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.

SUNDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Emma and Mark led this morning's worship on the theme of "The Parable of the Sower".

Four members of Flame led the All Age Presentation, in order for us to get to know them a little better, they interviewed each other and one Kingdom Kid about school and college. The young people shared the courses & A levels they are studying and for the younger ones their favourite subjects.

During This Time Tomorrow (3T's) Elsie Willis (District Pastor, South Ashford and Prayer Officer) shared how at 10.50am tomorrow she would be preparing lunch for GLOW, our Monday pop in.
Mark led the sermon on Mark 8: 1-15 "The Parable of the Sower".

"The Seed is the Word of God"

Discipleship College continued the theme of "The Parable of the Sower"
A time of prayer preceded the service and we were able to pray for members of our church who are unwell and give thanks for those recovering.

Our time of worship started with reading the parable, then we sang 2 songs; I am not a Stranger to Mercy and I Worship you, Almighty God. Following the singing of these songs of worship we listened to a CD and looked at the words. "All that I have Sown" by Bebo Norman; as we listened to this track we had to pick out words that stood out for us. For the majority it was the last line, ...the joy that I have found is living in my family.....it's all I have sown. We see ourselves in our children, good and bad traits, what we teach our children and others will remain after we are gone. We need to sow the good seeds to leave a legacy. 'Children can inherit faithfulness'. God does not let go of his children.

We discussed what we felt were the attributes of Jesus as a sower; He put himself where the people were and spent time with them. He led by example. We need to be the seed.

Fear of what others may think of us and fear of rejection can prevent us from from showing the attribute that Jesus showed, along with impatience (we may need to pray for years for something to happen) and our insecurities.

Jesus gave us kindness, love, humbleness, not judging, HOPE, healing, freedom and peace, The Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus cared for the poor and marginalised, he loved the unloveable.

J John said that we are not all sowers, we may be pruners weeders or reapers. We are like the seasons, we may be sowers and reapers at different times.
In order to be a good sower or reaper we need to be Christ-like in the way we live our lives, we need to be real. We should put ourselves in a position to be a witness and not surround ourselves with just Christians.

As we are not all sowers we need to support those that are either through prayer or practical help.

THE EVENT - 7TH SEPTEMBER 2008

50 Ways to Change your Life!

Carl Whitewood, assistant senior leader led today's service, he recently read a leaflet entitled '50 ways to change your life' although a useless piece of literature, he was able to use some of its suggestions. He started by asking if any of us have a fear of spiders, most of us did. Real fears keep us awake at night, using Psalm 23 Carl showed us that we need not fear, God is with us.

We were asked if we had ever written a list of things to change, we usually do this every new year. Brian Tracey has written a book called "Eat that Frog" it tells its reader to do the hardest thing of your list first so then you can then do anything, nothing is then too hard ! But as Christians it should be prayer to give us the strength to get through the day. http://www.prayoften.com/. Those who find it easy to pray first thing in the morning shared how they do it - routine.

All age presentation was led by Heather and the theme was 'Be a problem solver' George James helped Heather, he was in an imaginary boat. On the shore was Hayden the chicken, Carrie the fox & Poppy a sack of corn. George was asked to take each animal/thing on his boat one at a time without the chicken eating the corn and the fox eating the chicken. Despite only being 5 George took the chicken 1st, then the fox but as he could not leave them together he took the chicken back and then left the chicken while he took the sack and then went back for the chicken. When problems happen, when life is a challenge, we know someone who can solve it.

Another way to change your life (as suggested in the leaflet) was to Learn Mandarin, as a billion people speak it! We had a sheet with mandarin on, did anyone know what it said? The first question was "where is the bathroom?" We had to work out the rest! Funnily enough we couldn't! So as we cannot learn mandarin, we should learn the word of God.

It is sad that most people want 'All things Bright and Beautiful' at their funeral as they sang it a school, but they learnt no more hymns or choruses since. The hymn is a lovely one and there is nothing wrong in liking it but to know no other is a shame.

Re-evaluate your personal brand: we were given a piece of paper with 10 famous faces on, could we name them all? Rhianydd could! Maybe you look at celebrities and think, I am short, overweight, need glasses, deaf, I am not like the celebs! But God created us and we are all beautiful.

Flame youth group repeated their wonderful performance of 'Everything skit'. It reminds us that God loves us and the world will distract us.

Get rid of mobile phone: a crazy suggestion but you can recycle them through Rob for the SA.

Eat breakfast: eat God's word if so don't you will end up as spiritual pygmy, you won't grow!

Get a life coach: Olympians have coaches, businesses do, they will call to encourage you! We have one, what is he saying to you? Someone is there for you! He can change them ask and he will answer.

Just do it: John 5 tells the story of 'The Healing at the Pool'. The lame man wanted to be healed after 38 years but everyone else got to pool first, so Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well then Jesus said "Get up, pick up your mat and walk" (NIV) and he was cured.

If you need your life to change, God's word says Jesus can heal us. If you need prayer support team on call/text our prayer phone 07790733760.

Peoples view of God prevents them from going to church and we restrict ourselves by our views, we sometimes don't think we are good enough, this is illustrated in this song; There's a wideness in God's mercy...But we make His love too narrow by false limits of our own...

We needn't as His love is as wide as the universe.

SUNDAY, 31ST AUGUST

Today concluded Champion's Challenge week. This past week both the children's and youth's ministries have held a holiday club.

The children met each morning (monday to friday) for a time of challenges, games and craft.

Each morning included a DVD presentation on the life of Jesus following sporting themes. For further information see our children's minstries blog http://thekingdomkids.blogspot.com/

Each evening our youths met for a time of fun: watching a DVD, field games, baking, art, music, dance, party games and the beach.

This morning's teaching was on the Holy Spirit and we were all invited to say who the Holy Spirit is; answers included Dove, Trinity, Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is even mentioned in the story of creation. Although we cannot see the Holy Spirit he is and has always been here.

SUNDAY, 24TH AUGUST

Last Sunday Lieutenant Emma Scott introduced a new way for us to get to know each other better, each week one or two people will be interviewed for This Time Tomorrow (3T's). Bob Shrubb was the first. This time (10.50am) on a typical monday (last monday being a bank holiday didn't count) Bob would be in a team meeting, Bob works as a Ventilation Engineer and he described what this entailed.

The day's topic was the different names for God: the worship songs reflected this. The reading came from Exodus 3 and instead of it being read out it was shown on DVD "The Prince of Egypt".

Who am I? We were all given a piece of paper with the outline of a person on and we were asked to add things that made us who we are; e.g. family, chocolate (Emma's choice) or sport etc.

WELCOME TO THE SCOTTS

On Sunday, 10th August, we welcomed our new Officers, Mark and Emma Scott. The service was led by Major David Ramsey and assisted by his wife Karen and Envoy Val.
Emma and Mark shared their 3 favourites things; Emma's are dancing, shoes and family, whilst Mark,s are sport, visual expression and sleep. The church leaders welcomed and prayed for our new Senior Leaders.
We made Mark and Emma feel at home, the best way we know, with food ! The service was followed by a buffet, prepared by members of our Adult and South Ashford Ministries teams.

SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST - THE JOURNEY

On Sunday we met together for a time of prayer and reflection, about ten people came together, an extremely good number for a prayer meeting as it doesn't entertain it isn't sitting back in a comfortable chair prayer is all about you and all effort comes from you. The journey was a walk through prayer time taking the plan Jesus laid out for us The Lords prayer, how Jesus lead us into Gods presence, firstly we looked at how important order is to God, He created in an order to achieve perfection. The Lords prayer takes us through order to achieve the ultimate intimacy. The Bible is an example of Gods order, numbers are relevant and each have a specific meaning.

No. 1 represents singleness Ephesians 4 v 7 speaks of oneness John speaks of unity all together in oneness when we are speaking in prayer we are at oneness two people joined together as one.

No. 2 represents the truth two witnesses to clarify the truth no 2 is used 21 times in Daniel and Revelation in respect to figure two.

No.3 represents the Godhead the trinity

No. 4 represents universal truth the four corners north, south, east and west, the four winds all expressing God is for all in every direction.

No. 5 refers to the teaching, the 5 books of Moses are teaching books. Jesus used the figure five in His ministry, five loaves, five virgins all teaching.

No. 6 represents mankind's rebellion, imperfection, its used 273 times God created man on the 6th day and the rebellion is clear in that area in Rev 666 identifies the mark of Satan it identifies the stain Satan can leave on your life

No. 7 represents perfection God completion of creation on the 7th day, seven is the most important it represents everything of God, Revelation sets the foundations, seven churches, the foundation seven spirits the life of the church, seven candlesticks the light of Jesus, seven trumpets the sound that reaches out, seven thunders the warning beware there's rough weather ahead, seven mountain trials ahead to climb, endurance, faith. Seven slain the lost seven kings the glory the prize the victory. The Lords prayer is taken in seven stages, start the journey:

1. Our Father which art in heaven, call on his name call him into your presence before you take another step in your prayers,

2. Hallowed be Thy name recognising the holiness the majestic position God has in our lives

3. Thy Kingdom come speaks of Gods authority its all about you Jesus,

4. Thy will be done total submission giving ourselves totally into God's hands

5. having gone though stages 1-4 we have prepared the way cleared the path to be intimate in oneness with God. Give us this day our daily bread to enable us to be in that position to ask to recognise his love and his grace over our lives the first four stages are important.

6. Forgive us our trespasses, with these words we recognise our own worthiness and how we have failed God, it's a time of cleansing asking protection over our lives.

7. For thine is the kingdom, the final step in our Journey the ultimate triumph, the reign over all, we followed this example as we went from stage to stage regarding our church.

Willesborough Windmill

Wednesday 30th July

30 people from Wednesdays Adult Ministries group came for a lovely Afternoon visit to the Willesborough Windmill.

We all enjoyed Cream Tea`s, Cake or Coffee in the Cafe or sat outside in the sunshine. 18 of the Adults and Children had a Guided Trour of the Windmill going up 4 or was it 5 sets of very steep steps to the top, seeing the sails up close and the views over Ashford which was breath taking !

Everyone said that they had a fabulous day, getting together, chatting and catching up.

Litterpick

Litterpick

Sunday 27th July 08

Between 2 - 5pm about 20 Adults and Children walked from the Hall with all the equipment Caroline had collected from the Council, we walked up past the School and through the new part of

South Willesborough to the River and back to the SWAN Centre with a small stop at the Play Park. It was a very hot, sunny day and we were very grateful to reach the Hall at 5pm where Caroline had provided cool drinks and Icepoles for everyone. All the rubbish that we had collected was left were the Council had asked us to at the SWAN Centre.

SUNDAY, 27TH JULY 2008

On Sunday we were reminded at the start of the service about working together (Hebrews 10), like geese who fly in formation and never deviate we too need to work in harmony.

Assistant Senior Leader Carl handed out blank pieces of paper and asked us all to draw the person who has inspired us the most, quite a few drew Jesus or God, others drew a parent and a few drew leaders from the church. Carl then showed us the current advert for a mobile phone company which illustrates how many people influence us throughout our llives. Carl also used this illustration for his sermon but the greatest influence we should have is Jesus the 'Great I am'.

LITTERPICK AND COMMUNITY JOBS

This Sunday, 27th July we are using our free afternoon to litterpick, wash cars and prayerwalk around the area near East Stour Primary School (where we worship on sunday mornings and Kingdom Kids on fridays). All members and friends are welcome to come along.