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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-05, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009. PAGE 15.By Rev. Dave WoodHuron Chapel EvangelicalMissionary Church, AuburnWell Willie!??? It had all melted and it looked like spring had sprung that in just two days it seems like we have more than we had before! (Authors note: there was snow when I wrote this!!) Isn’t life just like this? All too often the horizon seems clear and uncluttered and then all of sudden a storm drops another load. I am reminded of that eventful occurrence on the Sea of Galilee where it reads in Matthew, “Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.” It was, for the disciples of Jesus, a precarious situation, one whichliterally unnerved them and causedthem to fear for their very lives. Andhow did it happen? They were out for a boat ride, minding their own business, simply following Jesus and then “without warning” a storm hit. Unlike us, they did not have the Weather Channel to check before they climbed aboard but even well prepared, we can still get caught “without warning” by the storms of life. Storms come in a variety of shapes and sizes and what one considers a tempest, another may see as a simple cloudy day. But when you are the one in it, when you are the one that is experiencing the gale force winds, it can bring despair. What gets me is that the disciples were in the boat with Jesus.Shouldn’t the presence of Jesusbring some sort of guarantee? Howcan God allow storms when He is right there with them? Better yet, how can God let bad things happen to good people? Where is the edge for those who believe? Haven’t we wondered? Have you ever questioned where God is in the storms that you are facing? In this account, He was right there. Jesus was sharing the storm with His followers and still they were afraid. I like this because storms of life are not that pleasant and I admit that I am sometimes afraid and I wonder … but what does Jesus do? “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’Then He gotup and rebuked the winds and thewaves and it was completely calm.”Can Jesus sustain us in the storms of life? Can we exercise faith when hope seems shattered? When we are hurt, broken, grieving or ill; when the future seems uncertain and all seems lost? We can because as we live our lives in Him we know that He is with us and has the power to bring peace even in the midst of the storm. I think it was Amy Grant who sang, “Storms will come and storms will go, I wonder how long it takes before I finally know, You’re here always, even when my skies are far from gray, teach me to stay always … I have found a place where I can hide, it’s safe inside Your arms oflove.”Whatever we are facing,remember He is there with us in the midst and by faith we can know His peace and rest in His arms of love. 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 Bible Study 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women at the Well Fridays 7:30 pm - Youth Group (at the school) Evangelical Missionary Church March 8: Jn. 8:12ff 9:1ff “I am the Light of the World” Clocks ‘spring ahead’ for Daylight Saving This Saturday: Promise Keepers event, London THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. 519-523-9595 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Parish of New Beginnings March 8 Eucharist - the Service of Holy Thanksgiving Rev. Perry Chuipka From the Minister’s Study‘Where is the edge for those who believe?’ Members of the Huron-Perth Women’s Missionary Society met in Knox Monkton Presbyterian Church on Feb. 8 for their annual meeting. They were welcomed by Elizabeth Stewart, president of Monkton WMS. The president, Bernice Richards, Stratford, opened with prayer and the WMS Purpose was recited in unison. Annual reports were given by Ruth Laing, Mitchell; Mary Scott, Stratford; Ruth Hart, North Easthope; Lillian Sparling, Cromarty; and Elizabeth Stewart, Monkton. Shirley Aitcheson, Avonton read the nominating committee report and the new officers were installed by AEC Rev. Anne Yee-Hibbs. Rev. Anne gave a presentation on the responsibilities of the various officers of the local groups. She was thanked by Helen Dunseth, Harrington WMS. Membership fees for the Presbyterial in 2009 were set at $1 per person. Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee gave a short history of Camp Kintail where they are celebrating their 80th anniversary in 2009. In celebration, Cake – by the Lake will take place on June 23. There are plans to build a gazebo in memory of a young girl who attended camp every year in a wheelchair. A presbyterial bus trip to the new Evangel Hall in Toronto is being planned for September with the fall rally in October. The spring rally will be held at Motherwell- Avonbank Church on May 25. Ruth Hart described several books available at her book display table. Rev. Anne Yee-Hibbs and Ina McMillan presented Goderich Afternoon WMS with a plaque honouring their many years in WMS work. They have amalgamated with the evening group, The Arthur Circle. Following lunch, Shirley Aitcheson led a hymn-sing with Eunice Bisset at the piano. The devotions on the theme, Journey of Change, were given by Bernice Richards, assisted by Mary Duffin and Mary Scott, Stratford. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary, Nancy Schneider, Listowel. The In Memoriam was led by Margaret French and Ruth Laing, Mitchell. The offering was received, and Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark All Welcome Sunday, March 8 Morning Worship Service and Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, March 8 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 PASTOR DAVID WOOD 119 John’s Ave.,Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Small Groups 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Services Evening Services are cancelled for the winter months. GARGANTUAN BIRTHDAY BASH March Break School Wednesday, March 18th 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Children in grades JK - 6 are invited to the largest birthday party they have ever seen. Admission is free - all you have to do is make your own birthday hat! See you there! BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, March 8 Ethel United Church Worship Service - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9831 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service Welcome to Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Sunday, March 8 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. Sunday School (for all ages) Noon potluck fellowship meal A variety of small groups meet throughout the week Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388 Everyone Welcome 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 B l y t h C o m m u n ity Church of God C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A “The Church is not a building, it is people touching people Sunday School 9:45 a.m. - Christian Education for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service Mid-week Bible Studies See you Sunday! Huron-Perth WMS gathers in Monkton Continued on page 18