SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 2020
HOSANNAH! It’s hard to believe, as we enter this significant week on the Christian calendar, Holy Week, that we are unable to meet together to remember and celebrate. It’s a week when we reflect on the fulfilment of the great messianic prophecies. When we mourn the consequences of our sin taken on in the death of Jesus Christ. But also when we celebrate with great jubilation that we serve a risen saviour who overcame death and gave us the gospel, good news. You’ll have seen the way people are rightly responding to the selfless work of our NHS staff by way of applause, cheers and music on the streets every Thursday at 8pm. The important thing will be not to forget that gratitude and admiration when in the future we return to normality. It might be tempting once more to complain about the provision of care, or the length of waiting lists. But we mustn’t forget the way in which these dedicated professionals have given of themselves when asked. It was the case for Jesus as he rode in to Jerusalem, people cheered, clapped and treated him like royalty on his arrival. But just a short time later, the same crowds would be calling for his crucifixion. I reflect a little more on this in the thought this week. It’s human nature to change our minds according to what suits us best personally. But at this time of national emergency, our greatest strength is prevailing, which is that of unity, community and cooperation. It is these virtues that are bringing out our best character and also meaning that other people can survive through this and survive it well. I was encouraged when meeting with the Care for People in Emergencies Group at the CnES this week to hear of the numbers of people who are volunteering help to the various communities across the island. This has come from individuals, companies and faith groups. All of us are pooling our resources well to reach the people who need it most. For example, maintenance workers for HHP have been redeployed to deliver essentials to residents who are self-isolating and they have collected some things from us to deliver to people using their vans. I hope when all this has passed, that the other thing we won’t forget is our ability to do amazing things as a community when we all work together. We have been called upon to step up to respond to a crisis, and I think it’s fair to say The Salvation Army has played its part well. But so too have many other individuals, community groups and companies. Surely this is what Jesus was teaching us about when calling us to love our neighbours. Surely this community of looking after each other is what Christ called us all to be. ‘May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ that great community of saints.
The Salvation Army Stornoway Corps 59 Bayhead Stornoway HS1 2DZ
“We exist to worship God, to support each other and to serve our community. ” REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 214779 AND IN SCOTLAND: SC009359
Corps Officers Lts. Callum & Emma Newton Callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk
Telephone: 01851 703875 Mobile: 07493 880058
@stornowaysalvationarmy
Something to listen to...
Sunday meetings at 11:00am and 6:00pm. Listen online at www.fortressradio.online (Broadcasting music all week).
Enjoy a ‘30 Minute Gospel Music Hymn Sing’ with many songs that I’m sure you’ll know and be able to sing along to with great pleasure and blessing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ones you don’t know too! It’s a great way to spend half an hour giving praise to the Lord. Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wCJeI78J1ho