the first time. It was good to see new faces with us as well, and so exciting to see our hall so full again for worship.

Being Community Church Sunday, which is what we hold on the last Sunday in the month - we take the church beyond the traditional boundaries of our building, and to the people. Splitting ourselves into three areas, where a large percent of our membership live, people are encouraged to attend the activity in their area, or wherever and whenever they want. So some are supporting all three areas which is great as well.

WILLESBOROUGH COMMUNITY CHURCH met in a residential home in Willesborough and there shared some hymns and songs with the residents there. District Pastor Sara Hayward shared some thoughts, and alongside District Pastor Lyn Farthing led through the event. It was very special to share in this time, and to see the blessings so many of the residents had from us being there. It is great when you see God touching people.

SOUTH ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH met in Farrow Court. The first part of the event was a film show, which was interesting and presented by an Ashford Club. Following this we shared a tea together, and then concluded with some songs of praise and worship, prayer and testimony. Over 30 people attended this event and great for our own congregation to meet up with others in this area. Thanks to Envoy Val and District Pastor Elsie for arranging and leading through this event.

We do thank God for a great day and for all those who have shared this day with us.

WELCOME IN

Thanks are due to Adherent Member Gary Chittenden for these further pictures of some of the exciting things that happened at the 'Cafe Church' on Thursday in South Ashford. A lot of word is getting out and several have said how excited they are that The Salvation Army is extending its tent pegs. We continue to thank God for this leading in these days.

IGNITE FASHION SHOW

THE IGNITE FASHION SHOW was held this evening, an evening with a difference for our youth project. Usually once a month something different is held and this was the project for this month. Various themes were given to groups to dress up in, and see who could be the best, facing a panel of judges. It was great to see the team involved in the presentations as well. Massive thanks to Carl for arranging and chairing through this event!!!!

PENTECOST 2007

Pentecost 2007 is something to look forward to this year, as we have sought to make it special over the recent years we have shared. However this year we will not all be together in one place! Over twenty people will be travelling to Bournemouth on Pentecost Eve for a week of Holiday, plus fellowship, and our focus throughout the week will be 'I will pour out My Spirit'. A study booklet is being put together, and in some evening sessions there will be focus on Dreams and Vision, Signs and Wonders, Prophesy and Healing. Copies of the devotional booklet will be issued to all members of the church, and is available to any reader of this blog. If you are interested in a copy do please let us know.

BLAZE is a magazine which is used to communicate with all members and friends what has and is and will be happening within this church community. The May/June is now available from our church, and if you would like your copy, then please do not hesitate to get hold of one.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ASHFORD

Representatives from many churches throughout Ashford met together last evening at St Simon Stock, Roman Catholic Church in Brookfield Road, for their representatives meeting. Revd John Boyle, the Parish Priest opened the meeting in a time of worship, and Captain Ian (CHairperson) chaired through the meeting. Part of the discussions was about the annual general meeting in a couple of weeks times, and the proposal that Captain Ian continues for a further year. Nominations for the next two years for various offices are up for election or re election this year

Exciting things are happening throughout Ashford in these days. Please join us in praying for Envoy Val and her team as they storms the forts of darkness and proclaim the Light there is in Jesus

THE WELCOME IN

The Welcome In opened today in the Revival Centre, Kingsnorth Road, South Ashford. This is the home of our weekly Cafe Church Events, and the next stage of our mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in this area led by Envoy Val, assisted by District Pastor Elsie Willis. The centre will open every Thursday from 10.30am-12noon. Do come and join with us, and there is always someone there to chat to, pray with you and more.

CANDIDATES MEETING

Assistant Senior Leader Carl Whitewood, arranged and chaired a meeting for candidates for election in South Willesborough to come and meet their people, and to answer question submitted by people within their ward. Two out of the four candidates attended, with one of the missing two sending apologises and having prepared a short presentation which was read out. Around fifty people from throughout the community attended what was a helpful and enlightening meeting. We now call people to pray that the right person will be elected to help us all impact this community

THIS SUNDAY

Please share with us this Sunday if you can:- Our Morning Celebration will be led by our senior leaders, and our speaker this week will be our childrens ministries officer, Clare Hayward. Kingdom Kids and Creche will also be available. In the afternoon, being our monthly community church outreach and mission Sunday, we meet at 2.30pm at Athena House in Willesborough, 4pm at Farrow Court in South Ashford, and news on Kennington is to be announced. Please remember this Sunday in your prayers

FAMILY MINISTRIES ASSESSMENT

Our family ministries team met together on Sunday for their twice a year assessment. The purpose of these times are to bring together the ministry we share with every generation - from the cradle to the grave - and how we can ensure that we are well serving each generation, and how we are following through the generations together - rather than in lots of seperate identities. This works brilliantly and brings together our ministry among toddlers, children, youth, adults, seniors. Copies of the minutes are available by request

ST GEORGES DAY

ST GEORGES DAY was celebrated in Style during Glow Community Group. Some people dressed in national colours, while others enjoyed our very english meal - pizza and potaoes! Following our day today we concluded as we do every week with our after dinner activity - and during this we celebrated the day of our national saints with good english songs, a couple of quizzes, and a reminder that St George slayed the dragon, seen as a symbol for the devil, and how the St George cross reminds us that we too can slay the devil and know freedom through the blood stained cross of Jesus Christ.

GLOW

GLOW COMMUNITY GROUP, held on Mondays at our church centre, now runs the mini bus to be able to transport people in and back. Today, we had the joy of seeing some extra faces as we shared and thank God for that. We also had the joy of seeing Envoy Val arrive on her bike, as she now did not need to use her car to transport people in. Apparantely though, the envoy is happy to share her bike should you desire this!

BEAUTIFUL CHRIST

Disciple College was our Sunday evening activity, held on the 22nd. This event was the best supported it has been for sometime, with over 25 people coming together to share in an evening of praise, worship and testimony. Some emotional testimonies were shared, and a number of people moved forward to the cross to pray and be prayed with. Someone testified to the touch of The Spirit during the Sunday morning meeting, and they were glowing. God has done something beautiful among us today - and the great thing about all this is the one who makes all things beautiful - our Beautiful Christ - who we came together to worship this evening, and whom many met face to face

NEW JUNIOR SOLDIER

Hannah Whitewood was enrolled as a Junior Soldier by Captain Ian on Sunday 22nd April. Supported by the church leadership and her family, Hannah shared her promises to God, and also sang a song - I'm Special. Clare Hayward, childrens ministries officer, shared some words of encouragement and challenge - and Captain spoke through Hannahs promise - reminding her that God will help her fulfil it and its not a promise to just get on with life in your own.

Hannah shared the following, before she knelt at the cross and was prayed for by the leaders and members of the church:-

I want to be a junior soldier because I want to be part of the church family. In my junior soldiers lessons I learnt that God loves us very much. We did an experiment that showed us that God and sin just don't mis together but it we are bad God still loves us. He forgives us. I think the hardest part of the promise is being an obedient children and always being good in thought, word and deed. I will do my best to keep this promise. I am excited about becoming a junior soldier because I think it it a good thing to do. I want to tell my friends all about God. He loves them more than they can know. He is always there for us and we are all special to Him.

GO DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

A full hall shared together for our Sunday Morning Worship on the 22nd April. Our youth group, Flame, led worship - the first time ever, which was great and helped us so much to focus on the theme for today - Do Something Beautiful. During the meeting Hannah Whitewood was enrolled as a Junior Soldier and our Junior Soldiers renewed their promises.




Captain Ian spoke on the theme, and took as his passage the story of the women who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. He challenged us to do something beautiful looking at the passage:-

1) Kneel and Worship

2) Rise and Serve

3) Face Opposition and Expect it

4) Know God's Blessings

Lots of people responded to the opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the meeting.

MINI BUS TRAINING

A Mini Bus is an amazing resource for the local church, and we are blessed to have one. Although. the picture is not ours. We are desperate for a new one, and need to seriously consider whether we work towards this, or go without one. However we do rely on it to get people to our centre not just in the week, but also to worship meetings on a Sunday. Maybe you could pray with us about this - and maybe if that person is out there who will donate us a bus, please get in touch and be our answer to prayer. The last two Saturday church members have engaged in mini bus training, which is the first time this has been done for four years, and thus desperately needed to be repeated. We are grateful to those who gave up their time to support their church in this way, and of course to our church secretary Rhianydd, who has arranged this too.

MISSION OUTREACH

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to the amazing team of people who did not leave our church centre until midnight last night, and then were back up again at the market at 7am, to engage in mission outreach. This is not taken for granted. And the team had a lot to sell, a lot of people to make contacts with, and raised about £116. We are so grateful, and from the bottom of our hearts thank the team for their commitment to mission outreach in this way.

FRIDAY MINISTRY

The exciting thing about the ministry here at the ashford sacc is the wide range of generations we have the opportunity to serve and see through our various groups and activities each week. On a Friday evening our family ministries welcome children to Kingdom Kids, aged 5 - 11 years, and they meet at the local school. Tonight, the first Friday back after holidays, welcomed just over thirty children - usually they can get between 40-50 a week. There is a real dedicated team of servants - and led by childrens ministries officer clare hayward. Tonight the evening consisted of songs of praise and worship, prayer, the throne room - looking at how God provides for His People, a team challenge and much more. It was a full busy evening, and so exciting to see children really enjoying being together - and forming a church of Jesus Christ in this way.

Ignite Youth Project follows back at our church centre from 8pm, for eleven plus (those in secondary school). A smaller group meets here, but an active group with loads of equipment to play on and enjoy, a cafe serving a wide range of food, and then to end the evening a time to consider and chat in youth cells. This is split into age groups. A great foundation has been built for this project to grow and we are expecting this to be so over the next few months.

If you click on the collage of pictures you will get a bigger look at the various activities protrayed here.

JUNIOR HOLIDAY WEEK

Over Holy Week four of our Junior Soldiers attended the annual Junior Holiday Week, again held at Robertsbridge. Captain Denise Cooper, our divisional childrens officer led through the week. Better late than never, we now include a report from this time. Junior Soldier Rebecca Marshall has submitted the following:-

Junior soldier camp was extremely fun.We played hide and seek when one of the leaders in the group went and hid in the grounds. It took my group ages, I was in the red buses. We went swimming everyday. Also I learnt to swim in the deep end. We had other activities like netball, play area, cricket and French cricket, hockey, craft and chill out time. On Wednesday we had a beach day. For breakfast we had an English breakfast for lunch we had Sweet n Sour Chicken and for dinner we had Swedish meatballs. Also we had a camp fire; it was a lot of fun. But the best thing was worship because it inspired me and we learn more about God, it was incredible.
My room was Squirrels it had me, Chelsea, Jordan, Rebecca, Hannah, Jackie and Natalie. The room leaders were Carolyn and Amanda. We had two bunk beds and three single beds. I shared one bunk bed with Chelsea with me on the bottom.

ENCOURAGEMENT

THE BIBLE TELLS US THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. The church has not been called to run down, but to build up, and we are encouraged by people who encourage us. It always blesses us.

• The Following has been received from Marilyn Baker Ministries

Marilyn and Tracy thoroughly enjoyed their time with you. They felt the fellowship was very open and that it seemed to be moving forward in a wonderful way. They also felt the manifest presence of God in the fellowship. Marilyn commented that it was the best Salvation Army she had ever been to.

• The Following has been received from Commissioner Joe Noland

I have poured over your websites and blogs and am impressedwith all that is transpiring so creatively under your ministry andleadership. When I update my website, I will add your blogs and site to myown. Keep up the good work and keep in touch. Blessings.J----

Bragging Rights I have added the “Ashford Christian Center” website and blog on to the “Connectivity” page in my website (top left for access). Theirs is an expression of innovation, creativity and inclusiveness – creating a culture for the future. The officers, Ian and Susan Woodgate, have cast a big vision and are using the internet innovatively to communicate that vision. Check out their concept of “Community Church,” among other creative things. I’m also impressed with how they have featured and acknowledged their leadership/ministry team on the website – “Doing Ministry as a Team.” Connect with them and exchange ideas. Together, we can “turn the ‘might have beens’ into a wonderful culture for the future” – “No Limits Together.”

It would be well worth visiting the commissioners site at the link below:-

http://joenoland.blogspot.com/2007/04/connectivity.html

Thank you for all the encouraging words that you have shared. We would love, of course to hear more.....

DIVISIONAL MEETING

Eighteen members and friends from our church attended a Divisional Come On and Celebrate meeting last night at the Hasting Temple Corps. The meeting featured in worship the songsters from Hythe, and the band from Hastings Temple. Majors Anthony and Gillian Cotterill and Drew McCombe led through the time of worship and the Ministry of God's Word. It was a great time to share together with other Salvationists, and we thank God for the opportunity of being together in this way. Thanks to our church members for their support of this too.

FLAME YOUTH CELL

FLAME YOUTH CELL will now be meeting every Thursday evening at the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre from 6.30pm. This is an exciting new development for a group that was launched about three and a half years ago to bring together the developing number of people in the eleven plus age group. The Youth Cell is under the leadership of Clare Hayward, who is our youth support officer. For further information email Clare at cmo@ashfordsacc.fsmail.net. Watch this space for further information about the development of the youth cell.

CLARE HAYWARD

Blaze - our church magazine will soon be published for May. Rita Clarke has submitted the following article on Clare Hayward, which we thought was worth a wider read:-

Clare was introduced to The Salvation Army when she was just four years old. The band played outside her house and Heather (Whitewood) spoke to her mum, Sara, and invited them to Parent and Toddlers. In time she came to Sunday School and Kings Club. As the years rolled on she decided she would like to become a doctor but that wasn't to be, and she felt very upset and angry with God about this. She worked hard at school and left with ten GCSE's and 2 A Levels. Her life changed dramatically when she went on the church retreat to the William Booth College. When she went to Soul Survivor amazing things happened and she felt God moving and got really excited. She is now 19 years old and is our childrens ministries officer. She has felt the call to train for full time ministry in the Salvation Army as an officer. She has a very supportive family. God Bless Clare.

LOCAL ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT that the candidates for election in South Willesborough have been invited to attend an open meeting for them to address the electorates within this area.

You are invited to join us at the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre, Cudworth Road, South Willesborough, for 7pm refreshments and 7.30pm for the meeting. Questions can be submitted in advance to this address, or through email to assistant senior leader, Carl Whitewood at:- carl.whitewood@salvationarmy.org.uk

The date for this meeting is Wednesday25th April, the election taking place on Thursday 3rd May.

NEXT SUNDAY AT ASACC

Please join us next Sunday at ASACC. Its going to be another very special week together. Our morning worship at 10.30am will be led by the flame youth group, and our senior leader Ian will be speaking. This will be the first time that the youth group have led worship and we are very excited about this. Additionally, during the morning meeting, Hannah Whitewood will be enrolled as a Junior Soldier of Jesus Christ through the Salvation Army. It is also planned that during this meeting all our junior soldiers will renew their promises before God. Disciple College will be held in the evening with refreshments from 5.30pm, and then worship, praise and testimony at 6pm. Please join us for this if you can, and come ready to share what God is laying on your heart. This week - please remember Hannah and her family in your prayers.

DISCIPLE COLLEGE - SUNDAY 15TH APRIL

Reverend Gregory Marlam, pastor of Ashford Baptist Church, visited Disciple College this evening to speak. Our Senior Leader Ian, led worshipped, and many people shared words of witness and testimony. Reverend Marlam spoke from 1 Kings 17: 7-24, and from this passage taught us so much including the following:- expect something new from God; God is a God of miracles - a God of provisions; the importance of crying out to God with all our heart; prayers are prayed to God not to people; a God who takes things away and gives something back; the importance of not seeking the many solutions in various situations, but asking God for what is His; the increase of faith; the importance of coming to God, recognising who He is, and allowing Him to do greater things......

DEAD TO SIN.......ALIVE IN CHRIST!

Sunday 15th April followed on from last Sundays Easters Celebration, reminding us that Easter was not limited to one Sunday a year - but was a continual celebration. Numbers were a little lower today because of holidays and illness, but there was still about seventy sharing with us, which was great. Junior Soldiers Ben and Rebecca Marshall shared a little about their junior holiday week, followed by Captain Susan interviewing Samantha and Chelsea James who also shared the week. Pam Quinn shared the all age presentation on God#s love, and the prayer team shared some thoughts on prayer around colour. Finally our senior leaders shared some teaching from Romans 6, looking at the reality that we should be Easter People and no longer bathing in our sins. The three headings were:- What has happened, What needs to happen now, What could happen (if we are not careful). Severeal people responded for prayer ministry at the end of the meeting.

THIS SUNDAY

Please don't miss this forthcoming Sunday. At 10.30am we meet at the East Stour School, and then at 6pm we commence again our Disciple College events. Our guest speaker this week will be the Reverend Gregory Marlam, who is the pastor of Ashford Baptist Church

EASTER FAMILY OUTING

Family Groups from throughout the church enjoyed an Easter Outing, representing the toddler ministry, childrens ministry, youth ministry and adult ministry. Over sixty people travelled to Greenwich and enjoyed the various shops, market stalls, museums and much more. Thank you to our family ministry leaders for arranging this event.

MORE EASTER PICTURES

SHALLOW END?

During our Holy Week Meditations, Rachel Whitewood shared the following from a book she has been reading, entitled 'The Power of a Praying Teen' by Stormie Omartian. This fits in brilliantly with our thoughts from last week

1. If you love the Lord only for what He can do for you, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you love Him enough to ask what you can do for Him, then your relationship is growing deeper

2. If you only pray to God when things are tough or you need something, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you pray to Him often just because your love to be close to Him, then your relationship with God is growing deeper

3. If you get mad at God or disappointed in Him when He doesn't do what you want, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you can praise God and pray to Him no matter what is going on in your life, then your relationship with Him is growing deeper

4. If you praise God only because of what He does for you, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you only praise Him because of who He is, then your relationship with Him is growing deeper

5. If you feel you have to beg God or twist His arm to get Him to answer your prayers, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you believe that God wants to answer your prayers according to His will, then your relationship with Him is growing deeper.

How are you doing?

NEW SOLDIERS

Easter Sunday saw the enrolement of three new soldiers. Jan Chittenden who has been attending the church for 18 months, felt called by God to go deeper with Him and take the step to be a soldier of Jesus Christ through the Salvation Army. We thank God for this. Ellie Durston has also been with us about 18 months, and wanted to honour God by taking this step. Nathan Hayward has been with this church for some years, where his mum, dad and sister are involved in many ministries. Nathan has been a Junior Soldier and felt called by God to move on with His experience of God and trust Him to take this new step in his life. We are very excited about what God is doing in the lives of our three friends, and excited to be part of sharing in this celebration with them.

EASTER MONDAY

Easter Monday saw our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day, this year held at East Stour School. Over two hundred people attended the day which included activity tables for children, refreshments of all sorts, a treasure hunt, childrens games, easter egg hunt, face painting and much more - and all for free. In addition there was also a bouncy castle. Stalls also were part of the day and some visitors brought things to sell as well. It was great to see so many people from South Willesborough and Newtown sharing with us, and wider. We are sincerely grateful to our assistant senior leader Carl, for all his arrangements for the day and for the mission support officers who over sighted the day. Thanks too to the many who came along, and the great team who helped clear up afterwards. Additionally to the school for allowing us to use their premises again.

COMMUNITY MATTERS - 5TH EDITION

THE FIFTH EDITION of Community Matters is now available, and has been delivered to homes throughout South Willesborough and Newtown. If you would like a copy then please do contact us.

EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS

Our worship meetings were packed today with so many different people, including cadets and their families, from the William Booth College in London. The cadets led the worship meetings, supported by their assistant spiritual programme director, Captain Catherine Cotterill. During the morning meeting three new soldiers of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army were enrolled by Captain Ian. A further report will follow above about this. After our morning celebration, we shared an Easter Feast, which was concluded with a Praise Party. We are grateful to everyone who has made this Easter time so special, and thank Jesus for being among us. The pictures reflect the beautiful lay out of our hall today, and note the sun rays first thing this morning in the picture to the left.

EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Our catering team worked so hard in getting up early to get a brilliant cooked breakfast cooked for us. In addition there was also cereal, baked rolls and much more. Over thirty people gathered together to enjoy this, and we are thankful to Elsie, Lyn and the team who met first thing and others including Envoy Val who helped serve and sort us all out.

EASTER SUNDAY SUNRISE SERVICE

As always we were pleased to start the day at Wye Downs for the annual Churches Together Sunrise service. Our church was well represented, and our musicians did an amazing job in supporting the singing of worship songs. Thanks to Carl for starting the mini bus run at 6am..... Reverend Alan Dinnie from Willesborough Baptist Church led the service as usual, and our own senior leader, Ian, spoke.

EASTER SATURDAY

Easter Saturday was very special as we were able to get among the people of this community and wish them a Happy Easter. We believe in the importance of not keeping Jesus to ourselves, and its ideal time of year to remind them that Jesus loves them and so do we. Cadets from the William Booth College came from London to help engage in some door to door Easter Greetings, and then we were able to enjoy some games at the park.

We are so grateful to members of the church who gave this extra time of their holiday weekend for Easter

IT IS FINISHED

It is Finished concluded our journey through Holy Week, which saw us share a meditation around the cross. The Kingdom Kids also enjoyed sometime in their own activities together. Captain Ian led the meeting, using music and reflections from throughout the Holy Week, leading us up to the point of recognising to go deeper, we have to surrender all. The day started prior to that in a unity act of witness, as churches throughout Ashford met for opening worship at St Marys Parish Church in Ashford Town, and then walked through the town to the performance area where an act of worship took place. The pictures above reflect of the witness in Ashford Town, and the picture towards the left is the visual impact of the school hall for Good Friday.

THE HOPE OF GLORY - SURRENDER

GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION: IT IS FINISHED

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & John 19: 28 – 37

At the heart of the Temple is an altar – a place of sacrifice. The pictures of Ezekiel reflect a river that got deeper and deeper – and the prophet could no longer stand, but had to swim. Many of us have arm bands when we start to learn to swim, but we cannot wear them forever. We have to take them off, in order to really swim – we have to go deeper in order to really grow and go with God. We have to come to the altar and surrender everything there is, so that we are where God wants us, so we are moving on, so we are knowing refreshing and healing, from that river which flows from the altar of God. All Gods blessings must begin with the altar, and in reality that altar brings us to the death of Christ, to the cross. Here Christ cried….it is finished. Surrender is about dying.

A song written many generations ago shares these words:- “People want to go to heaven, but are not prepared to die!” Whatever we think about Easter, it is very much about Death as well as Life, and life only comes when we are prepared to die. When we too cry – It is Finished. Into the very hands of God we place our lives and we start then to really start to experience all God has for us, for we are totally in His hands and His will and His purpose.

Spend some time considering what it is we have not given over to God, for surrender is about surrendering everything. It is about bowing before the altar of God, the Cross, and giving up our all to do our Masters will.

SERVANTHOOD

Maundy Thursday took our journey from our church centre to join with Christians of many other denominations in an evening of worship and reflection. The evening commenced with a service of communion led by the pastor of South Ashford Baptist Church (the venue for the evening). Captains Ian and Susan led through a time of worship and The Word, and took the fourth section of our study this week - The Hope of Glory: Servanthood. Looking at how Christ came not to be served, but to serve, we too have been called to be like Jesus - and be servants of Him. Part of that was celebrated in what followed. A number of our church members had felt called by God to affirm their faith and celebrate a new start, by going through the water of baptism. This is not the norm in The Salvation Army for many people - but the army has always been about encouraging people to go deeper with God - Holiness - and that such things can aid such development. The Salvation Army does not believe that baptism is essential for Salvation - just confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. As a church, we of course affirm that. We also affirm the importance of blessing what God has asked of His People and would not want to stay in the way of that - indeed certainly if we are going to be servants of His. So, eight members underwent believers baptism this evening, shared with many other Christians of various denominations, and shared by Val Barkley and Lyn Farthing. Various friends offered Biblical verses and Prayer, which made a real big family celebration for all concerned. Please continue to pray for: Kevin, Nathan, Sara, Clare, Ellie, Elsie, Gary, Jan.

THE HOPE OF GLORY - SERVANTHOOD

DO AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & John 13: 1 – 17

The passage from Ezekiel reminds us of the importance of going where it is that God wants to take us. For us all that means bowing before our Master, our God, recognising that He is bigger and greater than us – He is awesome, He is God Almighty, and we are His. He has set the example for us in everyway, and we are called to be like Jesus.

Servant Ministry is reflected in the whole ministry of Jesus. He said that He had come not be to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. We are called to, to serve God, to serve His people. To be a minister to God and a minister to His People. In order to do that, we need to bow before God and confess He is our God, and that we follow no other.

Obedience to our Master is essential. We should do what He did and does. The Scriptures outline very clearly the servant nature and ministry of Jesus. The life of Jesus is something we reflect in everything we do and say. We bear His Name if we say we are Christians. Being willing to bow before Him is an important essential when it comes to going deeper with God. Until then, we stay in that place where we go round and round in circles, and more often than not…end up going nowhere.

Spend some time considering who it is that you are bowing the knee before; who it is that you say is your god, and whether at times it might be our own desires and purposes that we want to fulfil instead of His.

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE....

Tonight we remembered the amazing 'supply' that God has given to us and provided for us. We had a good attendance again, and what was more special was those who gathered wanted to gather and expected stuff to happen. We recognised with Ezekeil the new life that flowed into dead places, and how God comes to give us Salvation, Forgiveness, Freedom, Healing, LIFE....and so much more. Many responded to celebrating their Salvation, seeking healing and more. Thank You Jesus

HOPE OF GLORY - SUPPLY

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & Luke 22: 7 – 38

The blessings that flow through this River, as pictured in Ezekiel for us brings life as we have already reflected, but it also reflects through that life brings fruit. It brings healing and refreshing. It brings renewal and it brings strength. Our God is a God who will supply all our needs.

This time of Easter Meditation reminds us again of all these things. God has done everything for us already, so that we might live. Therefore through the cross we have Salvation – Cleansing – Provision – Healing – Grace – Mercy – Empowering….and that’s just the start of it.

The prophet Isaiah (Chapter 53) reminds us just what Christ has done to supply all our needs:-
He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

In order to go deeper it might well be that we need to come again to this river for sanctification, we might well need to submit, and we indeed need to look to Him who will give us all that we need – whether that today to go deeper we need healing, cleansing, empowering …….

Spend some time considering those things which could be holding you back going deeper, pulling you back from going on and growing.

SUBMISSION

God was gracious to us last evening as about 18 people met together for our Holy Week Meditation. It was an amazing night, and we thank God for all He did among us - and indeed celebrate those people who were opened to Him to allow Him to do His will and purposes among us.

FAMILY OUTING

From time to time we arrange family outings at reasonable costs, to allow opportunity for families and individuals to get away from it all at a price most people can afford. Our next outing is Wednesday 11th April and we will be going to Greenwich in London. There is loads to do in that area, and much of it is free as well! We leave East Stour School at 8.30am and leave London at 4.30pm. We have had a lot of interest in this, and have had to book a larger coach, so we have a few more spaces....so if you could like to come either email susan.woodgate@salvationarmy.org.uk, or 0777 3392046. Sue can inform you of costings etc.

THE HOPE OF GLORY - SUBMISSION

Not my will but Yours

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & Luke 22: 42

As we seek to go deeper with God, that means we will be going to places where we have never been before, and even places we may not want to go. Submission is what Jesus teaches us so powerfully through the passage from Luke’s Gospel. This was not what He wanted, and yet through submitting to Gods will and purpose, it brought transformation for all mankind.

Submitting to God is reflected in Ezekiel so powerfully as well – its being willing to go beyond the comfort zone, all we have ever known, but recognising that we need to go at God’s pace. Its not a bad thing to be ankle deep, but it is if there is where we are always staying and being. Sometimes in the new experiences and places God takes us we will find ourselves ankle deep in water, but it should never be the place where we stay forever.

Submission is about giving in – letting God do just what it is He believes in us. He has created us and individually has an amazing plan and purpose for our lives. So, to go deeper, we have to allow Him to clean us up, and then allow Him to bring us to those places, to trust our Leader and to follow. The prophet was led by God, as we read in the very first place, it was not a sending.

Spend some time where you are with God, and how open and willing you are to do His will? God wants to take you to a place you have not been before, and that can be testing us as well. We need to be in the right place for and for Him.

SANTIFICATION

Our first evening of Holy Week Meditations saw about 18 people coming together to reflect on the power of the Cross and the desire that God has for us to go deeper with Him. In this, we need to be prepared to clean up the temple so that there is more and more room for Jesus. During the evening we shared some songs of worship, we opened the Word, and we were able to minister to one another through what God spoke to us in His Word and through spiritual gifts. There is a great expectancy for the rest of the week, and we would sincerely encourage you to invest sometime in your relationship with Him and come and share with us.