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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-06-25, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015. MVCA updates By Pastor Andrew Versteeg Brussels Community Bible Chapel As I have been reading the Bible lately, there is a word that has caught my attention. This word is found in a few different places, especially in the New Testament, and speaks of the greatness of God. This word also warms my heart and makes me sit in awe and appreciation of God, who, the Scriptures says, is sitting on his throne in heaven governing all the affairs of His created universe. The word that I am thinking about is the word “dominion”. This word is used in a number of places in the New Testament especially in the context of doxology; i.e. the giving of praise to God and worshipping Him for who He is. When I was a boy, I was part of a church cadet group. Some of you who read this will know what I am talking about. Every Friday evening we opened our time together by reciting, singing and praying through some things that we stood for and believed. One of our recitations was a pledge to Canada and the flag. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of Canada and to the dominion for which she stands …” In a way it felt good to be able to say that. It reminded me that we live in a strong, free, and good country for which I would pledge myself as a citizen. It would be the kind of thing that a soldier of Canada would say as he/she would go to war to defend our nation. The dominion of Canada is the territories and the provinces of Canada, and the people who live in the ‘dominion’ of Canada are those whom the constitution of Canada governs. The word “dominion” refers to power and authority and sovereignty. In terms of the Bible, God is said to have “the dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 25). In other words God is said to have all authority, and He is said to govern all of His creation according to His will and purposes. Why can this be a comforting thought? First of all, this truth can assure our hearts that things around us are not just happening randomly, nor is there anything that is just spinning wildly and out of control. All things are under the control of God. I am not trying to explain here on God’s behalf why He allows and ordains things to happen as they do, but what I am saying is that nothing happens outside of God’s control. Secondly, this truth is presented in the Scripture as a special comfort for those who have become Christians through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28 says that God is causing “all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” For those of you who know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you can be assured that God has his eye upon you and He is orchestrating everything in your life for your good. That means the good and the bad things are brought into your life by your heavenly Father who loves you and knows what is best for you, and will bring good out of everything for you. Lastly, God is also said to be all wise. Again quoting from Jude 25 – “To God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen”. We often wonder why things happen as they do and sometimes we think that we know better and that things should be done differently. But complete wisdom and sovereignty belongs to God and we are called in the Scriptures to trust Him and submit ourselves to Him. This begins with receiving the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and following Him. Those who have done so have always found God to be One on whom they can rely through pleasant and difficult circumstances now in this life. God’s dominion is also eternal and His promise to those who trust Him now is that they will also reign with Him forever. To Him belongs “dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority visited North Huron Township Council at its June 15 meeting to give an update on the new direction of the organization. Due to funding issues, the organization has re-focused its efforts on reforestation, flood and erosion emergencies and watershed planning rather than some of its previous endeavours including conservation areas, said General Manager Phil Beard and Communications Co-ordinator Jayne Thompson. North Huron council thanked the organization for its efforts. *** During his Reeve’s report, Reeve Neil Vincent stated that the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story earlier this month went very well. He said 250 people took part in the event which occurs throughout the county and said he hopes some younger writers will travel from more exotic locales next year for the young writers category, stating that the three writers who entered came from Goderich and St. Marys. 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. IT’S HAPPENING! This Sunday at HURON CHAPEL Bob Bramhill from Caring For The Heart Ministries. It all begins at 10:30am huronchapel.com CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Sunday, June 28 Canada Day is coming ~ Raise your flag Sunday, July 5 Guest Speaker: Gloria Wilbee (Service begins at 10:00) Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed. Children Welcome Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, June 28 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 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 Vacation Bible School ~ July 20-24 Register on line at www.brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com/vbs getlivingwater.org Living Water Christian Fellowship Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 June 28: 2 Sam. 1:11ff Evangelical Missionary Church OUTDOOR SERVICE & POTLUCK AT J&R UYL’S, 180 North St., Blyth “David - Dealing with Difficulty, Pt. 3: Mourning a Dear Friend & an Enemy” July 6-10: VBS at Huron Chapel, EMC, Auburn July 20-23: Community VBS at Blyth United - tinyurl.com/blythvbs2015 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, JUNE 28 Nursery care available 519-887-9017 Worship & Sunday School - 10 am Coffee & Snacks - 11 am We invite you to join our church family in: 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. SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH From the Minister’s Study God’s dominion is powerful says Versteeg BRUSSELS WORSHIP SERVICE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 am All Welcome United Church Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div. Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224 blythunited@tcc.on.ca Church bookings: 519-887-6377 Other concerns: 226-963-1175