ABERDEEN CITADEL SALVATION ARMY
SUNDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2020
IN PREPARATION Captain Emma Newton
Traditionally today, the last Sunday before Advent, is stir-up Sunday. Its name comes from the Common Book of Prayer, which starts this Sunday with, ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people’. The practice on this day is to gather your family and prepare the Christmas pudding. There are a number of links made between the stirring and Scripture. There are usually 13 ingredients in all, representing Jesus and his disciples. The pudding is to be stirred from east to west, representing the journey of the Magi to visit Jesus. The pudding is topped with holly as a reminder of the crown of thorns. There are also some superstitions, including making a wish whilst stirring, and adding a silver coin, with the recipient receiving health, wealth and happiness in the coming year. The joy of stir-up Sunday comes from preparing the Christmas pudding as a family, and having one thing ticked off the to-do list for Christmas celebrations. ‘A Thought From the Word’
On Tuesday this week the final of The Great British Bake Off will be shown on Channel 4. Despite this show running for many years, the contestants still seem to create new and interesting bakes, and face challenging technical bakes, for which they cannot prepare. To complicate matters these recipes are often for obscure foods that the contestants have never seen, let alone eaten or baked. They have no preparation time, and the results are usually testimony to that. Their usual precision and skill are often nowhere to be seen! This week has been full of preparations. After having started the risk assessments to re-open parts of our building last week, this week we have received an order of black and yellow tape and hand sanitiser dispensers so that we will become compliant with the current guidelines. …Continued Page 2. ‘Music Box’
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Captain Callum Newton considers Paul’s confident claim in his letter to the Romans 1:16 ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’
Bandmaster John Still introduces the massed bands of the New York Staff Band and Amsterdam Staff Band (conducted by Ron Waiksnoris) performing ‘I Know Thou Art Mine’.
‘Annoncements’ - Page 6 Please take the chance to catch up with any announcements and also with any dates for the diary in the ‘Upcoming Events’ on Page 5.
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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
IN PREPARATION CONTINUED FROM FRONT There is still much to do in this regard, but we are grateful for your ongoing prayers and support as we try not only to tick the boxes, but to make the Citadel a safe and welcoming place once again. Today (Sunday) there is to be a Corps Council meeting, at which there will be discussion around current activities at the Citadel, plans for our Christmas programme, and initial thoughts about next year. We would ask that you would pray for the members of the Corps Council as they meet, that God would give wisdom and discernment in abundance. On Tuesday we begin to serve two hot meals a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) to people who need it, as we move away from providing food parcels. There have been many preparations required, including welcoming Gerry back into the kitchen to help cook the additional meal, and the current volunteers adapting their roles to assist. We have continued with the preparations for Christmas including receiving referrals for families requiring support, collecting donations of gifts and planning the Christmas Day meal. As the numbers of referrals for gifts and food increase, we hope the donations will also increase. In this coming week we must prepare space for the donations to be quarantined before being sorted for distribution later. Also this week Callum and I had a meeting at DHQ to discuss the budget for the next financial year. As I’m sure you can imagine, this was no easy task, as we grappled with the figures from previous years whilst acknowledging that this year has been entirely different in terms of both the Citadel’s income and expenditure. Making projections for the coming year took a lot of consideration and we are still uncertain as to whether the figures calculated will be realised in the months ahead. Our final preparations this week relate to our house move in just two weeks time. Having sourced some furniture,
there are still some items left to find. And whilst most of our possessions are still packed from our move in July, there are still boxes to be made up and filled. There are many references in Scripture to preparation. In the Old Testament people prepared sacrifices, meals, rooms for people to stay in; they prepared for battles or to travel and prepared the Temple. In the New Testament the early references to preparation are John the Baptist saying, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’ (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3). Later there are many references to God preparing us or preparing something for us. John 14:2 Jesus tells us ‘My Father’s house has many rooms…I am going there to prepare a room for you’. Ephesians 2:10 says ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’. Next Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent; a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. This week is an opportunity for you to prepare for the time of preparation. Perhaps you have a favourite book that helps you in your devotional time with God which you need to find before next Sunday. Perhaps you would like to find a new book to guide your reading and prayer during Advent. Most people don’t wait until the 1st December to buy or make their advent calendar, they prepare it in advance. Whatever way you intend to mark Advent, prepare yourself today, and pray that God will open your eyes to the preparations he has already made for you. As with our Christmas puddings, GBBO and meetings, preparation is key to things going well. Whilst we can never be fully prepared, and we have had a number of unforeseen events occur this week, it would be foolish not to put in plans and practice. However, as with all things, we must place our preparations into God’s hands and be led in the path of the Kingdom. I pray that your preparations for Advent are guided by, and blessed by, God.
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A Thought From the Word
A GOSPEL FOR ALL CAPTAIN CALLUM NEWTON Romans 1:16 – ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’
carpenter and the Romans had no particular appreciation for the Jews. It might sound like it's good news, but a Messiah who was sentenced to death, convicted as a criminal and died in the humiliating agony of crucifixion, is hardly the display of an almighty God. Jews could not believe it and non-Jews thought it crazy. Paul knew that was how many reacted, he even said so to the Corinthians: ‘…but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…’ (1 Cor. 1:23).
The Post Office, later BT, Tower was built in 1965 and it was considered such an important part of the telecoms infrastructure it was classified as an official secret, even though it was in fact Britain's tallest building. It contained a public viewing gallery and a revolving restaurant open to the public yet it did not exist. Under the Official Secrets Act, it was illegal to take photos of the tower, it was omitted from maps until the mid 1990s and in a 1978 case a judge could only I would argue that our Gospel message is still so counterrefer to the tower as Location 23. Then in 1993 an MP spoke in cultural in today’s world of selfishness and greed that it Parliament saying: "I hope I am covered by Parliamentary privilege remains a ‘stumbling block’ for some within the faith and when I reveal that the ‘foolishness’ to those who British Telecom Tower don’t want to believe it. This “The gospel of love that was brought about by the does exist, and that it's can make it still difficult to death of Jesus is not limited to a chosen few; the address is 60 Cleveland share the gospel, even with Street, London." Until then, people we know well, grace of God means that it is possible for anyone acknowledging the tower through fear of rejection and to respond to the offer of salvation through Jesus was considered by ridicule. We’re quite happy to Christ. No one is too far gone.” government to be a threat live and let live, but in doing to national security. so can be leaving others to 'I am not ashamed of the gospel' says Paul in his letter to the Romans, die. We should expect it to be a tough task because it is an and we may well think ‘of course not, why would he be? What is there act of spiritual warfare to wrestle souls from the grasps of sin to be ashamed of?' Those of us who have been Christians for some and into the light of God’s mercy. time would have hopefully learned by now that there is nothing Paul in 2 Timothy 1 tells us 'the Spirit God gave us does not shameful about the gospel of Jesus Christ. But just as the government make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So wouldn't acknowledge the obvious existence of the BT Tower do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me because of the potential threat, Paul would be under threat for the his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, acknowledging of the Gospel and the same was true for the Roman by the power of God.' Song 947 further challenges us with the Christians he was writing to. They would be under threat of questions 'Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb, persecution and of ridicule among their fellow citizens. And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His name?' The Romans could well have felt ashamed of the gospel because the Paul continues in Romans that he is not ashamed of the Christian message sounded ridiculous in many Roman’s ears. In gospel 'because it is the power of God that brings salvation'. Paul’s day, Jesus Christ was not known as the great world religious We profess to be a 'Blood & Fire' army, a Power (fire) and leader. To the non-Christians, Jesus was a mad man at best and a Salvation (blood) army and Paul teaches us here that the criminal at worst. The gospel was identified with a poor Jewish
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gospel is the power of God that brings Salvation and that is why the gospel must be central to all we are and all we do. The Salvation Army is dependent on being a Gospel Army; a Christ crucified, risen and living Army; a ‘God so loved the world’ Army. In answer to an inquiry as to what was The Salvation Army’s principal doctrine, William Booth is said to have replied, ‘the bleeding Lamb’. Our faith and works make no sense without the context of the gospel of the work of Christ on the Cross.
‘…brings salvation to everyone who believes.’ Whosoever will is the beauty of the gospel we proclaim. The gospel of love that was brought about by the death of Jesus is not limited to a chosen few; the grace of God means that it is possible for anyone to respond to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. No one is too far gone. If we truly understand this message of the gospel, we won’t give up on anyone having the opportunity to be saved.
Paul was preaching this message of a salvation gospel as someone who had first-hand experience. Paul’s own life was changed by that gospel. Paul the Pharisee who hunted down Christians was turned inside out and became an evangelist of this life changing salvation. Then, wherever Paul had gone on his missionary travels and preached this gospel, people had been transformed before him. The best antidote against being ashamed of someone or something is to have complete confidence in that person or that cause. Paul has that total confidence about the gospel because of the difference it made to his life and the difference he'd seen it make in others. The gospel is so much more than a good story. The gospel of Jesus Christ is how God saves and changes lives. The evangelist Dwight L. Moody commented that the gospel is like a lion. All you and I have to do is to open the door of the cage and get out of the way!
But, as Canon J John neatly put into words, there are usually two reasons why people don't accept the Gospel. Reason number 1 is that they have never met a Christian. Reason number 2 is that they have met a Christian. The way to reveal the truth of the gospel to the ‘whosoever’ is to live like you know and understand it. Live all of your life like you want to take it seriously, not just your Sunday life. Live and love others as God loved you and loves them. The Salvation Army and the Kingdome of God needs good evangelists to share the gospel unashamedly. Those who can testify even in the face of potential threat, ridicule and persecution. Those who have the passion of being people who hold the answer to creating a new, better, loving world.
This amazing Gospel is made further an incredible thing by its universal application. Paul continued that God’s power
Song 904
Do you have the fire in your soul? You are the evangelist God's calling to make a difference.
Song 329
WE have a gospel that matches the hour, We have discovered the true source of power, Man is a weakling, but He can be strong, Choosing the right and refusing the wrong. Man has no meaning, no purpose, no soul, Till he discovers that God is his goal. This is the gospel that claims all our powers, This is Good News for this age of ours.
WE have a gospel to proclaim, Good news for men in all the earth; The gospel of a Saviour's name: We sing His glory, tell His worth. Tell of His birth at Bethlehem, Not in a royal house or hall But in a stable dark and dim: The Word made flesh, a light for all.
John Gowans Tell of His death at Calvary, Hated by those He came to save; In lonely suffering on the cross For all He loved, His life He gave.
Listen Here: https://youtu.be/fNLUqgVpJPs Song 433 O what amazing words of grace Are in the gospel found, Suited to every sinner's case Who hears the joyful sound!
Tell of that glorious Easter morn: Empty the tomb, for He was free. He broke the power of death and Hell That we might share His victory.
Poor, sinful, thirsting, fainting souls Are freely welcome here; Salvation like a river rolls Abundant, free and clear.
Tell of His reign at God's right hand, By all creation glorified; He sends His Spirit on His Church To live for Him, the Lamb who died.
This spring with living water flows And heavenly joy imparts; Come, thirsty souls, your wants disclose And drink with thankful hearts.
Now we rejoice to name Him king: Jesus is Lord of all the earth. This gospel message we proclaim: We sing His glory, tell His worth.
Come then, with all your wants and wounds, Your every burden bring; Here love, unchanging love, abounds, A deep celestial spring. Samuel Medley Listen Here: https://youtu.be/9dQt1ed1-B8
Edward J. Burns Listen here: https://youtu.be/E-SPYAgCtkw
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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.
Sunday 22nd November All Scotland Online Youth Councils
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.”
If you know someone who would like to join in Youth Councils (via Zoom) then please get in touch and we can share the necessary details. Please pray for this event and all who attend.
Commissioner Anthony shares with us two encounters he had while taking part in the National Act of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday at Whitehall.
Christmas Toy Appeal
Friday 25th December Christmas Day Meal
Available at: https://youtu.be/hUnS1tF71Tg
‘They that dwell in the shelter of the most high, will rest in the shadow of the almighty. (Psalm 91)’
International Staff Songsters In place of their visit to Bristol Citadel Salvation Army, the ISS presents a time of worship and praise, led by executive officer Lieutenant Colonel Jayne Roberts and Songster Leader Dorothy Nancekievill. Take the opportunity to enjoy the music as the Songsters bring their blessing and spend time in worship as the word of God is presented through the ministry of all.
There will be a meal available on Christmas Day for anyone who would usually come, but the difference this year is that it will be delivered on Christmas Day morning to their home. The meal will be cooked, but will need to be re-heated. If you or someone you know would like to receive a meal on Christmas Day, please phone the Citadel so we can get the details required to enable this to happen.
Available at: https://youtu.be/jXH0odtQQgA
Give to Jesus Glory Give to Jesus Glory is the first recording of the Newfoundland East Divisional Youth Band. The objective of this recording is stated in the title and is reflected by the repertoire. The mission of the band is to attract people from all walks of life to a place where they will receive knowledge of Salvation and a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. In this process, it is the aim that all members of the band will benefit from practical experience in ministry.
Of course we cannot do this without drivers. If you drive and are willing to give some time to brighten someone’s Christmas Day morning, please phone the Citadel so we can add you to the list of available drivers. Please keep all of our future events in your prayers, especially in these times of fragility in forward planning.
Available at: https://www.fortressradio.online/listennow.html
Territorial Leaders’ Message
15th November – 11th December
This year we are running the Toy Appeal as in previous years, with referrals being made to the Citadel for families who need some support to give their child a gift this Christmas. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made at the Citadel during our current opening hours (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9-12am) or by appointment. The cut-off for donations is the 11th December, to allow for time to quarantine the donations before they are distributed the following week.
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Available at: https://www.regalzonophone.com/Albu ms/All-Gods-Creatures-Sing
As you listen to this recording may you be compelled to ‘Give Jesus Glory’ for His blessing upon your life.
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PRAYER MATTERS Thoughts for Prayer •
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As referrals for the Christmas Toy Appeal and Meal are being taken, pray that the people who need support get in touch, and that we have sufficient donations of toys and drivers to make it all happen. Pray for Craig Munro who has had a number of personal circumstances to attend to and would appreciate our holding up before the Lord in prayer. As we begin to change our provision of food to the people of Aberdeen who need it, pray for the volunteers who will prepare the food and speak to people. Pray too for the people who will come; may they be nourished by the provision, and encouraged by the people they meet to explore issues of faith. Please prayer for the grieving families who have approached us in recent days to conduct funeral services for their loved one. Please pray also for Major Violet as she leads a funeral service with Captain Callum on Tuesday.
Corps Prayer Diary –November 15th – 21st SUN 22 Ted Robinson MON 23 Alastair Ross and family TUE 24 Margaret Ross WED 25 Sheila Sangster THUR 26 Billy and Avril Scott FRI 27 Keith and Doreen Sharp SAT 28 Paul Sharp Here is the place for the lifting of burdens, Here is the place of freedom from care; Here is the place where the sinner finds pardon, Here is the place where God answers prayer. Edward H. Joy
ANNOUNCEMENTS Please contact callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk for any announcement submissions. Captain Peter Renshaw One of our Citadel comrades is going to be moving away for a short spell of time. Captain Peter Renshaw will be moving temporarily to Wick. Cadet Sue Shorland-Compton is shortly finishing her placement leading the Corps at Thurso and Wick to return to the training college for her second-year training. As she returns there from our Division, please pray for her and her session mates in their ongoing training working towards commissioning. D.H.Q. decided that the most appropriate support for both corps would be for Captain Peter to move to Wick for three months, December through to February, to lead both Wick and Thurso corps. It should be added that Captain Peter will also continue in his D.H.Q. role of Divisional Mission Enabler from there. Please keep our friend and comrade in your thoughts and prayers as this is a large addition to his appointment responsibilities and of course the displacement of moving homes for a short spell. Pray most especially that his ministry in Wick and Thurso will be fruitful and bring great glory to God.
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MUSIC BOX Bandmaster John Still The hymn tune arrangement “I know thou art mine” is another piece composed by Leonard Ballantine. The tune used in the piece is Unsworth (composed by Commissioner Isaac Unsworth) and it is associated with the words "My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine" (SASB 878). My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine, For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign; My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou, If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now. I love thee because thou hast first loved me And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow, If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now. I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death, And praise thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say, when the death-due lies cold on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now. In mansions of Glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
Listen here: https://youtu.be/FULlmPyclRc
Over the years the words have been sung to a number of tunes, including Gordon and Flow gently sweet Afton, however Unsworth seems to work best with the words and this arrangement is full of emotion and power. The song has been loved and sung by thousands over the years.
My Jesus I Love Thee was a poem written by William Ralph This is the massed bands of the New York Staff Band and Featherston in 1864, it is thought he was just sixteen years old Amsterdam Staff Band (conducted by Ron Waiksnoris) when he penned the poem. performing "I Know Thou Art Mine".
Generally Speaking Paul Rader, (1934–) was the 15th General of The Salvation Army from 1994 to 1999. He was born in New York and, with a great passion for studying theology, graduated with BA, BD and MTh degrees. He met and married Kay while at university who qualified as a teacher. Together they entered the Salvation Army School for Officers Training in New York in September 1960 and were commissioned a year later. After serving a short while in Newark, New Jersey, the Raders moved to serve in Korea. In 1984 Rader was appointed principal of the School for Officer Training in New York and subsequently was awarded a doctorate from Asbury University. In 1989 Rader became Territorial Commander of the USA Western Territory where he served until being elected General in 1994. As fervent believers in the scriptural imperative to take the gospel to all the world and in the success of church growth principles, General and Mrs Rader characteristically set bold, imaginative targets for expansionary growth.
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