The Citizen, 2007-04-19, Page 14By Pastor John Kuperus
Blyth Christian Reformed
Church
On Good Friday I felt so ill that I
went to the hospital to get checked
out.
I was aching all over. I had a fever
of 38.5°C. I was cold. Then when I
would sleep I would sweat a lot. I
had no desire to eat. The doctor said
I had influenza A. The treatment was
lots of rest, lots of fluids, so I would
not dehydrate and Tylenol every four
hours.
I was hoping that he would
prescribe an antibiotic to kill the
virus. I was told the influenza would
last for five to seven days.
On the positive side, at least there
was an end to the pain. On the
negative side, I did not want to lose
seven days to a sickness.
I felt a sense of helplessness. It is
nice to have the disease named and
to know the duration. On Easter
Sunday I returned to the hospital to
be checked out again. I received the
same diagnosis and was told the
influenza needed to run its course.
As I thought about the sickness, I
thought about some other sicknesses
we struggle with.
Resentment – you are eaten up
with bitterness which you will not let
go.
Negativity – you are always saying
no.
Self-pity – you are caught in the
‘poor me’ syndrome and you focus
on how unfortunate you are.
Inferiority – you see yourself as a
person of no worth.
Pride – your soul is stiff and
starched and shot through with an
unwillingness to humble yourself.
Guilt – there are huge moral and
spiritual violations in your life for
which you have not asked
forgiveness.
Hypocrisy – you are one thing in
private and another in public.
Conflict – your soul is a civil war.
We often get stuck in these
sicknesses. We live with them day
after day and sometimes year after
year. These diseases are deadly to
our health and our relationships.
The Bible is clear that God wants
us to be healed of these diseases. The
mission of Jesus was to preach good
news to the poor, proclaim freedom
to the prisoners, recovery of sight for
the blind and to release the
oppressed (Luke 4: 18-19).
As I experienced physical
oppression, we can experience
spiritual oppression. As a pastor I
point others to a Saviour through
whom I have experienced freedom
of oppression. Being rooted in him
gives freedom and peace that we find
in no other place.
Through God we can move from
resentment to forgiveness, from
negativism to positivism, from fear
to faith. With God we can move
from barrenness to fruitfulness, from
dwelling on all that is wrong to all
that is right, from gloom to glad-
heartedness and from defeat to
victory.
In the same way that physically we
need the help of the medical
profession, for whom I am very
thankful, if we want to be well
spiritually we need God’s help.
Call to God and he will answer
you.
PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007.
Singing to the Heavens
The 27th annual Songfest at Londesborough United Church kicked off last Sunday with the
Londesborough Quartette who soon gave way to the Bushell Family from Lucknow. The trio
sang several old style religious tunes for the congregation, to much applause. From left: Bruce
Bushell, Rachael Bushell and Barb Bushell. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
From the Minister’s Study
Struggling with sickness
The Brussels United ChurchWomen met at Maple Villa onTuesday,April 3 with eight membersand two guests, Tori Kellington and Heather Bone, present.The UCW Purpose opened themeeting. The minutes were read byJoan Bernard, secretary.Money will be given to thestewards, the mission and serviceand Camp Menesetung.Nelva Scott gave a report from the Huron-Perth meeting indicating theupcoming meetings. There was alsoa discussion regarding thePresbyterial dues and mission andservice givings.
Members discussed the May
meeting and decided to hold a
potluck supper at 6 p.m. at the
church on Wednesday, May 2.
Gertie Kellington opened the
devotions with a reading about
children. This was followed by
prayer.
The hymn, Beneath the Cross
of Jesus, was sung and Edna
Pletch read the scripture from
Romans 12 speaking on life in God’s
service.
Mrs. Kellington gave a devotionalon sharing talents. She asked Tori toplay Rainbow Connections on herflute and Heather to give her speechon Our Environment. This was
followed by Tori’s speech, Kids
Have Stress Too.
The final hymn Hosanna, Sing
Hosanna was sung and Mrs. Scott
closed the meeting with the UCW
benediction.
Joan Bernard served hot-cross
buns for lunch.
Mrs. Scott and Rene Richmond
will be in charge of the May 2
potluck meeting program. Supper is
provided by all church ladies
attending.
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 I E S
DRAMAMUSIC
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 - Philippians 4:10-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
GEMS Service - “A Thankful Heart”
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 519-887-9273
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Worship Service, Sunday School & Nursery ~11:00 a.m.
Guest speaker: Tom Dunbar
Sunday, April 22
All Welcome
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, April 29
Confirmation Service at Brussels & Ethel
Sunday, April 22
Ethel United Church
Worship Service & Sunday School
9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Sunday 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.
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
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
April 22: Luke 5:27-32
Evangelical Missionary Church
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
Mondays 7:30 pm -Prayer Warriors
Tuesdays 7:30 pm -Wingham Small Group
Fridays 7:30 pm -Youth Group
“Share Good
News -
Interpersonally”
Students special guests at UCW meeting