The Salvation Army Letchworth Garden City
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 www.letchworthcorps.co.uk www.facebook.com/LetchworthSalvationArmy
Inside this issue: Page 3 Update Page 4 What’s on Page 5 Flower List, Rotas. Carol singing with the songsters Corps Finances Christmas Fayre Page 6 Natural Church Development Dekamile update Page 7 Christmas messages Page 8 Christmas Lights Charity Shop Ladies retreat Page 9 Boundless Page 10 Your prayers are needed! Page 11 Prayer Page Page 12 Corps Programme. Activities Pastoral Care Council Mission Statement
We often see images of Jesus in our churches. Sometimes the images are paintings, or stained glass windows, of his life with the disciples, feeding the hungry, carrying little children in his arms, or teaching people. Many times the image is of him dead on a Cross. Often the image is of him as a baby, in the arms of his mother Mary. It’s the image of Jesus as a baby that we see most often at Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of the coming of Jesus our Saviour into the world. But Christmas without the rest of the story of Jesus makes a nonsense of who he was and why he came. Imagine if you went to my funeral service, and the only thing they talked about was the joy and excitement of my birth. Imagine people showing photos of me as a baby in the arms of my mother and talking about my birth, but never mentioning anything else about my life. My birth doesn’t say everything about who I am. The Christmas story of the birth of Jesus is only part of the whole story. It’s the beginning of a story that encompasses all of his life, and beyond. For Christians, even more important than his birth or his Cont’d on Page 2
Cont’d from page 1 life, was his death. Read the gospel accounts and count up how many pages are given over to describing his death. But even the death of Jesus isn’t the end of his story. The gospels also talk about his resurrection. Yet, death wasn’t the end for Jesus. He came alive again and ascended into heaven. But even the ascension isn’t the end of the story of Jesus. The Bible tells us he will come again to judge the living and the dead. He’s coming back to take those who believe he is the Son of God, who will live with him for all eternity. We can’t just take the Christmas segment and leave the rest. The Jesus of Christmas is the Jesus who walked this earth as a man. The Jesus of Christmas died on a Cross for the sins of the world. The Jesus of Christmas rose from the dead and is coming back to this earth one day. The Jesus of Christmas isn’t just a baby in a manger. He’s much, much more. So, how much more does Jesus mean to you? How much of you is He still to have. If we truly believe that Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, then why not, in receiving His love in Jesus this Christmas, give yourself to Him completely?
Maria and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Barrie 2
Update Congratulations to Brian Smith, who celebrates his 60th birthday on 8th December.
On the move Gemma and Max Rogers have recently moved and their new address is:28 Coppen Road, Hampton Vale, Peterborough, Cambs PE7 8JR Mark and Anjuli Clayden are also moving and from 7th December will be at:30 Townfield Court, 32 Horsham Road, Dorking, Surrey RH4 2JE We wish them all every blessing in their new homes. Post Box The Christmas Post Box is now available in the foyer. Please remember to post only those cards which are addressed to those members of our fellowship who attend regularly, otherwise the cards may not be received by the addressees. Thank you for your understanding.
Poinsettia Plants You can bring a poinsettia plant in memory of someone to be displayed in the main hall over the Advent and Christmas period. They make a lovely addition to our worship.
Help at Christmas The food and toy parcels which we distribute every Christmas to families in need in the area are much appreciated by those who receive them. If you would like to help make up these parcels, they are being prepared on the mornings of 16th and 17th December (10am). If you are able to help please add your name to the list in the foyer. Thank you. Standing Days We have two standing days at Sainsbury’s this month on the 10th and 23rd, which will contribute to the 2015 Annual Appeal. If you are able to help with this ministry, please let Barrie or Maria know. Thank you Doreen, mother of Lorraine Gill, would like to thank friends in the corps for the card and flowers and for their messages of support and prayers during and following Lorraine’s road traffic accident. Lorraine is well on the way to 3 recovery.
What’s on? Christmas Programme 2014 November 29
30
9.45am Carolling at Royston 6.45pm Band at the Town Square—Christmas lights and Carols 10am — First Sunday in Advent, Toy Service—Commanding Officers 11.45am Band at Monread Lodge, Woolmer Green
December 1 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 13 14 13 16 17 20 21
23 24 24 24
Ladies Fellowship 8pm band at MS Society Carols, Norton Methodist Church 09.45am Band Carolling at Letchworth 10am Advent service - Commanding Officers 3pm Spirella Civic Carol Concert with Pixmore Junior School Over 60s Christmas Meal Parent & Toddler Group party Standing Day at Sainsburys Letchworth 7pm Songsters Carolling at homes 09.45am Band Carolling at Stevenage 10am Advent service - Steve and Ann Hambides 11.45am Band at St. Catherines Over 60’s Carol Service 10am Preparation of toy parcels 7pm Songsters Carolling at homes 10am Preparation of food parcels 10.30am Carolling at Letchworth, outside Cuthberts in Eastcheap 10am Messy Church Carol Service 11.45am Band at Osborne Court 2.30pm Band at Bickerdickes Garden Centre Standing Day at Sainsburys Letchworth 6.30pm Band on Jackmans Estate 11.15pm Candlelight Carol Service 10.15am Band at Lister Hospital 4
House groups will not be meeting during December.
FLOWERS Thank you to those who bring the flowers which add so much to our worship from week to week. Flowers during December will be brought by: 7 Janet Burchell 14 Janice Clark 21 Rod and Lyn Clayden 28 Jackie Roberts
TEA & COFFEE Thank you to those who serve tea and coffee after our meetings and add to our fellowship. Refreshments during December will be served by: 7 Jacky Clayden & Joyce Birkett 14 21 28
Carol Singing with the Songsters The Songsters will be singing carols at various sheltered residences on Thursday 11th December and Tuesday 16th in December. You are very welcome to come along and join them in this lovely ministry. Just have a word with the Songster Leader, Alison Carver, if you would like to take part. October 2014
Christmas Fayre
Income Cartridges Offerings Harvest (75%) Other Corps Income Corps Income Charity Shop Income Total Income
2761 271 1208 635 4875 1340 6215
The Christmas Fayre raised a sum of £1398.11. A big thank you to all who were involved and supported in whatever way. £ Over 60’s tea 120.70 Door 21.47 Toys 66.00 Expenditure Ladies Fellowship 139.00 Charity Shop 365 Mercia and friends 204.00 Corps 3859 Cakes 203.60 Total Expenditure 4224 Band 86.86 25% of our Harvest giving goes to Songsters 271.40 DHQ towards the Divisional Mission Refreshments 271.08 Fund which supports smaller corps in Santa’s Sack 14.00 the division with capital expenditure Total 1398.11 5 for mission opportunities.
NCD - Natural Church Development Where are we? One or two have asked about Natural Church Development and whether or not it is still a ‘live’ issue as far as our church is concerned. The short answer is ‘Yes’, it is still our intention to follow the processes of NCD as it is a useful tool in assessing where a church is in its spirituality. There have been a number of reasons why NCD has lost pace, but I am hopeful that we can recommence our journey in the New Year. Maureen Carver has concluded her time as our ‘champion’, our thanks were offered at the summer Corps Council. So, here is an opportunity for somebody to rise to the challenge of NCD and take us on into 2015. I will say however, that this cannot be officer led, it needs to be someone from within the fellowship itself. So if you think that this could be you and you care about our church and its spiritual growth as well as valuing NCD then please speak up! Barrie
Dekamile For a couple of years or so, people in our fellowship, including Over 60 members, have been supporting the charity Dekamile. Part of that support has been the making of soft toys for the children of the village, Agome Sevah, and they have been sent out at regular intervals and much appreciated by the children. This recent photo from Togo shows children in the village, complete with doll! More information about the work of the charity in Togo can be found on their website Dekamile.co.uk Gerald Birkett 6
Christmas Messages Wishing all our friends at Letchworth a happy and blessed Christmas, God Bless you all, Dave & Averil Wade xxx
Our wish for you all is that the joys and delights of this Holy Season will remain with you through the coming year. Maureen & Geoff Carver
Love and Christmas Greetings to you all from Joy and Rodney Beacham 42 Lissenden 1 Burton Road Branksome Park Poole BH13 6DS rodney.beacham@btinternet.com
Bob & Theresa Dearman send their love and wish all past and present members of Letchworth Corps a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
GREETINGS FROM SOMERSET! Keith and I would like to say how much we appreciate receiving the Newsletter each month and to hearing all about you and what is happening at Letchworth. In this December edition we would like to send Christmas Greetings to you all and pray that God will come very near to each one of you and that Letchworth Corps will go on from strength to strength in the New Year. May God Bless each and every one of you as you continue in the Lord's work. Keith & Gillian Manning Majors 7
On Saturday 29th November Major Barrie with the band led carol singing following the switching on of the Letchworth Christmas lights. A large number of people stayed to join the singing. Members of the band are pictured with celebrity guest, Kim Wilde
Charity Shop Our Charity Shop is still ticking along but is still in need of support both during the week and at weekends. Can I remind you again that this is a great way for us to outreach in our community with people coming freely into the shop day by day. All you need to do is smile, be polite, and be willing to get involved with the day to day activities. If this could be you, and you want to keep the public face of The Salvation Army visible in your town, please get involved. Barrie
Ladies Retreat—Walking Worthy On the 7th November, five ladies from our corps travelled to Chelmsford for the Divisional Ladies Retreat Day. We spent the day considering what it means to ‘walk worthy of the Lord’ and what the outcome of a worthy walk might be using Colossians 1: 9-14, which outlines some characteristics of a worthy walk. The day began with worship and Major Carol Frederiksen (Enfield) led a session focussing closely on the bible verses. Annie Howlett Foster (Cambridge) continued the theme leading a lively session of interactive activities. A delicious hot buffet lunch gave us time to enjoy fellowship and reflect on the morning. After lunch we chose different options, some of us taking part in a gospel choir and some in a craft activity. There was also time to explore displays and a gift stall and to use the wonderfully peaceful Prayer Room. The final worship session included an item from the Gospel Choir and an opportunity to respond to the challenges we had considered during the day. On our journey home we experienced an8 awesome sunset over the countryside. A truly blessed day!
The 150th Anniversary Congress of The Salvation Army will take place in London, from 1st – 5th July, 2015. Nearly 16,000 Salvationists from 126 countries will unite under the theme “BOUNDLESS: The Whole World Redeeming”. The five days of Congress will be focused on ‘commemorating the past, celebrating the present, and innovating for the future’ of The Salvation Army. The Congress Office has recognised that much help is needed from volunteers over the course of the five days and is reaching out to us - soldiers, adherents, and friends of The Salvation Army - for help! Boundless Volunteers will be essential team members who are the face of Congress and who help make this historic event happen. The Congress Office will need the help of volunteers in various roles including greeters, volunteers at information and registration desks, Boundless Buddies, translators and more. (Boundless Buddies will serve as a host and guide to a group of Sponsored Delegates during its time in the UK.) The Congress Office is reaching out to willing and energetic individuals to be Boundless Volunteers. All volunteers will receive comprehensive training so no prior experience is necessary. Events of the Congress will be spread across multiple venues and many days. For this reason, volunteers will receive varying assignments and are asked to be available from 29 June – 5 July, 2015. For individuals who speak a language in addition to English, the Boundless Buddy role could be a great fit. As many of our Sponsored Delegates are not proficient in English, foreign language skills are a plus. Boundless Volunteers will gain new skills, meet new people, and be a part of history! To ensure that each volunteer is prepared for their role, training will be provided. While in London for the week of the Congress, each volunteer will receive a free 7-day public transport Travelcard. Meals, refreshments, and a volunteer vest will also be provided. Volunteers will also receive an exclusive Boundless Volunteer commemorative badge to keep as recognition of their service to the International Congress. For more information or to register your interest in volunteering, go to on the Boundless website boundless2015.org/boundless/volunteer 9 Or speak to the Corp’s Congress Liaison Officer, Stuart Elliott
YOUR PRAYERS ARE NEEDED! Last week at Songster practice in our devotions, we were challenged to pray for the young people of our church. Specifically, we were challenged to pray for new children to come into our fellowship. The question was asked, “Why do so few children come to church?” And the follow up question? “Have you prayed for them to come?” It was suggested that we should pray like Hannah. Hannah, the wife of Penniel (as recorded in the Book of Samuel) was childless, a shameful position for a wife in the culture of those days, as children were so vital to secure the future for the family, the tribe, the nation. In desperation Hannah was driven to pray, to pour out her soul. Her prayer was so urgent , so passionate, that Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk! So this was the first recorded invitation to pray passionately for children to know that they are part of God’s family. Hannah’s prayer was answered. She gave her son, Samuel, back to God and he became prophet and leader of God’s people. So we have been invited to pray for children to come into our fellowship and become part of God’s family here. We are asking you to include this vital prayer NOW to your daily prayers. It is good to focus on children. As a church family, we are incomplete if we do not have children with us. Pray like Hannah! Pray passionately for children for our church family. Pray for our members who work with the children. Pray for our older youth who are stepping up to work with the children who come through our doors. 10
PRAYER IS THE CHRISTIAN’S VITAL BREATH Question:Who is he in yonder stall At whose feet the shepherds fall? Answer:Tis the Lord! O wondrous story Tis the Lord, the king of glory! At his feet we humbly fall, Crown him, crown him Lord of all.
As people strip away the Christmas wrappings, may they find your precious gift of love within. Amen
Lord, I pray that your spirit of truth and love will fill the hearts of those for whom Christmas has no meaning. Amen
Jesus our Prince of Peace, we pray that every time a carol is sung, a Christmas greeting spoken, a nativity play performed, that your name be honoured and glorified, and that hard hearts be melted to receive you afresh. Amen
Please continue your prayers for members and friends including:Don Spearman, Kate Graby, Sylvia Woodward, Sam Sweetman, Vi Stevenson, Phyliis and Ave Brock, Ina Horder, Shelia Hazell, Arthur Birch and his family, Robin (Mercia’s brother-in-law), Lorraine Gill and her family, Anne Ford, John Walton, Graham Hobbs, Rosemary Parry and family. Majors Barrie and Maria and our Corps leaders, General Adre Cox, The Stevenage Salvation Army Corps The persecuted Christian Church throughout the world. 11
Corps Programme 10am 11.15
11.30am 6.30pm 2.15pm 7.45pm
10am 8pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 6.30pm 6.30pm 10am
Sunday Holiness Meeting Young Children’s Church (3rd Sunday monthly) Outreach Letchfold Youth Monday Silver Circle Club Ladies Fellowship (1st Monday monthy) Tuesday Parent & Toddler Group Senior Band Practice Wednesday House Group Meetings Thursday Songster Practice Friday JAM Club (5-12 years) Dance/Timbrels Saturday Messy Church (1st Saturday monthly)
LETCHWORTH CORPS MISSION STATEMENT To Worship and glorify God, and to bring others to a faith in Jesus Christ. To be a vibrant and welcoming church fellowship, active in the community, where needs are met, and where ALL will feel comfortable in the embrace of Christian love.
You are invited to attend any of our Services or Activities. Should you require any information please contact:
further
Corps Officers Majors Barrie and Maria Sampson Tel: 01462 683247 Silver Circle Club Majors Barrie & Maria Tel: 01462 683247 Ladies Fellowship Mrs Maureen Carver, Secretary Tel: 01462 631685 Parent & Toddler Group Mrs Janet Richardson Tel: 01462 686443 Charity Shop Tel: 01462 485415 JAM (Youth) Club Mrs Jacky Clayden Letchfold Youth Mrs Jacqui Clayden Tel:07885438662
PASTORAL CARE COUNCIL Major Barrie Sampson Major Maria Sampson Corps Sergeant Major Nick Carver Assistant CSM Stuart Elliott Songster Leader Alison Carver Corps Secretary John Clayden Bandmaster David Fisher Corps Youth Sec Jacqui Clayden 12 Corps Treasurer Philip Fisher