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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-17, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015. PAGE 3. Greeting worshippers at Blyth United Church on Sunday, Dec. 13 were Terry Richmond and Lavern Clark. Ushering were Terry Richmond, Karen Glousher and Lissa Kolkman. Marilyn Scott was guest pianist and Katie Dockstader was guest choir director. Lavern Clark ran the power point. The flowers at the front of the church were from the funeral of Enid MacDonald and the poinsettias were in memory of Warren Moore, Don Craig, David and Annie Craig and Winnie and Charlie Johnston placed by their families. Rev. Gary Clark welcomed everyone to church. He drew everyone’s attention to the Christmas open house at Blyth United Church on Christmas Eve beginning at 7:30 pm. Come out and learn the history of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” with David Onn as he shared his collections from 1930 to present day. The Christmas Eve service will start at 8:15 pm. He also reminded everyone that they are welcome to come to the church for Christmas Day lunch with Kathy and Gary with games to follow. This is open to anyone in the community. RSVP would be helpful by calling 519-523-4380. Harrison and Lars lit the candles on the altar table. The first hymn was “Jesus Came Bringing Us Hope” followed by Tanner lighting the Advent candles. The first three verses of the hymn “A Candle is Burning” was sung. Rev. Clark invited everyone to greet one another. The opening prayer was said responsively followed by the singing of the Lord’s Prayer. The scripture reading was from Luke 1:26-39. The Sunday Fun Group assisted in the play “Charlie Brown’s Christmas.” Gwen Papple portrayed Lucy while Rev. Clark was Charlie Brown. The Sunday Fun Group consisting of Lauren, Reid, Bo, Taylor, Harrison, Lars and Tanner helped Charlie Brown decorate the tree and made it special by bringing candy canes, which were like a shepherd’s crook, baubles and ball which represented God’s everlasting love, stars that led the wise men to Jesus and the angel (which was a stuffed Snoopy dog) which bring unconditional love. The children went downstairs for their time of fellowship. The choir anthem was “O Little Town of Bethlehem” under the direction of Katie Dockstader. Rev. Clark’s message to the congregation was “Christmas Through God’s Eyes.” There is a powerful message in store advertisements. We watched a short video of a little girl watching for the man in the moon through her telescope. What a powerful Christmas message of someone giving a gift to another person! The reason we give a gift at Christmas is to show someone the love that we have for them. The little girl sees the man in the moon as an old and lonely man. We often think of God as old and lonely too. Except for Mary, everyone is old in the Christmas story. God has already opened the doors for us. Rev. Clark told the story that was printed in the United Church Observer of a little church sending letters of encouragement to a little girl struggling. The letters sent to her enabled her to fight and go on to college and get her degree. This past summer she came to visit the people of that little church which was Trinity United in Dungannon. Although most of the people were not there anymore, their families were still there. Our role at Christmas is to be a generous and welcoming church. The hymn “Hark the Herold Angels Sing” was sung followed by the receiving of the offering, the offertory response “As With Gladness Men of Old”, the offertory prayer, the prayers for the people and silent prayers. The last hymn “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” was followed by the benediction and the singing of the chorus “Hope is a Star.” Everyone was invited for fellowship, coffee and treats before going home. *** Happy birthday to Karen Mason who celebrates Dec. 23. What an unusual December this year has been. It isn’t very often that you can go outside without your coat and boots on in the middle of December. Every day above 0°C cuts down the winter days of snow. With all this nice weather it is ideal for driving about and visiting family and friends. The Jingle Bell Rock concert at Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 12 had a sell-out crowd that was not disappointed with the performances. A good time was had by all. will be closing for holidays The Brussels Office will be closed from Monday, December 21 at 2 p.m. until Monday, January 4 at 10 a.m. The Blyth Office will be closed from Wednesday, December 23 at 2 p.m. until Monday, January 4 at 9 a.m. Deadline for the December 24 paper is December 21 2 pm in Brussels, 4 pm in Blyth. The Christmas paper will be in the mail on Thursday, December 24 **Please note: There will be no paper published on Thursday, December 31. The Citizen The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Nothing less than a LIVING Christ will do for us! (J. R. Miller, “Miller’s Year Book — a Year’s Daily Readings”) “He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:4 If your faith stops at the cross — it misses the blessing of the fullest revealing of Christ! You need a Saviour who not merely two thousand years ago went to death to redeem you — but one who also is alive to walk by your side in loving companionship. You need a Saviour who can hear your prayers, to whose feet you can creep in penitence when you have sinned, to whom you can call for help when the battle is going against you. You need a Saviour who is interested in all the affairs of your common life, and who can assist you in every time of need. You need a Christ who can be a real friend — loving you, keeping close beside you, able to sympathize with your weaknesses. You need a Saviour who will come into your life, and will save you, not by one great act of centuries past — but by a life warm and throbbing with love today, and living again in you. A DYING Christ alone, will not satisfy our heart. We must have the living One for our friend! Nothing less than a LIVING Christ will do for us!And that is the Christ the gospel brings to us: one who was dead — and is now alive for ever and ever! “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God!” cried the psalmist, and cries every redeemed soul. It is only as we realize the truth of a living Christ — that our hearts are satisfied. We crave love — a bosom to lean upon, a hand to touch ours, a heart whose beatings we can feel, a personal friendship that will come into our life with its sympathy, its inspiration, its companionship, its shelter, its life, its comfort. All this, the living Christ is to us! “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!” Revelation 1:18 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 42043 Blyth Rd., Walton HEIDI’S ESTHETICS t manicures t pedicures t shellac nails t facials t reflexology t waxing t paraffin therapy Gift certificates make great stocking stuffers 519-887-9348 Christmas Doll Draw 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 Clark portrays Charlie Brown for seasonal message With the holiday season upon us, The Citizen will be settling down and closing up shop for Christmas so employees can spend time with their family and friends. The final issue of the year will be published on Thursday, Dec. 24 and there will be no newspaper published on Dec. 31. The Dec. 24 issue should be delivered in most local mailboxes on Dec. 24. The deadline for the Dec. 24 issue is Monday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Brussels office and at 4 p.m. at the Blyth office. The Brussels office will close that day at 2 p.m., while the Blyth office will remain open until Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. Both offices will then re-open on Monday, Jan. 4 – the Blyth office will open at 9 a.m. and the Brussels office will open at 10 a.m. The Citizen wishes its readers, supporters and community members a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We look forward to seeing you again in 2016 with the Jan. 7 issue of The Citizen. ‘Citizen’ offices set to close for holiday season By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk A helping hand The Huron Women’s Shelter was the beneficiary of a fundraiser at Scrimgeour’s Food Market in Blyth on Saturday. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the grocery store held a “Fill the Cruiser” event where, for $10, donors could have a box of food put in the vehicle. Shown is Auxiliary Constable Doug Nemeth from the Highway 21 OPP detachment getting ready to load one of the first boxes of the day. The event brought in more than $500 worth of food, filling two cruisers, as well as cash donations of more than $200. (Denny Scott photo) BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED