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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-02, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013.by Pastor Ernest Dow Living Water Christian Fellowship, Blyth On April 16, evangelicals were saddened to learn of the death of George Beverly Shea. Aged 104, Shea was well-known as having sung alongside Billy Graham when the evangelist conducted large crusades in the latter half of the 20th century. George Beverly Shea is said to have had “signature songs” like “How Great Thou Art” and “I’d Rather Have Jesus”. He presented these melodies with a warm baritone voice and whole-hearted feeling. Shea hailed from Winchester, Ontario, so was a notable contribution from this nation to Graham’s ministry that spanned decades. It’s always interesting to look back upon a person’s life and note the things that characterized them uniquely, their “defining moments”. Graham was noted for his crusades that filled stadiums and often culminated in people walking the aisle to profess faith in Christ while a multi-denominational choir sang “Just As I Am”. Turning 95 this coming November, Graham’s crusade-ministry days are past, but the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in anticipation of that milestone has launched a “My Hope with Billy Graham” outreach that may turn out to be one of their biggest projects yet. Since 2002, the “My Hope” initiative has trained 4.2 million host homes in 57 countries, with an average of 2.2 persons per host home coming to faith in Jesus. What is it about Billy Graham that has credited him with such worldwide recognition, even admiration, while many other public ministry leaders have fallen into disrepute? What has helped define him as a morally upright, respected spiritual leader? One of those “defining moments” happened back around 1945. Charles Templeton, for some time an associate of Graham’s, retold the incident in his An Anecdotal Memoir. The pair were on a speaking tour in Europe on behalf of the newly-formed Youth For Christ International. Visiting Paris just after the war, they found it full of prostitutes and Allied soldiers. As conspicuous civilian targets, one evening they were latched on to by two young women with obvious intentions. Templeton and Graham both managed to escape their clutches with morals intact, but for Billy it involved a miles-long walk back from the suburbs. Templeton recalls, “Close to midnight, he burst through the door, panting, his face shining with perspiration, his hair dishevelled, his tie in a pocket, the collar of his shirt open. He threw himself on the bed breathing heavily.” Graham recounted his narrow escape (from his escort who had thrown herself naked on a bed) to Templeton. Ever since then, whenever he met Billy Graham, Templeton would kid him by grinning at him and saying, “Hello Bill. How’s the Midnight Runner?” Giving our life “definition” may well involve running from temptation. It’s a way we “draw the line” (metaphorically) that shows the limits that preserve our character. It’s been observed that, while there is an infinite number of angles at which an object standing on its end can fall, there is only one angle at which it can remain vertical. Likewise, when using a modern LCD projector, there may be an infinite number of settings at which the image on the screen will remain blurry; but there is only one setting at which the image will be “in focus”, have what we call clearest definition. In our lives, we need to find that alignment. In the Bible, Hezekiah is singled out as a king who did what was good, right, and faithful: “There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” (2Kings 18:5; 2Chron 31:20) What gave “definition” to Hezekiah’s life? Scripture observes, “He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given By Rachel Robinson This week at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School the senior girls and boys soccer teams participated in season games hosted by Goderich District Collegiate Institute on Tuesday. The girls came out with a tie and a loss. Congratulations to Abby McGavin who played her first game of soccer as the team’s goalie. On Wednesday, St. Anne’s hosted the Catholic elementary schools in Huron County for the annual basketball tournament. On Wednesday students also departed 6 a.m. for a five-day trip to New York City. On Thursday the senior girls and boys rugby team travelled to Wingham to participate in season games. Congratulations to the girls who were successful in winning both matches. Way to go Eagles! 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. 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 MAY 5 ~ Blood, It’s in you to give! MAY 12 ~ “Who’s Your Momma?” & Baptismal Service 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, MAY 5 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9017 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, May 5 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 May 5: Ps. 1:1ff; Gal. 5:24ff Road to Recovery #7: “Maintaining Momentum” Evangelical Missionary Church 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 From the Minister’s StudyStrive to give your life definition says Dow St. Anne’s welcomes new goalie Continued on page 27