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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2011-01-06, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011. PAGE 17. 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 January 9th “He Lead By Example” and Service of Baptism (Those wishing to be Baptized please let Rev. Gary know ASAP) From the Minister’s StudyThe future does not lie in our past Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, January 9 Brussels Public School at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 6:30 pm - DVD series on the Book of Revelation by James MacDonald Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age (mornings only) Childcare provided for infants and toddlers Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact: Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Chris McMichael 519.482.1644 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service Guest Speaker: Rev. Eugene Neudorf Soup & Shepherd’s Pie Fundraiser Luncheon Sunday, January 9 following the morning service All proceeds from this luncheon will go toward purchasing food to be distributed to homes in El Salvador by our Mission teams that are going in a couple of weeks. Our Journey to the Future... By Rev. Tom Murray, Knox United, Belgrave As said many times, “The future does not lie in our past.” Trying to “become what we once were” is totally unproductive. To think like this is like asking the same old questions: “Why can’t we be the church we were in the 50s?” Or, “How do we get back there?” We can’t, for there are literally thousands of alternative “churches” that weren’t there back then. Our western culture has evolved and isn’t looking for the same things from us. Competition for time, energy, pleasure and entertainment value has shifted. For example: Sunday school or soccer, Tae Kwon Do or choir, and American Idol or Church council? New days call for new ways. I look at the churches that are thriving. They aren’t wasting time talking people into wanting to come to church – they’re doing life-and- faith-transforming ministry and service – and people wanting to make a difference are turning out. All of us need to get the “mega- church” gleam out of our eyes and focus on the most fertile mission field available – small, intimate, active and engaged groups of highly motivated people. Big churches are alright, but where there is real life and energy is in small clusters of Christians who are living their discipleship in spite of “the church”, rather than because of it. If we talk and act on “mission,” then we will see collections of young, middle-age and older who are willing to go far to make a difference for others. I’ve heard many who gripe and moan about their financial plight and who have no interest in doing anything for anyone else, but they want to keep their own building open with the lights and heat on. Such churches will have no appeal to those who are seeking to heal and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. Regrettably, we’ve successfully surrounded the good news with a fog that descends until all at the centre of our faith becomes distorted. We talk endlessly about the ministry we aren’t doing, instead of marshalling our resources to do something worthwhile with what we have. We spend dollars and time researching the dilemma while the world goes to hell in the proverbial hand basket. Shame on us, we can do so much better. The time has come, to rethink the times we face. Our culture drives us toward isolation, even when surrounded by lots of people. Our workplaces, homes and churches are disconnected and disengaged. Pastor and author, Randy Frazee, calls it “crowded loneliness”. Our busyness, technology and entertainment systems are all ordered to separate us from one another. Not good. What we need, flows out of helping people discover, or rediscover authentic spiritual community. This kind of community is in sharp contrast to what we usually describe as community in our world today. It’s far different and far better than what you see in the media and in most churches. Our culture has moved us far away from the ideal expressed for the church by Jesus. Passionate purpose is needed to restore it. The kind of community most foresee takes a lot of adjectives to describe. Here are a few commonly used: “deep, radically real, intentional, organic, everyday, self- sacrificing, Christ-indwelling, totally loving and world-changing relationships.” In Jesus’ day they simply used one word, “community” (koinonia). Everyone instinctively knew exactly what was meant. It’s said that “last words are lasting words”. Some of Jesus’ last words, to his followers the night before he went to the cross, were about his deep desire for them (and us) to be one, just as he and the Father are one (John 17:20-26). Jesus modelled this kind of community for them. This kind of community is world- changing. But the opposite is also true. When not in unity with one another; separated, segregated, segmented, self-indulged and self- seeking, the world looks at us as irrelevant. Our faith communities must strive to be the most empowering, engaging, enlightening and the most significant high impact event of our people’s lives. This is the total life engagement process that Jesus had with the disciples. They followed him, observed his disciplines, participated in his life encounter groups with many others and eventually became a people who would carry the message to the world about his way. Making followers of God, is about asking the question “How do we engage people’s lives?” rather than “How can we attract them to an event?” Can the church of today change its religious culture from events and committees to life- changing engagement with the community of God – the world? Can the administration of the church be driven by technology and the life of the church centre around meals, coffee, prayer and learning the life-disciplines that make a difference in a world that is still on the journey of life? I believe the answer is yes but the resistance will be significant because the old way must be seen for what it is doing; holding onto what has been. Holding onto the past is the enemy of God’s vision and our invitation to journey into the future. Our way to the future is following Jesus’ way by making a difference in the world we live, breath, pray, play and work in. As the definition of the word “Amen” translates to “So, be it!” YOU ARE WELCOME 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship Mid-week Bible Study C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A Timeless Truths For Today 308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590 Blyth Community Church of God BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com Sunday, January 9 Ethel United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-2664 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Small Group 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women’s Ministry Fridays 7:00 pm - Youth Group Evangelical Missionary Church Jan. 9: 1Cor.1: 1-9 “Waiting without Weakening” Continued from page 7 Like every Christmas concert, the act that stole the show was the big man in red. Santa Claus made an appearance to remind the children he would be dropping by on Christmas Eve and to listen to their ‘wants’. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Terry Fletcher told the Christmas story to those gathered in Londesborough United Church on Christmas Eve through scripture passages and carols. The choir anthem that evening was “In the Stillness of the Night”. Piano and organ duets by Marsha Szusz and Jenn Elliott were enjoyed as worshippers gathered for the service and again during the receiving of the offering. Julie Falconer accompanied daughter, Kelsey, who sang the beautiful “O Holy Night”. Terry Fletcher offered guitar accompaniment to the Szusz trio, Marsha, Kerri and Jenn who sang “Good King Wenceslas”. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADAWelcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. Church Office: 519-317-4883 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Sunday, January 9 Rev. Perry Chuipka www.nabcom.ca/church Please join us for worship Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor Gary Klumpenhower 519-523-9233 Santa stole show in Londesborough