HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-21, Page 12By Pastor Brent KipferBrussels Mennonite FellowshipEighteen years ago, I made animpulsive decision to join somefriends in a new obsession they had
developed. It was the end of my first
year at Bible College and I was part
of a two-week choir tour to
Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Crammed into two vans, we had a
lot of time on the road, and a few
knitting experts were giving lessons
to anyone who was interested. Most
of the group got sucked in by the
allure of the needles and yarn (and a
shortage of other options to fill our
time).
I learned how to knit and purl – and
was on my way. I had a wonderful
vision for how my scarf would turn
out. It was going to be long – really
long – a master work of art and skill.
It’s sitting in a closet right now, not
even half-done with knitting needles
stuck in place. Choir tour ended and
my motivation disappeared into thin
air. I lacked the persistence it took to
finish the job.
Jesus is different. At this time ofyear, Christians especially rememberhis decision to head to Jerusalem –even though he knew his journeywould lead him to the cross. It would
be the most painful phase of his
mission.
He had all kinds of reasons to turn
back, buy a little cottage by the Sea
of Galilee and settle in for a quieter
life, avoid a terrible amount of
suffering. Jesus knew what lay
ahead: he declared once that
Jerusalem was a city that kills
prophets and stones those who are
sent to it!
But still, he pressed on; he had
work to finish.
Isaiah chapter 50 was written
centuries before the coming of Jesus
– but it includes a servant poem that
reveals the heart of Jesus and
expresses his commitment fulfill his
mission. It is written in the first
person.
It reflects the intimacy that he
shares with God the Father, the
source of his authority and work –
and it speaks about the cost ofobeying God. When we walk in thewill of God, it puts us out of step withthe world; we meet resistance andsuffering.
In verse six, the Servant speaks
about his willingness to endure that.
He says:
“I gave my back to those who
struck me, and my cheeks to those
who pulled out my beard; I did not
hide my face from insult and spitting.
Jesus heads into Jerusalem
knowing that his enemies hate him.
He heads into Jerusalem determined
to continue in the love of God, to
keep on track with his mission, to
fulfill his assignment even though it
will lead to his death.
A number of years ago, some
people at a Jewish street market in
Jerusalem saw a remarkable thing.
An Arab terrorist was mingling
among the crowd of shoppers. He
pulled out his knife and managed to
stab two young men; then he ran for
his life. The crowd was furious. A
large group of men began chasing
him. Some of them pulled out theirguns as they ran. The terrorist darted across thestreet and ran straight toward awoman who was waiting at a bus
stop. She was a haredi woman, a
member of an ultra-orthodox Jewish
group. About 40 years old, her name
was Bella Freund.
Almost immediately, she
understood what was happening. She
stepped directly into the path of the
terrorist and tripped him so that he
fell to the ground. Next she did a very
surprising thing. She threw herself
down on top of the man to protect
him. The crowd kicked her. They
spat on her. They threatened her with
their guns - but nothing they did
would make her let go of the terrorist.
She just held on to the guilty man
until the police came to arrest him.
Later, in an interview with
reporters, Bella Freund said, “It was
very simple. If you can save a life,
you do it.”
In a split second, she set aside her
hatred of Arabs – and a lifetime of
conditioning to never touch a manwho was not her husband.She said, “I could not see a helplessman killed by a mob, whatever he haddone. That’s not the way I was
brought up.”
In that moment, she acted in the
Spirit of Jesus – pouring out love for
an enemy she had never met before.
Despite the cost, she “set her face like
flint” toward the mission God had
given her. (Isaiah 50:7).
Jesus knew what to expect when
he travelled into Jerusalem. Still, he
went, urged on by love – for God and
for his enemies. Although our love
falls short, Jesus invites us to follow
him to the cross. This is where he
bears the punishment for our sins,
where he lays down his life for us,
where he finishes the job of saving us
- and leads us into a life of
resurrection love.
“Covered” by his death, we are
raised up with him to share the
joy of his kingdom. Are you
ready to follow in the way of the
cross?
The Presbyterial of the Huron-
Perth Women’s Society held its
annual meeting in Listowel on Feb. 4.
They were welcomed by the Rev.
John Zondag on behalf of Knox
Presbyterian Church and Ethel Corry
on behalf of the Listowel WMS
groups.
The WMS Purpose was repeated in
unison. Bernice Richards, Stratford,
presided.
The theme for the day was
Spiritual Gifts, based on the scripture
from Ephesians 4.
Annual reports were given by the
following Presbyterial secretaries:
Mary Scott, Ruth Hart, Ruth Laing,
Lillian Sparling, Elizabeth Stewart,
Helen Dunseith.
Ruth Dewar gave the report of the
nominating committee. The officers
for 2008 were installed by the area
education consultant, Rev. Anne Yee-
Hibbs. She also introduced the study
book, comparing the natives of
Guatemala with the Aboriginals of
Canada. Her Bible study was based
on the Parable of the Gold Coins.
Ruth Hart reviewed a number of
books from the Presbyterian
bookroom.
The afternoon program began with
a sing-song led by Shirley Aitcheson
and Eunice Bisset. Devotions on the
theme of spiritual gifts, prepared by
Jean Aitcheson, were given by
Evelyn Matthison, Annis Innes, and
Shirley Aitcheson.
The in-memoriam was conducted
by Lois Horne and Audrey
Rutherford in honour of 12 members
who were deceased in 2007.
Jean Sangster spoke on the Pennies
for Patrick project, reporting that
Rev. Patrick now has five orphans,
and will soon have five more whose
parents are dying with AIDS in
Malawi Members, were encouraged
to keep saving pennies for Patrick.
Goderich WMS received and
dedicated the offering. Bernice
Richards conducted the business with
the secretary, Nancy Schneider and
the treasurer, Elizabeth Stewart,
giving reports.
The next executive meeting will be
in Mitchell on April 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Monkton has the devotions and
Stratford Knox, the cookies.
The 2008 Synodical will be held in
Owen Sound on April 22, and April
23.
The afternoon programme
concluded with a skit, Spiritual Gifts,
put on by the executive. Lois Horne
gave courtesy remarks and closed the
meeting with prayer.
The officers for 2008 are: past
president, Ina McMillan, Mitchell;
president, Bernice Richards,
Stratford; first vice-president, Lois
Horne, North Easthope; Elizabeth
Stewart, Monkton; adult groups
secretary, Mary Scott, Stratford;
literature secretary, Ruth Hart, North
Easthope; Glad Tidings secretary,
Jean Sangster, Bayfield; publicity,
Ruth Laing, Mitchell; historian,
Lillian Sparling, Staffa;
corresponding secretary, Helen
Dunseith, Harrington; children and
youth secretary, Jan MacInnes,
Atwood; financial examiners,
Eleanor Ritchie, Cromarty and Helen
Henry, Monkton; without portfolio,
Winnie Walters, Goderich and
Margaret Peebles, Listowel; area
education consultant, Rev. Anne Yee-
Hibbs; synodical representative,
Shirley Aitcheson, Stratford and
council representative, Eunice Bisset,
Goderich.
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008.
Knox Church, Listowel site of Presbyterial
From the Minister’s Study‘Are you ready to follow the way of the cross?’
308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590
B l y t h C o m m u n i ty 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!
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Olympians (JK to Grade 6)
7:00 p.m. - Youth and Adult Bible Study
HURON CHAPEL
EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH
Auburn - 519-526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, February 24
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
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Sunday, February 24
All Welcome
Worship Service
and Sunday School - 11 a.m.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
1st & 3rd Wednesdays - Women at the Well
Youth: Mondays - Senior 6:30 pm
- Fridays - Junior 7:30 pm
Sun., Feb. 24: 1 John 4:7-19
Evangelical Missionary Church
“He Did This Just
for You - Pt. 1:
I Will Love You
Forever”
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Wingham “Right to Life” Presentation
POTBLESS