Salvation Online – Sunday Service Options

Last week due to the Corona Virus (covid-19) pandemics lockdown of New Zealand, so that we can ‘flatten the curve’ or stem the tide of the infection rates – The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory introduced an online worship experience called Salvation Online.

Salvation Online is a reimagining of what a Corps looks like, and has been developed so that those isolated in their homes could share with other TSA congregational members and Salvationists around the country / territory in worship on a Sunday morning.

So, join us every Sunday at 10am as we explore the gospel and gather as a connected, unified church community – wherever we are. The services will be available each week to view and will contain a variety of pre-recorded material that will help you feel connected with others around the country in these interesting days.

At the Wellington City Salvation Army we will also be uploading links to songs that we would have used in our ‘normal’ weekly gathering, along with the message transcript, and also feature links to the sermon notes, via YouVersion Events, so that our congregation can have a sense of some normalcy over the days.

These links will be posted each Sunday morning on this blog and via the Wellington City Facebook page, prior to our normal meeting time of 10:30am, so that we can remain connected!

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Words of Encouragement

This mornings words of encouragement come from a variety of sources; namely a number of scriptures, and the hymnal refrain ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’.

As we approach the build up to Easter (which is one of the key events on the Christian Calendar). That many of us unfortunately are going to miss, in so far as gathering together in our normal places of worship.

Which of course is due to worldwide spread of covid-19 and the fact that many countries are going into lockdown to stem the tide of this pandemic. I thought we’d turn our attention to the author and finisher of our faith Jesus.

Isaiah 55:3a says “Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life!” (Good News Translation). This is an awesome invitation to us all at this time. It provides with it a sense of relationship, it is as if God is inviting us into a new realm, ane life that is very different to the one in which we have become so familiar with.

And the same train of thought is evident in Jesus’ invitation, found in Matthew 11:28 when he asks; “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” (The Passion Translation).

The thing is when “we look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!” Hebrews 12:2 (The Passion Translation).

Scripture reminds us again and again that God invites us to come to him. Especially when things are uncertain, when things are tough, or when we lack hope.

So in these days, and the days to come where we face physical isolation from the world (when we are apart from our normal life), I hope and pray that you will:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

For many of us, we would be unfamiliar with the opening verse of that song (as we only ever tend to sing the refrain/chorus) which says; “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!”

So today turn your eyes upon Him who can give you ‘Hope, Life and Love!’ as you listen to this beautiful piece “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” performed by the Wellington Citadel Band, featuring soloist Riki McDonnell.

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A Word of Encouragement – The God of Hope

Today’s word of encouragement comes straight from the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote to the church of Rome to remind them that our God is available to ALL people.

He writes;

“I am convinced that Jesus, the Messiah, was sent as a servant to the Jewish people to fulfill the promises God made to our ancestors and to prove God’s faithfulness. And now, because of Jesus, the non-Jewish people of the world can glorify God for his kindness to them, fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture:

Because of this I will proclaim you among the nations and they will hear me sing praises to your name.

And in another place it says:

“You who are not Jewish, celebrate life right alongside his Jewish people.”

And again:

Praise the Lord Yahweh, all you who are not Jews, and let all the people of the earth raise their voices in praises to him.

And Isaiah prophesied:

“An heir to David’s throne will emerge, and he will rise up as ruler over all the non-Jewish nations, for all their hopes will be met in him.”

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!“

The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. thePassionTranslation.com

Today’s song is simply entitled God of Hope by Acquire the Fire and I love the lyrics of the first verse that say: “In troubled times, It’s you I find. In my darkest hour, You’re the light I trust. To lead me to your courts of love.”

May we find Hope, Life and Love in these days of lockdown wherever you are – Knowing that when we come through the other side, we can be made stronger and become more appreciative of those that we haven’t been able to see face to face, and grow to love them even more, accepting their peculiarities and differences.

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A Word of Encouragement

This morning as I look out upon God’s beautiful creation and hear the sounds of animals, squawking, chirping, grunting and calling out to anyone that will hear as they pass by or live near Wellington Zoo. I am reminded of the opening song from Matt Redman’s Unbroken Praise CD: Louder – in particular the words:

There’s a song that cannot be contained. There’s a shout that breaks through every chain. God we won’t be silent.

There’s a faith that rises through the flames. There’s a joy that chases the dark away. God we won’t be silent.

And the greater the storm. The louder our song. 

The chorus and bridge go on to say that:

We lift our voices, lift our voices. Make Your praise so glorious, glorious! We lift our voices, lift our voices. Make Your praise so glorious. We’ll never stop singing!

Psalm 98 4-5 from The Passion Translation says: “So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy! Break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of praise! Sing your melody of praise to the Lord and make music like never before!“

I hope you find encouragement and hope in these days as we batten down the hatches and protect ourselves from this covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world – Remember that the greater the storm, the louder our song of praise can be to Him that gives us Hope and Life in these uncertain times.

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A Word of Encouragement – Psalms 62

Leslie Brandt, writer of Psalms Now says that “wisdom and confusion, joy and sorrow, trust and fear, and calm and frustration are all a part of the Psalms.”

These are all feelings that many people throughout the world are more than likely experiencing, as we come to grips with what countries are doing in response to the covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world.

So, with that in mind I will be putting together a daily Word of Encouragement to help those associated with the Wellington City Salvation Army here in New Zealand deal with the social isolation that many will, and or are experiencing due to the governments call to lockdown the country as of midnight on Wednesday 25th of March. This day I’m sure will go down as a day in history in which we have attempted to ‘flatten the curve’ or stem the tide of the virus’ spread throughout what we affectionately call ‘God’s Zone’, Aotearoa.

Obviously with the advent of Social Media and platforms such of this that same message of Hope and Life can go out throughout the world at the push of a button and I hope and pray that family, friends, associates and of course new friends worldwide also find comfort in these daily updates.

Today’s encouragement comes from Psalms Now 62: “As for me, my heart waits on God. I know that my salvation comes from Him. I may change my views about many things; but as for my need for God and His love, that is one conviction which shall never change.

There are many who would like to sabotage a man’s deepest convictions. With skillful use of words and logic they try to destroy the very foundations of his faith. As for me, my heart waits on God. He is my Hope and my Help. The temporal values that men focus on are quickly lost amidst the tempests of this life. Their highest aspirations burst forth like bright flares, only to fizzle out like wet fuses.

But my God offers a security that is eternal. It cannot be logically defined, but it can be experienced. Commit your life to Him, and you shall discover an anchor that will hold firm despite the chaos of this existence or the prattle of godless intellectuals.”

The opening words of Carole Bayer Sager’s song, The Prayer, are quite pertinent for these days: “I pray you’ll be our eyes, And watch us where we go, And help us to be wise, In times when we don’t know. 

Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way, Lead us to a place, Guide us with your grace, To a place where we’ll be safe.”

I’m sure that many of you will enjoy this link to the Wellington Citadel Bands rendition of that song:

The Prayer – featuring Dixon McMillan and Emma Downey

 

So, stay safe and keep calm everyone, look after yourselves and those dear to you, and also those in and around your neighbourhood – for God is with us at all times. Well

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Bible Reading / Study, Prayer & Devotional Resources

Over the coming few weeks or more as we come to terms with working from home and living in lockdown in many countries around the world due to the covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world I have put together a number of resources that you are freely available to access online for free. These can assist us each to maintain a daily Bible Reading / Study, Prayer and Devotional time.

YouVersion a Bible Reading app, or online platform that makes the bible come alive through a large variety of Bible Translations and personal, life / bible / small group studies that are easily accessible.

This is also the platform that I’ve been using to share my weekly sermon notes during our normal Sunday Services.

RightNow Media for those associated with the Salvation Army is a resource to help you dig into God’s Word through video bible studies, access to conferences, training options all at the click of your fingertips for free.

For more information contact perry via email: perry.bray@salvationarmy.org.nz

Lectio 365 a daily devotional resource that helps you pray through the Bible every day. Written by leaders from the 24-7 Prayer movement, and produced in partnership with CWR, this resource helps you engage with Scripture to inspire prayer and shape your life.

Over the coming weeks and days I’ll be uploading links to a variety of Salvation Army studies that are freely available throughout the world so that those associated to The Salvation Army can gain a greater understanding of our faith, our God, and how our Corps (churches) can impact our communities with the Love of God.

Other online resources are available but these ones I personally recommend as we journey through the next few weeks or more in uncertain times. Remember that in God we can trust and if you are in need of any kind of assistance just ask someone in your faith community, or neighbourhood to give you a hand.

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