Sunday 20 September 2020

Recorded Morning Worship led by Majors David and Jane Alton

To KNOW Christ ~ To LIVE Christ ~ To SHARE Christ

BOSCOMBE CORPS NEWS

Prayer Requests We have a number of our corps family who need our prayers

at the moment for various reasons. Please pray for Margaret Nimmo who is still recovering following a recent fall, Mike and Sheila Smith’s granddaughter who has been in hospital this week, Jemaya Bailey’s dad, Tony Cade, awaiting the next step in care and support, for Beryl Cook who is unwell at the

moment. Please pray for Jude and Andrew Hendry and the rest of the family

following the death of Jude’s father, Geoff. Please pray for students as they return to university but especially for Grace Goodyer as she moves to Southampton to study nursing and for Zak Snell as he moves to Surrey to study Economics and

Politics. Please pray for any you know who are facing difficult circumstances

relating to employment, health or relationships. Pray for those who live alone and for many of the older members of

the congregation who are finding this time particularly difficult. (Thank you to all those who are helping, making phone calls or sending cards – maybe there are others who would like to do

something like this).

People News Ray Jones has moved into Portelet Lodge and Vi Kittle is currently staying at Dalvey House. As visiting is very restricted, it would be

appreciated if people from the Corps would send a card or letter to let them know they are not forgotten in these early days of transition.

Newsletter

If you have any news that you would like to share, why not let us know and we will add it to the next edition of the newsletter.

Bring Me Sunshine!

Remember, if you have a joke or story that you would like to share with the Corps, please send it to Joanne who will include it in a future edition

of the ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ page. You can either contact her via text, WhatsApp, Messenger or by emailing her on

joanne.allcock@salvationarmy.org.uk.

PRAYER MATTERS

Monday 21 September – (NSB871) International Day of Peace: Please read Isaiah 2:4. Lord our Redeemer, we praise You for unprecedented opportunities to spread Your gospel of peace across the internet and other means of communication. Please help us to guard Your truth and share the message of salvation to millions of people worldwide. Amen. (CARE)

Tuesday 22 September – (NSB608) God of all power, we pray for countries where poverty, racial inequality, unrest and inept, corrupt governments prevent them from prospering. Please raise up wise, honest leaders to negotiate trade and other agreements that will bring benefits to all their people. Amen. (CARE)

Wednesday 23 September – (NSB1010) Heavenly Father, we pray just now for our world, engulfed by Covid. You have told us ‘whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith’. (Matthew 21:22) Almighty God, we come before You as The Salvation Army, a company of Your people who have great faith to believe that ALL things are possible to You, and so we ask.. no, we plead, Lord, for our world. Major Joy Webb has written many profound songs, and none more appropriate than ‘Come into our world’.. every verse ending with ‘And if we needed You, we need You now! Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus!’ Please.

Thursday 24 September – (NSB588) Generous God, make us cheerful givers, to give our best effort, as we are able. Give us the wisdom not to compare, the strength to sow generously, and the faith to leave the results in Your hands. (ODB)

Friday 25 September – (NSB612) Thank You, Lord, for people in later life who inspire us by their faith in You, their love for others and a determination to maximise the blessings of what they have. We pray for those coping with ill health, loneliness and poverty, who find it hard to be positive. Amen. (CARE)

Saturday 26 September – (NSB589) Today sees the ‘Welcome’ of the new session of Cadets ‘Messengers of Reconciliation’ to our William Booth College in London. We so thank God for their calling, and their willingness to respond and make it their life’s purpose to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God hold each of them and their families them in the Hollow of His Hand. (Please read Matthew 4:19-22). Perhaps the Lord has spoken to you about serving as an officer of the Salvation Army? Today is the day to say ‘Yes!’ to the Lord’s leading in your life. (Philippians 2:3-4). Talk to our Majors Jane and David.

Sunday 27 September – (NSB587) Anti-human Trafficking Day: Pray for God’s provision: that laws would be put in place to abolish exploitation of human beings in any capacity; and in so doing, that laws would be put into effect outlawing the sale or purchase of slave-made products. Pray for global leaders to respond to the call and stand to end labour trafficking. Pray that consumers would make compassionate decisions about the products they purchase and support companies that have rid their supply chains of slave labour. (Isaiah 10:1-2, Psalm 2:10-12). (THQ)

Business Card A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card, wrote ‘Revelation 3 v 20’ on the back of it, and stuck it through the letterbox.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Alongside his own message was written ‘Genesis 3 v 10’. Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of

laughter. Revelation 3 v 20 begins: ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock’. Genesis 3 v 10 reads: ‘I heard your voice

in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked’.

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Taste and See After starting a new diet I change my journey to work to

avoid passing my favourite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the

window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed: ‘Lord, it’s up to you,

if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking space for me directly in front of the

bakery’. And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block,

there is was! God is so good!

Worship and Word

Sunday 20 September 2020 This act of worship has been prepared for use at home and follows the service posted on the Boscombe Salvation Army YouTube channel and corps website. Spend a few moments with God, knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you. Welcome Major Jane Alton Song 358: Crown him with many crowns

Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own;

Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for Thee,

And hail Him as Thy matchless king Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life,

Who triumphed o'er the grave, And rose victorious in the strife

For those He came to save; His glories now we sing

Who died, and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose power a sceptre sways

From pole to pole, that wars may cease And all be prayer and praise; His reign shall know no end, And round His piercèd feet

Fair flowers of Paradise extend Their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love; Behold His hands and side,

Those wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified;

All hail, redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me;

Thy praise and glory shall not fail Throughout eternity.

Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring Song 376: King of kings

King of kings, majesty, God of Heaven living in me,

gentle Saviour, closest friend, strong deliverer, beginning and end,

all within me falls at your throne.

Your majesty, I can but bow. I lay my all before you now.

In royal robes I don’t deserve I live to serve your majesty.

Earth and Heaven worship you, love eternal, faithful and true,

who bought the nations, ransomed souls, brought this sinner near to your throne;

all within me cries out in praise.

Your majesty, I can but bow. I lay my all before you now.

In royal robes I don’t deserve I live to serve your majesty. I live to serve your majesty.

Jarrod Cooper © Sovereign Lifestyle Music Ltd Prayers led by the Searle family Bible reading: Acts 28:11-31 Grace Goodyer

Song 378: Lord I come before your throne

Lord, I come before Your throne of grace; I find rest in Your presence

And fullness of joy. In worship and wonder

I behold Your face, Singing what a faithful God have I.

What a faithful God have I,

What a faithful God. What a faithful God have I,

Faithful in every way.

Lord of mercy, You have heard my cry; Through the storm You're the beacon,

My song in the night. In the shelter of Your wings,

Hear my heart's reply, Singing what a faithful God have I.

Lord all sovereign, granting peace from heaven,

Let me comfort those who suffer With the comfort You have given.

I will tell of Your great love for as long as I live, Singing what a faithful God have I.

Robert & Dawn Critchley © Thankyou Music Freewill Offering Introducing the Wider Salvation Army Strawberry Fields Captain Louise Brown Vocal solo Hilary Bromage Message Major David Alton

St Paul’s Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday was a charming 1953 romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as a princess out to see Rome on her own and Gregory Peck as the American reporter who helped and hindered her.

Paul’s experience wasn’t quite a ‘Roman Holiday’, but his response to his circumstances challenge and direct us in ours today.

Acts 28:1-15 details Paul’s experience in Malta, including Luke’s Trip Adviser comment in Acts 28:2:

“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold”

Maybe the Maltese tourist board would like that last bit about it being raining and cold!

After 3 months Paul leaves Malta, staying three days at Syracuse, Sicily, then on to Rhegium at the toe of Italy. He spends a week in Puteoli near Naples and at the end of vs 14 we read:

“And so we came to Rome”

Finally, at last!

Luke says in Acts 28:16:

“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him”

Now, Paul probably takes time to reflect on his life before and after encountering Jesus. Then his unrelenting drive and determination kicks in once more, for we are told in vs 17:

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.

Paul gets down to business. That’s not too surprising, as Paul says in Romans 15:23:

“I have been longing for many years to visit you”.

Why?

He explains in Romans 15:20:

“It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation”

A theme of Luke’s gospel was Jesus taking the message from Galilee to Jerusalem, centre of the Jewish world. In Acts, Luke’s theme concerns taking the message of Jesus from Jerusalem to Rome, centre of the known world.

In vs 19 & 20 Paul explains to the Jewish leaders in Rome that he has been attacked by other Jewish leaders elsewhere but doesn't want to retaliate, he wants to share with them & appeal his case to Cesar.

Paul tells them:

“It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

The ‘hope of Israel’ was for the promised Messiah.

“I'm not a dissident”, says Paul, “I'm a good Jew who was waiting for what was promised. I’m preaching that messiah came and it’s Jesus Christ, the crucified, risen saviour, the hope of Israel”. Paul said it continually when on trial throughout the book of Acts:

Acts 23:6 – “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” He’s talking about Jesus!

Acts 24:14 – “I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets” He’s talking about Jesus!

Acts 26:6 – “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today”. He’s talking about Jesus!

Paul wants to share this with his visitors and they are interested to hear it. Jewish and Christian leaders came to this rented house, day and night, in increasing numbers for 10-12 hours of teaching, debate and discussion.

Paul wanted to be in Rome to share the gospel. God answered his prayer, big time. During this time Paul writes the letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. What a productive period for him!

In Colossians 4:3 Paul writes

“pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

Even though he couldn’t move freely, Paul’s rented house becomes an ‘open a door’, his base of operations from which the kingdom of God spreads.

Archimedes once confidently declared:

“Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world”

Paul's rented room becomes the Fulcrum from which God moved the world through Paul’s witness, teaching and influence.

We see in v24:

“Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe”

Even there, even then, even with Paul’s teaching there was a mixed response. We shouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same for us. Jesus’ ‘Parable of the Sower’ tells us that 25% of those who heard it, rejected the gospel. 50% responded temporarily, it feels good, there is an emotional response but it doesn't last. The cares of the world become too much. Only 25% really hear and connect and not all of them bear fruit. Paul didn’t worry about the rejection, he pushed on.

Paul was guarded by soldiers of the Praetorian Guard, Cesar’s household troops. He was chained to a soldier for four shifts of 6 hours a day. But the guard was also chained to Paul. Paul saw the advantage of such a situation:

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” Phil 1:12

Imagine the centurions “6 hours chained to this bloke and he never stops going on about that Jesus” In the quiet of the night after listening to Paul during the day, a centurion might want to discuss. I would dare to suggest that the situation bore fruit, because later in Philippians Paul writes

“All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household” Phil 4:22.

Folk belonging to Cesar’s household, i.e., his troops, were Christians. How might that have happened, at Paul’s house possibly?

In 2 Timothy 2:9 Paul wrote “but God’s word is not chained” His incarceration in Rome is his most fruitful period. Paul saw it as an opportunity, not a confinement.

Jewish leaders were debated with

Christian leaders & co-workers were strengthened

4 New testament letters were written

Guards were brought to faith in Christ

Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ

How do we see our circumstances today? If you say, ‘Oh I am imprisoned and restricted by the lockdown, by the rule of 6, by Covid rules’, think again. Flip it, turn it around and look for the opportunities. Do a Paul!

Possibly Susannah Wesley sometimes felt herself ‘imprisoned’ by having to care for, and teach, her many children in the manse in Epworth, but two of those children were John and Charles, who would be significant Christian revival in Britain and across the world.

Possibly Martin Luther got a bit ‘hacked off’ when he was ‘imprisoned’ in Wartburg Castle for 10 months, but there he set about translating the New Testament into German.

What about John Bunyan jailed in Bedford where he writes Pilgrims Progress?

What about Catherine Booth, confined to bed in her youth reading the Bible many times, writing, campaigning & forming ideas that would direct the course and nature of The Salvation Army?

What about the Christian Martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer writing letters and papers from prison that would inform and enrich the Christian church long after his murder?

You get the point, how do we creatively engage in this period and use our time for and with God?

The book of Acts ends abruptly without any detailed conclusion:

“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Acts 28:30-32

Acts hasn't ended, the story of the church, the acts of the Holy Spirit continue. We are part of the continuing story, the ongoing story of proclamation, enactment, redemption, Kingdom, justice, love and salvation.

We aren’t under house arrest like Paul was, even if on some days, it has felt like it! Our own limitations provide us with opportunities we may have never considered before.

Ask yourself with each unexpected turn of event: “What does this make possible?” With creativity and faith in God’s providence, like Paul had in Rome, we can use these days in productive ways. We, like Paul, are ‘without hindrance’ in our productivity for Christ by our relative confinement.

Paul wasn’t on a Roman Holiday, far from it. But he achieved so much for Christ, ‘with all boldness and without hindrance’.

The book of Acts has no ending. the church, ‘The Way’, the followers Christ today are not chained, so let’s ‘with all boldness and without hindrance’ be productive for Christ and his Kingdom Song 932: The Lord’s command

The Lord's command to go into the world

And preach the gospel unto all, Is just as true today as when His first

Disciples heard this mighty call; So let us gird ourselves and go to battle

'Gainst the powers of sin and wrong, Join the fight for the right, In His everlasting might,

And sing our marching song:

On we march with the Blood and the Fire, To the ends of the earth we will go;

And the Saviour's love Will be the theme of our song

Because we love Him so. On we march with the Blood and the Fire,

To the ends of the earth we will go; And the Saviour's love

Will be the theme of our song Because we love Him so.

O'er land and sea the Saviour shows the way

To every soul sunk deep in sin; From Calvary's rugged cross there flows a stream

To make the foulest sinner clean; We'll fill the ranks and, trusting in the God

Of hosts to lead our mighty throng, Join the fight for the right, In His everlasting might,

And sing our marching song:

The victory's sure; we're trusting in the promise Of our Saviour, Lord and king;

Lo, I am with you, keeps us free from doubting; To the heavens our praises ring;

The whole wide world shall come beneath the sway Of Christ; proclaim it loud and long,

Join the fight for the right, In His everlasting might,

And sing our marching song: Charles Mehling

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