REGULAR CORPS EVENTS Sundays Meetings at 9.50. 10.30 a.m. 4-30 p.m. Mondays Over 60’s Club Fortnightly Next meeting—6th Oct Outing to Bourton on the Water Open Door 10 a.m.—12 p.m. Bible Study Weekly, 7.30 at the hall. Next one 15th Sept. Tuesday Parents and Tots 10 a.m.—11.30 Not school holidays. Afternoon Fellowship 1.45 p.m. For everybody Wednesday Cameo Club—second Wednesday monthly 7.30 p.m. Thursdays Tea, Toast and Toys 9 a.m.—11.30 a.m. Open Songster practice 1st Thursday each month Fridays Coffee Morning and Lunch Club 9.30 a.m. and 12.15 Saturdays Walk first Saturday every month. Details from Barrie, or Gladys. All welcome This month Sun 5th Songsters leading 10 30 meeting. Barrie Oliver 4.30 Wed 8th Adult Ministries Rally at Hayes Sun 12th Bible Explore and Praise 4.30 p.m. Wed 15th Corps Council Meeting 730 at the hall. Sun 26th Messy Church 3.30 p.m.—5.30 p.m.

Editor: Carol Gibson. Tel. 01494 534087 Mob 07799187687

Email : carol@standardbearer.info Magazine Website www.standardbearer.info

Corps Officer Tel. 01494 471847

Last month’s Bible dingbat solutions; Jacob’s Ladder (Gen 28: 12) Nothing New Under the Sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Quotable quote from Captain Hilary…..

God’s purpose is not to make us happy, it’s to make us holy.

Standard Bearer High Wycombe

Salvation Army

September2014 Year 14: Issue 8

Commanding Officer

Captain Hilary McClintock

From every stormy wind that blows,

From every swelling tide of woes,

There is a calm, a sure retreat;

‘tis found beneath the mercy seat.

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Someone said to me recently that they had heard there was not much happening at Wycombe Corps. That’s surprising. On a Sunday alone we run two meetings when the majority of corps now only have one. The afternoon style varies each week, and includes each month a Songs of Praise style meeting, a very different Bible Explore and Praise afternoon, and the recently launched Messy Church for families, which had thirty one people come when it started last month. Sunday school runs each Sunday morning. During the week there is quite a lot happening here, though many who come just on a Sunday do not see that. There is the Open door on a Monday, with a knitting group, Over 60s fortnightly with a light lunch, guest speakers, the occasional day away in addition to the annual holiday of over forty people (in 2015 we will be going to Weymouth). There is the Monday night Bible study, Tuesday toddlers, Tuesday Afternoon Fellow-ship, Tuesday lessons for young brass players, then young people’s band and senior band rehearsals, There’s the monthly Wednesday Cameo group, and the singing group that goes to care homes. For over a year now we have run Tea, Toast and Toy Time for families on Thursday mornings. Our Songsters rehearse on Thursday evenings, with open songster practice on the first Thursday each month. Then on Fridays we have a coffee morning each week followed on average with a lunch club for forty people, with home-cooked food that includes a choice of two main courses and two desserts. One Saturday each month there is the walking group. Thank you to the many people involved in all of this as we ‘give heart to God and hand to man’. When asked ‘how big is your corps’ I can never give an answer in num-bers, because it is not just about numbers of soldiers, adherents and junior soldiers on the roll, though we are growing. Our ‘corps’ is about everyone who comes in throughout the week, equally valued. Our ‘parish’ is the community outside the glass doors as well as those who come through them. The phrase ‘not a lot happening’ cannot truthfully be said to apply to the programme of activity at High Wycombe Corps. However, it could be said to apply to us as individuals if there is little happening in our own spiritual growth. Just a thought. God bless you, Captain

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Kevin’s monthly Sudoku…..With the letters of ‘My Saviour’ instead of numbers , you know how it works.

September Solution October Puzzle U V

M S

S U

S Y V R I

A R S I Y O

A I R M

I V S Y

V M U O

Y S U A M I O V R

R A V S O Y M U I

M O I U V R S A Y

S Y O I R U A M V

I M R V S A Y O U

U V A O Y M I R S

V U Y R I O A S M

O R M Y A S V I U

A I S M U V R Y O

Bible Dingbats—What do they say?

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Christmas Events

November 15th Christmas Fayre 10.00—1 p,m, Friday 5th Carolling at Marylebone Sat. 6th Carolling at Asda Mornin-Sunday 7th Messy Christmas 3.30 p.m. Band at All Saints for Mayor’s Christmas Festival 5 p.m. (No 4.30p.m Meeting) Tues 9th Y.P. Sections at Monks Risborough School Evening (tbc) Sunday 14th Toy Service 4.30 p.m. YP Band at Nancy Hall Ct. 2.30 (tbc) Monday 15th Over 60s Club Christmas Festivities 2.00 p.m. Tuesday 16th Toddlers party 10.30 a.m. Cameo at Shelburne Lodge 2.30 p.m. Wednesday 17th Last CAMEO before Christmas 7.30p.m. Thurs 18th Last TT&T before Christmas 9 a.m. Fri. 19th Last Lunch Club before Christmas Carolling at Marylebone Sat. 20th Carolling at Eden 10.30—12.30 Sunday 21st Carol Service 4.30 p.m. Christmas Card Distribution Tuesday 23rd Community Carol Service 11 a,m. Tea/Coffee 10.30—11. Light lunch to follow Wed. 24th Carolling at Eden 10.30- 12.30 Thurs. 25th Christmas Meeting 10 a.m.. Wed. 31st Watch Night Service 11.30 p.m.

'Captain Hilary would like to present an advent calendar to every child in the toddler group. This would not only contain Fairtrade chocolate, but also the story of Christmas. If you would like to contribute a calendar, please put your name on the list in the foyer, donating £4. If you wish to order ex-tra for your own family or friends, then please do so, adding the extra order by placing the number required in brackets. Please can you do so by the end of October, giving the donation to Captain Hilary or to Hazel Morris'.

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Commissioner Harry Read

from his series

Heart Talk.

Quotable quote from Sanctuary West London Prayer is not a spare wheel that you get out in times of trouble, it’s a steering wheel that directs the right path throughout life.

Deeper than speech I do not have the words to thank you, Lord…. I do not have the gift of gracious speech; When all is said, my word is just a word With real communication past my reach. If only I had thoughts which would reveal The depth of my indebtedness to you; If only I could tell you how I feel About the love you show, the things you do. But, I recall, your heart knows well my heart; Beyond my graceless words your eyes can see Emotions rich in heavenly counterpart; Those feelings that extol your love for me. I open up my heart, Lord, to your eyes: From secret depths my love for you will rise. Psalm 139: 23 “Search me O God, and know my heart…”

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The first Messy Church was a great success, with a number of families enjoying the craft, the meal, and of course the worship time. If you are in-volved or if you are not, do pray that in the months to come Mums and Dads will come with their children and whilst enjoying the fun, may also encounter Jesus.

Christmas Fayre Saturday 15th November. 10 a.m.—1 p.m.

The money we raise this year is to help our own Corps continue to provide amenities and services for the people of High Wycombe, which, we believe, is in keeping with our slogan;

“With Heart to God and Hand to Man”. One of the main reasons for our Christmas Fayre is to welcome people into our church. Our prices are low so that we will be giving good value for money. If you would like to make a donation of a gift (suitable for any age) we would be grateful. Stalls will include: Crafts, small bric-a-brac, toys, books, toiletries and cakes. Help is needed on Friday, 14th at 10 a.m., during the sale and afterwards to help with the clearing up. If you would like to have a poster to put up in your locality please see Melinda.

If you can help in any way please speak to Gladys or Melinda.

Do make a note of the date in your diary, and make this event your first stop for Christmas shopping. We look forward to seeing you. Bring friends and family with you and bag a bargain!

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If you have reserved tickets, now is the time to pay for them. You have until 3rd December to do so. From 4th December your tickets will be put into the general pot for anyone to buy.. Tickets are on sale now even if you have reserved them. Mind the Gap, the scheme for paying for disadvantage delegates who would not otherwise be able to come, is still looking for £27,000 to reach the target of £100,000 for this purpose. Could you make a donation, or arrange a fundraising event. Also, do take a look at two posters on the board concerning two pre-congress tours of the Holy Land. Have you always wanted to go, but never had the opportunity. Perhaps 2015 might be your year.

Cadets coming again……. Once again our Corps will be welcoming Cadets from William Booth College this year. This time we will meet Julia Mapstone, originally from Morriston Corps, and Sandra Wiersma, from Almere in The Netherlands. They are in their second year, therefore in the same session as Gemma, Emma, Theresa and Adrian who were with us during their first year. The association with Cadets in this way works two ways. We re-ceive from them and they have the opportunity to use and practice the skills they are learning before being sent out to appointments next year. Let us pray for them as they continue their training and as they

Have you heard of this local charity? They exist to provide tools and equipment to send to vocational

training projects overseas and in the UK, enabling vulnerable and disadvantaged people to learn a skilled trade and earn a living. If you have tools, or perhaps a sewing machine lying idle, they would be pleased to receive them, refurbish them as necessary,and send them on their way. You will find them at “The Old Boot Factory, 71 Town-send Road, Chesham, HP5 2AA”. 01494 775220 for further details.

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Prayer Warfare Week-end Do read the poster for this event, taking place next year. All who attend are assured of an amazing time of teaching and prayer. Its not very far to travel, the accommodation and food are very good. An opportunity not to be missed. Talk to Carol Gibson or Heather Whitmore Smith for enthusiastic information . We’ve al-ready booked, have been before, and are looking forward to it.

After reading Psalm 84 Stephen Poxon ©

“How lovely is your dwelling place . . .

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young –

a place near your altar.”

O Lord, how often should I rest In flight to thee,

who knows me best;

My battered wings their flight-path make,

On thermalled grace your routes to take,

My altar-space to find.

You specialise in soothing charm

For ruffled feathers, and disarm

The blustered whirlwind’s roar,

When I, reminded, glide and soar,

And earth’s confusion leave.

That cooling space reserved for me;

Allocated sanctuary, Is mine, and found in prayer; Kind Holy Spirit, lift me there

To brush the face of God.

More about Prayer

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About Prayer On the front cover this week you will see the picture of our Mercy Seat, newly supplied with kneelers. Many of us have had extraordinary encounters with God whilst kneeling there. Some of us have made life changing commitments, some have received forgiveness, some have looked for and found new direction, some have poured out heartfelt prayers of intercession, some have prayed prayers of thanksgiving. However it is less used now than those years ago when it was first provided for anyone and everyone who wished to meet with God, in penitence. However, Nigel Bovey, in his book “The Mercy Seat Revisited” says: “The mercy seat is not just a place for confessing sin…….Every worshipper in every Salvation Army meeting should feel at total liberty and comfort to use the mercy seat as the Spirit leads. Surely we can stain the mercy seat with tears of joy as well as with tears of remorse.” Of course we all acknowledge that the simple wooden bench has no magical powers of it’s own, but it becomes a sacred place to those who use it. The little shelf holding the Bible simply has the word “welcome” marked on it. Not originally made to be placed there, but how appropriate. We also acknowledge that it is not the only “place of prayer”. God is everywhere to be found and ready to listen to and talk to His children. At the beginning of every Sunday, a small group meets in the back corner of the hall to pray for the meetings, for people we know who are in particular need, and sometimes world situations. A very precious few minutes. We would be happy for that small group to grow bigger. How often have we sung “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath…..” It is indeed. Prayer is an integral part of every music section rehearsal and every Bible study meeting and every PCC and CC meeting. “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath” There is a group which meets in various church buildings each month to pray for Wycombe. I can give you details of that. The Army has various

Prayer Networks, in which you can be involved and now the Division has Sanctuary at Ealing, which is a different kind of Corps, it’s a prayer centre, recently opened and already welcoming many people for whom church is not a normal place. But they are looking for Someone to talk to. But back to the mercy seat. The picture here is of the brand new mercy seat at the Forest of Dean Corps, the first they have had. Installed with great rejoicing on the part of Captain Viv. Peddle who is the Officer there. I pray it will be well used and for a long time, Ours has been in place for a very long time. May it too be well used in the future.

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Before - Tranquillity

After - A polluted world

During—mankind’s progress.

Harvest

Fun and Challenge

Corps Music Leadership

L-R Trevor, Jackie, David, Helen, Jo. David and Jo are now officially Songster Leader and Y.P. Band Leader. Trevor has been gratefully acknowledged for looking after the band and Jackie likewise for supplying piano music for meetings and songster brigade. Helen has stepped down from music section leadership after more years than she wants to remember. Our Corps is grateful to all of them for giving our meetings an atmosphere that is so much more conducive to worship.

The Y.P. Band with Jo competently conducting, with great effect. They are getting better all the time. Please pray for them

Kevin presents Takudzwa with a survival pack to send him on his way

to university. Whilst we will miss

our Mr. T, we pray he will do well and be blessed in his new environment.

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Harvest

Fun and Challenge

God’s goodness displayed

Paul Looking Casual

The Winners

Corps Music Leadership

L-R Trevor, Jackie, David, Helen, Jo. David and Jo are now officially Songster Leader and Y.P. Band Leader. Trevor has been gratefully acknowledged for looking after the band and Jackie likewise for supplying piano music for meetings and songster brigade. Helen has stepped down from music section leadership after more years than she wants to remember. Our Corps is grateful to all of them for giving our meetings an atmosphere that is so much more conducive to worship.

It just has to be Bible Explore and Praise. On the subject of God’s love - heart shaped biscuits with messages of love iced on.

Stumbling blocks in the way of prayer? -

Not for long when Grace removed them with energetic verve.