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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-04-04, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990. Minister’s Study God is still in charge of life BY PETER D. TUCKER BELGRAVE UNITED CHURCH Looking out of my window on a cold winter’s day hardly seems a very profitable way to spend my time. The sky is grey and overcast and there is a hint of snow in the air. It would be easy to become depressed while looking at the bare branches of the maple tree stand­ ing stark against the sky. Life seems at a low ebb and the blood runs sluggishly through the veins; even the sparrows seem to be huddled in feathered bundles against the onslaughts of the day. Given the type of day, it would be easy to be a pessimist. But I am not a pessimist! I suppose I have lived long enough to be able to see beyond the grey sky and the hint of snow, the stark branches, the pitiful sparrows. My memory reaches in realms forbidden to me in the present. In my mind lingers the sweet memory of coming spring; the miracle of fresh green leaves; the brightness of the cro­ cus; the sunshine yellow of the daffodil; the sweet singing of the birds. According to the outward appearance, all is presently drab, dull, lifeless, boring, uninterest­ ing. Fortunately, there is a reality ‘Resurrection sermon topic Please join us between 9-10:30 a.m. for an Easter Breakfast. All Welcome Greeters at Blyth United Church on Sunday, April 1 were Lloyd Walden and Harvey Snell. Ushers were Ernie, Emily and Karen Philips and Terry Richmond. In charge of Junior Congregation was Bonnie Shannon. Anita Brom­ ley was Nursery leader. The scrip­ ture reading was John 11:35 read by Rev. Ramirez assisted in part by the kindergarten class under the direction of teachers Sandra Hes- sels and Kathy McDonald. The senior choir, accompanied by Mrs. Phyllis Boak, sang “Bur­ dens are lifted at Calvary’’. There will be a Sunday School meeting April 9 at 7:30 p.m. Spring Thar.koffering will be held April 8 at 8 p.m. with guest speaker Mrs. Barb Hicks. Everyone is welcome. Next Sunday is Palm and Communion Sunday. The sermon topic was “A Glimpse of our Own Resurrection’’. The scripture reading from John tells the account of Jesus bringing Lazurus back to life after he had Rural child care topic of WI The Environment is still very much on the minds of the over 20,000 Women’s Institute mem­ bers in Ontario. They have taken as their theme for 1990 - 1 Women and the Environment - Family and Community. This continues their Environmental themes of the past two years. A way of raising money to help celebrate the FWIO Centenary in 1997 but also a chance to aid in Recycling and Reduction has lead the Women’s Institutes to sell Blue Carry-All Bags which can be taken to the grocery stores and used instead of plastic bags. Originally designed to help people in apart­ ments take their recyclable articles to the bins, the Women’s Institutes have carried the idea forward. 100 Environmental Projects to be completed or at least started by June 1990 was the target set at the Women’s Institute Conference in Kingston in 1988. To date the nymber is 160 and growing every dAy. The final total and list of the projects will be announced at the Women and their Environment which lies behind and belies the present appearance of things. That reality is that within the framework of creation, life runs on in its accustomed course. Under the feathers of the sparrow beats a heart, tirelessly persevering. Un­ der the soil lies the promise of life renewed; from a dull brown bulb springs forth a thing of beauty which has the power to cause the heart to leap for joy. Within the stark framework of the maple waits the revitalising sap, yearning to clothe the tree with a colour and a garment which man cannot dupli­ cate. The full-throated song of the birds is only held in check by the march of days. Soon the outward appearance will be transformed beyond measure bv the reality of life renewed. We will begin to wonder how it was at all possible that we could be so foolish as to forget what the reality was. Apparent reality is very often a mask behind which true reality lies hidden. We mistake the mask for the truth. Our view is only that of the surface. Sometimes as we look out at the world we see only those things which depress and discour­ age us. We are tempted to believe that reality is something from been dead four days. Rev. Ramirez said that we should see the resurrection of Lazurua as a glimpse and promise of our own future resurrection. Before the resurrection Martha had shown her faith by saying (verse 21) “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died”. Jesus answered “Your brother will rise again”. Martha said “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day”. She wasn’t aware that Jesus in­ tended to raise Lazurus then and there to reveal to Mary and Martha and others, that to those who have great faith and believe in Jesus, death is not final. Rev. Ramirez compared our death to a caterpillar who falls asleep, lies in the cocoon stage and then opens to a brand new life. When we die, we fall asleep; our physical body dies but our spiritual body lives on. Rev. Ramirez told of how he always remembered a former mini­ Conference - An International Challenge Conference to be held June 1 - 3 at the Carleton University, Ottawa. At the Confer­ ence the Women’s Institute mem­ bers will examine the three envir­ onments, Self, Family and Com­ munity, and the World around Us. Among the topics under discussion will be: Can we see the Forest for the Trees?, Water - our most Precious Resource, The Environ­ ment - the view of a Native Canadian Woman, The Family in the 90’s. Learning to live as if Nature Matters, and Eat Well - Be Well. The impact of this Confer­ ence will be felt throughout rural Ontario. As part of their Community action the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario have just been involved, with Federated Women's Institutes of Canada, in a Cana­ dian-wide survey on the needs of and for Rural Child-Care. This is the only in-depth survey that has surveyed all the rural areas throughout all of Canada. The results of this survey will be which we should run away and hide. Indeed, there are some who would say that there really is no hope either in or for our poor old ruined world. That is not the reality, it is only the apparent reality. Reality is that God is still in charge. Life still throbs beneath the broken appearance. It is this world which God has chosen to redeem and transform. Sometimes it does not look like it. Who would ever have thought that a body hanging upon a cross against a dark and pitiless sky was a symbol of life? Who, looking at a stone rolled against an occupied tomb would imagine that within was the seed of life eternal for all men? The apparent reality was grim and forbidding. It was desperately discouraging. But the dawn was coming! Change was in the mak­ ing! God was emerging, trium­ phant, risen! Just as the crocus thrusts aside the dark brown shell of its prison and burst forth into joy and life, so also may we. Not because we must, but because we may. Thousands, even millions may choose to live with apparent reality, but I choose reality itself. How about you? ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. April 8,1990 Sunday of the Passion HOLY COMMUNION Blyth 9:30 a.m. Brussels 11:15 a.m. 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 Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Morning Service Sunday School 9:30a.m.-Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us! ster’s words when he had said “Those who are bom twice die once, and those who are born once, die twice.” In explanation, he said, the first time we are born, we are born physically, the second time is a spiritual birth - we are born in faith. This second birth may be a sudden birth or a gradual birth over a period of time. Those who have experienced these two births die only once; it will be a physical death, their spirit will live on. Those who are aborn once (physic­ ally) and never experience a second spiritual rebirth die twice - once physically and the second spirit­ ually. In verse 25 Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live, even though he dies. “This is shown by the resurrection of Lazurus through which we may see a glimpse of our own resurrection, believing God’s promise and confirming our hope for eternal life. BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at 10a.m. and 7:30 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 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME presented to Health and Welfare Canada, and Agriculture Canada. It was Federated Women’s Insti­ tutes of Ontario who sponsored the first Rural Child care project in Ontario in 1984. Riding gets grants The town of Wingham has recently been notified by Minister of Municipal Affairs John Sweeney they will receive a $9,938 provincial grant to study opportunities for community development and eco­ nomic growlh. Centralia College will utilize a $47,100 literacy grant in a pilot project which will assist them in re-writing their training manual. Seaforth Community Hospital and Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, Goderich will each re­ ceive $40,000 from the Ministry of Health for installation of a comput­ erized system in their emergency wards. SPECIAL HOLY WEEK INTER-CHURCH WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for Brusselsand surrounding community Maundy Thursday, April 12th 7:30 p.m. at Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels -service of music, story and Holy Communion Good Friday, April 13th, 9:30 a.m. at Brussels United Church -service of worship with dramatic message Saturday, April 14th 7:30 p.m. at Walton United Church BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street 887-9313 Rev. Cameron McMillan Palm Sunday - April 8th 11:00 a.m.Morning Worship Church School Activity Parade of Palms and Walk Through Holy Week 12:15 p.m.Church Membership Class 8:00 p.m.United Church Women Wednesday,General Meeting April 4 “Church and Community” 7:15 p.m. Thursday, April 5 Committee of Stewards Branches from the palm tree - a sign of peace the whole wide world around. -an Easter vidual, remembrance of God’s grace to us Easter Sunday, April 15th 9-10:30 a.m. at Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels -Easter Breakfast sponsored by Melville Sunday School rj We welcome any to join us in these meaningful opportunities of worship and fellowship at this most important season in our Christian year.