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The Citizen, 2013-04-18, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013. PAGE 19. By Pastor Andrew Versteeg Brussels Community Bible Chapel Life can change so quickly. Thursday evening I went to bed thinking about the next few days in front of me. I had some things I wanted to get done on Friday and Saturday, and of course the majority of the day on Sunday would be taken up with church-related activities. It is now Saturday afternoon and my plans for the weekend have totally changed. My wife and I and our children are in Burlington and it is not yet certain when we will be going home. Our power went out, along with everyone’s power, early Friday morning due to the ice storm. My in-laws invited us to come to their place in Burlington until our power came back on. When ice storms and other disasters come what are the first things we are concerned about? The first is our safety and then how we are going to eat and drink. Along with this comes our concern for shelter: will we be warm and dry? These are the most basic things of life and they are the most important components of survival. Without these things we would not last very long. Life is very insecure. What we have today in terms of food and shelter can be quickly taken away tomorrow. We all want security and most people try to obtain that security by storing up things. Usually it is wealth that we want to accumulate in this quest for security. But wealth offers very little security and it can be taken from us as quickly as an ice storm can knock out the power. There really is only one source of security in life and that is to trust in the Lord and what He says. The Lord Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 6:19-34. In this passage Jesus actually tells us not to store up treasures on earth in the sense that our hope and trust are in the things we have. Jesus exhorts us to look at the birds of the air and realize that they don’t store up lots of stuff – not even a lot of food, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Jesus is telling us to trust Him with our lives – every part of our lives. This does not mean that we are irresponsible with our finances and careless about the things we need for everyday life; but it does mean that we must trust Him with all of those things. In trusting Him, we give ourselves to following Him before everything else. What does Jesus offer to us? He offers to us not only security in this life but also security in life after death. Jesus promises, “Seek first His (the Father’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (food, shelter, etc.) will be added to you. Notice that there is a prerequisite to receiving this wonderful security. That prerequisite is that we must seek God’s kingdom first. We must desire to have Jesus as our King, the One in charge of all our life and submit to Him. We enter His kingdom through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross to remove our sin. Then all the privileges of citizenship in His kingdom become ours. When we honestly think about it, even from a common sense point of view, it is foolish not to trust Jesus. He is our Creator and by His power all of creation is held together. He is powerful to do whatever He says, and he always keeps His promises. Rather than trying to find security and peace by our efforts and plans, which do not deliver lasting security, we ought to trust Jesus and His promises. He will not disappoint, and He offers life now and for all eternity. By Rachel Robinson Last week the St. Anne’s badminton squad travelled to Mitchell District Secondary School to compete in a tournament. Students who are a part of the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major travelled to Sheridan College to reach ahead and witness the amazing Arts program offered. On Wednesday, the halls at St. Anne’s were filled with a sea of pink as students wore pink in support of bullying awareness and prevention. The St. Anne’s concert band also participated in the Kiwanis Festival at Stratford Central High School. On Thursday, the Grade 10 students wrote the literacy test. Congratulations to all students who wrote. Your hard work is appreciated. The Me to We group is hosting an event, The Power of Women on May 1. This event is focused on the power of women in ending world poverty. Inspirational guest speakers, entertainers and musicians will be performing and decadent desserts will be served. All guests are invited and a $10 donation is recommended at the door. The event begins a 7 p.m. and will finish at 10 p.m. Free child care is provided. We cannot wait to see everyone there. From the Minister’s StudyIt’s time for more than one Earth Day 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 Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. fear doubtworry anger pain HE STIL L M O V E S S T O N E S HuronChapel.org Every Sunday @ 10:30am You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, APRIL 21 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9017 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. 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 APRIL 21 ~ The Good Old Hockey Game APRIL 28 ~ Canada-Cuba Camp Exchange Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, April 21 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 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 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 getlivingwater.org Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School Wingham Bible Study - Tuesdays 7:30 pm Youth Group - Tuesdays 7:30 pm (at CRC) Women At The Well - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Apr. 21: Mt. 18:15ff; Eph. 4:29ff Road to Recovery #6: “Repairing Relationships” Evangelical Missionary Church Sat., April 20, 8:30 am at Heartland EMC, Clinton: ABC Women’s Spring Breakfast Sat., April 20, 7 pm: Free Movie - “October Baby” 250 Princess St., Brussels 519-887-6388 www.bmfchurch.com Pastor Jim Whitehead Guests Welcome Jesus Is Lord! Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Worship Service 10:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am BRUSSELS Sandra Cable, Pastor Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00 am Sunday School Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship United Church School’s Me to We group to host event