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 Coun-
cil
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army Letchworth Garden City
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014
www.letchworthcorps.co.uk www.facebook.com/LetchworthSalvationArmy
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
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
3
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
recovery.
4
Christmas Programme 2014 November 29 9.45am Carolling at Royston 6.45pm Band at the Town Square—Christmas lights and Carols 30 10am — First Sunday in Advent, Toy Service—Commanding
Officers 11.45am Band at Monread Lodge, Woolmer Green
December 1 Ladies Fellowship 5 8pm band at MS Society Carols, Norton Methodist Church 6 09.45am Band Carolling at Letchworth 7 10am Advent service - Commanding Officers 3pm Spirella Civic Carol Concert with Pixmore Junior School 8 Over 60s Christmas Meal 9 Parent & Toddler Group party 10 Standing Day at Sainsburys Letchworth 11 7pm Songsters Carolling at homes 13 09.45am Band Carolling at Stevenage 14 10am Advent service - Steve and Ann Hambides 11.45am Band at St. Catherines 13 Over 60’s Carol Service 16 10am Preparation of toy parcels 7pm Songsters Carolling at homes 17 10am Preparation of food parcels 20 10.30am Carolling at Letchworth, outside Cuthberts in Eastcheap 21 10am Messy Church Carol Service 11.45am Band at Osborne Court 2.30pm Band at Bickerdickes Garden Centre 23 Standing Day at Sainsburys Letchworth 24 6.30pm Band on Jackmans Estate 24 11.15pm Candlelight Carol Service 24 10.15am Band at Lister Hospital House groups will not be meeting during December.
What’s on?
5
October 2014
Income Cartridges 2761
Offerings 271
Harvest (75%) 1208
Other Corps Income 635
Corps Income 4875
Charity Shop Income 1340
Total Income 6215
Expenditure
Charity Shop 365
Corps 3859
Total Expenditure 4224
25% of our Harvest giving goes to
DHQ towards the Divisional Mission
Fund which supports smaller corps in
the division with capital expenditure
for mission opportunities.
Christmas Fayre
The Christmas Fayre raised a
sum of £1398.11. A big thank you
to all who were involved and sup-
ported in whatever way.
£
Over 60’s tea 120.70
Door 21.47
Toys 66.00
Ladies Fellowship 139.00
Mercia and friends 204.00
Cakes 203.60
Band 86.86
Songsters 271.40
Refreshments 271.08
Santa’s Sack 14.00
Total 1398.11
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.
6
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
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
7
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
Bob & Theresa Dearman send their love and wish all past and present members of Letchworth Corps a Blessed Christmas and a Peace-ful New Year.
Love and Christmas Greetings to you all from Joy and Rodney Beacham 42 Lissenden 1 Burton Road Branksome Park Poole BH13 6DS [email protected]
Christmas MessagesChristmas MessagesChristmas MessagesChristmas Messages
Wishing all our friends at Letchworth a happy and blessed Christmas, God Bless you all, Dave & Averil Wade xxx
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
8
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) contin-
ued 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 an awesome sunset over the country-
side. A truly blessed day!
Charity Shop
Our Charity Shop is still ticking along but is still in need of support both dur-
ing 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
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 pic-
tured with celebrity guest, Kim
Wilde
9
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
Or speak to the Corp’s Congress Liaison Officer, Stuart Elliott
10
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 na-
tion. 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.
11
PRAYER IS THE CHRISTIAN’S
VITAL BREATH
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.
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
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
Lord, I pray that your spirit of
truth and love will fill the hearts
of those for whom Christmas has
no meaning. Amen
12
Corps Programme Sunday
10am Holiness Meeting
11.15 Young Children’s
Church (3rd Sunday
monthly)
11.30am Outreach
6.30pm Letchfold Youth
Monday
2.15pm Silver Circle Club
7.45pm Ladies Fellowship
(1st Monday monthy)
Tuesday
10am Parent & Toddler Group
8pm Senior Band Practice
Wednesday
7.45pm House Group Meetings
Thursday
7.45pm Songster Practice
Friday
6.30pm JAM Club (5-12 years)
6.30pm Dance/Timbrels
Saturday
10am Messy Church
(1st Saturday monthly)
You are invited to attend any of our
Services or Activities.
Should you require any further
information please contact:
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
Corps Treasurer Philip Fisher
LETCHWORTH CORPS
MISSION STATEMENT
To Worship and glorify God, and
to bring others to a faith in Jesus
Christ. To be a vibrant and wel-
coming church fellowship, active
in the community, where needs
are met, and where ALL will feel
comfortable in the embrace of
Christian love.