Sunday 17th May
Major Graham Bailey
Prayer:
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Click on the arrow on the right of the sound bar to start the recording of the prayer.
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For the Christian community
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people Lord, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs For as long as it takes wherever you call us. Thank you Lord Amen |
Family Item:
Total Praise: Bedford SA virtual 'choir'
Created individually and put together by Phil B.
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Top Row L-R: Ella, Naomi, Laura, Amanda Middle Row L-R: Rowena, Hannah, Hayley Bottom Row L-R: Phil, Graham, Andrew, Simon |
Songsters: My Simple Prayer
Rob Little / Paul Lovatt-Cooper
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Songster Leader writes. This week's song is one of my favourites. The beautiful arrangement of 'Donegal Bay' with words of reassurance reminding us that whatever our day, Jesus is right there with us.
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Bible Reading: Philippians 4: 4 - 13 New International Version (NIV)
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Click on the image of the Bible reading to hear Fiona read the Scripture.
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Band: Mid All The Traffic
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The Bandmaster writes: We continue to lead unusual lives at this time, social distancing is still high on the agenda. The piece selected this week is ‘Mid all the Traffic’, a piece that we have played on a number of occasions. A smile came to my face when reading the words that go with this piece of music, the very first line says ‘Mid all the traffic of the ways’. I know that the line is not talking about vehicle traffic but doesn’t it make you smile that at the moment roads are generally quieter, no traffic jams, no congestion etc. In this time of quietness and reflection look at the things in our lives that cause congestion and get in the way of our relationship with God and others.
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Thought:
What a day it was last Friday! Just to remind you – it was the 75th Anniversary of V.E. Day. Many people around the UK dressed up and sat in front of their houses to ‘share’ a tea party with others. In our road there were lots of people who were out enjoying the weather and sharing with others as they walked past (socially distanced in the middle of the road of course!).
When we got home from the hall, we too went out to join them. It was great fun and there was a lovely atmosphere and, despite all that’s going on at the moment, opportunity to meet people we haven’t seen in all the time we’ve been here!
After we had shared with folk outside, we watched the coverage of VE Day on the BBC and saw the very touching stories of people’s experiences of that first VE Day.
Often the stories were about how they had missed their loved ones during the war and how they had looked forward to sharing with them again – it reminded me of the famous song of the Frist World War, 'Keep the Home Fires Burning'.
This song was originally published on October 8th 1914 under its original title, ‘Till the Boys Come Home.’ It’s said that few songs have rivalled its cultural impact and the song was reputedly the result of a competition to write a war song between the composer, Ivor Novello, and his mother in 1914!
The song bridged the physical and emotional distance between the trenches and the home front with a beautifully circular image: the “boys” at the front yearn for those at home, and vice-versa.
Where am I going with this? Well, at our hall we have a very precious symbol – that of the cross and, in memory of Col. Eric Northwood, a light was added to the back of the cross to highlight it. Currently that light is lit day and night and has been for weeks now. For me it just represents the fact that the home light is still burning (metaphorically of course!) for us whilst we, at the moment, are experiencing the ‘physical and emotional distance’ between us all as a worshipping community.
As you look at the picture of the cross, consider that though the instruments are away & though the seats are empty for the moment, the light of the cross is still shining, still there and it’s also shining through each one of you – just where you are. In your witness, in the way you work, in the way you help others and, most importantly, in the way you are faithful in prayer – for the nation, its leaders, for the ministry that is happening still from our building (Open House, SAMM, through the response we are making to requests for help in various ways and in the support we are giving to local schools to help families who would otherwise fall through the support net), and pray for each other.
It is so appropriate that the cross is lit up as it reminds us that the cross is the centre of everything we are and do. It is the Cross that reminds us of the awesome God who loves us each more than we could imagine; a wonderful, Holy God. And it’s the cross that reminds us that God is still with us, yesterday, today & forever - we’re all experiencing this lock down differently but the thing for all of us is that the same God is with us all!
When we realise that, then we can have a real sense of peace as we revel in the presence of God.
‘Shalom’ - the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ actually means more than that, it means harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. This is what our God provides for us, as we saw in our reading. This is the rock on which we build our lives in spite of circumstances. As we listen to this lovely song…
When we got home from the hall, we too went out to join them. It was great fun and there was a lovely atmosphere and, despite all that’s going on at the moment, opportunity to meet people we haven’t seen in all the time we’ve been here!
After we had shared with folk outside, we watched the coverage of VE Day on the BBC and saw the very touching stories of people’s experiences of that first VE Day.
Often the stories were about how they had missed their loved ones during the war and how they had looked forward to sharing with them again – it reminded me of the famous song of the Frist World War, 'Keep the Home Fires Burning'.
This song was originally published on October 8th 1914 under its original title, ‘Till the Boys Come Home.’ It’s said that few songs have rivalled its cultural impact and the song was reputedly the result of a competition to write a war song between the composer, Ivor Novello, and his mother in 1914!
The song bridged the physical and emotional distance between the trenches and the home front with a beautifully circular image: the “boys” at the front yearn for those at home, and vice-versa.
Where am I going with this? Well, at our hall we have a very precious symbol – that of the cross and, in memory of Col. Eric Northwood, a light was added to the back of the cross to highlight it. Currently that light is lit day and night and has been for weeks now. For me it just represents the fact that the home light is still burning (metaphorically of course!) for us whilst we, at the moment, are experiencing the ‘physical and emotional distance’ between us all as a worshipping community.
As you look at the picture of the cross, consider that though the instruments are away & though the seats are empty for the moment, the light of the cross is still shining, still there and it’s also shining through each one of you – just where you are. In your witness, in the way you work, in the way you help others and, most importantly, in the way you are faithful in prayer – for the nation, its leaders, for the ministry that is happening still from our building (Open House, SAMM, through the response we are making to requests for help in various ways and in the support we are giving to local schools to help families who would otherwise fall through the support net), and pray for each other.
It is so appropriate that the cross is lit up as it reminds us that the cross is the centre of everything we are and do. It is the Cross that reminds us of the awesome God who loves us each more than we could imagine; a wonderful, Holy God. And it’s the cross that reminds us that God is still with us, yesterday, today & forever - we’re all experiencing this lock down differently but the thing for all of us is that the same God is with us all!
When we realise that, then we can have a real sense of peace as we revel in the presence of God.
‘Shalom’ - the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ actually means more than that, it means harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. This is what our God provides for us, as we saw in our reading. This is the rock on which we build our lives in spite of circumstances. As we listen to this lovely song…
Song: Salvation Army Songbook - 741 It is Well - sung by Audrey Assad |
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Song: Bless My Soul (10,000 Reasons) - Matt Redman |
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