The Citizen, 2008-03-20, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008.By Cathrine CampbellMelville, BrusselsKnox, BelgravePresbyterian Churches
He has risen – these three words
form the greatest watershed of
history.
Everything that has flowed from
them – the creation of the Christian
church, the gospel of the
resurrection with which it went out
into the world, the Christian
experience of the living Christ, the
great social forces let loose as a
result of the new valuation which the
Resurrection put upon humanity –all these bear their witness to thereality and transforming power ofthe event itself.
The women were “amazed “ at
first. The word so translated here is
peculiar to Mark. Their minds were
stunned by the evidence.
It was incredible as good news but
it was news that became credible. It
was not too good to be true. This
Galilean Jesus had been to them
Master, the revealer of God. now
their minds ran out eagerly to the
fact of this victory over death.
The Resurrection has provedcredible to uncounted millions ofpeople who have been told the news“He has risen” That belief does not
rest primarily on the record of the
gospel narratives. The church has
become an unceasing testimony to
an indwelling Lord.
And in giving our testimony we
use words – and sometimes the
words become dated and just plain
odd sounding – because our
language is a living one and usage
changes. Thee and thou are no
longer used, by most. Cute now
means pretty rather than devious and
black has new meanings and
connotations.
Our new hymn book is studded
with the abbreviation “alt.”
All of these changes come from
our understanding of our world and
our environment and so words that
were relevant become foreign to us.
One that springs to mind is king.
Our dealings with monarchs are
remote, at best, and with that
remoteness becomes a lack of
understanding of the function of the
monarch and with that the
concomitant reverence once
bestowed upon to kings and queens.
There are not that many of them left
anyway and so our lives are much
more egalitarian and our deference
minimal at best.
However, if we apply this attitude
to one particular king we are the
poorer for it – for over time much
has changed but the central message
of our scriptures is one of a prophet,
priest and king – Jesus the Christ –
who came to this world so that we
might have the richest of life.
In our ordination vows as elders of
the Presbyterian church we are told:
All ministries of the church proceed
form and are sustained by the
ministry of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
He is our Prophet, Priest and King
the Minister of the covenant of
grace. By the operation of God’s
Word and Spirit the church is
gathered equipped and sent out toparticipate in this ministry. All hermembers are called to share theGospel with the world, and to offer
to the Father the worship and
service that are due to him for his
creation, through Christ the only
Mediator, until he comes gain. That
the church may be continually
renewed and nurtured for her
ministry Christ furnishes her with
officers, among whom are ruling
elders. (412 BOF)
And so we are reminded that wealways have a Sovereign Lord – whowill wipe away the tears from allfaces (Isaiah 25:8b) a Lord who is
above all that mere mortals are, and
a Lord who appeared to a few, then
to many and still does today – he is
going ahead of us because he knows
the way and we shall follow with
gladness – we no longer have to say
Hosanna – save us – we say
Hallelujah - Praise ye the Lord.
He is risen!
Yarrr!
A Princesses and Pirates party isn’t a bad way to spend a
day on March break, so more than 70 children, from
kindergarten up to Grade 6, suited up and headed down to
Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church on March 12
for the day. While the day was filled with activities, it
wrapped up with a costume parade, where all of the
children were able to strut their stuff and show off their
costumes. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
From the Minister’s StudyGood news was not too good to be true
Good Friday: “Listening at the Foot of the Cross”
- Why did Christ Die?
10 a.m. Pastor John Kuperus
Easter Sunday: “Living Under the Cross”
10 a.m. Pastor John Kuperus
7:30 p.m. Guest Pastor: Harry Frieling
Were you there when they Crucified
My Lord?...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Were you there when God
raised Him from the tomb?...
Please remember & celebrate with
us this Easter season!Blyth Christian
Reformed Church
Youre
Invited
Please join us for an
Easter Drama
“Two Faces in the Shadows”
on
Sunday, March 23rd
Brussels Public School ~ 10:30 am
Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Light refreshments after the Service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
invites you to worship
Easter Sunday
8:00 am - Easter Sunrise Service
followed by a potluck breakfast
9:30 am - Easter Worship Service
10:45 am - Coffee Break
11:00 am - Sunday School for all ages
Everyone Welcome!
Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388
Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship
Welcomes you to a
Good Friday
Service
(includes communion & footwashing)
Friday, March 21
10:00 am
Pastor Bent Kipfer
519-887-6388