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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-03-15, Page 16By Rev. Cathrine Campbell,Melville, Brussels; Knox Belgrave Presbyterian Churches It has been said to every minister – at least once – “Oh, but you only work one hour a week and it takes four people to carry the money” My response is “Not true! I work two hours a week and it takes six people to carry the money. Because I have the privilege of preaching at both Brussels and Belgrave”. The reality is that the ministerial life is quite a bit more than the Sunday hour(s) but it does bring into focus the group who are also participants in that hour, the congregation. Why are they there and why should you be there? The former parish nurse at Melville used to have Blood Pressure Clinics on Sunday after church because the medicalliterature said that the most accurate readings were found after the person had had an hour’s rest. A friend of mine who had six children said that church to her was a precious time when she did not have to answer questions, find things or referee fights. Another friend confided that he liked coming to church because there were such interesting people there. And then there was the choir member who told me she was not of a churchly background but initially came for her children’s sake. She felt that their Sunday school experience was probably the least expensive but longest lasting gift she could ever give them. Given the foregoing I guess church is a place of rest, peace, people and promise. And it is, butthere is even more. Worship is something that seems to be an innate part of our being as humans and an opportunity to worship our Creator is something to be treasured and used. There is music, scripture, prayer and meditation and all of this is to the Glory of God. Connectedness to place, people and purpose is also sustaining part of our existence and in our Sunday worship we affirm that in actions and reflection and from that go out into the community to do in word and deed what we have heard. We affirm the salvation given in Christ and the guidance given by the Holy Spirit. Refreshment comes in many forms and many ways; there is physical refreshment and there is also spiritual refreshment; corporate worship provides that by enabling usto look beyond our day to day existence into worlds and wonders that are told of in scripture. Guidance — the Bible is not called the Good Book for nothing. Hearing scripture in a place that allows a contemplative response can provide not only amazing questions but even more amazing answers. In this area when you ask (according to a very small poll I conducted) how far it is to a destination the usual response is in time rather than mileage and we spend a lot of time going hither and yon. In the course of a week hours are spent going to places and it would seem that it is more than possible to find one hour in that whole week to go to a place that will tell you about your ultimate destination. As I do live in a real world Iknowof the pressures on families and the choices that have to be made. However, I can offer no better advice than to set aside time for an experience that will be unique in each week and give that time to yourself and your family. You will be infinitely better for it. As I said, peace, rest, people, guidance, worship, connectedness, hope, refreshment, and a gift for children and their future are to be found in the Church of your choice and those that are there can attest to that. I urge you to go to that place and receive the gift of time and life and, if you already are already an attender, give this article to someone who would like to be given a gift of time and life. We will all be richer for it. PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007.From the Minister’s StudyChurch a gift for the future, says minister PHYLLIS (SUTTON) TOTTEN Phyllis Totten (Sutton) of Brussels passed away March 10, 2007 after a brief illness. She was the loving wife of the late Arthur Totten and loving mother of Joan (James) King of Miramichi, NB., John (Cobie) Totten of Burlington, ON, Lorraine Gough of Brussels, ON and Evelyn (Michael) Fillmore of Fredericton, NB. She was the dear grandmother of eight, great-grandmother of 11 and great-great grandmother of four. Cremation has taken place with spring interment in Toronto. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Association. FOR ALL AGES SUNDAY ~ 9:45 to 10:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 am Phone 519-440-8379 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 BB ll yy tt hh CC oo mm mm uu nn ii ttyy CChhuurrcchh ooff GGooddLooking for a Great Sunday School Experience? THIS IS IT! P U P P E T S S T O R IE S DRAMAMUSIC BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship Sunday, March 18 Ethel United Church Worship Service & Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us SUNDAY, MARCH 18 The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 519-887-9273 Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, MARCH 18 Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth This week’s message - Friends Bring Friends to Jesus - John 1:29-42getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 March 18: Jn. 4:27ff Christ-centred, Bible-believing, Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared Living Water Christian Fellowship at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School Mondays 7:30 pm -Power of a Praying Woman DVD Tuesdays 7:30 pm -Wingham Small Group Fridays 7:30 pm -Youth Group “Share Good News - by Invitation” Lenten Lunch- Tuesday noon at Anglican Church Obituaries Once a week, Joe drives an elderly man to a medical appointment in a nearby town. Three times a week Mary delivers Meals on Wheels to neighbours who are elderly and homebound. Joe and Mary are helping to make life better for local senior citizens and giving family caregivers a much needed break. Together, volunteers and staff at Town and Country Support Services work to ensure that seniors, disabled children and adults are provided with transportation services. The agency has an urgent need for volunteer drivers throughout Huron County Transportation needs are one of the most important and appreciated services offered by Town and Country. Volunteer drivers provide a vital service to individuals who may not have other means of transportation. The program provides a driver/escort for medical appointments, shopping, errands and social outings. Volunteer drivers work with Town and Country staff who make the arrangements for service with clients, then contact the driver. Mileage is reimbursed to volunteer drivers. Volunteer drivers also receive training and may choose how often they can help. For information call one of the Town and Country offices – in Wingham at 519-357-3222, in Clinton at 519-482-9264 or in Exeter at 519-235-0258. Volunteer drivers needed Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Worship Service, Sunday School & Nursery 11:00 a.m. Guest speaker: Sandy Morris Sunday, March 18 All Welcome Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Family Night with “Olympians” 7:00 p.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Study Something for everyone! Call the church for current Youth events HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 519-526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD & PASTOR DON PLANT JR.