Live updates from Friday at Together 26

Updates from Birmingham on the first day of Together 26.

10.15pm

Applause fills Hall 1 in the ICC for tonight’s inspiring finale, an arrangement of Yvonne Field’s 'Lord, If Your Presence' by Gavin Lamplough featuring the ISB, ISS, MACA Dance and vocal soloist Rob Moye (THQ).

Earlier, Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest brought a Bible message on Psalm 22. He highlighted that Jesus’ final words uttered on the cross were not a cry for help but a victorious fulfilment of the prophecy of King David, one thousand years earlier.

‘The final verses of Psalm 22 are a declaration of total, absolute victory,’ he said. ‘Jesus didn’t die quoting the beginning of Psalm 22. He died fulfilling the end of it.’ 

He reminded us all: ‘You do not walk alone. That’s been the message of The Salvation Army for 161 years.’

As we round up tonight’s reporting, here’s a thought from the third of three narrations written by Divisional Youth Specialist Nathan Bright (East of England Division), which highlighted the weekend's key verse of Acts 17:28 and reflected on the weekend's theme, This Is Us: ‘Before there were uniforms to wear, there was God shining as the everlasting light. We’re not a church bound by buildings; we are a Movement of God’s image wrapped in willing people.’

‘This is us,’ it concluded, ‘because God’s Spirit goes before us.’

Pick up next week’s issue of Salvationist magazine (10 July) to read our full report on tonight’s concert.

In the meantime, you can:

• Listen to episodes from the This Is My Story, This Is My Song podcast featuring ISB Bandmaster Jonathan Evans and ISS Leader Dorothy Nancekievill.
• Tune in to Salvationist Radio for your favourite Salvation Army and Christian music 24/7.
• Follow @SalvationistUKI on Facebook and Instagram,

Be sure to join us tomorrow morning for live reporting on day two of Together 26!

9.30pm

A moving segment of tonight’s programme featured the ISB playing ‘The Glory of Jehovah’, a multi-movement work retelling the story of Exodus by Dorothy Gates. The journey was brought vividly to life with contributions from MACA Dance, while the ISS sang ‘I Have Seen the Glory of the Lord’ by Chris Brindley and ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ by Philip Stopford in between movements.

In his introduction to ‘The Glory of Jehovah’, International Staff Bandmaster Jonathan said the Old Testament story of Exodus is ‘not just a historical narrative, but a present invitation’, and a ‘powerful picture of who we are and who we can be’. He reminded us that we, too, are God’s people, ‘called by God' and 'grounded in his presence’. He challenged us: ‘What is your Egypt today? Ask God to deliver you.’

8.30pm

Tonight’s concert at the ICC in Birmingham is under way!

The International Staff Band, International Staff Songsters and MACA Dance joined together for Kevin Larsson’s arrangement of ‘They Shall Come from the East’ to kick things off.

God’s presence was acknowledged right at the start of Together 26, with words of welcome from Paul Sharman (Music and Creative Arts) and an opening prayer fom ISS Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel Lisa Lloyd-Jones. Paul said: ‘We pray that God will convict, inspire and provide as we go through this evening with him.’

Don’t forget, you can hear the ISB and ISS by tuning into the livestreams this weekend at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo.

Saturday 4 July:

• 6.30pm-8pm This is Us! Together in Worship – pre-meeting music from 6pm.

Sunday 5 July:

• 10.30am–12.30pm This Is Our Journey: Ordination and Commissioning of the Keepers of the Covenant – pre-meeting music from 10.10am.
• 3pm–4.30pm This Is Us! Part of the Story – pre-meeting music from 2.40pm.

In the meantime, follow @SalvationistUKI on Facebook and Instagram for some soundbites from tonight's concert.

6pm

Welcome to live updates from Together 26!

It's Beth and Tim here from the Salvationist team and we’ll be bringing you the latest from Birmingham throughout the weekend, thanks to our colleagues.

Before the weekend starts, make sure you’re following @SalvationistUKI on Facebook and Instagram, so you’re ready to tag us and join in the Together 26 conversation on social media.

You can make the most of Together at Home by visiting salvationist.org.uk/together-home, where you'll find the event guide and information about the livestreams, along with prayer points, a Spotify playlist and a Kids Alive! activity pack – there's something for everyone!

This Is Us

Our theme, This Is Us, invites us to join together, united in faith, hope and purpose.

In their message to the territory ahead of the weekend, Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main said: ‘As we gather from all sorts of places and contexts in the United Kingdom and Ireland, we are reminded that The Salvation Army is not defined by its structures: we are a Movement of God’s people, grounded in his presence and energised by faith. There is a place for everyone to belong and flourish, and to play their part in carrying out God’s mission.’

Stay tuned for updates from the ICC, where the weekend will start with a concert of worship and praise with the International Staff Songsters and International Staff Band, supported by MACA Dance.

Wherever and however you are joining Together 26, you are welcome and part of the story: This Is Us!