7 from 8 > Christmas S*N*A*C

Picture used with thanks to the Spacebase

S*N*A*C (aka Sunday Night After Church) was our second "7 from 8" even though we kicked off at 8:27pm due to a longer than usual evening meeting.

The key to a "7 from 8" gathering is simplicity > its about taking time out > relaxing in the busy milieu of Advent. 7 readings. 7 songs. No commentary. Participation. Contribution. Darkness interspersed with candles.

I introduced the gathering and set the scene... then let things flow (all readings from The Message except 7 which is from New King James version)>

1. Liz kicked off the readings with The Birth of Jesus [Matthew 1: 18-25] > BLOC then played "Silent Night"
2. Diane then read The Birth of Jesus [Luke 2: 1-7] > Janey played "Away in a Manger" on the piano
3. Bobby read A Virgin will bear a son [Isaiah 7: 10-14] > we moved into a period reflection and contemplation > I played "Emmanuel" by Blackmore's Night on the ol' iPod.
4. Kirsty brought us An event for everyone [Luke 2: 8-20] > we then listened to BLOC who brought us an awesome version of "O Holy Night"
5. Janey read A Virgin conceives [Luke 1: 26-35] > we then completed the contemplative time with another track from the ol' iPod > "I am, You are" by the Martins
6. I then read Scholars from the East [Matthew 2] > BLOC played "A First Noel"
7. Lawrie brought the readings to a close with Isaiah's prophesy For unto us a Child is born [Isaiah 9: 2-7] > BLOC then finished with "Love came down at Christmas"

Alec closed the gathering with a prayer and we enjoyed some fellowship over Starbucks espresso blend coffee and mince pies. Simple yet effective evening.

It was great to see Kirsty and Frazer (above with Liz) who journeyed through from Edinburgh. It was also fab to see the Billiard boys and some friends from Airdrie corps. Thanks for coming.

Sometimes we just need to stop and take time out to think > this S*N*A*C provided this gap... and I believe it was well received. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

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7 :: this Sunday

S*N*A*C this Sunday is intended to get us focussed for Christmas > 7 readings... > 7 songs... > time out from the hustle and bustle of consumerism to rest in His presence...

Let's get prepared to celebrate the birthday of the King [of Kings].

Come for around 8pm... coffee and mince pies will be served afterwards. Be there.

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S*N*A*C :: 7th October 07

S*N*A*C is back next Sunday evening... after a well earned break.

Feel free to join us at our informal gathering after church where we explore faith, love and grace through song, spoken word and conversation.

I've added an event to facebook :: here and update google calender ::

Photo :: Leo Reynolds with thanks!

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S*N*A*C :: this Sunday

S*N*A*C this Sunday will be huge...

The alpha and alife groups are on a retreat on Saturday to focus on the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday evening, the main corporate meeting will blend towards a more contemporary style at which point Bobby "Bobbito" Roberts will be enrolled as a Senior Soldier ((YAY Bobbito!!)) and Olly will sing All Your Anxiety and accompany herself on guitar.

At 8pm we'll join for a love feast and celebration... a gathering of people on fire for God.

If you can... please come along... this S*N*A*C is going to be extra special.

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S*N*A*C :: This Sunday...

S*N*A*C this Sunday. Bring your stories and be prepared to share... Let the gathering know what the Lord is doing in / through you :: in your life... in your community... in your place in space and time.

There will be music... readings from Scripture... liturgies... and, most importantly, whatever the Spirit brings to the mix.

See you there?! As before... please post this flyer on your blog or bebo site... and spread the word.

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Easter Sunday

What a day! Getting up before 6AM to share with Kenny and Bobbito was the start of a brilliant, if somewhat busy, day.

We shared a breakfast of cereal, fruit, hot cross buns and eggs with our friends in the Corps... followed by an excellent morning gathering. Capt. Alec was on fire as you will hear at Council of War - he kicked off with SM Lockeridge's famous sermon: That's My King which went down a storm.

After the morning gathering... approximately 50 of us marched in celebration through the streets of Bellshill. Its good to see / hear the Band out on the streets and the reception we received was warm and friendly.

Later on... at the afternoon gathering... we had a period of sharing where people told their stories. Amazing to consider how God is working in the lives of the people in our Corps.

Afterwards, a number of us stayed and shared in soup and fellowship... before bringing the evening to a close with S*N*A*C.

We had music from Live to Tell, B*L*O*C with the mighty Morag on drums, Liz and Laura, and Liz P with her special rendition of Green Hill to the tune of House of the rising sun;

In addition, we had a drama and a testimony from a chap called Bobby from Airdrie who is on fire for His God. Capt. Alec brought it all together at the end.

I know its not about quantity... but this S*N*A*C was the best yet... with 40something people experience a quality gathering.

All in... what a great day!

Easter S*N*A*C + Easter Services at Bellshill SA

From S*N*A*C flyers

Sorry for not posting this sooner... but S*N*A*C is on tomorrow night. A special Easter celebration... with a bowl of soup and sharing before hand.

Tomorrow is going to be a pure hectic celebration...

Starting at 0600hrs with an intimate prayer time at the Roman Bridge at Strathclyde Park... Followed by breakfast at the Corps at 0900hrs... which will lead nicely into a time of celebration and worship at 1030hrs.

Afterwards... weather permitting... we will be going out into Bellshill for a march of witness. If you are in the area... I'm the fat bloke with a uniform that's too tight for him (Think Alexi Sayle!!!)

We come back to the hall for 1700hrs for the evening meeting... followed by soup and sharing together... before S*N*A*C at 2000hrs. Its going to be more musical... with Olly bringing Caroline and Daniel (aka Live To Tell) along... and Elizabeth singing too. My old pal Morag is going to help BLOC out on the drums too... which will be cool (Brian can't make tomorrow night)

All in... its going to be a great day. Oh and I can have a coffee too! Sweet.

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S*N*A*C :: This Sunday...

From S*N*A*C flyers

Photo :: Duchamp

Be there, if you can. Oh and spread the word... grab the pic and post it on your blog or whatever.

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S*N*A*C

From S*N*A*C flyers

S*N*A*C went well tonight...

27 like-minded people sharing together in a communal love feast. BLOC played a 4 song set... at which point Capt. Andrea took over and led a beautiful gathering based on love... and the sacraments. As Albert Osborne wrote:

Our lives should be God's broken bread

We took time to consider Jesus' sacrifice then joined together in the following reading:

We share the presence of Jesus
We share this symbol of our common bond
We share in love for each other
Bind us together in your love
Amen

We then shared in a communal bowl of grapes - yes, grapes! The connection is that we are all unique... but come from the same vine: Jesus. I used the instrumental love theme from Romeo & Juliet as backing music. It has a wonderful piece of dialogue that just worked as well.

It was great to see John B & Tony. In fact, it was the first time I have ever seen John without a hat!



It was also fab to see Frazer and Kirsty aka Humfer... who attend Destiny, Edinburgh and run their film nights.

All in... it was a busy weekend... but one I really enjoyed. Thanks to everyone who made it special!

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S*N*A*C :: This Sunday...

From S*N*A*C flyers

This Sunday :: S*N*A*C :: I have a feeling its going to be pretty busy. Heard a few promises... that I hope will come true. If you are in the area about 8pm and want to check us out... please do. Gladstone St, Bellshill.

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S*N*A*C :: February

From S*N*A*C flyers

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S*N*A*C :: This Sunday...

From S*N*A*C flyers

Tell your friends... tell your enemies too!

We are giving B*L*O*C a wee break and holding an open mic spoken word worship session. Bring the words you find most meaningful to you... scripture... song lyrics... poems... liturgy... and contribute to the experience. Speak... shout... scream... the words that mean the most to you.

A time of prayer will follow... after which we will host an open discussion on where we are going with S*N*A*C.

Bring a thankful heart and a creative head... and contribute rather than just consuming.

Technorati Tags: salvation army, bellshill