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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-01-31, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990. Minister’s Study God loves takers as well BY PETER D. TUCKER BELGRAVE UNITED CHURCH In a country such as Canada one tends to take for granted things which cause amazement and won­ der to residents of other lands. I well remember the reaction of a friend of mine from Somalia in Northern Africa as he witnessed his first snowfall. His response was somewhat similar to that of a kitten that once owned me. Fear, amaze­ ment, wonder, curiosity and de­ light were almost equally mingled. They were dealing with an un­ known quantity; they were sharing a new experience; they were under­ going new sensations. Their ap­ proaches were at first cautious, then slightly bolder, and eventually came full-blown exuberance. They rolled in it; they tasted it; they ate it; they smelled it; they handled it; and ultimately, like everybody else, one of them threw it. But it was not very long before they, just like the rest of us, got fed up with it. They became wet and tired, cold and hungry. It prevent­ ed their travel, it put their lives at risk and became a threat. They wished it would go away. Do you remember when you first met your partner in life? Do you remember the hesitancy, the un­ certainty, the shyness? Do you remember the sense of wonder you felt that this glorious creature appeared to love you, that he or she was prepared to share your joys and your sorrows, your “up” times and your “down” times? Do you remember how life seemed so exciting, the very air seemed filled with mystery and you felt that you would surely burst if you could not share with someone what this new individual meant to you? I hope you can! After thirty-five years of marriage I can still remember. But like my Somalian friend and the kitten, somehow the sense of wonder, joy and mystery has a habit of fading away. We allow ourselves to get bored; we fail to recognize that which first attracted us to each other, and if we are not careful we begin to resent the restrictions on our movement and behaviour that marriage neces­ sarily involves. We take each other for granted, and even the little courtesies are forgotten or ignored. How many meals have been cooked and eaten and the table foresaken with never a word of appreciation? How many shirts have been ironed; how many as givers dishes washed without a helping hand or an encouraging word? Or how many paycheques have been brought into the house and simply accepted, without a word to boost the spirits, such as “Thank you, love, for being such a good provider? ’ ’ The trouble is that we take each other for granted. We tend to treat each other as things rather than as persons. The result is that relation­ ships fade and fail. They become routine and therefore boring. We complain that the relationship brings no satisfaction; we are getting nothing out of it. Relation­ ships are like bank accounts, you cannot get out what you fail to put in. The rules of human relationships also apply to our relationship with God our Father. People say to me sometimes “1 don’t come to Church because I get nothing out of it.” Would you expect an investment to pay dividends without making a deposit? In any case, the main reason for going to Church is not to receive, but to give. Consider God’s gifts to us! Health, strength, food, clothing, homes, the ability to work. You still want to go to Church to receive? It is that attitude which destroys a relationship. A taker will find that his best relationships will fail. But God loves the takers as well as the givers. He urges us to take yet another gift from Him. A gift? For me? Yes, a gift for you, Jesus Christ His Son. “For God so loved, that He gave.” Officers elected at Maitland WMS Mrs. Isabel Arbuckle, president of the Maitland Presbyterial Women’s Missionary Society con­ ducted the annual meeting at St. Andrews Church, Wingham on January 22. On behalf of the Goforth Evening Auxiliary, Mrs. Marilyn Lapp welcomed everyone to Wingham and Wished them God’s blessing on their meeting. A letter was read by Mrs. Margaret Keith thanking everyone for their participation in the Second Mile Project, which had supplied material for Guyana. Among the items purchased were tooth brush­ es, vitamins, aspirins and over 500 pounds of soap. Reports were presented by all the secretaries and treasurers, assuring members they had met their allocation. Mrs. Arbuckle and Erlma Haldenby reported on the 75th anniversary celebrations held in London in May. Mildred Dickson told about her weekend spent at Ladies camp and letters were read from the girls that had received scholarships for a week at camp. Rev. R. D. MacDonald brought greetings from Presbytery, ex­ pressing gratitude for the work accomplished by the W.M.S. and recognizing it as a core group that stimulates and fosters the whole congregation. Following lunch a video on “The Faith of Islam” was presented showing there are over 150,000 Moslems in Canada. “Our vision for the ninties” was the (heme for the afternoon session with the Bluevale W.M.S. present­ ing the devotions. The scripture, Proverbs 29: 15-20 was read by Mrs. Gordon Mundell. In her meditation, Mrs. Jack Jenkins, developed the theme by asking “do we follow our vision by the idea that we have always done it this way, or is it time for returning to the Lord in repentance and seeking His guidance to begin again as we face an uncertain future,” Past President, Mrs. Evan Keith, installed the following offi­ cers for 1990: President, Mrs. Arbuckle, first Vice Pres., Mrs. G. Haldenby, Kinlough; second Vice, Mrs. K. Dickson, Belmore; third Vice, Mrs. W. Elliott, White­ church; Treasurer, Mrs. G. Wall, Wingham; Historian, Mrs. B. Thompson, Kinlough; ass’t. His­ torian, Mrs. J. Stokes, Belmore; D. MacAdam, Belmore; MacKenzie, Lucknow. Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Morning Service SundaySchool 9:30 a.m.-Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us! Baptisms held Sunday at Blyth United Church Greeting a well attended church service at Blyth United Church on Sunday, January 28 were Bodie and Ollie Craig. Ushers were Francis and Steven Bearss, Brenda MacDonald and Brenda Brooks. Flowers at the front of the church were from the funeral of the late Rena Watt. Deepest sympathy is extended to the family from the congregation. Secretaries, Recording, Mrs. E. Jeffray, Belmore; correspondong, Mrs. K. Leitch, Wingham; Adult West, Mrs. A. MacDougall, South Kinloss; Adult East, Mrs. G. Elliott, Brussels; Youth and Child­ ren’s, Mrs. B. Hamilton, South Kinloss; Friendship and Service, Mrs. C. Gibson, Gorrie,; Glad Tidings, Mrs. E. MacLean, Ash­ field; publicity, Mrs. A. Loree, Lucknow; members without portfo­ lio, Mrs. Mrs. R. Over 200 delegates at annual UCW meeting Over 200 delegates met at North­ side United Church, Seaforth re­ cently, for the annual meeting of Huron-Perth Presbyterial U.C.W. One of the highlights was the report by Mildred McAdam of Clinton on Stewardship. She em­ phasized the fact that our steward­ ship of the earth and its resources is becoming more critical every day, and made many suggestions to the women about ways of conserving energy, using alterna­ tives and recycling materials. As she reminded them, “the problems in the Garden of Eden were not caused by the apple on the tree, but by the pair on the ground.” The theme for the day was “Bridges We Build” and a rainbow was used to symbolize the bridge between God and man, and also the many bridges between man and the world. Delegates were welcomed by coffee and muffins prepared by the women of Northside U.C.W. and by an enthusiastic sing-song con­ ducted by Barbara Ann Parker of Varna, with Pearl Martin at the piano. The Presbyterial president, Helen Anderson, officially opened the meeting, and local president, Edna Bell, welcomed everyone to her church. She was followed by Irene Hansford, London Confer­ ence U.C.W. President, who brought greetings and urged par­ ticipation in several upcoming events. In the afternoon, officers for 1990 were installed by the Conference President with Verna Burgin of Kirkton becoming president for the next two years. Her vice-presidents are Carolyn Hoshel of Donegal, and Isobel Scott of Gorrie. Assistant treasurer is Myra LeDrew of Lis- towel. Also on the executive in various capacities are Susan How- son, Blyth; Nancy Corrigan and Jean Mathers of Bluevale; Jackie Gowdy, Gorrie; Grace Sanderson, Fordwich; Brenda Radford, Londesboro; and Trudie Ball, Mil­ verton. The outgoing president, Helen Anderson of Stratford, was honor­ ed with a small gift, and a donation in her name to the Mission and Service Fund. Rev. Ramirez conducted the sacrament of baptism assisted by Adeline Campbell, clerk of session. The following children were bap­ tized: Justin Dale Ritchie, son of Terry Ritchie and Glenda Cooper; Katrina Faye Ulch, daughter of Ron and Gail Ulch; Jason Albert Stryker, Nicholas Stanley Ralph and Katherine Lillian Debra Stryk- er, children of Albert and Debra Stryker. The senior choir, under the direction of Mrs. Phylis Boak sang the anthem entitled “He’s Every­ thing to Me”. A few announcements noted: there will be a family social Feb. 3 for the evening unit members and their families starting at 8 p.m.; Session will meet Feb. 5 at 8 p.m.; Junior and Intermediate choirs will practise Thurs., Feb. 1 after school. Next Sunday, Feb. 4 the newly elected elders, stewards and other members will be inducted during the service. The scripture reading was I Corinthians 1 (18-31) and the theme of the sermon was “The Weak Strength and Foolish Wis­ dom of God”. PORTER-McCLINCHEY Lloyd and Eileen McClinchey are very happy to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Joy, to Dale, son of Bill and Lorraine Porter from Cottam, Ontario. The wedding will take place on Saturday, February 10th, 1990 at the Goderich Town­ ship Community Centre. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA February4/90 Epiphany5 HOLY COMMUNION REV. DAVIDFULLER, B.A., M. DIV. 9:30 a.m. 11:15 Blyth Brussels BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street 887-9313 Rev. Cameron McMillan 11:00a.m. Morning Worship Sunday, Church School February 4th Lord, let your word be my guide and hope HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMESH.CARNE 526-7515 Sunday, Feb. 4th, 1990 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Sandra Tjart - Brazil 8:00 p.m. - Rev. John Hamilton - Bangladesh Mon., Feb. 5th - 8:00 p.m. - Ron Faw, Brazil Tues., Feb. 6th - 8:00 p.m. - Bill Jones, France Wed., Feb. 7th - 8:00 p.m. - Missionary Film A BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at 10a.m. and 2:30p.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. The Church of the ‘ ‘ Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20’ ’ BacktoGod Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 205:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS “Established over 60 years” Serving Blyth, Brussels and all of Huron County Neil Elliott 153 High Street, Clinton Bus. 482-9441 Res. 482-1748 ______ * ‘ Evening appointments available’'