This Sunday Devotional is for Stockton Corps on our 150th Anniversary.

This weekend (23/24 November 2024) marks the 150th Anniversary of Stockton Corps. None of us were here 150 years ago, but we’re part of a continuing story. We’re all part of a rich and proud heritage, of productive years of ministry and service, and have an ongoing privilege and responsibility now and into the future.

There may be those of you who remember the Centenary 50 years ago, when you would have looked back and been encouraged by what had been achieved from those early beginnings.

As we look back today, we can be similarly encouraged by what has been achieved; but 2024 is a very different world to 1974, and we’ll be aware of vast changes in culture, demographics, attitudes, technology and the like.

• What was in the news then?
• What do we take for granted that we didn’t have then?

Going back even further, the birth of the Salvation Army, and the commencement of the work in Stockton are events, not of the last century, but of the one before that. We live in a vastly different age, and that’s both an encouragement and a challenge. The encouragement is that the Christian message is the same as it’s always been, but every generation has the challenge to communicate it in the present age.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 3:18

We thank God for everything that’s been achieved in his name over the past 150 years; spiritual victories won in worship and service given in compassionate care. But, at the same time, we don’t forget what is being achieved now, nor do we neglect the need to move forward in faith into an uncertain future.

• We celebrate those who have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord through the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever the word of God has been declared, God’s will has been done.
• We celebrate today all those who have been touched with the love of God through the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever we’ve reached out with the compassion of Jesus, God’s will has been done.
• We celebrate today the faithful officers, soldiers, adherents and friends who have been vital to the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever lives have been dedicated to him, God’s will has been done.

Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:16-20.

These words are a challenge and an encouragement, words that motivated those who opened this corps in Stockton all those years ago and have motivated all those in the corps since. May they be our motivation and encouragement for the future.

• We celebrate the bonds of friendship and fellowship that have been sustained and strengthened in Christ through the years, because whenever our fellowship has been built up, God’s will has been done.

Paul wrote to the Philippians:
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:1-5

The reality of Christian fellowship has been lived in this corps over the years. Yes, there may have been times of disappointment and loss, but underlying it all has been that rich strand of fellowship binding us to each other, and binding us to Christ.

May our fellowship be richer and deeper in the future, for therein lies the way of effective Christian ministry and service.

• We also celebrate today all those who have been ministered to in time of need or hardship, because whenever we have cared for others in Christ’s name, God’s will has been done.

Our Christian gospel is for the whole person; body, mind and spirit. Let’s make sure that as we move forward, we look for the face of Jesus in the face of everyone we meet, and serve them in his name.

There’s a sense in which we’re always turning a page in our continuing story of faith and service; in our own lives and that of the corps. This anniversary is only a date after all, but it’s good to have significant milestones and signposts.

As participants in this continuing story we’re reminded of the need to declare the word of God in words and actions, to build up our fellowship, and to care for others in the name of Jesus.

We remember those who have gone before us and have done God’s will, and we take our place and follow in their footsteps. We honour their memory by living the same life of faith in obedience to the heavenly vision.

We’ve already been reminded that the Lord will always be with us. So, let’s thank God for the past, and claim in faith all that God wants to do in us and through us by committing ourselves fully to him and his work as we go in the strength of the Lord.