SUNDAY 12TH APRIL 2020
HE HAS RISEN! While celebrations would be different for many this year, said The Queen in her Easter message to the nation, "We need Easter as much as ever." Referencing the tradition of lighting candles to mark the occasion, she said: "As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater." I couldn’t agree with Her Majesty more. Light and life will always overcome death and darkness because of Jesus and because Easter happened. He came in to the world to be the light of the world and never did it shine so bright as the day he arose from the grave, as he said he would. Hope, new life and salvation had dawned on the world in a way it had never known before or since. It’s a hope like this that many people are looking for in these uncertain days. This week we had a ‘supermoon’. To the left is my attempt to photograph it. When a full Moon occurs at the closest point to Earth during its orbit, it appears larger and brighter, becoming what is known as a 'supermoon'. Supermoons cast about 30% more light on the planet than when the Moon is at its dimmest. This is because as it is closer, more of the Sun's rays that reflect off the lunar surface make it to Earth. I have to say, the illumination of Broad Bay was as impressive as it was beautiful. But when all is said and done, despite the appearance, the moon was no bigger or brighter. The moon just reflected the sun in the same way as it always does, but it was closer to the earth. Today we celebrate a ‘Son’-rise. The day that God as man overcame death and the grave to complete his mission as the light of the world. His victory over sin and his grace which affords our salvation meant that he completed his mission on earth which he told us was; ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ John 10:10. The supermoon reflects the sun in a big and bright way, so too we must reflect the Son in an equally impressive way. The way we show that big impressive brightness is by reflecting the Son but also being that bit closer to the earth. Social-distancing has hampered our ability to be close to each other I know, but this is a temporary thing and the message of the gospel is eternal. Thank you to all of you who have made people’s lives a little brighter by keeping in touch by phone, email and text message. Thank you to all who have made it possible for us to give out food, toiletries and other essentials to those in need and shine some light in their lives. Perhaps in our thoughts this week we could all consider how we could shine brighter for Jesus just now, there are a lot of people in dark despair who might just need us to be at least 30% brighter with the hope of the gospel that could make 100% of a difference in their lives. May God bless you and those you love this Easter.
The Salvation Army Stornoway Corps 59 Bayhead Stornoway HS1 2DZ
“We exist to worship God, to support each other and to serve our community. ” REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 214779 AND IN SCOTLAND: SC009359
Corps Officers Lts. Callum & Emma Newton Callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk
Telephone: 01851 703875 Mobile: 07493 880058
@stornowaysalvationarmy
Something to listen to...
Sunday meetings at 11:00am and 6:00pm. Listen online at www.fortressradio.online (Broadcasting music all week).
‘Then Came The Morning’ is a song I always find a beautiful reflection of the amazing moment that Christ rose. They didn’t expect it, but he did it! Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are a group always worth listening to. https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=4koRS9en3as
Hebrews 7: 22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26Such a high priest truly meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then28 for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect for ever. In 1904 the Marconi company, who invented the wireless telegraphs used on ships, suggested the use of "C.Q.D." for a distress signal. Although generally accepted to mean, "Come Quick Danger," that is not the case. It is a general call to all ships, so therefore had to start "CQ," and then is followed by a "D," meaning distress. A strict interpretation would be "All stations, Distress." In 1906, after much discussion, S.O.S. was adopted as a better distress signal. It became generally accepted to mean "Save Our Souls" but this wasn't the case either. The thinking simply was that three dots, three dashes and three dots was simple, clear and could not be misinterpreted. Despite this new ruling, the new SOS was not really used by the Marconi operators who all knew the old C.Q.D. The turning point came in 1912 with perhaps the most famous S.O.S. call of all. C.Q.D. was the first and most frequent distress message from Titanic's Marconi operators, Bride and Phillips, but they also broadcast the first S.O.S. Captain Smith visited the Marconi room to give the ships position and grim reality to the wireless operators. Bride then leaned over to Phillips and said "Hey, why don't you send out the new distress call S.O.S., it might be your last chance to use it." The three men nervously chuckled at this, and Captain Smith returned to the bridge. After the Titanic sinking, S.O.S. became much more popular among Marconi operators and was adopted as standard practice. Easter is the time we come to celebrate the fact that God answered the world's S.O.S. call, this time it really did mean Save Our Souls. Thankfully, unlike Phillips, we don’t only get one chance to use it, because God’s grace catches us each time we fall. The reason this great salvation is possible is what we celebrate today in Easter; '...because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save...'(Heb 7:24-25). Salvation brings about a transition from a hopeless, bad feeling emptiness, to a hopeful and free fullness of life. We need salvation from that drawing power of when we are doing wrong and we know that it is wrong but we somehow feel compelled to do it anyway. We need salvation when we get caught up in beating ourselves up about something we've already been forgiven for. We need salvation from the fear we still possess in life and death. We need salvation to restore our special relationship with God. Salvation is all about Jesus' words from John 10:10; life for us in all its fullness, for now and forever in glory. And that's exactly why I think the word 'completely' is so wonderfully slotted into Hebrews 7:25.' There is a debate over the translation of the word which the NIV translates as “completely” in this verse as it could also translate as “forever”. I think it's helpful to consider it as both “completely” and “forever”. Jesus died and rose again for our salvation, that it is met in our lives completely now and forever in eternity Romans 5:10 really brings this Easter celebration and complete salvation home to us when it says; 'For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!' Who can be saved? The answer is anyone who comes to God through Christ. Whosoever will, may be saved. Whatever situation we find ourselves in verse 25 tells us; 'he always lives to intercede for [us]'. So when we mess things up tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day; he is always interceding for us. Jesus’ Easter miracle of salvation is always available for us to claim. How do we respond to this? Isaac Watts wrote in his hymn: 'Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all' and that might be a call to you today. Easter was the greatest act of love ever known, and we respond in love.
Prayer Focus Lord God, You loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, That we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, everyday. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen. • • • •
Please remember in your prayers… The many people who have come through our doors or have had food delivered to them by Stornoway Salvation Army in the last few weeks. The members of our own community who are affected by COVID-19. WIEPCG, Care for People Group and other bodies working for our safety throughout the islands. Those involved with Salvation Army finance as they work to overcome what will be one of the biggest deficits in funding for generations. An Update
Lots of people have been kindly asking after Isla. She is doing really well, eating well and growing fast. We’re blessed that she is on the whole contented and now beginning to give us smiles (that aren’t just wind!). Thank you for all of your prayers, cards and presents which have been so gratefully received. We hope the pictures below will show you how much she’s grown since you saw her last.
Something to watch... There are a number of videos available to watch on UK Salvation Army’s YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/user/salvationarmyvideo This Easter Sunday, our Territorial Leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill will lead us in online worship at 9am with contributions from across the United Kingdom Territory. It will also be available to watch again later.
S.A. Songbook 218
4. Lives again our glorious king; 1.Christ the Lord is risen today, 2. Love's redeeming work is done; Where, O death, is now thy sting? Fought the fight, the battle won; Once He died our souls to save; Hallelujah! Lo! the sun's eclipse is o'er, Where's thy victory, Sons of men and angels say: Lo! He sets in blood no more. boasting grave? Hallelujah! 5. Soar we now where Raise your joys and 3. Vain the stone, the watch, Christ has led, triumphs high; the seal, Following our exalted Head; Hallelujah! Sing, ye Heavens; thou Christ hath burst the gates of Hell; Made like Him, like Him we rise, Death in vain forbids His rise; Ours the cross, the grave, earth, reply: Christ hath opened Paradise. the skies. Hallelujah! Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adTgqFlaqw0 S.A. Songbook 228 1.Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Saviour; Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord.
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Saviour; Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord. 3. Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Saviour; He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2znFyO_pdA
S.A. Songbook 229
He lives, He lives, I know that my redeemer lives. He lives, He lives, I know that my redeemer lives.
3. No more we tremble at the grave; 1.O joyful sound! O glorious hour For He who died our souls to save When Christ by Will raise our bodies too. His almighty power 2. The first begotten of the dead, What though this earthly Arose and left the grave! For us He rose, our glorious head, house shall fail, Now let our songs His triumph tell Immortal life to bring. The Saviour's power will Who broke the chains What though the saints yet prevail of death and Hell, like Him shall die, And build it up anew. And ever lives to save. They share their leader's victory, And triumph with their king. Listen to the March ’He Lives’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSaXhTso9fA
S.A. Songbook 241
So free, so infinite His grace, My chains fell off, my heart was free, 1. And can it be that I should gain Emptied Himself of all but love And bled for Adam's I rose, went forth, An interest in the Saviour's blood? helpless race. and followed Thee. Died He for me who 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, caused His pain, For, O my God, it found out me. 4. No condemnation now I dread; For me who Him to Jesus, and all in Him, is mine. death pursued? 3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay Alive in Him, my living Head, Amazing love! how can it be Fast bound in sin And clothed in That Thou, my God, and nature's night; righteousness divine, shouldst die for me? Thine eye diffused Bold I approach a quickening ray; the eternal throne 2. He left His Father's I woke; the dungeon And claim the crown, through throne above, flamed with light. Christ, my own.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyew81gL7XA S.A. Songbook 219
Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just Because He lives!
1. God sent His son they called Him Jesus, He came to love heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove 2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby, my Saviour lives. And feel the pride and joy he brings. Because He lives But greater still I can face tomorrow. the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives. 3.And then one day I'll cross that river, I'll fight life's final war with pain. And then as death gives way to vict'ry, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spa7WkwjwGw S.A. Songbook 231 1. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him, highest archangels in Glory; Strength and honour give to His holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song. 2. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, Our blessèd redeemer! For our sins He suffered and bled and died; He our rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus, the crucified! Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong. 3. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, Our blessèd redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Saviour, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet and priest and king! Christ is coming, over the world victorious; Power and glory unto the Lord belong.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRHedB3pRB4