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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-11-09, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017. From the Minister's Study Sacrifice can be humbling: van Leeuwen By Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Blyth Christian Reformed Church This week we remember those who gave their lives for us. Remembrance Day is a sobering time, for we are confronted again with the reality that not so many decades ago young men (mostly men) from our community boarded ships which crossed the Atlantic to deliver them to the battlefronts in Europe. Many of them never returned. Without their sacrifices, our world would have been a very different place. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of a sacrifice. Canadians may be somewhat removed from what could have been, for we have, for the main part, never experienced war on our soil. As I reflect on the sacrifices that were made by the soldiers of last century, I am faced with the grim reality that my life would have been very different had not our nation been willing to send citizens. My family is from the Netherlands, and that country, as you well know, was occupied by Nazi forces early in World War II. My family suffered under that occupation. We are well aware, further, that the Dutch were liberated primarily by Canadian troops, and for that the Dutch are forever grateful. My life, because I am of Dutch heritage, would have been very different had not so many been willing to sacrifice themselves for my ancestors. I am on the receiving end of a very gracious act which has changed my life completely. As a pastor and student of scripture, I cannot help but see the parallels between what Canadians did in Europe and what Jesus has done for us. The way the Bible describes it, our world has been occupied by a force which has been determined to destroy this beautiful world in which we live. This force of darkness stands opposed to all that God has done and seeks to rob his work of its goodness. We see maue a New addition? Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy! Call for prices and details 519-523-479 or 519-887-9114 The Citizen evidence of the destructive forces of darkness in the violence, oppression, war, injustice, and greed that has become so commonplace. Like my ancestors in the Netherlands, we are powerless to stop this destruction by ourselves. The Bible tells us that from the beginning, from the very moment that the forces of darkness and evil occupied this world, God set into motion a plan to reverse this occupation. Working through the Old Testament nation of Israel, God placed into the hearts and minds of humanity an expectation that one day a liberator would come to wage war against the evil that pervades our communities. That liberator, as we learn from Scripture, is none other than Jesus Christ, and when He came to this world, He came willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom: He gave His life. His willingness to give His life to stop evil was mirrored in the willingness of the BRUSSELS Allied soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop the Nazi regime. At the cross Jesus defeated the powers of destruction and gave to all who would accept His sacrifice freedom and new life. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of a sacrifice. It is especially humbling to know that our situation is so bad that we cannot do anything for ourselves but that Jesus was willing to come to us and help us when we could not help ourselves. It was God the Father's gracious act of sending His Son, Jesus, to us that gave the first glimmer of hope to this world. The victory over the powers of darkness is not yet complete, but the spiritual D -Day has already occurred. There is no stopping Jesus now, for He has hit the enemy with a vital blow, one from which it will not recover. And He did so by offering Himself on the cross. If you have ever wondered why United Church Welcome to Sunday morning worship & Sunday School at 11:00 am Hillary MacDonald (905) 246-7386 Macdonald.hillary@gmail.com Everyone welcome ANGLICAN PARISH OF NEW BEGINNINGS BLYTH Trinity (. 9:15 am Church Office 519-357-4883 BRUSSELS St. John's 11:15 am Church Office 519-887-6862 Everyone Welcome! COME WORSHIP WITH USI MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 We invite you to join our church family in: Worship & Sunday School - 11 am Coffee & Snacks following the service Come out and meet our new minister, Rev. Charmila Ireland Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Nursery care available 519-887-6687 SAME HURON CHAPEL SERVICE TWO TI ES 9am, o'c //am, Every Sunday in Auburn - huronchapel.com people who call themselves Christians are so dedicated Jesus Christ, it is for that reason. The Dutch people of the Netherlands have committed themselves to remembering the sacrifice made on their behalf, and there will always be a warm place in their hearts toward Canadians. In the same way, we who have put our trust in Jesus Christ will always remember the sacrifice He made for us, and we want xour lives to reflect our gratitude. Remembrance Day is a time when we say thank you to those who gave their lives in war. But we live the rest of the days of the year in gratitude for their sacrifice. In a sense, Good Friday, the day we remember that Jesus died on the cross, is a Remembrance Day for Christians. Because of His sacrifice, we seek to live our gratitude for His sacrifice every other day of the year. Venire ,Invited a join `us Worship t SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH zt Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Fauddeta, (Jooiurr2tac'fiy eae You're 'nvited to come worsht p with us Sunday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Blyth Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Blyth United Church Est. 1875 Hillary MacDonald Sunday, November 12 Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. Remembering... OFFICE: 519-523-4224 THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph's Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N.