The Salvation Army Worship Workout 7 February 2021 Beyond borders Welcome to the launch of The Salvation Army’s Self Denial Appeal 2021. This is a time when we prayerfully consider how we can financially support our fellow Salvationists in other lands all over the world. For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others. (1 John 4:21) Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) Theme for the week It is my favourite time of The Salvation Army Year – it is the start of our self-denial appeal. I love it because it enables us to see what a difference God is making through Salvationists all over the world – and I find that really exciting! But there is also some consideration to be given to how we might each contribute to the work of the international Salvation Army through financial giving. Giving is often a challenging subject, so today I hope to help you gain some different perspectives on giving and illustrate why the proof of the pudding is sometimes in the ‘not eating’… As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9) Call to worship: Psalm 47:1-2, 5-9 Leader: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Women: For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. Men: God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Women: Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. Men: For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Leader: God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. All: The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. Opening song: Go forth and tell (922) Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake! God’s saving news to all the nations take; proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King, that all the world his worthy praise may sing. Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all; he will respond in grace to all who call: how shall they call if they have never heard the gracious invitation of his word? Go forth and tell! Where still the darkness lies; in wealth or want, in sin they live and die: give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind, a love like yours which cares for all mankind. Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide: share God’s good gifts – let no one be denied; live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose, your ransomed powers for his sole glory use. Go forth and tell! O Church of God, arise! Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies; go till all nations his great name adore and serve him, Lord and King for evermore. (James Edward Seddon 1915-1983) Let’s pray: Where in the world? Our previous Self-Denial Appeals have supported The Salvation Army’s work in many places across the world. This year we are taking the opportunity to revisit these some of these countries and see how the money raised impacted the mission and ministry in that place, and also to see how they are dealing with the challenges presented by the global pandemic. This morning, therefore I thought it would be good to have the opportunity to pray for the five places we will be revisiting over the next four weeks: Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan, The Philippines, and Bangladesh. Below are some prayers which have been prepared that highlight some prayer points which will provide a focus for prayer over the period of Self Denial in 2021. Burkina Faso has experienced an increase in violence and extremism over the past two years, resulting in 1 million people being displaced and another 3.5 million in need of basic assistance. There have been 10,000 COVID cases to date and 118 deaths. Christians in Burkina Faso face persecution for their faith (32nd most persecuted in world). Mali has been through a recent civil war which is now in the early stages of a peace agreement being in place which it is hoped will end the attacks as people are granted access to land and water. There have been 8,100 COVID cases and 330 deaths. Christians in Mali are persecuted for their faith (28th most persecuted in world). Pakistan is teetering on the edge of war with India, over the status of the Kashmir and Jammu regions. There have been 548,000 COVID cases and 11,746 deaths, with vaccines only just having reached them. Pakistan is also the 5th most dangerous place to be a Christian, with attacks on Christians taking place regularly. The Philippines faces many challenges: the pandemic, three typhoons in late 2020; 527,000 COVID cases and 10,807 COVID deaths; a creaking healthcare system; drug wars and an alleged black market for COVID vaccines – all make for a desperate need for resources. Bangladesh is currently relocating Myanmar refugees as it tries to battle the pandemic and manage resources. The country has seen 536,000 cases of COVID and had 8,137 COVID deaths. Bangladesh is high on the list of places where persecution of Christians is happening (31st on the watchlist). Prayer Song: We have caught the vision splendid (938) We have caught the vision splendid, Of a world which is to be, When the pardoning love of Jesus, Freely flows from sea to sea, When all men from strife and anger, Greed and selfishness are free, When the nations live together, In sweet peace and harmony. We would help to build the city, Of our God, so wondrous fair; Give our time, bring all our talents, And each gift of beauty rare, Powers of mind, And strength of purpose, Days of labour, nights of strain, That God's will may be accomplished, O'er the kingdoms He shall reign. Founded on the rock of ages, Built upon God's promise sure, Strengthened by the cords of service, We shall stand firm and secure; When the Father, Son and Spirit Crown our labours with success, Men and angels then uniting, Shall God's mighty love confess. (Doris Nicol Rendell) As we close in prayer, you are invited to say The Lord’s Prayer. In recognition of the global flavour to today’s worship, and of the diverse nature of our fellowships, you are invited to pray in your native language. Let us celebrate the diversity and richness of God’s creation as we pray. What is Self-Denial all about? Today sees the launch of The Salvation Army’s annual Self Denial Appeal. The Self- Denial Appeal raises funds to support the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in countries across the world. It's called Self Denial as funds are primarily raised through what is called sacrificial giving. Put simply this is about giving something up or denying ourselves something, and using the money saved to support the work of the Army across the World. So, you might decide to go without a chocolate bar every day until 7 March (which is how long the appeal lasts for) and give the money you would have spent to the Self-Denial appeal instead. This is exactly what a Salvation Army Officer called Major John Carleton decided to do in 1886. Major Carleton had been at the International Congress (similar to Boundless for those who attended that in 2015) and he heard an impassioned speech given by Kate Booth one of the daughters of The Salvation Army Founder, William Booth. She was pleading the cause of the Army’s emerging work in France, and asking for monetary contributions. Now Major Carleton really wanted to give something but did not have a lot of money to give. Then he had a genius idea! He decided to go without pudding every day for a year, which he estimated would save about 50 shillings (about £200 a year in today’s money); and this money he pledged to send to the appeal for the Army’s work in France. What is Self-Denial all about? (cont…) When William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army found out about this he was inspired. He loved the idea of people uniting together to go without something for a short time and then donating the money saved to The Salvation Army. Thus, Self- Denial was born. Back to today. What about 2021? Well, due to the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic we are using this year as an opportunity to revisit some of the previous places that have received Self-Denial donations. This week, and each week for the next four weeks there will be a short video showing different aspects of The Salvation Army’s work in these places: Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. This five-week period is to give people time to make a considered decision about what they might give up in those weeks, or how much they can afford to give and give them time to do it! There are two main ways to give: 1) Place the donation in an envelope and either post it to us, or drop it through the letterbox when you are out and about for exercise.