It was a pleasant surprise for retired school teachers Liz, Thelma and Pat when their former colleague Topsy appeared at their regular Thursday ‘coffee o’clock’ session at Thirsk Garden Centre. But a week later, Topsy is dead and the three friends remember peculiar aspects of the earlier encounter and begin to wonder if this was murder.
As they get to know more about the people clustered around their old friend, they learn of possible bank fraud, outright theft, financial peril and poisonous relationships. But who would want to kill a harmless old lady?
Recounted at a mostly leisurely pace appropriate for three ladies coming to terms with the aging process, this story of very “ordinary evil” will entertain, puzzle, delight and perhaps stir a little self-reflection. And hopefully leave the reader wanting more.
We bought this book as part of a deal with one of Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” books. We loved it so much, we bought the second in the series. There are books that you read and throw away, but this might be one that we enjoy coming back to again in the future.
A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall is published by Avon. ISBN 978-0-00-850961-3
In March 2020 at our Divisional Officers’ Retreat, I challenged myself to write at every opportunity, not letting fear or anxiety deter me. Little did we know that within weeks we would be producing weekly printed service sheets and programmes for our Sunday congregation and Tuesday ladies group, along with craft packs and accompanying videos for our children’s club.
Over two years later, an exciting holiday and an unexpected turn of events has finally prodded me to recommence my creative writing. You’ll discover later why I’m composing this with pen and paper, then typing it into my phone, whilst sitting at the table in a tiny apartment in Bavaria.
Ich bin hier!
Anyway, back to the story…
We had booked a night at an airport hotel with a week’s parking to save any last minute panics on the Friday morning. The first day in our new role would see us working from home, enabling a quick getaway. Unfortunately, we were called into the office to meet the rest of the department, before they all went on holiday!
By the time we finally set off, the sat nav chose a complicated route to avoid traffic on the M25, and dumped us on a remote country road with no sign of any hotel. A frantic call for directions on final approach soon reunited us with family at the hotel entrance.
The Thistle Heathrow Terminal 5 https://www.thistle.com/heathrow-terminal-5 has to be one of the least inviting hotels I have ever seen. Looking like some kind of rectilinear spider, it’s interconnected red brick accommodation blocks are completely surrounded by tarmac parking areas. Inside, however, is a different story. Bright and clean, with friendly, helpful staff and pleasant (if compact) rooms. The Runway View restaurant is aptly named, with a full wall of windows and an outdoor terrace allowing you to watch the arrival of the iron birds as you enjoy your meal.
The busy-ness of the previous few months had allowed little time for contemplation of the adventure ahead. But as we relaxed with family over coffee following our meal, a sense of eager anticipation began to stir my heart. Later I drifted off into a deep sleep, dreaming of what lie ahead…
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many problems, including the postponement or cancellation of countless events, among them the famous Oberammergau Passion Play, performed only once each decade. A visit in 1990 with my parents and sister had been the trigger for a romantic relationship with a young lady called Elizabeth. We have so far shared 30 years of married life and 25 as Salvation Army Officers and I wanted her to see where it all began.
At the start of 2020, we were looking forward to a great year: my Dad’s 80th birthday, Oberammergau and a much-needed 3 month sabbatical leave. Shortly after the birthday celebrations, we began hearing about a strange virus that appeared to come from China. Within weeks it became clear that both Passion Play and sabbatical would be delayed for two years.
In February 2022, we received news of a change of appointment: to leave local corps (church) ministry and travel to London, to join a small team at our headquarters supporting retired Salvation Army officers. We were sad at the thought of leaving behind many good friends, but it has brought us much closer to our family members.
A bittersweet farewell from an enlarged Easter Sunday congregation launched a sabbatical filled with a trip to Iona, visits to and from family, numerous farewell meals and coffee dates with friends — and of course, packing, cleaning, moving and unpacking. Finally, with our new home in good order, the long awaited pilgrimage was in sight. However, not all has gone to plan, as you shall see…
Today I received an email that said my latest Blogger post had been unpublished, because it breached community guidelines. I had completely forgotten that I had a Blogger site!
When I logged in to Blogger (a seamless experience given that I was accessing it from a link in Gmail), I discovered a host of entries with titles like “Sup My!” (the offending article) and cryptic hyperlinks to seemingly random sites. These entries go back several years.
I discovered that I had been quite a regularly blogger until about 2010, when I switched to WordPress. Since then, someone has obviously had access to my Google account, and has occasionally posted random (seedy?) entries. The moral of the story is: check your inactive accounts, and make sure you change your passwords!
BTW: The reason I gave was that my new Blackberry had a full-featured WordPress app, whereas mobile access to Blogger was (at the time) email only, with no formatting or hyperlinks.
In a world full of books, many of them mediocre, it’s good to come across one that grabs you from the start. On learning that I love whodunnits, including the Cadfael novels, a friend loaned me this book, the first of a series. On May Day 1492, Gilbert Cunningham, would-be lawyer and would-be priest, encounters two young women, one the mistress of a travelling harper, the other the daughter of the master mason. Next morning, the first is found dead in the yard where the mason is working on an extension to the cathedral. Father and daughter join Gil in the quest to identify the killer from among a surfeit of suspects.
Clues are to be found in the homes, pubs and churches of Glasgow, as well as nearby Dumbarton and the Isle of Bute. Nothing but a murderer’s dagger moves swiftly in 1492. This allows McIntosh to weave a tale that is as much about the relationships between the protagonists as it is an unravelling of the mystery. She also judges beautifully the balance between internal monologues and “show, don’t tell”; conversations reveal vital clues, allow the teasing out of investigative leads and even educate the reader on historical matters.
As the end drew near, I had almost solved the mystery, but was also caught up in the lives of the characters to such an extent that there were several late nights and bleary-eyed mornings before the big reveal! The book ends with the possibility of ongoing relationships that promise a human interest alongside the gruesome business of catching killers.
During the past year and a bit, I have posted online the materials we have been supplying to the congregation at Prestonpans Corps. However, from Sunday 4th July we shall be returning to regular Sunday meetings in our hall. This means I will no longer be preparing a full service sheet for our members. Instead, I shall be making up PowerPoint presentations for use indoors.
To prepare online resources would therefore become an additional task, rather than an extra step on an existing task. So, there will be no more Worship @ Home posted online.
I hope that you have found it helpful, and pray God’s blessing on your journey with him.
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The Salvation Army, Prestonpans Corps Major Steven Turner
Song: Immortal, Invisible God only wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life thou givest, to both great and small, In all life thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light. Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; All praise we would render; O help us to see ‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.
Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
Bible Reading
8 Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.
2 So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim.
3 When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark. 4 The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it. 5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!
6 Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. 8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day.
9 Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt.
10 When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 11 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.
12 Then Solomon prayed, “O Lord, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. 13 Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!”
Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You, Hope of a life spent with You.
So here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You’re my God; And You’re altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days, Oh so highly exalted, Glorious in heaven above; Humbly You came To the earth You created, All for love’s sake became poor.
And I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross. (Repeat)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible Reading
22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, 23 and he prayed,
“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.27 “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! 28 Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. 29 May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, ‘My name will be there.’ May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. 30 May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.
It’s been a long time coming, but from next Sunday we shall return to weekly worship on a Sunday morning. After almost 15 months of varying restrictions, we sing (albeit behind masks for now) and pray together and share in fellowship over tea and coffee afterwards. How exciting is that!?
But one of the questions that the COVID pandemic has raised is whether it is essential to come together for worship. We’re going to look to King Solomon and Saint Paul to help us think through this question.
A house for God
Many people refer to their church building as “The House of God”. Where does this idea come from, and is it relevant to us today?
In Old Testament times, people thought that gods were limited to a small geographical area. This explains why Naaman asked permission to take some soil from Israel back to Aram, to worship God (2 Kings 5:17). Abraham knew that God was present and could be worshipped everywhere. But later, under Moses’ leadership, God gave his people the Ark of the Covenant and the sacred tent as a focus for worship.
David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, God’s chosen city, and Solomon built a temple to house the Ark and become the focus of worship. God demonstrated his favour by appearing in the Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). So, it seems that God endorses a central place of worship.
But even as he built the Temple, Solomon recognised that God could not be confined to any building:
“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!”
1 Kings 8:27
Jumping forward to the time of the early church, we see that they too enjoyed corporate worship:
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
On his travels, Paul often met with groups of believers, first in synagogues then in homes. And his letters are full of advice on how to conduct public worship meetings, which has remained an important part of Christian life ever since.
A spiritual house
During June and July, the delayed Euro 2020 football competition is taking place. Because of COVID restrictions, only a limited number of fans are allowed in each stadium. The rest must watch at the pub, in fan zones with giant screens, or even at home. The atmosphere is certainly not the same at home, but the passion will be just as strong. Excluding the fans from the stadium does not break their affinity with their team nor their comradeship as fellow supporters. It’s as though there is something of the team in each person or group.
Paul says something similar about Christian believers:
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
Paul wants us to understand that God’s Spirit resides in each of us in the same way that God lived in the temple in Jerusalem: not in an individual or exclusive way, but as a demonstration of his infinite glory and his love for his people.
It’s also important to note that, in the same way the temple was a special place, kept fit and ready for God, we too should be distinct from the world around us.
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.
Sometimes in the Old Testament, when people came together to pray, God visited them in a visible fashion. Think of Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19 & 34), Elijah on mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), even Samson’s unnamed mother (Judges 13). And we saw Solomon inviting God’s presence in the temple. Can something similar happen for Christians today?
In the New Testament, Peter and John are released from prison and re-join their fellow believers:
When they had finished praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
I’ve never experienced anything that dramatic. However, from time to time I’ve been in meetings where the whole atmosphere has suddenly changed.
The most recent was at the Edinburgh Congress in 2018. As the Territorial Commander spoke, and then led us into prayer time, a deep sense of awe and wonder descended, to such an extent that invited guests from a variety of denominations, and even unbelievers, felt God’s presence.
Perhaps you have had a similar experience. Would you like to share it with someone to encourage them?
Conclusion
The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth, that he loves his creation but most especially humankind. Despite repeated sin and rebellion, he has always been faithful to his people: first to the Jews, then to others who trusted him, and most especially to those who accept Jesus as Messiah. Although God chose the temple in Jerusalem as his “home”, he is always willing to meet with sincere believers wherever they are.
As Christians, we have God’s Spirit living within us all the time. This is a fulfilment of the promise made to the prophet Joel. But just as God sometimes made his presence visible to the Jews and the early Christians, he may also choose to grace us with a powerful encounter with him, either individually or together.
Whilst God is not at our beck and call, he is always willing to meet with those who truly seek him. Why not ask God to reveal himself to you today?
Song: I would be thy holy temple
I would be thy holy temple, Sacred and indwelt by thee; Naught then could stain my commission, ‘Tis thy divine charge to me.
Take thou my life, Lord, In deep submission I pray, My all to thee dedicating, Accept my offering today.
Seeking to mirror thy glory, Living to answer thy call, Each faithful vow now renewing, Gladly I yield thee my all.
Time, health and talents presenting, All that I have shall be thine; Heart mind and will consecrating, No longer shall they be mine.
O for a heart of compassion, Moved at the impulse of love, Lost ones to bring to thy footstool, Thy gracious riches to prove!
Brindley Boon
Prayer
Lord God, we acknowledge that you are all-powerful and everywhere present. During the pandemic, it has been good to know that you have been with us, even when we cannot meet our fellow believers.
But there is something special about joining with others to sing you praises, to listen to your word and to pray together. We thank you that we are able to do so once more. As we meet more often, we ask that you would make your presence felt in our gatherings, and that we might learn how you want us to worship, and what we should do to serve you and our community.
Many of us have felt isolated because of the restrictions of the pandemic. Though we know you are always everywhere, we pray that in times of loneliness you would give us a sign of your presence with us in that moment. And when we are afraid, may we sense your power in us, helping us to do what is right.
And as we encounter other people, may they see something of you in us and choose to seek and worship you for themselves.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Song: Boundless as the Mighty Ocean
Boundless as the mighty ocean, Rolling on from pole to pole, Is the boundless love of Jesus To the weary sinful soul, Boundless mercy, boundless mercy, Making guilty sinners whole.
Boundless as the starry heavens, Filled with fiery orbs of light, Are the promises of Jesus For the soul in nature’s night, Ever shining, ever shining Till our faith is changed to sight.
Boundless as eternal ages, As the air we breathe as free, Is the boundless, full salvation Jesus purchased on the tree, Boundless cleansing, boundless cleansing From all sin’s impurity.
Boundless is the grace to save us From the guilt and power of sin; Boundless is his power to keep us Now and every instant clean. Boundless praises, boundless praises We our glorious Lord will bring.
Josiah Henry Walter (1865-1938)
Benediction
May God’s blessing surround you each day, As you trust Him and walk in His way. May His presence within guard and keep you from sin. Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
Ask! Ask! Ask! and it shall be given; Seek! Seek! Seek! and you’re sure to find; Knock! Knock! Knock! and the door will open, For God! God! God! is so good and kind, O yes,
So ask! Ask! Ask! and it shall be given; Seek! Seek! Seek! and you’re sure to find; Knock! Knock! Knock! and the door will open, For God! God! God! is so good and kind.
Happy we who trust in Jesus, Sweet our portion is and sure; When despair or doubt would seize us, By his grace we shall endure. Happy people, Happy, in his love secure!
God in love and mercy found us, We are precious in his sight; And though Satan’s hosts surround us, They shall all be put to flight, For our Father Keeps us safe by day and night.
Lo! our Father never slumbers, Ever watchful is his care; We rely not on our numbers, In his strength secure we are. Sweet our portion Who the Father’s kindness share.
As the bird beneath her feathers Guards the objects of her care, So the Lord his children gathers, Spreads his wings, and hides us there; Thus protected, All our foes we boldly dare.
Thomas Kelly (1769-1855), alt
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Bible Reading:
5 When you pray, do not be as hypocrites who love to pray loudly at synagogue or on street corners—their concern is to be seen by men. They have already earned their reward. 6 When you pray, go into a private room, close the door, and pray unseen to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not go on and on, excessively and strangely like the outsiders; they think their verbosity will let them be heard by their deities. 8 Do not be like them. Your prayers need not be laboured or lengthy or grandiose—for your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him. 9 Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:
Our Father in heaven, Let Your name remain holy. 10 Bring about Your kingdom. Manifest Your will here on earth, As it is manifest in heaven. 11 Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less— 12 And forgive us our debts As we forgive those who owe us something. 13 Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. [But let Your kingdom be, And let it be powerful And glorious forever. Amen.]
Matthew 6:5-13 (The Voice)
Just ask and it will be given to you; seek after it and you will find. Continue to knock and the door will be opened for you. 8 All who ask receive. Those who seek, find what they seek. And he who knocks, will have the door opened.
9 Think of it this way: if your son asked you for bread, would you give him a stone? Of course not—you would give him a loaf of bread. 10 If your son asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? No, to be sure, you would give him a fish—the best fish you could find. 11 So if you, who are sinful, know how to give your children good gifts, how much more so does your Father in heaven, who is perfect, know how to give great gifts to His children!
12 This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.
As we come in prayer before You We with gratitude would say: Thank You, Father, for the family Where each member learns to pray. Even we, Lord, Your dear children, Know what family life can mean When each one keeps close beside You, And the love of Christ is seen.
For our special Army family We would bring our thankful prayer And we, humbly, Lord, would ask You Now to keep us in Your care. As You guide and lead us forward Help us every day to pray For each other, and our leaders Serving in your world today.
In our prayers we must remember That our family is worldwide, For all people are Your children And the ones for whom You died. So no selfish prayer we offer But to You we gladly bring All who live here on this planet; May we serve You as our king.
Alan Bateman
Treasured Times
Today, Fathers are being honoured all around the UK. Our family know of one father who will likely be thrilled and overawed by turns at the prospect of his new role and responsibility, as one of our nieces and her husband celebrated the arrival of their first child this week. For them, the start of a positive bank deposit of treasured times with their wee bundle of joy is beginning.
Many of us have had the privilege of being able to recall treasured times with our fathers. Sadly, for others that has not been the case, perhaps because of a premature death, or because they were not the kind of fathers that they should have been to their children.
But whatever our past experiences have been, Jesus taught all who would hear him that God is a Father above all fathers; and one that everyone can have access to and know the joy of experiencing the most perfect Father/child relationship with him.
Being able to communicate with your father is crucial to enjoying a good relationship with him. I would enjoy my best conversations with my dad if it was just the two of us left at the dinner table to finish off our meal or in going out walking together.
A friend of mine realised as a child that her father loved sports of every kind, so decided that if she was ever going to enjoy any meaningful time with her dad, she’d better learn to like sports too! It was a choice that paved the way in her adult life to her enjoying a good relationship with her two sons, having to raise them as a lone parent. Now today, her young grandsons have that same love of sports, it seemingly being embedded in their family’s DNA!
Aside from conversation, simply being around a person, watching, listening and learning from them helps us to get to know them better, to understand and ultimately love them. But in the case of God, the Father that we cannot see this side of heaven, Jesus taught and modelled that prayer was the key to enjoying that fullness of relationship and understanding of God the Father, and knowing his heart on what matters.
Recently we engaged in a day of prayer for our Corps (church). And though we were seeking to know God’s heart and will concerning our Corps, it was essentially a time for those who did participate to connect with God as individuals. Hopefully that was a positive and enriching experience for those of you who joined in.
Even so, one day is not going to bring us all the insight, purpose and guidance that God would share with us to put into effect plans that will shape this Corps for the future. No, that will take many more such deliberate times of being with God for that understanding to come.
It is the same with any good relationship, whether it is with a father, or any other person; it is built up over time and not on the basis of one conversation or interaction!
Our chosen segment of scripture for today is part of a bigger message that Jesus is delivering to those who have gathered round to listen. Referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, it is like the audio version of God giving Moses the Ten Commandments (or rather the ‘Ten Best Ways to Live’ as the Godly Play Story helpfully explains them) on Mount Sinai. It is about helping people to understand that true happiness in life comes only as we engage in a committed relationship with God and with others, living out God’s refreshing kingdom values in our communities.
Life is tough, it’s not fair, and sometimes damaging circumstances unfold in our lives. But a deep, determined pursuit of God, and a tenacious application to right living even in the face of persecution, ultimately brings the life fulfilment we long for.
Prayer Jesus said, was not about showcasing our piety, but rather focussing our attention on the one we are talking to, our Father God. He is the one who sees us and hears us, though he himself is unseen. And he is the one whom we would reliably hear and encounter in an environment with little else to distract or disturb us.
It is from that place of single focus on God, that we are best able to hear and choose to respond to what God is asking of us. Our prayer is to be straightforward and simple, not over wordy. God reads our hearts as we come to him. He knows our need and if we’re looking to honour him in our living, the best thing we can do is to trust him to deliver.
What we’ve come to call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ is, if we pray this thoughtfully and reflectively, a prayer that calms fractious feelings and gets us breathing the air of heaven as we orient our will to seeing the will of heaven done on earth, right where we are. This begins with letting God be in charge of the situation and letting him equip us with the appropriate tools to deal with the cause of our concern.
Those ‘tools’ can be words, like the prayer itself. It could be inspiration to take a certain course of action, with the necessary courage to do it. Or the very resources that we need like the good earthly father not tormenting or alarming his child with the presentation of a snake, having asked his father for a fish.
And as Jesus reminds us, the good father gives his child not just any old fish, but the very best fish that he can obtain. Jesus assures us it is like that with God our heavenly Father, but he is even more generous.
Let us not be reticent in prayer or see it as an onerous burden. The one who enjoyed a good relationship with their earthly father would never have considered time with dad to be a drudge or a burden, but a delight to revel in and treasure! So we should delight in taking treasured time with God, seeing it for the joy and privilege it is to draw close to our Heavenly Father.
We should be like the disciple John at the last supper, leaning into and laying his head on the breast of Jesus. In so doing he relinquished his cares and concerns, being lost in the moment of communion with Jesus, to learn from him of his great love for people and desire to give them his very best.
This is something that God wants us to do and as we follow the ‘Golden Rule’ of verse 12: ‘in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.’
Naturally we want the best for ourselves and for those we love. But God wants us to have that attitude in all our relationships and interactions with others. When we apply the golden rule in all our connections with people, we will know many treasured, golden times, which bring a little more of the atmosphere of heaven to bear on earth. In this way, God’s will is being done and his kingdom is becoming ever more real in our communities.
Song: He knows my name
I have a maker He formed my heart, Before even time began My life was in his hands
He knows my name He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call
I have a father, He calls me his own He’ll never leave me, No matter where I go
He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call
Paul Baloche
Prayer
Father God, many of us have much to celebrate in our relationships with our fathers: for the love and care they gave us, the example they showed us, the experiences we shared and the provision they made for us. We give you thanks for all of these things.
For those whose fathers were not so caring, or were completely absent, we thank you for friends, neighbours, teachers and others in the community who stepped in to help.
We also acknowledge with wonder and gratitude the extra work that mothers have done to protect and nurture their children to the best of their ability.
But most of all, we thank you for being a true Father to all of us. Your unfailing love is beyond our understanding.
Even though our fathers may not always be trustworthy, help us to trust in you to see us through all that happens in our lives.
And as we encounter people of all ages and with many different qualities and needs, help us to care for them in the way that you care for us, so that there may be recollection of treasured times amongst family, friends and neighbours.
Help us to build your kingdom of love wherever we go.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Song: Father I place into your hands…
Father, I place into your hands The things I cannot do. Father, I place into Your hands The things that I’ve been through. Father, I place into Your hands The way that I should go, or I know I always can trust You.
Father, I place into Your hands My friends and family. Father, I place into Your hands The things that trouble me. Father, I place into Your hands The person I would be, For I know I always can trust You.
Father, we love to see Your face, We love to hear Your voice. Father, we love to sing Your praise And in Your name rejoice. Father, we love to walk with You And in Your presence rest, For we know we always can trust You.
Father, I want to be with You And do the things You do. Father, I want to speak the words That You are speaking too. Father, I want to love the ones That You will draw to You, For I know that I am one with You.
May God’s blessing surround you each day, As you trust Him and walk in His way. May His presence within guard and keep you from sin. Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
The Salvation Army, Prestonpans Corps Major Steven Turner
Song: To God be the Glory
To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son; Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, And give him the glory; great things he hath done!
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood! To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer and higher and greater will be Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Song: This one thing I know
Jesus came to save me By his precious blood, Purchased my salvation, Brought me home to God; Cleansed my heart as white as snow: This one thing I know!
This one thing I know! This one thing I know! God in great mercy pardoned me, Snapped sin’s fetters and set me free; Once I was blind but now I see: This one thing I know!
Jesus lives to keep me: O what wondrous love! In the Father’s presence, Advocate above; Keeps me when sin’s tempests blow: This one thing I know!
What a precious Saviour, Of his grace I sing; Once despised. rejected, Soon our coming King. On my path his light doth glow: This one thing I know!
Sidney Edward Cox (1887-1975)
No Illusions
You’ve certainly heard people say, “Seeing is believing!” Maybe you’ve even used the phrase yourself. But we need to be careful about trotting out such well-worn phrases; we cannot always believe what we see. Optical illusions are designed to trick your mind into “seeing” things that are not there.
Look at the picture on the front cover of this programme. It contains 8 large black dots with white lines at various angles. However, most people will see what looks like a cube outlined in white, with a black ball at each corner. This is because your brain is programmed to recognise familiar shapes and objects, such as cubes and balls.
In the first image below, which of the two yellow lines is longer?
When your brain sees two long, converging lines intersected by shorter lines, it interprets it as a railway track disappearing into the distance. Because things get smaller as they move further away, the brain perceives the upper line as longer than the lower one. However, the two red vertical lines in the second image prove that the yellow lines are the same length.
The most recent version of optical illusions is known as “Deepfakes”, which consists of people inserted by computer into scenes where they were never present. The best of these images are so convincing, it is almost impossible to distinguish them from the real thing. They have even been used by governments to spread Fake News in support of their actions.
So, seeing should not necessarily lead to believing! In fact, Paul would argue almost the opposite. We’ve thought before about the contrast between the great power of God which resides inside us who are like “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Paul carries on this theme of contrasts as he recalls the difficulties he has faced and survived by the power and presence of God’s Spirit (v 8-10).
In verse 13, Paul refers back to the faith of the Psalmist:
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”
2 Corinthians 4:13
This is reference to Psalm 116:10
I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
Psalm 116:10
At first sight, this verse seems at odds with Paul’s positive attitude in our passage today, until we remember that Jews often used just a few words to refer to a longer passage. For example, the prayer beginning in Deuteronomy 6:4 is named Shema Yisrael in much the same way that some Christians refer to the Lord’s Prayer as “Our Father”. When we look at the whole of Psalm 116, we find that the Psalmist believed in God to such an extent that he could honestly pour out his sorrows, but finish with a declaration of thanksgiving to the LORD and a promise to fulfil his vows to God in the Temple.
Paul’s confidence originates from the resurrection of Jesus, which he sees as a promise that the same will be done for His followers. Paul is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the life to which God has called him. But he recognises God’s hand at work in and through the believers.
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
This gives him confidence that the work will grow and succeed (v15) so that his perseverance in the face of trials will lead to eternal results (v17).
The artist Rob Gonsalves developed a style known as Magic Realism, in which reality and dreams are blended in one image. For example, in this painting the patchwork of the quilts blends with the patchwork of the countryside, and the children can fly above the fields alongside an aeroplane.
“I believe that there is a real magic in life. Sometimes the experience of it can be dependent on one’s point of view.”
Rob Gonsalves
Why not allow God to enable you to see past the illusions that the world offers to see his glorious vision of a restored heaven and earth, and then follow him on this adventure?
Song: This is my Father’s world
This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears, All nature sings and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world” He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass, I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world; O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world’ The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heaven be one.
Maltbie Davenport Babock (1858-1901
Is there a white triangle in this picture?
Prayer
Father God, the world around us often seems confusing. People say one thing and do another. We are sold products that don’t do what the adverts say they do. And plans that seem good turn out to be trouble.
In the midst of this confusion, Lord, we look to you to show us what is true and good.
May we place our hope not in people around us, but in the saving work of Jesus and the cleansing power of your Spirit.
May we not become so wedded to the good things in our lives on earth, that we lose sight of the promise of a perfect life in heaven.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Song: But I know whom I have believed
I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me he hath made known; Nor why, unworthy of such grace, He claimed me for his own.
But I know whom I have believed, And am persuaded that he is able To keep that which I’ve committed Unto him against that day.
I know not how this saving faith To me he did impart, Nor how believing in his word Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing men of sin; Revealing Jesus through the word, Creating faith in him.
I know not what of good or ill May be reserved for me, Of weary ways or golden days, Before his face I see.
Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901)
Benediction
May God’s blessing surround you each day, As you trust Him and walk in His way. May His presence within guard and keep you from sin. Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
The squares in this image seem to spiral inwards.
Trace the outer squares; you will see that they are actually in a series of concentric circles.
The Salvation Army, Prestonpans Corps Major Elizabeth Turner
Song: Joyful, Joyful we adore thee
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Hail thee as the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the clouds of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
All they works with joy surround thee, Earth and heaven reflect thy rays, Stars and angels sing around thee, Centre of unbroken praise; Field and forest, vale and mountain, Bloss’ming meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest. Thou the Father, Christ our brother– All who live in love are thine; Teach us how to love other, Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus Which the morning stars began; Father-love is reigning o’er us, Brother-love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward In the triumph song of life.
Henry van Dyke (1852-1933)
Song: Be thou my vision
BE Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart! Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art; Be Thou my best thought in the day and the night, Both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word; Be Thou ever with me and I with Thee, Lord; Be Thou my great Father and I Thy true son; Be Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; Be Thou my whole armour, be Thou my true might; Be Thou my soul’s shelter, Be Thou my strong tower; O raise Thou me Heavenward, Great power of my power!
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; Be Thou mine inheritance now and always; Be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart; O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure Thou art!
High king of Heaven, Thou Heaven’s bright Sun, O grant me its joys after victory is won! Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be Thou my vision, O ruler of all!
Prayer
Our Loving Heavenly Father, we Thank You for this new day and for the opportunities we have in coming together to worship as a community after many months of worshipping in isolation. How good it is that we are able to share this joy and blend our voices in praise of you. Let us not forget the difficulties that we experienced during the hard months of COVID lockdown restrictions, so that we remember to pray for those who are still living under those restrictions in the world; but especially remember those who are persecuted for their faith, so can never worship in a larger community as we. Father keep them strong and protect them in their trials and afflictions. Turn the hearts of their cruel oppressors away from unjust treatment and draw them toward you instead; to learn how to love others and treat them with kindness and respect as you do to all who call on your name. We thank you for the beautiful weather that we have enjoyed this week highlighting your wonderful world in all its glory, and we thank you for the freedom to go out and about, enjoying the suns warmth.
Father we are each one different and have different experiences. Some may have had a particularly difficult, sad or unpleasant week; others may have had cause to rejoice. Whatever the ups and downs of our own lives or of those we love, help us to lift all the people and their situations to you, that they may know your loving touch in a tangible form and have the joy of seeing you break through in a powerful way, to the well-being of those concerned and the honour and glory of your name. We pray this prayer in the name of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Song: Blessèd Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Saviour all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest; I, in my Saviour, am happy and blest. Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
Bible Reading Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT)
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
Make me aware of thee, O Lord, As in thy temple I give praise; Attentive to thy holy word. Or in glad song my voice to raise. That I may feel thy Spirit’s power, O come, invade my soul this hour.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord, As supplicant, I bow the knee. My faith. though small, wilt thou reward That contact I may make with thee And thus obtain that inward calm That makes of life a living psalm.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord, As with thy children I unite To share that wondrous heritage Of Calvary and Easter light O Master, let thy people be Consistently aware of thee.
Heightened Awareness
Have you ever had an awareness that you were not alone, that you were being watched? As a teenager I would regularly babysit one of my sister’s children and there was one occasion when I experienced that strange awareness that I was not alone. When I’d arrived, my sister assured me that her daughter was fast asleep, she’d settled her down herself, so the evening was my own to watch TV, read, listen to music; whatever I wanted.
With my sister and brother-in-law out for the evening, I settled down on the sofa to read a good book, suddenly stopping my reading as an awareness of ‘another presence’ entered my consciousness. I strained my ears; not a sound. I resumed my reading, but the awareness grew stronger. I stopped reading a second time and slowly turned my head to look at the staircase running directly behind me. As I looked up, peering intently between the bannisters was the tiny face of my wide-awake niece, from her vantage point at the top of the stairs looking down upon me, silently watching and willing me to turn around! Our eyes locked and with a shriek and giggle of delight the tiny tot began to descend the stairs as fast as she could! She had no intentions of sleeping that night; with Aunt Lizzie here, it was playtime!
In today’s Bible passage, we read of the growing awarenesses that Isaiah had in his incredible heavenly encounter. Quite how it came about is not known. Had Isaiah entered the earthly temple to worship and pray? Was he quietly reflecting on God at home?
However it came about, it seems that one thing had to happen before he could really see God; something had to die first. King Uzziah, who had become ‘famous everywhere [as] God greatly helped him until he became powerful,’ grew proud and was no longer ‘faithful to the LORD his God. [Uzziah] entered the LORD’s temple to burn incense on the altar for burning incense’ (2 Chronicles 26:15b-16)
This was the prerogative only of Priests, those from the Aaronic Priestly line. Priest Azariah, and 80 other Priests who came to back him up, pointed out the King’s error. Unabashed, Uzziah, poised with the cup of incense in his hand, became angry at the Priests shouting at them as he stood beside the altar. Uzziah asserted his own authority, reminding them of the power he as king had over them.
But he forgot that he stood in the presence of a greater authority and power: The Lord Almighty, King of all Kings. It was the Lord who had been the one behind Uzziah’s success; now he was to feel the effects of the Lord’s authority over him by being immediately afflicted with leprosy. This necessitated Uzziah’s swift escort not only out of the temple but out of the palace too, no longer fit to rule. The disgraced king had to live in isolation, proclaiming his uncleanness for the remainder of his days.
The Passion Bible Translation commentary notes point out that Uzziah was Isaiah’s uncle, so his death was bound to have had some impact on him. Whilst Uzziah had once been good for the nation, his swerve to blaze his own trail brought a sorry end to his reign. God’s judgement of him was just and right, though it couldn’t have been easy for Isaiah to witness as a family member. The commentary adds,
‘When we see the way [God] deals with sin, our eyes are opened, and we see the Lord as he really is.’
Standing as he did in the presence of God, Isaiah had a heightened awareness of his own sin and therefore God’s right to judge him. Isaiah’s open confession led to his being graciously forgiven, cleansed and redeployed in service for God. Yes, Isaiah was already a Prophet and had been reliably used by God to deliver his messages. But after the face to face encounter with God in his vision of the throne room, Isaiah’s living and working for God, took on a new dynamic and potency.
As a wondrous and fearful Isaiah gazed on that heavenly scene, he saw God exalted, seated on his throne which towered high over everything and yet his presence filled every part of heaven detailed in the trailing of his robe. God’s praises resounded and reverberated around heaven filling the very airwaves and atmosphere. God’s glory, righteousness, goodness and love pervaded every part of heaven; something that Isaiah not only saw with his eyes but heard with his ears and felt in his soul. All his senses were impacted by this experience.
As the seraphim, whose name means ‘burning one’, encircle God on his throne, eyes and feet reverently covered by wings, they flawlessly circumnavigate the throne by a sonar like sequencing song of praise beautifully guiding their flight.
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, Commander of Angel Armies!” the Seraphim sang, “the whole earth is filled with his glory!”
To the awestruck Isaiah the seraphim were pointing out that they too were beings subject to the rule and reign of God as much as all of creation. They lived to proclaim his glory and to do his bidding, because he is wholly and morally supreme and so worthy of all reverence. Their song also asserts that the earth is also filled with the glory of God whether we are aware of or are willing to acknowledge it or not.
That’s when Isaiah in his state of heightened awareness, confesses his sin. Like the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector that Jesus , would much later tell, it was only the Tax Collector who was mindful of the person of God and of his own shortcomings such that he would ask God to have mercy on him (Luke 18:9-14). In his commentary of Isaiah Barry Webb wrote,
‘Those whose sins [Isaiah] had been denouncing in the previous chapters [of his book, saw]in the presence of God degrees of sin become irrelevant. It is the holiness of God which reveals to us our true condition, not comparison with others.’
As soon as Isaiah voices confession, one of the Seraphim collects a coal from the altar before the throne of God, according proper respect by extracting the white-hot stone glowing with holy fire in a pair of tongs. Swiftly he approaches Isaiah, carrying the holy matter to touch Isaiah’s lips. Though no command is audible, being a loyal servant, the Seraphim would have been acting out God’s known righteous desire, not to cast him out of the temple but to cleanse Isaiah of his sin so he could remain in proximity to God.
A commentary note explains the significance of this stone carried to Isaiah’s lips: The word for “coal” is ritzpah and means “ceremonial stone.” In the temple, incense was poured upon the ritzpah stone. Then the stone was placed in the fire, creating the fragrance of the burning sacrifice of the Lamb of God. This white-hot stone that was placed on Isaiah’s lips is perhaps the “shining white stone” given to the overcomers that we read of in Rev. 2:17.
After being directly cleansed by this fire from the altar of heaven, Isaiah is willing and eager to become God’s messenger. His experiences of heightened awareness make Isaiah acutely aware of the need now for action on his part and recognise that he is uniquely poised to do it. When he hears the Lord saying, “Whom should I send to my people? Who will go to represent us?” Isaiah readily says “I will be the one. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Effectively he is saying ‘yes Lord, I’ll play!’
Having been blessed with such a rich experience of God, Isaiah needed to bear the responsibility of carrying God’s message to the Israelites, in the same manner that the Seraphim had carried the white-hot stone to Isaiah. Of course, what he would have to tell the people of Israel might be difficult for them to comprehend. But hopefully it would be the wakeup call they needed to return to an honest relationship with God in which they worshipped only him. It would only be from their own heightened awareness of God as they spent time together with him, that understanding would come.
It is in that context that God sometimes has difficult and challenging things to say to those who intentionally spend time with him, that being for their ultimate good. But also, God has good things to show and to share with that individual too and for that he needs to know that we are willing and ready to ‘play’!
As we set the next 24 hours aside to spend specific time segments to be alone with God, let us ask God for a revelation of himself to us that will be to our benefit. Let us allow him to do any necessary work in us to draw us closer to himself. Let us allow him to know that we are ready to be a ‘team player’ together with him, for his glory and for the good of others; and let us ask him and wait for his answer on the specific ministry and purpose of The Salvation Army here in Prestonpans. It is prayers of that nature that delight his heart and joyfully move him to inspire and empower us in the serious business of ‘play’ for the benefit of the world that he loves so dearly.
Chorus: Send a new touch of power
Send a new touch of power on my soul, Lord, Send it now, Lord; send it now, Lord; Touch my lips with a coal from thine altar, Lord; Send a new touch of power on my soul.
Prayer
Dear Father God, how blessed we are in being able to read such Bible narratives as Isaiah’s encounter of you in the throne room of heaven. Through his eyes we too have had a glimpse of your glory, and as he cried out to you in recognition of his own sin in the light of your holiness, so too do we acknowledge our sinfulness and desire for cleansing.
Father as we prepare to enter a specific day of prayer for our Corps we pray that each one of us will meet with you during our pledged time slots in a profound way, so that we will be changed just as Isaiah was changed and we will know what it is you particularly want us to do in the context of the life of this Corps as it is now, at the grand age of 102 years, and what you want it to become in the future.
Help us to know that we are not alone, we have you and each other to work with, help us to bring the best out in one another so that we reflect your good and gracious nature in our community.
Help us to hear the desire of your heart concerning the life of this Corps, and play our part in bringing this into being for your honour and glory and the flourishing of all.
And may we, like Isaiah choose daily to watch for you in our midst that we may have an ever increasing awareness of you to the joy of our own hearts and the comfort of others as we direct them toward you.
In the lovely name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Song: What a Friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged: Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness: Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour, still our refuge: Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
Joseph M Scriven
Benediction
May God’s blessing surround you each day, As you trust Him and walk in His way. May His presence within guard and keep you from sin. Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
Prophetable musings 
