HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-12-12, Page 15PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013.
On Nov. 4 the fall rally of Huron-
Perth Presbyterial was held at St.
Mary’s Presbyterian Church. On
arrival, 41 members were welcomed
with coffee and muffins by the
Goderich Arthur Circle WMS. Willy
Drost, president of St. Mary’s
Friendship Auxiliary WMS, was MC
for the day. She introduced
Rev. Gwen Ament, minister,
who brought greetings to those
gathered.
A short service of worship was
followed by Lillian Rowe, who told
those gathered about her trip to
Uganda where she visited a Baby
Respite Centre – a very touching
story indeed. Ethel Corry gave a
short review of new books available
and a brown bag lunch was
enjoyed.
The afternoon session began with
a sing-song of favourite hymns, led
by Shirley Aitcheson, with Lois
Kipfer at the piano.
The afternoon speaker, Nancy
Vermond, was introduced by Barb
Tubb. Nancy spoke of the
organization ‘Grandmothers to
Grandmothers’ dedicated to raising
funds to assist grandmothers in
African countries devastated by
AIDS, who have taken on the
responsibility of raising their
grandchildren since the parents are
deceased. Anyone who is a
grandparent can imagine how
difficult this would be, especially
when dire poverty is a fact of daily
life.
Greetings were brought by Mary
Jane Bisset, Regional Staff for
Education and Leadership
Development for Synod,
Southwestern Ontario. Offering was
received and dedicated and roll call
was taken. The treasurer’s report,
registration report and
announcements were made. The
very interesting day ended with
courtesies made and a closing
prayer, offered by Willy Drost.
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth United Church
The Christmas story is not to be
believed. It is simply not logical that
a baby born in a stable of a
backwater town in a beaten and
oppressed country, 2,000 years ago
would or could change the world.
No matter if that baby grew up to be
a fine carpenter or orator or healer, it
shouldn’t make a difference. He
wasn't a king or a politician of note.
His name, birth, life or even death
does not appear in any official
documents of the time. So how
important could he have been?
If it were not for people like
Nelson Mandela, or Mother Teresa
or Gandhi or, well there is actually
quite a list of very human people
(who have changed the course of
history), then we would have to
accept the above statements as true.
However, we know and have very
good records of how what appears to
be very human people, from very
common beginnings and against not
just the odds but also against
organized brutality, changed this
world in which we live. We know it
is possible. Mandela’s death brings
into focus his life and his holy ability
to rise above the violence of his time
and culture. We hear time and time
again how he forgave his capturers,
his abusers, and the torturers of his
people. Yes it is possible for
common people to change this world
for the better.
Yet we know how hard it is to
forgive. How hard it is to seek
reconciliation and peace. Many of us
remember the angel's message at the
birth of Jesus, “Peace on earth and
good will toward all!” If it weren’t
for the example of the lives of Jesus
and those listed above than that
message would be a cruel joke. But
because of them it becomes a
promise, a hope of what is possible
and not what isn’t! No matter how
improbable a future of peace is,
thanks to Jesus and all who have
walked in his footsteps, we know it
is possible.
This world of peace isn’t
perfect...yet. But it is a better place
than the one Jesus was born into. It
is a better place than Mandela was
born into. Each generation brings us
closer to the promise when we dare
to live into that wild-eyed hope.
It is now our turn. We can’t excuse
ourselves from the hard work of
being peacemakers and love bringers
in the world. If a baby born in a barn
can do it, I can do it. You can do it!
And remember all those in that list
of very human people who did great
things had a spark of the divine to
help them, to guide them and to give
them courage. That spark can be
yours. Let's call it a Christmas gift
from the one who brings the light,
the way and the truth! His
impossible story can be your
possible story. I guarantee you will
be surprised how far a little faith can
get you.
Merry Christmas and Peace on
earth!
Huron Presbyterial rally held
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
December 15 ~ Advent III
Sunday School Children present
“The Christmas Story”
Worship Service & Sunday School at 10 a.m.
PASTOR
Sandra Cable, DLM
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.
Special
CHRISTMAS BLEND!
HOPE PEACE
FAITH
2X
FRIENDSHIP
at Huron Chapel
10:30 am Sundays
huronchapel.com
getlivingwater.org
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
Tuesday - Wingham Bible Study 7:30 pm
Thursday - Youth Group at CRC 7:30 pm
Women At The Well - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm
at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God)
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Dec. 15: Isaiah 35:1-10
Evangelical Missionary Church
“Ransomed,
Roadworthy &
Resplendent”
7:30 pm at Blyth CRC: Community
Christmas Service - Pastor Sandra Cable
3rd Sunday of Advent: JOY
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, December 15
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and Discover Christ in
Christmas — 6:30, 7:00 & 7:30 pm
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
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
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.
Minister: Pastor Gary Van Leeuwen
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Community Christmas
Service at Blyth CRC 7:30 pm
Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
From the Minister’s StudyMake your world a better one says Clark
#1 And We Still Try Harder
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Huron County, #3 in the entire county.
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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
Dec. 15 ~ Advent III - Communion
Dec. 24 ~ 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service - Everyone Welcome