The Melbourne Staff Band (Bandmaster Ken Waterworth) spent the second Sunday of September 2010 at the Warrangul Corps, located in the Gippsland District about an hour and a half drive from the central business district of Melbourne.

The morning service commenced at 9:30 a.m., with the band playing Coming Home (Kenneth Downie) as a preliminary item. This was followed by a welcome from Captain Daniel Templeman-Twells, corps officer at Warrangul. The opening song, “Praise Him, Praise Him” was led by the Staff Band’s executive officer, Lt.-Col. Ian Hamilton, and included a responsive reading. Worship in song continued, led by Staff Bandsman Jamie Smith, including the songs Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Shine, Jesus Shine and Glorify Thy Name. Smith concluded this section of the meeting with prayer.

Mark Hamilton gave a children’s story, in keeping with the theme of the meeting, “He knows my name”, using a Scripture passage from Isaiah, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Using a sports trophy as a prop, Hamilton suggested that the children try to remove his name from the trophy with an eraser and some spray-and-wipe. Needless to say, none of them will forget the message behind the story in a hurry!

The Staff Band presented their message in music by playing Wilfred Heaton’s timeless arrangement of Just As I Am. This was followed by the offering and reading of Scripture. During the offering, Wayne Collyer played Major Howard Davies’ melody “The Wonder of His Grace“, unaware that Major Davies was seated in the congregation.

Vocalist Rebecca Raymond passionately presented Jennie Riddles’ worship song Revelation Song.

Staff Bandsman Dean Rusling shared his testimony, encouraging all to be bold in our witness and not be afraid to talk to people about God. He gave a great personal illustration about how God can use anything we do in His name.

Lt.-Col. Hamilton then brought a message from the Word, reminding all that everyone is important to the Lord and His Kingdom and that He does know us all by name. Using John 10:1-10 as the basis of the message, Lt.-Col. Hamilton explained how the Lord, as our Shepherd, loves us as a shepherd loves his sheep.

The final song, “I Know Thee Who Thou Art”, was followed by a benediction from the Staff Band in the form of John Rutter’s song The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee (arr. Ritman).

Morning tea followed the service, giving the members of the Staff Band a good opportunity to catch up with the local people. Then the band was off to lunch with the folk from Warrangul, who graciously opened their homes to the members of the Staff Band. When everyone returned to the citadel for the afternoon concert it was evident that all were well-satisfied.

A full hall was in attendance, with some having to sit in the foyer, which was a great sight to see as the Staff Band made their appearance. Captain Templeman-Twells again welcomed the Staff Band and committed the afternoon to the Lord in prayer.

The Staff Band then commenced the afternoon with Leslie Condon’s classic The Call of the Righteous. The afternoon of music also included Faith Is the Victory (Creamer), Journey into Freedom (Eric Ball) and Intrada on Monkland (Stephen Bulla).

Soloists featured during the afternoon included Garry Todd (cornet) with A Happy Day (Erik Leidzén), Jamie Smith (euphonium) with Euphony (Robert Redhead) and vocalist Rebecca Raymond who sang three songs: Your Grace Still Amazes Me, Now I Belong to Jesus and Amazing Grace, which concluded the concert.

The Staff Band is always pleased to have local sections involved in a performance, and on this day the Warrangul Songsters contributed two items, Written in Red and On Jordan’s Stormy Banks. The Timbrel Brigade also performed, with a drill to Milestone (William Himes) accompanied by the Staff Band.

After afternoon tea, the Staff Band headed back to Melbourne, having spent a good day of worship with the Warrangul Corps.

Source:
Melbourne Staff Band web site