HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-04-21, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011. PAGE 15.By Pastor Ernest Dow
Living Water Christian
Fellowship (EMC), Blyth
“The reports of my demise have
not been emphasized enough – and
I’m still alive. Perhaps I should
explain…”
On a couple of occasions, the
famous writer Mark Twain was
erroneously reported to be dead. A
Wikipedia article about “Premature
Obituaries” states that in 1897 a
journalist came to investigate
Twain’s health, when in fact it was
his cousin who was ill; later, in
1907, when the yacht on which he
was travelling was delayed by fog,
Twain was feared lost at sea. After
the first incident, Twain cleared up
the confusion in an article
containing words that would become
famous: “The report of my death
was an exaggeration.”
But for those who believe in the
historicity of the Easter accounts and
have trusted in Jesus as their Risen
Lord, often the opposite may be true:
our death to our ‘old self’ (with
Christ) has not been emphasized
enough. The apostle Paul wrote to
the Colossians, “For you died…”
and “Since you died with Christ to
the basic principles of this world…”
(Col 3:3; 2:20) The miracle of Easter
is that, when we were dead in our
sins, God forgave us all our sins by
nailing the code that condemned us
to the cross; God was pleased to
reconcile us to Himself through
Christ, making peace through His
blood shed on the cross. (2:13f;
1:19) Then God triumphed over the
powers of evil by raising Jesus from
the dead (2:12).
The resurrection of Jesus on
Easter morning transforms the
sorrow of Good Friday, because in
retrospect we understand a holy God
was dealing justly with our sins by
Jesus’ bearing our iniquity, the
punishment that should have been
ours. So His wounds bring us
healing; the punishment of One who
is perfectly innocent has brought us
peace. (Isaiah 53:5)
When those who trust in Christ,
who accept the validity of what He
has done, start to understand their
‘death’ with Christ adequately –
instead of underemphasizing it – a
new reality begins to emerge. As the
apostle Paul understands it, there is a
new focus; new feats; and new
fellowship.
New FOCUS – “…set your hearts
on things above, where Christ is
seated at the right hand of God. Set
your minds on things above, not on
earthly things. For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ
in God.” (Col 3:1-3) What desires
occupy our hearts? What thoughts
intrude into our minds? As we
become more conscious of being
alive in Christ, former
preoccupations with outward
appearance or social status or
material riches – passing mortal
vanities - fade in importance.
New FEATS – Paul counsels us to
‘put to death’ bad behaviour such as
“sexual immorality, impurity, lust,
evil desires and greed… rage…
slander… do not lie to each other,
since you have taken off your old
self with its practices…” (3:5,8f)
Note he covers the spectrum, from
coarser sins (immorality, lust, filthy
language) to ‘white collar’ or
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
April 18th-21st ~ 7 pm-7:15 pm, each night Mini-Mediation
April 22nd ~ 7 pm, Good Friday Service of Shadows
April 29th ~ Easter Morning Service, Everyone Welcome
getlivingwater.orgPastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water Christian Fellowship
10:30 am at Blyth Public School
Evangelical Missionary Church
Tuesdays 7:30 pm
- Wingham Small Group
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm
- Women’s Ministry
Fridays 7:00 pm - Youth Group
Easter Son-rise Service
6:25 am at A & B Morrison’s, Wingham
39718 Amberley Rd., just west of Wingham. Includes breakfast!
Easter Sunday Worship & Sunday School
John 20:1-18
“From Tears to Trust at the Tomb”
April 24
Good Friday
FREE Community Breakfast
8:30 - 10:30 am at Blyth Memorial Hall;
optional short devotional to follow
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, April 24
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
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
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
Sunday, April 24
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
UPCOMING EVENTS AT
BRUSSELS & ETHEL UNITED CHURCHES
April 22 - Good Friday Service 9:30 at Brussels
April 24 -Easter Sunday Services 9:30 Ethel - 11:00 Brussels
May 8 - Mother’s Day and Baptism
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
Good Friday Service ~ Friday, April 22 at 10 am
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
Church Office: 519-357-4883
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, April 24
Rev. Perry Chuipka
www.nabcom.ca/church
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, APRIL 24
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
119 John’s Ave., Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
7:30 a.m. ~ Sunrise Service
9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday School
10:30 a.m. ~ Morning Worship
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Wilbert Schwindt
10:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Gerry Wilson
Fellowship Time to Follow
EASTER SUNDAY
From the Minister’s StudyInter-church event shows community spirit
Continued on page 20