Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Our worship today was led by our corps leaders, Majors David and Gillian Burns.
In the message today, Major Gillian reminded us that if we feel we are not good enough for God, we are wrong. Our relationship with God is not based on our goodness, it’s based on God’s incredible love for us, and His grace. We can experience God’s grace when our focus moves from ourselves to God. No matter our past words or actions, God still loves us, and has a plan for our lives.
As a corps, we said farewell to David, Barbara, Amy and Luke Kendall today, as they leave us to move to the Lake District. Words of thanks for their ministry and fellowship were provided by Community Project Co-ordinator Olwyn Mathie, Songster Leader Marjory Watson and Corps Sergeant Major Melvyn Shanks, after which Majors David and Gillian presented David, Barbara and Amy with some gifts.
On David Kendall’s request, the band’s contribution to worship was ‘And Can It Be?’ by Dan Forrest (arr. Andrew Wainwright).
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain,
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace,
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own
To conclude worship the band played the hymn tune ‘Trust In God’.
When from sin’s dark hold Thy love had won me,
And its wounds Thy tender hands had healed,
As Thy blest commands were laid upon me,
Growing light my growing need revealed.
Thus I sought the path of consecration
When to Thee, dear Lord, my vows were given,
And the joy which came with full salvation
Winged my feet and filled my heart with Heaven.
Chorus
By the love that never ceased to hold me,
By the blood which Thou didst shed for me,
While Thy presence and Thy power enfold me,
I renew my covenant with Thee.
But my heart at times with care is crowded;
Oft I serve with weak, o’erladen hands,
And that early joy grows dim and clouded
As each day its heavy toll demands.
Have I ceased from walking close beside Thee?
Have I grieved Thee with an ill-kept vow?
In my heart of hearts have I denied Thee?
Speak, dear Lord, oh speak and tell me now.
By the love that never ceased to hold me,
In a bond nor life nor death shall break,
As Thy presence and Thy power enfold me,
I would plead fresh covenant to make.
From before Thy face, each vow renewing,
Strong in heart, with purpose pure and deep,
I will go henceforth Thy will pursuing,
With my Lord unbroken faith to keep.
If you want to watch this morning’s service, you can use this link to watch it on our corps YouTube channel:
Thank you for your ministry this morning. I watched the service online and was deeply blessed by your playing of And Can It Be. It’s such a beautiful arrangement and you played it so sensitively. Thank you for all you do as a band.
Thank you very much Jim for taking the time to send us such kind comments. We thank you for following BSAB and hope you continue to follow our posts, and are blessed by our message.
God bless
I just came across this and can’t believe it’s a farewell to the Kendall’s. I remember being at their first corp and indeed when Amy was born! May god bless them in this next chapter x
Thanks for your comments Claire. Yes, the Kendall’s soldiered with us at Bellshill for a number of years. They have now moved to the Lake District but still visit every few months.