Together in Concert 26: Embracing God’s presence

Lyn Woods reports on Together in Concert, featuring the International Staff Songsters, International Staff Band and MACA Dance.

Together 26 began with the ministry of the International Staff Band (ISB), the International Staff Songsters (ISS) and MACA Dance. They brought Kevin Larsson’s arrangement of ‘They Shall Come from the East’, followed by the ISS singing the reflective ‘Lord, How I Love You’. The Holy Spirit was welcomed as ISS Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel Lisa Lloyd-Jones opened in prayer and Paul Sharman (Creative Arts) introduced the evening.

International Staff Songster Leader Dorothy Nancekievill introduced the compelling ‘Jesus Victorious’, originally written for their 20th anniversary and telling the Easter story. International Staff Bandmaster Jonathan Evans introduced the band’s next piece with a thought-provoking word that encouraged everyone present to embrace presence over performance and to reflect on who we are and who we can be in Christ.

‘The Glory of Jehovah’, an epic five-movement composition by Dorothy Gates, powerfully depicted the exodus and deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, with on-screen Scripture from Exodus.

Each movement was interspersed with songs from the ISS, including the rapturous ‘I Have Seen the Glory of the Lord’ and the reassuring ‘Do Not Be Afraid’. The final movement of ‘The Glory of Jehovah’, ‘The Tabernacle’, saw the three groups unite and included the invitation ‘Holy Spirit you are welcome here’, taking the first half of the evening to interval.

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The ISB reopened with ‘A La Manera’, followed by ‘The Majesty and Glory of Your Name’ from the ISS, before a series of narrations began from Divisional Youth Specialist Nathan Bright (East of England Division).

MACA Dance moved to the modern sounds of ‘Dusty Bibles’ and ‘What It Sounds Like’ and the ISS encouraged everyone to never underestimate the power of prayer, as they delivered the beautiful, intercessory ‘I Prayed for You’ and the traditional Irish blessing ‘You Do Not Walk Alone’, before the ISB played the upbeat and lilting ‘Heaven Came Down’.

In his Bible message, Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest spoke of the Army’s 161-year history, how music lifts people heavenwards and of the power in the Christian message, reaffirming that we do not walk alone. He shared thoughts around Psalm 22 and how Jesus’ final words uttered on the cross were not a cry for help but a victorious fulfilment of the prophecy of David, a thousand years earlier.

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The band played ‘Steadfast’, which saw traditional music combine with modern worship lyrics – ‘He’s faithful through every season, so why would he fail now? He won’t!’ Colonel Peter then read a third narration by Nathan Bright, which referred to the weekend’s key verse, Acts 17:28: ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’

‘We are a Movement of God’s image wrapped in willing people,’ the narration concluded. ‘This is us, because God’s Spirit goes before us.’

The magnificent evening concluded as Rob Moye (THQ) sang ‘Lord, If Your Presence’, supported by the ISB, ISS and MACA Dance. ISB Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel Paul Kingscott closed with a prayer, urging everyone to take Jesus into the streets of Birmingham and beyond.