At Central Corps - Bishan

It was a great day and we enjoyed every moment of it - time spent at the Singapore Central Corps. This is my wife's home Corps where she went through the different stages of her spiritual development. I came from Balestier but moved to Central to become the Candidate Helper assisting the then Lieutenant Douglas Kiff in 1952.

In 1970 we were appointed to take charge of this corps (church) and we had four wonderful and enriching years. So yesterday it was a delight to meet our many friends. The Sunday School kids like Toh Kian and others are now in their middle age with teen age children. It was a joy to meet the veterans like Goh Seow Kiang (who will be celebrating his 90th birthday next Saturday) and Esther Dail who still plays her timbrel in the meeting. Ng Seng Chow and his boys are in the band, his son Daniel is the bandmaster.

My wife's sister Angela, her daughter Elaine and son-in-law Lim Peng Soon, plus youngest daughter Jaclyn worship faithfully in this church. Yesterday, Elaine read the Bible for us.

In the congregation was Patrick Foo who told the congregation that I was his Corps Officer at Balestier when I was only a Lieutenant - that's half a century ago! Memories! Nostalgia!

Then of course, it's good to see our two grandchildren David and Rachel both playing in the band - David on cornet and Rachel on the trombone. They both played in their school bands so it's good they are able to continue with their music in the Army. Rachel is also in the worship band and David fills in every now and again on the keyboard.

And we were thrilled to meet many new friends who are actively involved in the Army.

We really appreciate Captains Lim Chee Kwee and Annie giving us the privilege of sharing their platform. You can see, the folk love their Corps Officers, pastors as Patrick testified yesterday - "they are always there for you when you need them." What a wonderful tribute. I wish this could be said of every Salvation Army officer regardless of the kind of appointment he or she holds.

After the meeting Elaine and Peng Soon took us for lunch with her family.

I used to drive my grandchildren - but times have changed. Rachel drove us to the Church and David drove us back. Both of them passed their driving test this year. I am no more the driver, nowadays I am being driven! Thanks be to God. He is indeed wonderful.

We got home at about 3.30 p.m. and thank God for another wonderful day spent with fellow believers in the house of God. To Him be the glory.

Some thoughts on worship by William Temple.

WORSHIP
To quicken the conscience with the holiness of God;
To feed the mind with the truth of God;
To purge the imagination with the beauty of God;
To open the heart to the love of God;
To devote the will to the purpose of God.