The Citizen, 1990-03-14, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990.
Minister's Study
Lent is a time for self-examination and testing
BY REV. CAMERON McMILLAN
BRUSSELS, AND ETHEL
UNITED CHURCHES
In our Christian churches we are
now in the season of Lent. It is a
40-day preparation period for the
great Christian Festival of Easter.
Lent is a time for self-examination,
for testing. It is a time for looking
at the basic principles that lie at the
foundation of our faith and measur
ing how close we come to them.
The practice of Lenten testing or
self-examination began with a 40-
day period of testing that Jesus
went through right after his bap
tism, as he was about to begin his
great period of preaching, teaching
and healing. Jesus was trying to
sort out what kind of ministry he
should bring before the world.
Three great temptations were pre
sented to him. He rejected all of
them as false routes to follow. He
decided on a different course of
action. In doing this he laid out the
proper route which Jesus encour
ages all Christians to follow. We
need to look at these temptations
and see why Jesus rejected them.
These temptations still come before
us in our lives today.
Jesus’ first temptation was to
turn stones into loaves of bread. He
was hungry after 40 days of fasting
in the wilderness. It was suggested
that he use his miraculous powers
to create food that he could eat. his
is the temptation to place our major
emphasis on satisfying our material
wants. The material things we want
in our world today are much more
than merely bread. We want VCR’s
stereos, microwaves, the best of
food and luxury gadgets that
today’s society offers.
Jesus rejected the temptation to
seek after material things with the
words “Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.’’
Not material goods, but the rela
tionship that we have with our God
is the most important thing in our
life, Jesus said. Seek first the
Kingdom of God and God’s right
eousness. Lay up not treasure on
earth, were moth and rust consume
and thieves break in and steal. Lay
up treasure in heaven.
The second temptation Jesus
faced was to perform a sensational
act. It was suggested that he jump
off the highest tower in the city, the
top of the Jerusalem temple. He
was assured that God would send
angels to break his fall and give
him a soft, safe landing on the
ground. Jesus rejected the sugges
tion of performing a sensational
act, saying “You shall not tempt
the Lord your God.’’
Sensationalism draws attention
to the performer. It gives people a
quick, momentary thrill, but it does
them no long lasting good. Instead
of performing sensational acts,
Jesus chose to do humble acts of
service. He bound up peoples’
wounds and healed their diseases.
He chose to help others rather than
draw attention to himself. This is
the route he urges all Christians to
take: service to others, not sensa
tional acts.
The third temptation Jesus faced
was the opportunistic short cut.
The Devil promised to give Jesus
control over a number of kingdoms,
if he would fall down and worship
him. Jesus refused to be taken in
by this easy offer. He said: “You
shall worship the Lord your God.
Him only shall you serve.”
The temptation to compromise
your principles and take an oppor
tunistic short cut is always before
us. Why not cheat on the income
tax return and save a few dollars?
Why not cheat on the spouse and
have some fun? Why not poke fun
at somebody else for our own
amusement? These short cuts do
not help us. Rather they do us a lot
of spiritual harm. God took no short
cut when he sent us his own Son to
die for our salvation. God expects
us always to do and give of our very
best as well.
Read Matthew 4: 1-11.
Melville
Presbyterian Church
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00-Morning Service
Sunday School
9:30 a. m. - Belg rave Service
We welcome you to come and worship with us!
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
King Street 887*9313
Literacy teacher speaks
to Brussels United ladies
The ladies of the Brussels United
Church held their March meeting
in the Church basement.
Nelva Scott opened the meeting
reading a poem “Two Dead Seas”.
Nelva read the introduction of
International Literacy year
throughout the world. She also
gave the welcome to the guest
speaker, Rosemary Rogovaldson of
Listowel, a teacher for the Literacy
Program. Rosemary receives enjoy
ment when a student can read a
letter or read a story to a grand
child. These adult literacy courses
are held in the Public Library
during the week. Dorothy Steffler
gave a lovely word of thanks. The
hymn “Would You Bless Our
Home and Families” was sung.
Scripture from John 17 was given
by the vice president Gertie
Kellington. The hymn “Rise up 0
Man of God” was sung. Lunch was
served by Rene Richmond and Joan
Bernard.
The business meeting was chair
ed by the vice-president. Minutes
of the last meeting was read by the
secretary Joan Bernard. Corres
pondence was read. The treasur
er’s report was given by Joyce
Jacklin. Thankoffering will be held
April 29 at the morning service.
February fund calendars were
handed in. Another calendar will
be given out in April to the ladies of
the Church wishing to have them.
The hot luncheon was held March
8.
The archives book was left out
for ladies to look it over.
Barbara Barton McMillan and
Rene Richmond have the April
meeting. The them is “Church in
Community”. Benediction closed
the meeting.
Blyth United rejoices in God's love
Greeters at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, March 11 were Bill and
Brenda Burkholder. Ushers were
Lenora Davidson, Vera Badley,
Earl Fyfe and Jim Walsh.
The scripture reading was from
John 3 (11-17) read by members of
the Grade 4 boys Sunday School
class - Tim Caldwell and David
Craig assisted by Corey Shannon
and Michael Ansley. Bonnie Shan
non was in charge of Junior
Congregation. Connie Bromley was
nursery leader. The anthem was
entitled “Happiness is the Lord”
presented by the Junior and Inter
mediate choirs with special solo
parts by Zoey Onn.
It was announced that next week
there will be a sing song. There will
be an executive meeting at the
church March 22 at 2 p.m.
The sermon title was “God’s
Redeeming Love”. In the words of
Martin Luther King, the scripture
passage John 3 (1-17) is a mini
gospel. It is a summary of God’s
love. It tells of Nicodemus a
Pharisee, a man of high learning,
in spite of his high position felt he
was missing something. Even
though he was a very wealthy man
he was poor in spirit. He wished to
come face to face with this man of
God and to come to know him
personally in his life which ulti
mately led him into God’s grace
,and salvation.
Rev. Ramirez said that many
times we find ourselves feeling
empty, like Nicodemus, due to
sickness, family problems or loneli
ness. Only in Christ can we find
strength, only in Him can we find
fulfillment. How can we receive
God’s redeeming love? Rev.
Ramirez said we must look up to
Jesus, to follow his example and
always live with praise and thanks
giving to God.
John 3:16 says “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.” Here we see the
emphasis of God’s love is on
salvation on condemnation. We are
like Nicodemus: even though we do
not fully understand, we must
believe. To believe is to have faith,
to have faith is to trust - then we
will receive God’s redeeming love -
it is for us all.
The service closed with singing
of hymn “O Love That Will Not Let
Me Go”, benediction and choral
response “God Love You”.
Cranbroolc
Compiled by Mrs. Mac Engel. Phone 887-6645
9 tables played
at Foresters’ euchre
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Stevenson
spent the weekend in Toronto.
Garnet Starr and Joyce Brown
from Wallaceburg and Lori Starr
and friend from Kitchener visited
Mr. and Mrs. Don Cotton the
weekend of March 3 - 4.
FORESTERS EUCHRE
The euchre on March 9 sponsor
ed by the Canadian Order of
Foresters had a smaller than usual
attendance owing to the fog.
Nine tables played with the
following winners: high, Violet
Smith, Ross Stephenson; low, Dor-
othy Hamilton, Donald Clark; lone
hands, Becci Ruppel, Jim Smith;
lucky tables, Ann Bragg, Jack Cox,
Harvey Adams, Iola Subject, Don
ald Clark, Violet Smith. Lou Ray-
nard, Brenda Perrie; tallies, John
Subject, Stan Alexander, Ken
Crawford, Lloyd Smith, Norm Dob
son, Isabell Bremner, Lou Ray-
nard, Harold Bragg, Verna Craw
ford, Helen Dobson, Jack Conley.
The euchre on Friday, March 16
will be sponsored by the Hall
Board.
Rev. Cameron McMillan
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Sunday, Church School
March 18
Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
AUBURN
PASTOR JAMES H.CARNE 526-7515 *
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
8:00 p.m. - Evening Service
Wed. - Prayer and Bible Study
Fri. 7:30 - Youth
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - Kids Klub
A BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMEDCHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
Guest Minister: Rev. Plaatjes
Sunday at 10a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday School 11:00a.m.
The Church of the ‘ ‘ Back to God Hour’ ’ and ‘ ‘ Faith 20’ ’
Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday
Faith 205:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V.
Tuesday evening at 7:30 * Prayer Service
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”
Perhaps you
have a
favourite
reading
Many people, when they are pre-arranging a funeral,
tell us about a favourite religious reading that they would
like to be part of their funeral service.
We recordtheir wish, along with other information that
they provide to us, and this becomes their pre-arrange-
ment document. We retain one copy and give them
another.
If you have a favourite reading, please come in and tell
usabout it, or call usatthe number below. We’dbegladto
help.
Betts
Funeral Home
BRUSSELS
887-6336
ONTARIO FUNERAL
SERVICE ASSOCIATION
'Incorporated!
GORRIE
335-3571