Communiqué. The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory Fellowship Corps.

Communiqué The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory Fellowship Corps http://www.sarmy.org.au/en/ministry/fellowship-online/ March/April 2013

Fellowship Corps Secretary Mission Resources Department The Salvation Army PO Box 479 Blackburn VIC 3130 Phone: (03) 8878 4745 donna.bryan@aus.salvationarmy.org Dear Friends, Christian greetings from the Fellowship Corps. Colossians 3:16 says: Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. As Christians, we do a lot of singing; especially in church. Singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs connects us to the heart of God and humbles us in worship and praise to our Creator. Even Jesus sang hymns to God the Father. Matthew 26: 30 records: Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. (NLT) Jesus and His disciples had been participating together in the Passover meal. It s fairly certain they followed tradition, which was to sing Psalms 115 118 after the Passover meal. Even though Jesus knew this was His last meal with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion, He still submitted Himself to the Father and sang of the glory of God. As I was reading these verses, I began to reflect on the legacy of the many who have not only sung psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, but also those who have created inspirational material that glorifies God. Throughout the life of The Salvation Army there has been many creative and inspired people who have praised God with their singing, music, poetry, drama, and other forms of creative writing and arts. At the end of 2012, The Salvation Army lost a great spiritual warrior when General John Gowans (Retired) was promoted to glory, but his prolific output of praise to God has been recorded in print, video and other media. His creativity will live on to inspire and encourage others because he did everything for the glory of God. This issue of the Communiqué is dedicated to the legacy of General John Gowans. God be with you each, Donna Bryan (Major), Fellowship Corps Secretary 2 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

John Gowans 14 DECEMBER 2012 THE thanksgiving service for the life and ministry of General John Gowans (Retired) was held at the William Booth College, Denmark Hill, London on Friday 14 December 2012. Retired General John Larsson presided over a gathering of more than 500 people who came to praise God and celebrate the life of an extraordinarily gifted Salvationist leader. General Gowans s wife, Commissioner Gisèle Gowans, and their two sons, John-Marc and Christophe Gowans, were supported by many family and friends during a powerful, poignant and challenging meeting. General Linda Bond gave a warm, personal tribute as did John-Marc and Christophe Gowans. Music was provided by the International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters. Commissioner Norman Howe shared a number of General Gowans s poems, reminding the congregation of the former international leader s brilliant simplicity, humour and perceptive understanding of the challenges and joys of the Christian life. A video of General Gowans reciting Vachel Lindsay s poem General William Booth Enters into Heaven was played on the large screen, and as his energetic and vibrant performance once again filled the hall many people were moved to tears. Even at his own funeral John Gowans challenged people with the question: Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? In his Bible message, General Larsson addressed his thoughts directly to John Gowans his friend and former song-writing partner. A committal service at Hither Green Crematorium was again led by General John Larsson. It included songs by Catherine Baird ( O Love, Revealed on Earth in Christ ), Albert Orsborn ( My Life Must be Christ s Broken Bread ) and concluding with a rousing rendition of Thine is the Glory, Risen Conquering Son. Report by Major Dean Pallant The Salvation Army Many Thanks to those members who have generously sent in donations to cover printing and postage costs for the Fellowship Corps. Fellowship Corps Communiqué 3

Ca l l t o Wo r s h i p Photo by anitapeppers Morguefile http://mrg.bz/3g6aju 4 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Song 274 You can t stop rain from falling down, Prevent the sun from shining, You can t stop spring from coming in, Or winter from resigning, Or still the waves or stay the winds, Or keep the day from dawning, You can t stop God from loving you, His love is new each morning. You can t stop ice from being cold, You can t stop fire from burning. Or hold the tide that s going out, Delay its sure returning, Or halt the progress of the years, The flight of fame or fashion, You can t stop God from loving you, His nature is compassion. You can t stop God from loving you Though you may disobey him, You can t stop God from loving you, However you betray him; From love like this no power on earth The human heart can sever, You can t stop God from loving you, Not God--not now, nor ever. John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army Fellowship Corps Communiqué 5

Psalm 98 Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! 6 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord. For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. (New Living Translation) Olgica Krasic http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1198349 Fellowship Corps Communiqué 7

Music Thank you for music Melodies that can t be Overplayed. Those harmonies that move my heart, They cannot be man-made. The way that music Leaps through space To come to stay with me, Proves that it s more than human and Divine it s got to be. Such music finds the best in me As nothing else can do And brings me nearer Truth itself, And that means nearer you! John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army 8 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Photos of the musical duo Gowans & Larsson (Right and left) Fellowship Corps Communiqué 9

General John Gowans 1934 2012 Better World The broken world in shattered fragments lies. From ev ry corner hear its children s cries; Its famished millions ask in vain for bread; The very souls of men are left unfed. The Saviour calls for saviours, in his name To take the broken bits and build again. Among the ruins of what might have been, And in darkness where no hope is seen, Illuminate the cross where Jesus died. Disclose his love which cannot be denied. Go spend yourselves in service for the lost, And like your Lord, refuse to count the cost! John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army 10 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:16, 17 (New Living Translation) Fellowship Corps Communiqué 11

Song 274 Chorus He came to give us life in all its fullness, He came to make the blind to see, He came to banish death and doubt and darkness, He came to set his people free. He liberating love imparted, He taught men once again to smile; He came to bind the broken hearted, And God and man to reconcile. He came to give us life in all its fullness, He came to make the blind to see, He came to banish death and doubt and darkness, He came to set his people free. He came to set us free! We wonder why Christ came into the world A helpless, homeless child; We wonder why he tolerated men, The tainted and defiled. We wonder why! We wonder why! The Son of God as man came down; What does this signify? We wonder why Christ came into the world And let men hurt him so, We wonder why the Christ should have to die, Does anybody know? We wonder why! We wonder why! The Son of God as man came down, What does this signify? John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army 12 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

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When God expressed himself W hen God expressed himself The Word he spoke Was clearly understood By ordinary folk. They looked into his eyes, One single look sufficed; Men read the mind of God In the face of Christ. When Christ laid down his head Upon a manger bed, His coming simply said: God is with man! Kneeling upon the hay, We hear the Baby say: Your God is here to stay; God is with man! When Christ was crucified And hung his head and died, His silenced body cried: God loves like this! And still to us today Two thousand years away, His suff rings simply say: God loves like this! John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army Photo by anitapeppers Morguefile http://mrg.bz/o4iymv 14 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Living by the Spirit s Power So be careful how you live. Don t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15 20 (New Living Translation) Fellowship Corps Communiqué 15

Photo by Billy Alexander 16 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

The entry of Jesus into this world can be likened to a new song of hope and a fresh experience of God, as seen through the life of His Son, Jesus the Christ. In the person of Jesus flows a song of divine grace as He invites us to believe that He is the Son of God, and that He alone can set us free from sin and death. In both Colossians 3:16, 17 and Ephesians 5:19, 20 Paul exhorts God s people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and give thanks to God through Jesus. When we allow Jesus and His message to fill our lives then we have purpose and direction. As we read and explore Jesus message in the Bible, we see that Jesus brings harmony to the Old and New Testaments. A harmony that unites God s Word into a holy manual for Christian living, and a harmony that unites Christians as the body of Christ. Our response to the Holy Spirit dwelling in us should be one of thankful hearts lifted to God in authentic praise as we sing of His glory in gratitude for the mercy He has shown to us. As sinners saved from death, we should be witnessing to the world what Jesus has done for us and in us. We shouldn t confine our singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to just our church buildings and Christian family. Our thankful praise should be heard in our homes and in our communities, and wherever we travel. Jesus too should not be confined to our church buildings or small groups. We need to make Him and His message known everywhere, so that all peoples can have the Lord s music in their hearts and know the saving grace of Jesus. Let the world see Jesus expressed through your words and your actions. True spirituality is Christ living out His life through the individual believer, and through a united Christian community. * * Richards, Lawrence O., The Daily Devotional Commentary, Kingsway Publications, 1990, p. 1009 Fellowship Corps Communiqué 17

Song 49 Have you ever stopped to think how God loves you? It sounds quite incredible, and yet it s true. Nothing on this earth or in the heavens above Is as sure and certain as God s love. Chorus O it s as high as the sky and it s as deep as the sea, And it s as wide as the world, God s love for you and for me. We can t escape his love, or take ourselves out of his care, So where could we hide from his love? His love is everywhere. Everything is changing in the world today, There s one thing reliable in every way, Other things may alter but it s clear and plain That the love of God is just the same. Wider than the human mind can realize, His love is unlimited and never dies; Though we don t deserve it, every day it s new; That s the love of God for me and you. John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army 18 Fellowship Corps Communiqué

Photos: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/921881 and 1013334 std rextrics Fellowship Corps Communiqué 19

Any Time It s the work of a moment, It s the work of a lifetime! It is born in an instant, It may take eternity. But the work of the Spirit, Of the transforming Spirit, Can begin at this moment In me! John Gowans (1934 2012) The Salvation Army Photo by Margaret Young www.sxc.hu/photo/1199586 Every effort has been made to acknowledge original sources and copyright owners. If there has been any infringement, the publisher of this Communiqué will endeavour to rectify and acknowledge ownership in future issues. 20 Fellowship Corps Communiqué