"going To The Army!" - Marc Harry's Podcast

Ascension!For the 46th in my series of Salvation Meetings for Fortress Radio. I am delighted to welcome my old friend Lt Col. Ced Hills who speaks on the subject of the Ascension.The meeting is a bit of a 'Portsmouth Citadel Reunion'. Ced sat next to me on the euphonium section at Portsmouth when he was our CO a decade or so ago and we became good friends. So both Portsmouth Citadel Band ( John Hanchett) and Songsters (Julie Wheeler) take part in this meeting as well as there being some fine congregational songs and there are also contributions from the International Staff Songsters, Exeter Temple Singing Company (Jane Cox Williams) and the Birmingham Citadel Contemporary Music Group.

The 45th in the series of Salvation Meetings I have prepared for Fortress Radio sees a rare (for me) departure into the Old Testament and one of the great prophets - Ezekiel and his vision of the Mega-Temple.I was led to quote earlier in my preparations: "Discussing Ezekiel's everso vivid prophecies with burning chariots and spinning wheels and dry bones reforming I question what medications he was taking and say "I'll have what Ezekiel's on!"In all seriousness, though, this story is the only time 'Healing Waters' are mentioned in the whole of the Old Testament - and we live, today, very much in a world that needs that Divine Healing.The meeting has a Living/Healing Waters theme and contains some grand old Salvation Army songs in old and newer arrangements including a beautiful vocal solo from Kaytie Harding.Music comes from Boscombe SA Band, Staines Songsters and the (now sadly defunct) East London Youth Chorus.May God bless you all and bring you nearer to Him as you listen to this podcast.

Dare To Be a........Thomas? The disciple Thomas sometimes gets a bit of a rough ride, I think. His reputation and legacy seems to be based on nothing but his 'doubting' - and hence his name has been used for millennia as the epitome of scepticism!Join me for the Salvation Meeting on Fortress Radio where we look at so much more that we can learn from Thomas - enough that, instead of Daniel for a change, might not some of us even 'Dare to be a Thomas'?Music from the ISB, Portsmouth Citadel Songsters, Wealdstone Singing Company (1970) and much more - plus, of course, some great songs and a brand new poem by Commissioner Harry Read.Plus songs and the message - of course.

This Easter Day Salvation Meeting is very much a celebration of the Risen Christ - and it's great to be able to welcome Colonel Phil Maxwell (who delivers the sermon), his wife Deslea who also speaks and my friend Matt Woods as well. When Col Maxwell sent a vocal solo to accompany his message he got Matt's name slightly wrong (Mark instead of Matt) and it was only when I listened to the beautiful voice I realised that it was young Matthew at once, of course! Join me then, for some of the great Easter hymns and songs, songsters, singing company, soloist and one of the all time great Dean Goffin classics from the band.

'Meditative Music and Readings for a Holy Day'There is, for today, a BRAND NEW episode of the "Going to the Army!" podcast - especially for Good Friday.This is not a 'normal' GttA episode but a complete 'act of worship' - subtitled a:'Meditative Music and Readings for a Holy Day' the 2 hour programme I have prepared with the help of the wonderful Jeannine Ridha has music by Salvation Army Bands and Songster Brigades, Singing Companies, Soloists and a even Rock Group.Although the programme will be aired on Fortress Radio several times today it will be, necessarily, broken up by news bulletins - for complete, uninterrupted listening please use the podcast link here.Readings are taken from dramatic presentations, poems and, of course, the Bible itself. Joining me with these dramatic readings is prominent Lincolnshire actress Jeannine Ridha who has strong links to Grimsby SA and has a career in musicals and other stage shows spanning 50 years.Immerse yourself in the Good Friday experience and join me. God ble

 STRESS...WORRY...CARES....ANXIETIES...Symptoms of life that we just have to live with in 2021? Or is there a solution?Peter gives us the answer in the last Chapter of his First Epistle - and comes up with 'one of the best verses in the whole bible'!This week's Salvation Meeting - the 42nd meeting I have produced since the start of the pandemic and marking a whole year of online ministry - is the last in our series looking at Peter's 1st letter.Some great congregational song arrangements to join in with, a Joy Webb classic, one of the best of all Gowans/Larsson songs of all, a classic cornet solo and much more to enjoy and inspire.Music from the International Staff Songsters, Philip Cobb, Portsmouth Singing Company, the TMS Ladies Voices Group, The Joystrings and many more adds to the worship and reinforcement of the meeting's theme - casting all our cares on Jesus - because He cares for us.There's also a strong challenge to us all...so beware! It could be dangerous going to church! You never know what God

 'Suffering for being a Christian'This week's meeting is the the 41st Salvation Meeting in the current series on Fortress Radio We continue our look at the first epistle of Peter, reaching chapter 4 and the portion headed 'Suffering for being a Christian'.Our guest speaker for the meeting is Major Estelle Blake - who has worked extensively for The Salvation Army in the field of human trafficking and abuse.  Music comes from Leicester South Corps, Kettering SA Band, Portsmouth Citadel Songsters, Boscombe Singing Company, the ISB, USA WT Staff Songsters and so many more - and many blessings, challenges and inspiration is promised!God bless you all.Marc 

This week's SALVATION MEETING for Fortress Radio is the 40th in the series I have prepared since the first lockdown almost a year ago. This time we take a look at part of 1 Peter ch 3 and try to apply the advice there to our lives at this specific time.Major Estelle Blake opens in prayer, there is a fine testimony from SL Paul Dale (one of my oldest and best friends) and some great Army songs and choruses, band pieces and songs from the songsters - including some Gowans and Larsson classics and a modern masterpiece from Andrew Maycock.Featuring the Staff Songsters, musicians from a Scottish Congress, the Sunbury Junior Singers ,William Booth Memorial Halls Band and soloist Eric Tebbett.Marc

"My time, matey, not yours!" - is what God told me very clearly earlier this week as I was growing impatient for inspiration!This is the 39th meeting I have prepared for FORTRESS RADIO since the Covid lockdowns began in March 2020This meeting is the third in the series based on the 1st Epistle of Peter - this time -chapter 2.  How can we best be 'walking advertisements' for Jesus in this evil world?If you like some of the GREAT Salvation Army songs then this one's for YOU!Plus music from the Amsterdam Staff Band, International Staff Band and Songsters, Croydon Citadel Songsters, Portsmouth Citadel Singing Company...and more besides!Thoughts are centred around Major Darren Shaw's wonderful 'Guardian of My Soul'

 BE HOLY (but you don't have to be a hero)Welcome to another hour of Salvation Army worship - featuring the International Staff Band and Songsters, Santa Ana Singing Company, Barbara Allen, and even my old friend Roger Marsh!  This is the 2nd meeting in the series in which we examine the 1st Epistle of Peter...We are told to 'BE HOLY'. God doesn't expect us to achieve the target overnight...it might take a lifetime - but that's OK as He has the patience - and an unlimited amount of LOVE and FORGIVENESS to help us get there!Some good Army songs, a band classic from Robert Redhead and an update of an oldie from the pen of Richard Phillips...and there is EVEN MORE in the podcast version (which is not time limited) including music from  Kevin Larsson. My wife  Sarah Harry reads the bible for us and one of my favourite songs from the pen of John Gowans...    God bless you all. Marc

Doom and Gloom If a month has five Sundays then the 5th will always be a good old Salvation Army praise meeting - yes the kind you might remember from your childhood and younger days - often accompanied, if you recall, with indigestion caused by rushing down a full roast dinner in the hour you might have managed to get at home between morning and afternoon activities at the army!This week we have music from Erik Leidzen, Robert Redhead, William Himes, Trevor Davis, Karl Westwood & Ivor Bosanko - some great songs, a wonderful testimony from Zara Rose  Stone....band, songsters, YP Band and a double helping of singing company...oh...and even the Cobham Chorus for good measure!...And if that's not enough there's bible teaching about being JOYFUL and how to deal with all the DOOM AND GLOOM that surrounds us every day!Christians have been blessed with the best GOOD NEWS of all - the Gospel of Jesus - so share it!  Avoid doom and gloom - and share a smile! 

"Which Way are YOU Going?" This Salvation Meeting - the 35th in the series I have produced for Fortress Radio since the Covid-19 Pandemic struck in March 2020 - is all about walking our life's pathways with Jesus.Do you walk with Him?  Talk with Him? There are many times when it is difficult for all of us - and many of us have been directly affected by the virus, of course.Rest assured, that whatever might happen to us here on Earth we, as Christians, are always promised a joyous eternity in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour.Some parts of the meeting are based on some writing I encountered earlier in the week by Commissioner Harry Read - and we also hear his lovely song 'Become Aware of Him'.The band piece is an all-time classic, Ray Steadman-Allen's 'In Quiet Pastures' and some of the songs from that piece are either sung in the service or referenced in my talk.Other music is provided by groups including Wood Green Singing Company, the International Staff Band and Songsters, the Canadian Staff Band, The Melbo

Salvation Meeting (34) for Fortress Radio"Jesus - our Foundation" This meeting, the 34th in the series I have prepared for Fortress Radio since March 2020, the start of the Covid pandemic, is centred around i Corinthians ch 3 - in which the Apostle Paul exhorts the younf church in Corinth to stop bickering about trivialities and ensure they build on a solid foundation.Songs include 'I Dare to Be Different', 'How Firm a Foundation" and "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."  Musical items, by Norwich Citadel Band, Canadian group 'Witness', cornet soloist David Daws and the Southern Youth Chorus include favourites such as 'Total Praise', 'A New World' and Norman Bearcroft's 'Songs of Testimony'.  Portsmouth Citadel Singing Company remind us of the foollish man who built his house on 'Sandy Land'.This ministry continues to be listened to right round the world both on Fortress Radio and here in the Podcast version.  Feedback is always welcome as are requests for songs or items - or you might want to record a word of

 "Epiphany"One of my friends posted this week that he likes to 'linger a little longer at the manger' at Christmas each year. Well, today is only '10 Lords a Leaping' day, I think - so our first Salvation Meeting of 2021 this evening has a distinctly 'Epiphany' theme - and the terms 'Worship and Adoration' would make a suitable title for the meeting.Music comes from Pasadena Tabernacle Band, Regent Hall Band, Ilford Songsters, The International Staff Band & Songsters, East London Youth Chorus - and The Joystrings.Wave goodbye to the Christmas season this year with the Wise Men - bowing at the feet of the Son of Man.This is 33rd meeting prepared for Fortress Radio since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic by Bandmaster Marc Harry of Lincoln Salvation Army, UK Territory.  Marc is well-known as a euphonium soloist, singer, pianist and songwriter and also hosts the (now occasional) "Going to the Army!" Podcast.

Welcome to the Fortress Radio/Going to the Army Carol Service 2020 I am delighted to invite you to join with the listeners from Fortress Radio to tonight's 'meeting' - the 32nd Sunday Evening Service I have been privileged to record and share with you since March 2020.The world this year has changed so very much - but God's Love for the world He made is the same today as it was then - in fact, I believe He is holiding our world even tighter as it lurches from crisis to crisis in this unique year.Tonight we join with the musicians of the Norwich area, East Anglia for our Carol Service - as much of the material for tonight's service is taken from a CD I was privileged to make with them a few years ago - titled 'Joy to the World'.Tonight, I wanted us to all be able to simply sit back, relax in God’s presence and celebrate Christmas in a quite traditional way.  There will be carols, readings and musical items as we spend this hour together – united in our love for the Lord and our prayers that the world would sim

Salvation Meeting (31) - 13th December 2020 (Advent 3) This meeting, the 31st in the series produced for Fortress Radio in 2020, marks the 3rd Sunday of Advent. In a world that needs Jesus more than ever before Christians are praying for the world to turn to its Saviour as we prepare to celebrate His birth.The meeting has some great Salvation Army songs, Songster and Singing Company music and one of the greatest brass band pieces ever composed, from the pen of Eric Ball.Of course, we are also preparing ourselves for Christ's return - the Second Coming - or Second Advent, as I refer to it.  We look at Isaiah's prophecy  and are left with the words of Major Joy Webb's beautiful song "Come into our World - NOW, Lord Jesus"

Praise and Salvation Meeting (29) - 29th November 2020This is my latest meeting produced for  Fortress Radio - the 29th such meeting I've been privileged to make this year. This week's PRAISE and TESTIMONY meeting includes an enjoyable mix of band, songster and singing company music, some grand songs and a quite remarkable testimony and solo from Kaytie HardingGreat songs of praise and testimony - Bible teaching from Ephesians, a Gowans Larsson classic Band Selection, songster songs and an amazing testimony!  Finally, one of the Army's greatest marches to conclude after the BenedictionI continue to be both amazed and thoroughly blessed by the way 2020 has opened up a whole new avenue of service and ministry that God has led me into in this strangest of all strange years.

Tonight's Salvation Meeting for Fortress Radio is all about TRUST.This, the 28th meeting in the series that I have prepared most weeks since lockdown began in March 2020. God is using this online ministry in ways I - and many others - could never have imagined and I count it both a great privilege and responsibility to have this opportunity and to be part of this tremendous witness.Music this evening includes items from Coventry City Singing Company, Norwich Citadel Songsters and the Household Troops Band. There are some truly wonderful songs included with a brand new recording of an old favourite from me.The band item is an Eric Ball Classic and other music includes 'Christ is All' and 'I Know a Fount'. The band even play The Red Shield after the benediction!Join me at 6pm tonight or on the "Going to the Army!" podcast site soon afterwards. God bless you all.Marc

Remembrance Sunday - PrayerTonight's meeting for Fortress Radio has a dual focus - Praying, particularly for Peace in the world and we also mark Remembrance Day, of course.As usual, plenty of great songs/hymns and items from the ISB, Portsmouth Citade Songsters, Worthing Singing Company  and the Southern Territorial Songsters as well as the voices of Kaytie Harding and Gail Dickson and the playing of Howard J Evans and John Starkes.Prayers are led by Chris and Jo Lyons (Gainsborough) and  readings and prayers from Stephen Poxon and Ivan Stead (Grimsby)....And something new - a drama item featuring my son Ieuan Harry!

I Want to Live Right! This week's Salvation Meeting (the 26th in the series!) for Fortress Radio is largely based on the old chorus 'I Want to Live Right'.Some great Army and church songs & hymns; Kettering Citadel Band and Hendon Songsters, the East London Youth Chorus, Jude Gotrich and US (South) contemporary group 'Transmission' priovide musical items while the 'testimony' is directly from the mouth of St Paul!  Major Chris Herbert opens the meeting in prayer.