Guisborough Salvation Army Church & Community Centre

12/09/2026

A Saturday welcome to you all. As we continue Song September, we now turn to a song that highlights something that ancient religions didn’t grasp or believe; namely that God is not a part of what we see, he’s above it all.
Think sun gods, moon gods, gods of the weather, gods of fire and water. If you read Genesis chapter 1 you’ll realise that the whole thing is not an argumant about whether the earth is 6,000 or 6,000,000,000 years old, but simply this: God is the Creator of everything; even those things people worship – the sun perhaps – are just lights that God created.
It’s ironic, I think, that people who thought of their god as being ‘up there’ always tried to being him down and hide him inside something created.

And that’s what today’s Song of Creation speaks against. Immortal, invisible was written by the ordinary-sounding Walter Smith, but is an extraordinary hymn of praise to the lofty, high and majestic Lord God that we worship; even just those two first words echo just how far above creation God is.
The hymn reads like an ancient hymn of say, the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church, but Reverend Smith was in the Free Church of Scotland; a good evangelical preacher.
Sometimes, we evangelicals are accused of ‘easy’ worship, not being reverent or serious in our joyful praise; but this hymn – can we even call it a song? – makes us think very seriously about the one we worship.

We think of God’s absolute splendour and glory, and then realise in verse 3 that we are a just a tiny part of God’s grand creation. We may blossom and flourish, but in the light of God’s presence we are just mortal.
As a good evangelical, the hymnwriter takes his inspiration straight from Scripture:
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever
and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1 v 17)

But, we are assured, that it’s only light that hides us from God’s grace, presence and love.
That’s good evangelical truth!
God bless you,
Antony & Fiona

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

2.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains
Of goodness and love.

3.
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small,
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish; but naught changeth Thee.

4.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light.
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

11/09/2026

Good morning, on this Friday, as we continue our journey through Song September, and our focus on Creation Songs.
Well, were you humming My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean all day yesterday? Let’s go back to something a little more stately, even majestic. The tune I associate with the words for today is ‘Ellacombe,’ named of course, after the place in Devon. It’s one of those you can stand and sing with gusto; after a robust opening phrase sung in unison, the harmonies then come out.
It sounds good with a brass band too!

Isaac Watts is our hymn writer for today, and you might remember some of his other hymns: ‘Come let us join our cheerful songs,’ ‘Jesus shall reign where’er the sun,’ Joy to the world! The Lord is come,’ and of course, ‘When I survey the wondrous cross.’ I was actually quite surprised to read that because Isaac loved children, he wrote many children’s songs. This one was in a children’s book, but it really is for everyone, I guess.
He was certainly an intelligent bloke: he learned Latin when he was four, Greek when he was nine, and as an adult studied theology (of course) and also astronomy and psychology! Who said religion was for the unintelligent?

There is something about this hymn that I think confirms that we’re dealing with the thoughts of a learned man whose studies have led him right into the faith of the God of the Bible.
Just look at every verse; it’s as if he’s considered everything, from the creatures around him to the mountains in the distance, to the universe far away; and as he’s looked, studied, and contemplated it all, he’s come to the only conclusion: there is a Creator God who has planned it, brought it into being, and who is present above it all.
Interestingly, Jesus is not mentioned, except for one small clue. In verse 2 he writes about creatures ‘formed through the Word. That’s him! That’s Jesus as described by John:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1 v 1-3, 14)

A wonderful hymn, and a great truth: The Creator God is present with us.
God bless you.

I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.

2. I sing the goodness of the Lord,
Who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where'er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.

3. There's not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be,
Thou, God, art present there.

10/09/2026

Good morning! How are you today? Do you wake up singing? What songs go around your head – a pop song, something from a musical, a bit of opera? I know, the religious amongst us will wake up with a joyful hymn of praise! Sometimes, these songs stick; we can’t get rid of them. Well, I guarantee that after today’s reading you will not be happy with me, because I’m going to plant a tune in your brain that will stay all day!

We’re still in this season of Creation Songs, and today’s choice is anonymous; and I have to say the words are fine; they are good! I just wish someone would write a better tune. That’s all I’m saying.
Anyway, William Booth once famously quoted Roland Hill, and was then also quoted musically by Sir Cliff who sang, ‘Why should the Devil have all the best music?’ Well, indeed; but does that include ‘My bonny lies over the ocean?’ for that’s the tune for which these words were penned. It’s jolly, it’s happy; and I guess it’s a good match for the spirit of the song that reminds us of the love of God that is both high, deep, wide; indeed boundless.

I am reminded of the truth that the early Salvation Army, before the days of copyright restrictions, used to steal secular tunes and set them to Gospel words to attract people, and even cause a bit of controversy. If it made people take notice, then all was well! Did people laugh at the Army bands? Yes, they did; but they also heard the message, and people got saved by its truth.

Let me say these words faithfully reflect Scripture, Gospel truth, the free love of God, and, above all, the salvation bought for us by the Lord Jesus, who gave his life on the cross. Paul writes, in Ephesians 3 v 17, 18:
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”

Whoever wrote this song – even if he did like the tune – has given us a great means of witness. (But someone please write a new melody!)
God bless you

God’s love is as high as the heavens,
God's love is as deep as the sea,
God's love is for all kinds of sinners,
God's love is sufficient for me.

God's love, God's love,
God's love is sufficient for me, for me;
God's love, God's love,
God's love is sufficient for me.

2. God's love is as wide as creation,
God's love is as boundless and free,
God's love, it can never be measured,
God's love is sufficient for me.

3. God's love brought His Son down from Heaven,
God's love let Him die on the tree;
God's love, it has bought my salvation,
God's love is sufficient for me.

09/09/2026

A date for your diary.

09/09/2026

Hi everyone, a Wednesday welcome as we look at Creation Songs. At the beginning of next month, we will have our harvest weekend at The Salvation Army once all is safely gathered in. We’ll sing ‘Thank you for the world so sweet’ at the Harvest Supper; no doubt we’ll sing ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ in the morning meeting, and I’ve chosen that we’ll sing ‘Bringing in the Sheaves’ in the Harvest Praise at 5.30. It’s all very rural and agricultural, isn’t it – and understandably so!

Now, I’ve known of churches in fishing towns that have held a Harvest of the Sea – don’t ask me if they have a load of sardines, cod and salmon at the front of the church – but it’s relevant to them, I guess. We ourselves, and a great many others, will have tins and packets, jars and boxes of imperishable food, ready for a food bank. But what about other parts of creation? I ask that because of today’s song that has quote a startling thought within it.

John Coutts, a Salvationist, wrote a song that very much focuses on Jesus - his crucifixion, our worship of him, his kingdom and reign, and finally our calling to ‘let everyone know,’ but I’ve not seen hymns that include ‘microbe and cell.’ When I first read this verse, a long time ago, I was quite amazed, really, because yes, isn’t what’s unseen by the human eye also part of the wonder of creation?

The Bible is full of animals, fields, rivers, and, on looking up, the stars, the sun, ‘the heavens.’ Before we invented microscopes, ancient people had no concept of how all things are made; how we ourselves are made. Sadly, some have used science to try to disprove God’s existence, but there are so many who, filled with wonder at what is so small, have joined with the Psalmist in saying,
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
(Psalm 139 v 13, 14)

Even the tiniest parts of creation are worthy of our praise.
God bless you,
Antony & Fiona

How fearsome and far the universe runs!
Who counts every star, who numbers new suns?
But Christ is the King of unthinkable space;
So stand up and sing of his goodness and grace.

2. What secrets of life new knowledge can tell!
How strange is the strife of microbe and cell!
Yet Christ is the friend of the tiniest flower.
Rejoice without end in his goodness and power.

3. The last and the least our Jesus calls best,
Proclaiming the feast his Father has blessed.
To ruin and shame him they nail him up high,
But now we acclaim him for daring to die.

4. That sorrow is past: let wrong do its worst,
He'll reign at the last who ruled at the first.
The Lord of all years that are coming to birth,
As laughter and tears grow together on earth.

5. Then go, sister go, and pray, brother pray,
Let everyone know the Christ of today.
His truth sets us free: (how the story rings true!)
He conquered for me and he’s calling to you.

© John Coutts

08/09/2026

It’s Tuesday, and here at The Salvation Army we have our Golden Years afternoon, our friendship club. Well, it’s a highlight of the week; it really is! With guest speakers, afternoon teas, musical afternoons and quizzes, it’s a really joyful time. There’s a chorus we sing, without fail, every single week. Whether we’ve had a talk about the history of Tockett’s Mill, listened to a harpist play, or even had an afternoon of dominoes, chess and jigsaw puzzles, we sing these words:
I know he cares for me, for me.
I know he cares for me, for me.
I’ll trust my Father in Heaven,
For I know that he cares for me.

Our friendship club reflects something of that care as we share an enjoyable afternoon together. God’s care is also the theme of today’s Creation Song in this Song September. Looking at the words, one might almost think they are trite, simplistic; but does faith always need deep poetic words? Or can simplicity express for us the deepest, most profound truths? I think it can.

Sarah Rhodes was a sculptor as well as a hymn writer; she wrote this song for an 1870 Sunday School Anniversary in Sheffield. It only appeared in the Salvation Army songbook in 2015, but before that it was included in our Young People’s Song Book with more modern words: e.g. instead of ‘Careth for me’ it had ‘Cares about me.’ The revised last verse says, differently,
God who sent his Son
To die on Calvary,
Has shown how lovingly
He cares for me.

Our book also omits the last verse that Sarah wrote:
When in Heav’n’s bright land
I all His loved ones see,
I’ll sing with that blest band,
‘God cared for me.’

One day, what we take by faith today will be proved as we look back; indeed, we can do that even now. We can know just how God has held us in his loving arms throughout our lives. Today we do take it on trust, but we stand on the promise each day that we read in the Bible. Whether we’re children in a Sunday School, or more mature people in an afternoon friendship group, we can believe these words:
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5 v 7)

Today is the day to know that God does indeed care for you; he holds you, he surrounds you with love; and the people who know you think of you with friendship. Trust him, and he will draw near to you today.
God bless you,
Antony & Fiona

God, who made the earth,
The air, the sky, the sea,
Who gave the light its birth,
Careth for me.

2. God, who made the grass,
The flow'r, the fruit, the tree,
The day and night to pass,
Careth for me.

3. God, who made the sun,
The moon, the stars, is He
Who, when life's clouds come on,
Careth for me.

4. God, who sent His Son
To die on Calvary,
He, if I lean on Him,
Will care for me.

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

Good morning everyone! Let’s get going after a weekend of rest, or of family time, church – or work of course if that’s what you had to do. One of the challenges of Christian life is that we live in a world where people of faith are in a distinct minority. At school, a student might be the only one in her class. In a place of work, a man might be the only church-goer. In a family, a team, a group of friends, it’s easy to feel alone, unsupported, misunderstood. It’s not all bad, a Christian might actually be respected for their faith, their attitude.

We live in a world of many voices, various opinions or attitudes. It’s easy to listen to those voices; our children are bombarded by secular opinions in a way that we never were. Where do we find the truth today? For the Christian, of course, the truth is found in Scripture which, alone, ‘constitutes the divine rule for Christian faith and practice.’ (Salvation Army doctrine 1) But look at today’s song. It doesn’t use Biblical language, church language. It can be sung and understood by young children as well as older, experienced believers; indeed, it was written for schools and Sunday Schools. The author wrote a book entitled, “Dibs: A Story of Young London Life” (1887) It was all about a lad growing up, getting into the usual trouble that kids are involved in, but eventually settling down as he was transformed by faith.

Joseph Johnson died 100 years ago this year, and in his simple song he answers the question, “How does God speak to us?” Well, his voice, the voice of Jesus we would say, is a melody of love. Johnson suggests that if we listen, in all circumstances, situations and places in life there is the voice of God. Notice though that God doesn’t simply speak in the nice things; he speaks in the toil of wrong, and the darkest night, as well as in birdsong and bright mornings. We know that’s true – even if sometimes we need to listen a little harder!
Of course, as the last verse affirms, it’s a voice divine that speaks above all these things: we listen for the voice of Jesus. Hebrews 1 v 1:
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
Thank God he still speaks to us today.
God bless you

God speaks to us in bird and song,
In winds that drift the clouds along,
Above the din and toil of wrong,
A melody of love.

2. God speaks to us in far and near,
In peace of home and friends most dear,
From the dim past and present clear,
A melody of love.

3. God speaks to us in darkest night,
By quiet ways through mornings bright,
When shadows fall with evening light,
A melody of love.

4. O voice divine, speak thou to me.
Beyond the earth, beyond the sea,
First let me hear, then sing to thee
A melody of love.

06/09/2026

Together in Worship from Guisborough Salvation Army - Signs and Wonders - 6th September 2026
https://youtu.be/gmlcvOTg6Dk

When God's word is preached, when the Church speaks about Jesus, signs follow, and people wonder at the change God can make in people's lives.
Whether it's a miraculous change, an answer to prayer, or a simple, practical demonstration of how God loves us, God works to show others that his word is true.
What signs might God do for you? Indeed, what can you do for him, for others, that are signs and wonders that follow your belief in God's word?

05/09/2026

Here we are on Song Saturday, in September Songs, looking at a Creation Song! Today’s hymn will feature in tomorrow’s online worship on YouTube – Together in Worship – and is also our opening song here at the Citadel, so if you want a good sing, accompanied by our wonderful brass band, come on down!
Tomorrow apparently is Creation Sunday, where our worship of God has his creating power right at the centre. What a wonderful world we live in, and Creation Sunday reminds us, basically, to look after it. It’s God’s creation, and we’re part of it.
The hymn we’ve got this weekend tells us straight that the Lord is ‘the King of creation.’
Great words are accompanied by stirring music; I’m going to enjoy this one tomorrow!

It’s interesting to see the person behind the song. This is a German hymn written by Joachim Neander in 1650. Apparently, he was a bit of a tearaway as a student, but eventually settled down, was soundly saved, changed his ways, studied theology, and became a minister! He wrote many hymns and the tunes that went with them. He was a member of the Pietist movement, a kind of early evangelical who focused on the personal knowledge of Jesus. He’d have made a good Salvationist! Tragically, he died very young, at the age of 30.
He was a nature lover, and spent hours just walking in the countryside. It was there he was able to combine his love of God with his appreciation of nature – God is, after all, the King of Creation as well as reigning in our hearts.

Of course, being a man who believed God was more than the Creator ‘up there,’ but was also a close friend through faith, Joachim could write such encouraging words as ‘ponder anew what the Almighty can do; he who with love doth befriend thee.’ We would certainly agree with him that our wonderful Creator God is filled with love for the world, and for each one of us. What new thing could God do in us today? Remember what Psalm 103 says:
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”
God bless you! 🙏
Antony & Fiona

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation;
All ye who hear,
Brothers and sisters draw near,
Praise him in glad adoration.

2. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
He who with love doth befriend thee.

3. Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease,
Turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

4. Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth his light,
Chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with his mercy surrounding.

5. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen
Sound from his people again;
Gladly for aye we adore him.