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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-24, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015. PAGE 3. This ever-present Christ! (Letters of John Newton) “Surely I am with you always--to the very end of the age!” Matthew 28:20 In our natural state, we have very dark, and indeed dishonorable thoughts of God- -we conceive of Him as at a distance. But when the heart is awakened, we begin to make Jacob’s reflection, “Surely the Lord is in this place--and I knew it not!”Yes, though we cannot see Him--He sees us, He is nearer to us than we are to ourselves! And when we are saved, we begin to know this ever-present Christ; that the government of Heaven and earth, the dispensations of the kingdom of nature, providence, and grace--are in His hands; that it is He with whom we have to do-- who once suffered agony and death for our redemption, and whose compassion and tenderness are the same as when He conversed among men in the days of His humiliation. Thus Jesus is made known to us by the gospel, in the endearing views of a Shepherd, a Husband, a Friend. With humble confidence, we may enter into the holiest of all, and repose all our cares and concerns upon the strength of that everlasting arm which upholds Heaven and earth, and upon the infinite love which submitted to the shame, pain, and death of the cross--to redeem sinners from wrath and misery! There is a height, a breadth, a length, and a depth, in this mystery of redeeming love,exceeding the comprehension of all finite minds! “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!” Ephesians 3:19 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all your friends at Unique Works of Art Gourmet Foods Gift Baskets Gift Certificates available We will be closing for the winter from January 1st to April 1st, 2016 Thanks for your patronage ~ see you in the Spring! 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 www.mapleandmoose.com Week Save Up to... Plus...NO TAXES STOREWIDE! 50% Off OLDMiLLThe OPEN DEC 26 10 AM-5 PM DEC 27, 10 AM-6PMDEC2812-5PM DEC 29, 30 10 AM - 6PM 1 Mile South of Blyth • www.theoldmill.ca • Phone 519-523-4595 Special Savings December 26 - January 3 Open Dec. 26 10 am - 6 pm; Dec. 27 11 am - 5 pm; Dec. 28-30 10 am - 6 pm; Dec. 31 10 am - 4 pm; Jan. 1 closed; Jan. 2 10 am - 6 pm; Jan. 3 12 noon - 5 pm ReLook Nook LadiesWear ConsignmentShop 14 Isaac St., Clinton • 519-606-4001 Open Tuesday-Friday 9:30-5:30 Saturday 9:30-4:00 Wishing you the bestof the Holiday Seasonfrom... From my house to yours – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers. Have a safe and happy holiday season and we will be back in January, 2016. Happy anniversary to Karen and Rob Mason who will celebrate Dec. 28. Happy birthday to Bill Howson who celebrates Dec. 28 and Brock Vodden, Dec. 29. To start the new year here are the first few birthdays: Connie Nesbitt and David Webster, Brussels, who celebrates Jan. 1; Deb Hakkers, Mike Haggitt and Jenna DeCorte, Jan. 4 and Brodie Nesbitt, Jan. 5. Bodie and Ollie Craig hosted a Craig Christmas at the farm on Sunday, Dec. 20. Everyone enjoyed a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Those attending were Joye and Murray Kane, Fullarton; Al and Cindy Kane, Mitchell; Kim Hornyak, London; Paul, Emily and Amanda Craig, Waterloo; Doug Craig, Atwood; Heidi Martin, Gowanstown; Deb, Fred and Jon Hakkers and Marilyn Craig, Blyth, A good time was had by all. My sister Nancy Daer and I travelled to Watford on Tuesday, Dec. 15 to visit our 96-year-old aunt, Verna Evans who is residing in the Watford Quality Care Centre. Nancy and I also attended the funeral of William (Bill) Johnston of Wingham on Thursday, Dec. 17. The Citizen’s offices are now closed for Christmas, set to re-open on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. There will be no newspaper published on Thursday, Dec. 31. The Blyth office will re-open at 9 a.m. on Jan. 4, while the Brussels office will re-open at 10 a.m. The deadlines for the following issue – to be published on Thursday, Jan. 7 – will be Monday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Brussels office and at 4 p.m. at the Blyth office. The staff of The Citizen and all of North Huron Publishing sincerely wish all of our readers, supporters and community members a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to bringing you the stories of your community once again in 2016. ‘Citizen’ closes for holidays Craig family celebrates Christmas dinner event God’s Ewe View Greeting worshippers at Blyth United Church on Christmas Sunday, Dec. 20 were Terry Richmond and Marilyn Craig. Ushering were Terry Richmond, Nicole Brooks and Emily Phillips. Marilyn Scott was guest pianist and Katie Dockstader was guest choir director. Brett Glousher and Fred Hakkers ran the power point. Rev. Gary Clark welcomed everyone to church and drew attention to the announcements scrolling on the power point. The poinsettias at the front of the church were placed in memory of Warren Moore, by Donna, Erin and Adam and in memory of Don Craig, Davie and Annie Craig and Winnie and Charlie Johnston, placed by Marilyn and family. The first hymn “Jesus Came Bringing Us Hope, Joy, Peace and Love” was sung. Phil Bromley lit the advent candle of love. Rev. Clark invited everyone to greet one another. The opening prayer was followed by the serving of communion. The United Church creed was repeated in unison followed by the prayer of consecration and the Lord’s Prayer. Emily Phillips, Gwen Papple, Tom Cronin, Nicole Kerr and Doug Howson served the communion. The hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was sung. The scripture reading was from Luke 2: 1-7. The children went downstairs for their time of fellowship and the choir sang the anthem “The First Noel” led by Katie Dockstader. Rev. Clark’s message to the congregation was “Christmas Through God’s Eyes, Ewe View.” Did you ever wonder what the reaction of the shepherds were when they heard the Angel’s message? We watched a short video of the shepherds discussing who was going to see the baby and would stay with the sheep. A good shepherd will lay down his life in order to save the sheep. Sheep are born to die. They provide wool and hides for clothing and food and sacrifice. To sacrifice a lamb was to show God that someone is being sorry. The sheep must wonder if humans are worth the sacrifice. The angels came to the shepherds and told them of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds made their way to Bethlehem. Mary’s job was to protect Jesus, show him the way and then let Him go. Christmas is a time to think of others. The hymn “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was sung. The offering was received followed by the offertory response “As With Gladness Men of Old,” the offertory prayer, the prayers for the people and silent prayers led by John McDowell. The last hymn “Away In a Manger” was followed by the benediction and the singing of the chorus of the hymn “Hope is a Star.” Everyone was invited for coffee and Christmas treats and fellowship. B B B ainton’s Old Mill oxing Week lowout 519-523-4740 • baintons@tcc.on.ca NO TAX STOREWIDE save up to 50% off December 26 ~ 11-5; December 27 ~ 12-4; December 28 ~ 10-5; December 29 ~ 10-5; December 30 ~ 10-5;December 31 ~ 10-4; January 1 Closed Famous for leather coats and jackets from our tannery Season’s Greetings Honouring the Past Enriches the Future Best Wishes to all from Janis & Brock Vodden Respository of Blyth History By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Dressed for the occasion Students at Hullett Central Public School spent their last hour of class on Dec. 18, just prior to the Christmas Break, singing their hearts out. Shown are Makayla Phelan- Govier, left, and Emily Blair. (Denny Scott photo)