ABERDEEN CITADEL SALVATION ARMY
SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2020
TWO MINUTES Captain Emma Newton
This weekend should have seen us joining together, with our wider communities, to mark Remembrance Sunday. As with many other events this year, Acts of Remembrance have been moved from public events to private services with just a select few people present at memorial sites across the UK. I don’t imagine many of you will be reading this specifically at 11am on Sunday morning, but I know we will all mark these moments in our own way, and I hope you will join with the rest of our nation in two minutes of silence. Two minutes can pass very quickly when you are enjoying yourself; watching a film or spending time with family. Two minutes can feel like a lifetime; when you are waiting for a bus in the rain, or being kept on hold on the telephone. In many ways, our two minutes on Remembrance Sunday is a very small offering to the memory of those who fought for our freedom. However, we know that today is not just about the two minutes. It is about sharing the life stories of those whom we are remembering, of teaching the next generation about the lives given and taken in conflict to bring about justice. It is
‘A Thought From the Word’ -Page 3Captain Callum Newton reflects on the theme of rememberance and hope using Isaiah 40:6-8. ‘The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.’ Isaiah 40:8
about supporting the veterans and their families by buying and wearing a poppy. It is about remembering there are still people on the front line of conflicts around the world.
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‘Prayer Matters’
‘Music Box’
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- Page 7 Bandmaster John Still shares with us Kenneth Downie’s ‘In Perfect Peace’.
There are many items for your attention In prayer this week. Please give them your time as we bring before the Lords the people and situations that we know He can make a diffrence to.
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THE SALVATION ARMY
ABERDEEN CITADEL Serving God & Aberdeen For Over 140 Years 28 Castle Street Aberdeen AB11 5BG 01224 579 370
aberdeen.citadel@salvationarmy.org.uk
@aberdeencitadel Commanding Officers Captains Callum & Emma Newton callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk emma.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk
Part of the North Scotland Division and the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory. Called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland exists to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we will be a Spiritfilled, radical, growing movement, with a burning desire to lead people into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, actively serve the community, and fight for social justice. Divisional Commander (North Scotland): Major Gillian Jackson Territorial Commander (UKI): Commissioner Anthony Cotterill The General: General Brian Peddle
TWO MINUTES CONTINUED FROM FRONT On this day of remembrance, there will be others who we remember too. It is a day that prompts thoughts of various loved ones who we miss. In those two minutes of silence there will be countless different memories and thoughts that flash through our collective mind. Two minutes might not really be enough. There are 720 lots of two minutes in a day. I wonder what you will fill your other 1438 minutes with today. This week Callum and I have spent a lot of minutes responding to unforeseen events; problems with the planning department linked to our ongoing building work, a funeral at Baldarroch, people facing unexpected hurdles in their personal lives, challenges working with other organisations, deadlines for Christmas that have been brought forward by two weeks, and on top of all that Isla was poorly for two days which meant we spent minutes (indeed hours!) awake when we’d rather have been asleep. Of course, because there are only 1440 minutes in a day, it means there have been many planned activities that have been put on hold or squeezed into the remaining time, including phone calls, emails, meetings (virtual and in person) and of course the usual housework. So today, we will spend some of those minutes catching up on the to-do list which seems never-ending, whilst also finding time to rest in God’s presence as a family and taking at least two minutes to remember those who gave their tomorrows for our today. You have this whole day before you. Reading Castlegate News will take up quite a few of your minutes (depending of couse on how much and how quickly you read!), eating, drinking, getting dressed and sleeping will take up many of the other minutes. You might spend some of them attending online worship, phoning a friend, enjoying a hobby. You might use some of your minutes watching The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance (Saturday 9:10pm) or Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph (Sunday 10:15am). In amongst all the activity and time you
have today, I wonder how many minutes you will give to God? We only have 1440 per day and sometimes we get to the end wondering what we did, where they went, or, if it felt empty, how we will get through the same length of time tomorrow. In the Old Testament there is a clear directive about giving a tithe to God; produce from the field and from the land. In Leviticus 27 and Deuteronomy 14 and 26 there are some instructions about what should be tithed, and if the items cannot be brought before God, they can be exchanged for more transportable items (i.e. silver). Today many of us still tithe financially to God. We don’t produce crops or animals therefore we tithe our ‘silver’. I want to suggest that we can also tithe our time. 144 minutes a day equates to 2 hours and 24 minutes. If we could give this time in a day to God, it would be holy to the Lord. It would be ‘set apart’ and different to the rest of our day. It might sound like a lot, but on average people aged 35+ watch TV for at least this long each day. It is less than two football matches. It is less than the length of time ‘This Morning’ is on for. Watching Tenable, Tipping Point and The Chase takes three hours. Or for BBC1 viewers, similar to watching Homes Under the Hammer, The Bidding Room and Pointless - they only take two hours 15 minutes, but there’s no adverts! Tithing our time does not have to be in silence and solitude, although that might help you. It does not all have to be spent reading your Bible, although you would soon read through it if you did. It does not have to be spent in any particular way, doing any particular thing, but simply by placing God at the fore-front of your mind, be that by yourself or with your household. We all recognise the importance of two minutes silence to remember those who died in conflict. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of the importance of spending time each and every day with the One who brings peace, love and joy to us, even if it is just for two minutes.
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A Thought From the Word
REMEMBRANCE & HOPE CAPTAIN CALLUM NEWTON 6…“All
people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40
Isaiah 40 is a poetic introduction to the second part of the book of Isaiah. While scholars contest whether or not chapter 40 onwards had a different author, all seem to agree that there are some differences in the writing from the first part of the book and they also note the different historical setting and difference in prophecy. However, by the time ‘the great Isaiah scroll’ was written in the 2nd century B.C., the book of Isaiah was apparently a complete unit with no obvious break between chapters 39 and 40.
One of my favourite pieces of television is the closing scenes of the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth. After a brief moment of relief at the guns going quiet and Captain Darling declaring that they survived the 1914-1917 war, our historical knowledge tells us that the The prophecy Isaiah 40 onwards gives is intended to speak war would not be over for another year and they would in fact be words of comfort to a nation which finds itself in turmoil. going over the top. Captain Blackadder explains that the gunfire had Babylon had destroyed the temple and the city of Zion and ceased in order that they could advance across the battlefield without the threat of friendly fire. while a large remnant Blackadder candidly remained in the broken remarks that the Generals city, a group of leaders and find it ‘far more sporting’ to senior people had been “ Just like the poppy flowering through the death let the Germans have a go taken into exile in and destruction, the word of the Lord never fails to at shooting them. They go Babylonia. But in Chapter bloom even in the midst of chaos and with all over the top of the trench 40, the prophet Isaiah is and an emotional scene called to speak words of around it suffering or dying.” plays out as they charge comfort to Zion that God, through shellfire, barbed unlike humanity, would wire and smoke. Then the remain faithful to his concluding scene shows the bleak, colourless and decimated land of promises and that their suffering would finally come to an end. Just as the poetry of McCrae is read annually at war becoming a beautiful field of red poppies. remembrance services to evoke the memory of the loss and As the fighting of World War I devastated the landscape of Western suffering our forefathers bore in war, so too is the poetry of Europe, once beautiful scenery was turned to barren landscapes of Isaiah 40 read as part of the Jewish lectionary’s ‘consolation mud and lifelessness. But there was one very striking exception to readings’ read in remembrance of the loss and suffering felt the rule. Bright red poppies resiliently grew in their thousands following the destruction of the Temple. through the chaos. It was sight that so moved Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who had recently lost a friend at I just want to particularly consider verses 6-8 where a great Ypres, that he was inspired to write the popular poem ‘In Flanders metaphor is employed to illustrate the difference between Fields.’ The poem then stirred people to adopt the poppy as a symbol humanity’s fickleness and God’s faithfulness. It’s a metaphor of remembrance to their fallen comrades, loved ones and that would be evoked again by Peter in his call for holiness countrymen. After more than 100 years, and several other costly among the believers (1 Peter 1:13-25). Verse 6 declares ‘All wars, the poppy still remains a poignant symbol of remembrance and people are like grass’ and ‘like the flowers’ with a phrase hope for our nation. that is intended to encompasses the entirety of humanity.
CASTLEGATE NEWS -ABERDEEN CITADEL SALVATION ARMY Then verse 7 continues the metaphor saying that they ‘wither’ and ‘fall’ at the ‘breath of the Lord’. Here the writer is employing a cunning double meaning with the Hebrew word ‘ruach’ which can be translated as wind, breath or spirit. The suggestion is that the grass withers and the flowers fall in the harsh winds, but the spirit/breath of God which gives life to humanity is just as able to take it away. In other words, it is God alone who is the ‘creator, preserver and governor of all things’ to quote our second doctrine. The reader who remembers the universally encompassing phrase ‘All people’ from verse 6 would be mindful that the same ‘ruach’ blows forth Babylon’s judgment and destruction as well as Zion’s rescue. Words of great comfort surely to those who had been suffering at the hands of the Babylonians for many years. There is an interesting repetition of the metaphoric phrase at verse 8, which has caused some early scribes to omit it as they glance back to the text and mistakenly think they have already copied out that part of the text. Later editors would add it back in to the text, indicating their perceived significance to the literary device. It may just be a style used to emphasise the point being made, but theologian Bruggeman would argue that a different voice begins to speak at verse 8, although it must be said that there are no clear indications in the text of that being the case. Nonetheless, he makes the compelling suggestion that the repetition found in this verse is the next speaker contending that although, yes the people are like grass and flowers, the word of the Lord, by contrast, is eternal.
Almighty Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea. O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain O'er which our traffic runs amain By mountain pass or valley low; Wherever, Lord, thy brethren go, Protect them by thy guarding hand From every peril on the land. O Spirit, whom the Father sent To spread abroad the firmament; O Wind of heaven, by thy might Save all who dare the eagle's flight, And keep them by thy watchful care From every peril in the air. O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them whereso'er they go, Thus evermore shall rise to thee Glad praise from air and land and sea. Listen Here: https://youtu.be/0Ji_77eNoA0
PAGE | 4 Therefore, it would not matter what the people had done that had brought about the suffering they were now experiencing, God’s promises to them still stand unchanged in the chaos. Just like the poppy flowering through the death and destruction, the word of the Lord never fails to bloom even in the midst of chaos and with all around it suffering or dying. When the unchanging word was made into a human form (John 1:14), Jesus magnified the promise that no matter what the people had done in the past, God’s promises would always remain true for those who accept them. In a world of fickle mindedness, with people who are swayed by every wind that blows, perhaps we need to bear the word of the Lord with similar pride to that with which we bear the poppy each year. It is the promises of God’s eternal word that changes the ruach from the winds of passing time and death to the spirit of eternal life (John 8:51). The word of God as we have it revealed in Jesus Christ, and in scripture, gives us the remembrance of our heroes of the faith and the great hope, not just for a nation, but for all humanity.
Song 294 Breathe on me, breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love And do what Thou wouldst do. Breathe on me, breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will To do and to endure. Breathe on me, breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine, Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine. Breathe on me, breath of God, So shall I never die, But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity. Edwin Hatch
Listen here: https://youtu.be/a9s8BFHThfc
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UPCOMING EVENTS Please remain aware that all upcoming events remain subject to change or cancellation at short notice owing to the ongoing Coronavirus situation. If there is sufficient notice, changes and cancellations will be announced in ‘Castlegate News’ and on Facebook.
No Current Events While there is nothing currently in the diary, there are things in the planning that we hope to bring to you in the weeks ahead.
WHAT’S ON... SOME ONLINE RECOMMENATIONS Fortress Radio Sunday Services 11am and 6pm. Salvation Army music all through the week. “Take yourself back through a day of 'Army' activities and enjoy a day of music featuring Songster Brigades, Bands, YP Sections and much more. During the week, listen again to your favourite Army melodies including special broadcasts such as Songster Gems and Band Fest.”
Available at: https://www.fortressradio.online/listennow.html
Territorial Leaders’ Message
Please continue to watch this space for updates and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please keep all of our future events in your prayers, especially in these times of fragility in forward planning.
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Available at: https://youtu.be/pHUAtfpsirg
Commissioner Anthony Cotterill reflects on the recent Territorial Congress and a visit to a local church with an interesting history. Through these he reminds us of the vital need to place ourselves in to God’s hands, giving our all and laying our all on the altar as an offering before him. Such things will be ‘key for us going forward.’ .
Gospel Arts Concert 20093
Recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009, ‘Let Everything Praise’ is a festival of Salvation Army music featuring; Territorial Music School 'A' Band, Festival Chorus, Carol Jaudes, Ireland Division Timbrels, Croydon Citadel Dance Group, International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters.
Available at: https://youtu.be/8BORHoThddw
Afternoon in the Park Sydney Congress Hall Band put together this LP which featured many favourites of the band that they used in their open-air ministries that were conducted every Sunday in the park, hospital or town square. Enjoy this selection of music that the band used and loved as the method to reach others in the name of Jesus Christ. Available at: https://www.regalzonophone.com/Albu ms/Afternoon-in-the-Park
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PRAYER MATTERS Thoughts for Prayer •
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This week Colonels Paul and Jenine Main took up their new appointments as the Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development. Pray for them, and for Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill, our Territorial Leaders, as they continue to lead The Salvation Army in the UK and Republic of Ireland in these days. Pray for wisdom, strength, blessing and a smooth transition. Pray for Corps Officers and local leaders grappling with the local restrictions, for the overwhelming amount of information they have to wade through whilst coping with increasing numbers of people needing support, managing food programmes, Christmas appeals, care of corps folk and their own health and well-being. Pray for those affected by the recent terrorist attacks across the world, including France, Vienna and Afghanistan. Those who have been injured, the loved ones of those who have been killed, and the authorities who are trying to keep their nations safe. Pray for those of our armed forces who are currently facing conflict, and for the veteran’s, all of whom today are remembering colleagues who have lost their lives. Pray too for their families and friends. Pray for our political leaders, in London and Holyrood, the wisdom and courage needed to make decisions. Pray too for our healthcare workers as they do their best to save lives, whilst also praying that we will see souls saved! Please continue to pray for Lerwick and those who have had past associations with The Salvation Army in Shetland. Although there is currently no Salvation Army open in Shetland, there are still plans to help the community over Christmas with the Toy Appeal. Please also remember in your prayers the family of June Williams, whose funeral Captain Callum conducted on Friday. Many were unable to attend due to the current restrictions. Please pray that her lifelong connection to The Salvation Army will continue to bring good influence upon her family and that God will comfort them in their mourning.
Corps Prayer Diary –November 8th – 14th SUN 8 Janet O’Hagan and family MON 9 Yvonne Ouston TUE 10 Norrie Page WED 11 Margaret Percival THU 12 Rachel Pirie FRI 13 David, Tabea Priestley and family SAT 14 David and Denise Priestley
Give Us A Pure Heart Give us a pure heart That we may see Thee A humble heart That we may hear Thee, A heart of love That we may serve Thee, A heart of faith That we may live in Thee Amen Dag Hammarskold
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MUSIC BOX Bandmaster John Still Kenneth Downie's chorus arrangement “In Perfect Peace” is based on the devotional chorus Thou wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace (SASB 629). The chorus is based on verses from Isaiah Chapter 26. The piece is skilfully written and in its simplicity the arrangement reflects the words of the chorus to create a prayerful and meditative mood.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
Listen here: https://youtu.be/BnxnaggRaLI
ANNOUNCEMENTS Please contact callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk for any announcement submissions. New Employee (Employment Plus) Next week Scott Elphinstone will commence his work with The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus network and will be taking on the role previously fulfilled at The Citadel by Sophie. He is currently a support worker with Aberdeenshire Outreach therefore comes with a good knowledge of The Salvation Army and our potential participants. Please remember Scott in your prayers and when we are able to be together in the hall again I am sure you will offer him a great welcome to The Citadel.
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