Good Friday Worship

We attended the combined meeting at Central Corps this morning. The auditorium was full - balcony as well.

We were pleased to have the Hurstville Songsters from Sydney Australia visiting us for the weekend. They had already visited The Salvation Army in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

The meeting began with the Songsters singing that beautiful hymn "When I survey the wondrous cross." It was sung with feeling and expression. I was greatly touched and blessed.

The two bands- Central and William Booth combined to provide music for this special meeting. They played well. The Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer gave words of welcome to our visitors. After the Scripture reading, the songsters led the congregation in the singing of "Worthy is the Lamb" and "Praise You." Ashlee Sheppard was the soloist. Testimonies were given by Lieut. Colonel Pam Hodge and Glenys McKeon. Just before the Bible message the Songsters sang the old hymn "Nothing but the blood of Jesus." These old hymns have brought much blessing to people through the ages.

The Corps Officer of Hurstville Corps Major Trevor Nicol gave the Bible message "It was for me." He referred to the three cross of Calvary - the cross of repentance, of rejection and of redemption."

During the singing of the song "He wore the thorns" by the visiting Songsters, a number of people responded to the appeal to kneel at the Mercy Seat to seek the Saviour.

The meeting was somewhat marred by lack of reverence. Our people seem to think they should clap after every item to show their appreciation. But the songsters gave their item as an act of worship not performance. Therefore the people should thank God for the message but not clap.

Applause is primarily the expression of thanks, appreciation or approval. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical, concert, speech or play. It is good to give encouragement to our performers, but we were worshipping this morning,

When our Songsters, band or soloists give an item, it is an act of worship, not a performance. We sing and play our instruments unto the Lord to glorify His name. When we hear an item rendered well, in our hearts let us thank God and give Him the glory. I do not think it is appropriate to applaud by clapping. We can always show our appreciation by telling the person after the meeting how much we have been blessed by the song, item or message.

Of course, we clap our hands in our meetings or services, for example when we sing "Glory, glory Hallelujah" or "There is power in the Blood of the Lamb." We rejoice in the Lord, but we are not applauding anyone. This clapping is the expression of the joy in our hearts. We are encouraged to clap our hands and praise Him with voices and instruments. Of course, this should also be done in decency and order. We cannot allow our free and easy method of worship to degenerate into flippancy.

In the midst of our rejoicing, there need always be reverence. Let there be a reverential spirit when we worship. "But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple." Psalm 5: 7

Let us wise and discerning - there is a time and place for everything. In worship let us show reverence.