12. Lamb at The King's House, Salisbury

Spreading Love & Hope...

Welcome to this week's devotion. These resources have been gathered for your use at home during these days of physical social distancing and virtual social connection. May this devotion and the links provided help you stay connected to God and the wider community.

If you have items to share -- a prayer, song, Bible verse, reflection, photo, link -- please send it, so we can share them with everyone. Thanks to whomever snapped the lamb at King's House Salisbury (another submission in the church calendar competition).

Please share these devotions with friends.
Blessings & peace, Ana & Tod
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60. Sarum Lights 2020 at Salisbury Cathedral

It is well with my soul

Composed by Phillip P Bliss
Lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888)

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,
shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7

Story behind the hymn

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family -- a wife, Anna, and five children. They were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Gratefully, Horatio had managed to rebuild the business and it flourished once more.

On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. Among the passengers were Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Mr. Spafford had planned to travel with his family, but he was required to stay in Chicago due to unexpected business concerns. He planned to take another ship and join his family in Europe a few days later.

About four days into the crossing of the Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She knelt there with and prayed that God would spare them, if it be God's will, or make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including Anna Spafford and the four Spafford daughters, Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta.

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later recalled Anna saying, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.”

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.

According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this journey.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. In August 1881, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem. Mr. Spafford died and is buried in that city.

(This story is taken from a website about the hymn. My apologies, I've lost the link.)
Salisbury URC quilt (2)

Music

It is well with my soul, sung by the Wartburg Choir at First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska USA. Lee Nelson is conductor and Tom Trenney, organist.
It is well with my soul, sung by the New Apostolic Church Choir and Orchestra, Southern Africa.
Soloist: Friedel Mitas
Conductor: Mario Vester
Arranged by Clyde Davids
Send in your favourite music links to share.
53. Stonehenge 1

Bible Study: Responding to joy and worry

Rejoice in the Lord always... Do not worry about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
from Phillipians 4:4-7

See
Sit in a comfortable position with your Bible nearby. You might light a candle.
Open to Phillipians 4:4-9 and read it slowly.

Judge
Consider the meanings of the words and the feelings they arouse in you. What is God saying to you through this passage? What are you joyful about today? (Over what do you rejoice?) What are your worries today? Where is God in your joy and worry?

Act
Choose at least one action to undertake today to demonstrate your joy, and another to face your worry or fear.
Peace dove by Leslie Shaw

Sunday Worship online and on-the-phone 10:30

Join in through your computer or using your landline telephone. If you would like to learn more so that you can join us in worship and communion, contact your Church Secretary or the Ministers or reply to this email.
Andover, Broad Chalke & Salisbury congregations
of the United Reformed Church gather for worship.
Everyone is welcome.
Bible on stand, Salisabury URC
Click on the blue button above to visit Worship Words for prayers and reflections related to the Lectionary Readings for this Pentecost season of the Church Year.

Reminder - Tuesday's Corona Christ Care Zoom Group

14:30-16:00 for fellowship, Bible study and prayer.
Everyone is welcome. Bring your Bible and a cup of tea.
Readings prepare us for Sunday worship.
(Zoom Meeting ID: 852 5929 3409)
Here's the Zoom link to copy into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85259293409
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