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In this Issue

All Stars Sunday

Comedy Hall

Prayers

Community Carol Service

Carols in the Care Homes

Financial Report

Future Dates

Sudoko

A Messy Christmas

Flower List

Community Update

Core Groups

Welcome In Charity Shop

Carols by Candlelight

What The Bible Says

Farewell to Richard

Reading Half Marathon

What’s On

Want to Learn More

Recipe

Corps Psalm

Salvat ion Army Woking January /February 2014

F R O M T H E C . O ’ S D E S K

J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y

It’s been an epic year with regards to my fitness re-

gime. Taking up my new interest with vigour and

enthusiasm - I put on my shiny white trainers and went

running - twice! Not quite as impressive as I’d hoped!

In all seriousness, I have great admiration for real run-

ners. Those who brave the elements regularly,

whether they feel like it or not, those who compete

with determination, if often only against themselves.

Recently, I was looking again at those familiar verses

in Philippians 3,

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus

took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider

myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is

ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for

which God has called me heavenward in Christ Je-

sus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Often we imagine that to ‘press on’ means to perse-

vere, to plod along slow and steady, determined, un-

stoppable, through whatever obstacles come our way.

Well, apparently a more accurate translation is to pur-

sue, to run after, to chase.

To win a race requires a person to commit to it. To

believe it can be done. To commit to trying their best

even if it can’t. To be willing to give it all they’ve got.

Pursuing feels different to plodding. It’s less hard-

work and more excitement, less serious and more

hopeful, less tedious and more fun.

So whatever 2014 means for my running career, I do

plan to pursue the prize that God has in store for me, a

future more fulfilling and exciting than I can imagine,

and I pray that we can run that race together, Will

January /February

On the 1st December we had a won-

derful Sunday morning service

celebrating our young people. Deb-

bie led the service and came up

with very imaginative ways for the

younger children to find and re-

ceive their prizes, with a visit from

‘Bob the Builder’ and a treasure

map and a guess who. The ‘All

Stars’ have been doing Junior Sol-

diers classes and having completed

them had a commitment Sunday

and in a very emotional time we

saw them kneel at the mercy seat

and make their promises to God.

The Children who wanted to be

made Junior Soldiers came in their

smart new polo shirts and Debbie

led them through from saying and

signing their promise to each one

telling us what it meant to them.

They each received wonderful new

Bibles in a variety of colours, which

they gladly received. It was a privi-

lege to see, Rachel, Jemma, Katie,

Eliza, and Matt being made Junior

Soldiers and I feel that we must

pray for them as they try to keep the

promises they have made and it was

good to be reminded of our own

commitments. Audrey

All-Stars Sunday

January /February

Wednesday Volunteers Lunch Club Helper Needed

11am - 1pm

To lay tables, wash up and serve lunches.

Coffee Shop Helper Needed

10am - 1pm

Two weeks per month See Jan H for more information

Contact Details

The Salvation Army Community Church

Sythwood, Woking, Surrey. GU21 3BE

Tel. 01483 793704

Email: [email protected]

Web site:

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/woking Quarters

58 Eastmead, Woking, GU21 3BP,

January /February

Comedy Hall D.O.H.

(Department of Humour)

Going into confession with a turkey in his arms, Tom said, “Forgive me, Father for I have sinned. I stole this turkey to feed my family, would you take it and settle my guilt?”

“Certainly not,” said the Priest. “As Penance, you must return it to the owner.”

“I tried,” Tom sobbed, “but he refused. “What shall I do?”

“If that is true, then you must keep it for your family”

When confession was over, the Priest went home. In the kitchen, he discovered that someone had stolen his turkey!

The alphabet was having a party. All the letters were having a wonderful time, except for E.

E complained about the food and whined about the food. He even told G she had put on weight and looked pregnant. He was getting on everyone’s nerves.

B and C were talking in the corner. B said to C, “You know what E’s problem is? He has irritable vowel syndrome.”

After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift.

“How about some perfume?” he asked the shop assistant. She showed him a bottle costing £30. “That’s a bit much,” said Tom so she showed him a bottle costing £10. “That’s still quite a lot”, said Tom, I’d like to see something really cheap.” At that point the assistant handed him a mirror.

An elderly couple had just learned how to text on their mobile phones. While out, waiting for a friend, the wife texted a romantic message to her husband. “If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile, If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you” The husband texted back:“I’m on the toilet. Please advise.”

Wishing you all a very Happy New YearWishing you all a very Happy New YearWishing you all a very Happy New YearWishing you all a very Happy New Year Keep smiling, Major LaughMajor LaughMajor LaughMajor Laugh

January /February

Shirlee Green

Iris MacNally

Miriam Weaver

Alice Stiehler

Mary Cobbett

. . . and also these past members Jenny Dibsdall, Barbara and Hnuna

Other subjects for prayer The Charity Shop, for committed volunteers, the right manager, the

ministry to the public and the way forward

Corps Council as they continue to seek God's vision for the Corps

Please pray for these members of our

church family

PRAYER MEETING

Everyone is invited to join with us on Sunday mornings for

prayers at 10.30 am.

We meet in one of the general purpose rooms and would be

pleased to see as many of you as possible.

God Bless Audrey

January /February

Having shared a splendid buffet

lunch the hall soon became a

hive of activity as people sprang

into action preparing the main

worship area for the 2013 Com-

munity Carol Service. Just short

of three o’clock the choir from

St Andrew’s School, immaculate

in their school uniform filed in,

the band started to play as an

introduction and we were soon

underway. Lieutenant Debbie

Pearson, who compared the af-

ternoon, told us the choir had

gone the extra mile as the school

had already broken up for

Christmas and strictly speaking

they were now on holiday. Deb-

bie also welcomed the Mayor of

Woking, Councillor Anne Rob-

erts – later that day she had an-

other official engagement as she

was due to attend a Christmas

dinner so it was almost as

though this was her ‘pre-dinner

entertainment’.

The afternoon was all about sto-

ries. The Christmas Story was

obviously the main theme and

this was recounted simply

through readings from Scripture.

The Christmas Story

Community Carol Service 2013

Mary and Joseph’s story was

read to us by Gill Gregory with

Dave Cox and Maurice Mayes

reading the stories of the Shep-

herds and Angels and the Kings

respectively..

The choir, with brilliant diction

and clarity of sound sang ‘Jesus

Child’ by John Rutter. This was

followed by ‘Walking in the Air’

sung by Hamish Kerr which was

just so beautiful with every word

and note crystal clear. If Aled

Jones was still a boy he would

have to watch out!

Before telling us the charities

she is supporting during her

Mayoral year, the Mayor told us

some of her story - how she was

a travel consultant by trade and

had visited Manger Square in

Bethleham. She also told of

how she came to live in the area

and became a councillor. Meet-

ing so many different people and

visiting and being involved with

so many charities were just some

of the privileges of being Mayor.

The Mayor’s charities are Park-

inson’s Research and the Wok-

ing Sam Beare Hospice and later

January /February

in the afternoon she was over-

whelmed when told that the sum

of £438.92 had been raised.

The second two songs from St

Andrew’s School choir was

firstly ‘Christmas Lullaby’

which was so gentle and came at

the point of the afternoon when

there could have been those

heads that nodded and eyelids

that became just oh so heavy!

Mind you, sleep would soon

have been shattered as ‘Ring out

the Bells’, the choir’s second

song was an explosion of sound

and joy - how did the children

get their tongues round all those

words? Excellent, a song that

left the congregation breathless

let alone the choir.

In her thought for the afternoon

Debbie challenged the congrega-

tion about their place in the

Christmas story. What if the

various people in the Christmas

story had refused to play their

part and just dismissed it as so

many do today?!!

During the afternoon the Band

gave excellent support to the

carol singing and also contrib-

uted ‘Carol of the Bells’ and

’Rejoice’ and the Songsters sang

‘The Christ is Born’ and ‘Gift-

Wrapped Love’.

Then it was all over for another

year - but somehow, away from

the afternoon the sound of so

many young voices singing en-

thusiastically through every

carol was the lingering memory.

Ted and Freda

Carol singing and playing came

early once again this year so that

we could at least visit three of our

homes who were very anxious that

we should start their Christmas fes-

tivities off in the right way.

The first home was Kettlewell

House , we had not been there be-

fore so they did not know how

much room the band and songsters

would require but we managed and

they seemed to enjoy the evening .

The following week we went to

Woking Homes where we are al-

ways welcome, it was lovely to see

our Mary Cobbett, who lives there

now. Our third visit was to Bourne

Court where our Pearl Arneaud

lives, we had lively time there with

plenty of audience participation

from one gentlemen who inter-

spersed with funny jokes trying to

outdo Jo. Who was the compere

that evening!! Gill.

Carols in the Care Homes

Apr i l /May

Page 8 January /February

The Christmas period is always a

busy time for Salvationists and

this year was no exception. Our

efforts started with the Christmas

Fair when just over £1000 was

raised on the day, which, after

expenses netted £845 towards

our funds.

Our efforts continued with the

playing of Christmas Carols from

the beginning of December right

up to Christmas Eve. As always

there was great appreciation for

our music and we even ended up

on You Tube this year! An

amount of £4,149 was raised,

over £600 up from last year.

This has been supplemented by

other donations from an ever

generous general public of ap-

proximately £600. As you will

know this helps to finance the

work we do in the community

including the distribution of par-

cels to the needy at Christmas.

Finally, the Community Carols

Concert raised the sum of

£515.52 for the Mayors Charity

Appeal.

Andy Stickland Treasurer.

Financial Report

Promoted to Glory

Bill Green was born in 1935 in Brisbane Australia. From an early

age he enjoyed learning and this was always important to him. He

entered the training college at the age of 18years and was com-

missioned the following year. Shirley and Bill married in 1958.

After some years they and their family moved to England and

were appointed to Southend citadel corps. Later on they went

back to Sydney, Australia before returning to Oxford then to Lu-

ton Temple before retiring in 2000. Bill lived with a sense of

deep gratitude to God and always wished to give glory to God.

Well done, good and faithful servant of Jesus.

FUTURE DATES January

Sunday 5th 11.00am Morning Worship Sunday 12th 11.00am Morning Worship

Commitment Sunday

Monday 13th 8.00pm Corps Council Meeting

Sunday 19th 11.00am Morning Worship


February

Sunday 2nd 11.00am Morning Worship

Launch of Self Denial Appeal


Sunday 16th 11.00 Morning Worship

Sunday 23rd 11.00am Morning Worship

6.00pm Corps Fellowship Evening

Monday 24th 8.00pm PCC Meeting at 58 Eastmead

January /February

Tribute to Muriel Jacubait

Muriel died just before Christmas after suffering ill health for some

time which prevented her from going out and about which she en-

joyed doing every day. She was , for many years a member of the

Home League and then a member of the Cameo club. Her family

was always supportive of her links with the Army . Muriel was al-

ways a smartly dressed lady and she will be missed by her friends

and neighbours. Margie Locke

January/February

I V

N T S

I O a

I S N O

T N A I

V A a L

N L T

T N A

a T

Sudoko

Each vertical and horizontal line and each block of 9 squares will

each have the letters ‘SaLVATION’ in them. The principle is

exactly the same as Sudoko, but letters instead of numbers.

V N T S A L

S N A T

O A a T N

A T

S I N L O

O V T N

A V S N a I

Easy

Difficult

January/February

This was a Sunday that lived

up to its name. Some people

dressed up as nativity charac-

ters and some were based on

Christmas. In one of the back

rooms was a space for the

children to colour and do

some ‘Messy’ crafts. The ser-

vice proper commenced with

music from the band and song-

sters.

During the service we sang

some well known carols and

Zebedees a baby and parwere

A messy Christmas

January/February

were treated to a taste of Zebedees

a baby and parent music group led

by Amanda. Our own children

(Allstars) shone beautifully with

their own prayers.

Thanks to Sue and team for or-

ganising this lovely event.

Claire Brooks

January /February

FLOWER LIST

January

5 Ruth and Gordon Barker

12 Jan Reed

19 Pam Elliot

26 Rita Frankham

February

2 Jan Howlin

9 Claire Brooks

16 Peter and Louise Stickland

23 Ruth and Wendy

January /February

November and December have

gone by in a whirl to be honest.

From the Christmas fair to the

last food parcel going out it has

been none stop. I really enjoyed

the business of the Christmas fair,

with many joining us to make it a

great day all round. Thank you to

every one who contributed in

some way whether buying, sell-

ing, making, baking, traffic con-

trol or barista.

The big wrap was a challenge for

me this year, having gone digital.

I am indebted to Andrew Cox for

helping put a programme together

to help in this. With a few tweaks

it should get easier each year as

we develop a good working sys-

tem. It still takes a long time to

input all of the lists and informa-

tion, but if it helps the day go

smoothly it has to be worth it. We

had great teams on the Wednes-

day night and on the Thursday;

we had new people join us which

really made a difference to this

big task. One of the agencies

picking up the parcels on the Fri-

day morning said how grateful

her clients would be as it would

be all they would open on Christ-

mas day, which puts things in per-

spective.

I have been overwhelmed by peo-

ple’s generosity this year, in giving

food, gifts and money. It has been

amazing to see so much coming

into the hall and peoples willing-

ness to help others.

All our hall hirers have celebrated

Christmas in different ways but

with much food, even slimming

world never cease to amaze me in

what they tuck away. One of the

lovely things to see is the build up

of excitement in the children, al-

ways glad I don’t have to take

them home, they are a joy watch

and I have managed to pop into

Bright Sparks as they have been

doing cards and decorations and of

course singing and story telling.

As I look towards 2014 the diary is

full of different bookings, groups

and new opportunities to get to

know new people and build rela-

tionships which will be great.

I hope this new year proves to be a

good one and that all we do will be

God honouring as we continue to

bring people into His house. Jan

Community Services Manager’s

update

January /February

Life and Soul Meets at the Church 10.00am

January Friday 10th 24th

February Friday 7th 21st

Denvale Group Meets at Margi’s 2.30pm

January Thursday 9th 23rd

February Thursday 6th 20th

The Nomads Meet at Christine Hearn’s 7.30pm

January Thursday 9th 23rd


The Full Monty Meets for breakfast at various venues 9.00am

January Saturday 18th

February Saturday 8th

Calendar Girls Flexible days/times

Contact Rhona 01483 474079 or Margaret 01932 353739

Hearts and Crafts Meets at the Church 7.30pm

January Thursday 16th 30th


January /February

Welcome In Charity Shop

Over the past 10 years, the Wel-

come In has provided a great

ministry in Horsell. During that

time we have had a number of

hard-working volunteers who

have given their time and energy

to ensure we can provide a much

needed service to the people of

Woking: reasonably priced

clothing and goods, a listening

ear, boosting the confidence of

our volunteers, handouts to

those who are in desperate need,

as well as financing the ongoing

community work at the hall.

Last January we asked, via Tid-

ings, if you would consider vol-

unteering at the shop, as we had

to close on a number of occa-

sions due to a lack of volunteers.

Sadly, our volunteer numbers

have not increased and as you

are aware, we are currently with-

out a manager. This is not the

first time that this has happened.

Over the past 3 months we have

had to reduce the opening hours

due to lack of manpower and

each week we are struggling to

keep the shop open.

So we are asking for your

prayers. What is the way for-

ward for the shop? What is God

saying to you about what we

should do?

Please pray and share your

dreams and visions.

A tranquil and peaceful atmos-

phere was created by the many

candles around as we gathered

for what was a first for our

Church — Carols by Candlelight

11.30pm on Christmas Eve.

About 36 spent the next 45min-

utes singing carols and listening

to readings. We were very

pleased to greet some who at-

tended for the first time.

We greeted each other and the

dawning of Christmas Day with

joy and love. What a good way

to celebrate our Saviour’s birth.

Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve

January /February

What The Bible Says Revolution not Resolution.

If we have entered into the new year

by God's mercy, may I suggest we

think very carefully before making

resolutions. A new year’s resolution

is usually a determination to follow a

course of action. If you decide to

change your commitments to God,

then examine Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)

The Lord detests lying lips, but he

delights in those who tell the truth.

Surely such comments are over the

top, in this context? Look at a few

resolution we might decide to make.

I'm going to spend more time in

prayer.

Why would you make such a deci-

sion? Is it because you are aware of

your passed promises to pray for

needy friends, or an awareness, that

you are not spending enough time

talking to God? Whatever your rea-

son, if you're actually saying to God,

I'm going to spend more time talking

to You. This becomes a promise,

and as such it must be honoured.

Please note, this decision is a free

will offering to God, not something

you have been press ganged into.

Perhaps you decide you need to be-

come more familiar with the Bible.

You will be wasting your time, if

you're only after knowledge, without

committing your self to apply what

you learn to your own life, and en-

able you to glorify God more fully.

We ought to be thinking in terms of

revolution, not resolution. Look at

2 Co 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if any-

one is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!

Please note, there is no mention of

becoming a new creature, in Christ

Jesus, we are new creatures. Be-

lieve the Word of God and He will

enable us to live according to His

Word, through His gift of the Holy

Spirit. Ro 8:14 , Gal 5:18

What is said about failure to keep a

promise to God? In Nehemiah, we

read of rich Israelites taking advan-

tage of their poorer brothers. Nehe-

miah called them together and made

them promise to right wrongs. Neh

5:12 ...Then I summoned the priests

and made the nobles and officials

take an oath to do what they had

promised. 13 I also shook out the

folds of my robe and said, "In this

way may God shake out of his

house and possessions every man

who does not keep this promise. So

may such a man be shaken out

and emptied!" The Lord expects us

to keep any promises we make to

Him. It is much better not to make a

promise, rather than break a promise

to God. Eric

January /February

Farewell to Richard

For many years Richard has been

part of Woking Corps, and he

was a very familiar figure around

Horsell and Woking. He made

many friends during this time.

I first knew Richard in Sep-

tember 1968, when I attended

Ottershaw School, and Richard

worked there. He was under

the care of Botleys Park Hos-

pital, near Chertsey, at this

time.

Then, later on, when I started

to worship at the Salvation

Army in Woking, in 1995,

Richard remembered me from

my schooldays, and then I be-

came his 'special friend'.

Richard always looks at the

world with child like eyes, he

likes to say hello to everyone,

and his faith in God is childlike,

too; firm and unquestioning. This

has without doubt helped him

through a rather tough life,after

leaving the care of Botleys, he

was housed in local authority ac-

commodation, with a carer look-

ing in on him from time to time.

We also looked out for him, as

best we could.

some years ago, he started having

his holidays at Dewdown House,

in Weston Super Mare, and he

would go there at Christmas, too.

January /February

I would take him, and fetch

him, most of the time. Well,

he really enjoyed himself

there! He fell in love with the

home, and the good folk that

work there! Sometimes he

would be in tears when he

came home, he liked it so

much. He enjoyed himself so

much that he wanted to live

there on a permanent basis;

easier said than done. After

many meetings and negotiations

going on behind the scenes, Rich-

ard at last had his dearest wish

come true. Upon being given the

good news, he smiled and said

'Well, I have been praying for

this!'

Richard moved to Dewdown

House on Monday 23rd Decem-

ber, as we drove down there it

was a very stormy day!

So, at last he is happy, he is being

cared for properly. All the staff

welcomed him so nicely when we

got there, that was so nice to see.

I am sure that we all wish Rich-

ard a happy 'retirement'. The

beach donkeys will have a new

friend now.

Richard, we will all miss you,

God bless and good luck! Dennis

Reading Half Marathon

Andrew Cox is going to prove just how fit he is by taking part

in the Reading Half Marathon, and I’m sure we all wish him

well in this adventure.

If you would like to sponsor him just go to:-

www.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewDCox

The money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support and

The Salvation Army

January /February

January /February

PREPARING TO PREACH 17th to 19th October 2014

A weekend conference that offers training to non-officer person-nel who cover meetings within their Corps, home divisions or as

part of their work. Venue: Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton

Want to learn more? Each year The Salvation Army offer a number of training courses to help us all develop in our understanding of God, church and our own spiritual lives. If you are interested in any of the week-ends below, please speak to Debbie for more information.

TOGETHER - LIFE 25th to 27th April 2014

This event aims to explore ways in which Corps can more effec-tively ‘share life’ together.

Venue: Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton

CROSSING THE DIVIDE 28th to 30th March 2014

A conference aimed at finding effective ways to lessen the impact of the ‘sacred secular divide’ on the everyday witness of God’s

people. Venue: Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton

January /February

Belgian Shortbread

Ingredients

Enough mixture for two flan cases.

1lb S.R. Flour. 8ozs Butter. rubbed in.

2pzs Caster Sugar. 2 tablespoons oil.

1 lightly beaten egg.

Method

Divide mixture into two,

Put second one in freezer for later use.

Chill mixture in fridge for at least one hour.

Grate half of the mixture into the flan case, cover

with jam or mincemeat,

then grate the rest of the mixture on the top.

Bake for 30minutes at no.5.

cool and dredge with icing sugar.

ENJOY!!

Recipe

Please note

The cut off date for the next issue of

“Tidings” is

Sunday February 16th 2014

We will be pleased to receive contributions for the

next issue of “Tidings” from either members of our

Corps Fellowship at Woking or from any who

receive a copy through the post.

Please send all contributions to:

Mrs Gill Gregory

38 Hermitage Woods Crescent

St Johns, Woking GU21 8UE

e-mail: [email protected]

or e-mail: [email protected]

january february 2014

Documents

n ua r y f e b r ua

junior soldiers

o s d e s

morning service

wonderful new bibles

real runners

t h e c

smart new polo shirts