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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-06-06, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1990. From the minisler’s study God’s side of the ledger BY PETER D. TUCKER BELGRAVE UNITED CHURCH CALVIN BRICK UNITED CHURCH All in all I suppose it has been pretty much an average week. The usual round of hospitals and honfes, meeting with the young and the elderly, the newly weds and the new parents, the busy and the bored, the sick and the well. I guess it could be said that in my “down” moments I find it difficult to consider the job of the average clergyman thrilling and exciting on a day to day basis. In fact, however attractive a picture is painted of other people’s occupations, the daily carrying out of duty is very much routine, regardless of what particular job is being considered. In fact, the secret of a happy life is to come to terms with what you are doing, recognize that in all probability you are not going to change the world on your own, without at the same time beginning to feel that what you are doing is of no real importance. A very real danger appears if we fail to come to terms with what we are doing and we allow ourselves to slide into depression. We have all met these indivi­ duals from time to time. These are the ones who feel that life really has handed them a dirty deal. Their life has not been filled with sparkle and fun; they have not ever been the life and soul of the party; they have never been the ones the boys or the girls have eagerly sought after; they have been too busy to travel, and they have watched the world slide by them on television and have assumed that was the real world, and that they really were not part of it at all. They feel that their life has been wasted and that everyone other than them has had a good time, but that all their opportunities have passed them by. Their main resentment appears to be that the government is robbing them of the little they have in the levels of income tax they pay. As I say, on my “down” days, it is so easy to fall into this trap of depression as I hear the hopeless­ ness in the voices of people of all shapes and sizes, of all groups and ages. That is one side of the ledger, but here is the other. I have been able to visit a person who happens to be fatally ill. It is hard to believe, but I came out from that person’s presence cheered and heartened. I have been able to enter into the home of a lady who approaches 90 years of age with interest, hope and optimism. As a result of that visit I now have a dozen African Violet leaves taking root in my kitchen. I was not allowed to leave that home without a present; a gift beyond price, the gift of beauty. This elderly person forgot her aches and pains in appreciating the beauty of the flowers which grew so cheer­ fully upon her window sill. She will not take pleasure in the fact that at no cost to her I am a sharer in that beauty. Because of her I and those who surround me are a little richer, a little happier, a little more at peace with themselves and with their God. As I entered a hospital room I saw again with renewed interest the genuine love and care of a mother for her ailing child. I examined the tiny hands and feet of the baby and marvelled anew at the magnificence of God’s creation. And my faith grew and was nourished as I witnessed that love which desired only to give, expect­ ing nothing for herself, but invest­ ing time and energy and devotion in the care of that tiny person who was a part of her. This week I thought of God. I thought how marvellous it was that I had been surrounded with friends. I thought how amazing it was that I did not know what it was like to go hungry, to feel cold or wet or homeless. 1 thought how fortu­ nate I was to be loved and to be married and to have a family that cared for me. I thought of the land in which I lived and which I love and I gave thanks for it. I thought of the God who had sacrificed His own Son for me and I gave Him the glory. Yes, it was quite an ordinary week, really! ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. June 10,1990 HOLY COMMUNION Blyth 9:30 a.m. Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Mornirig Service SundaySchool 9:30 a. m .-Belgrave Service Trinity Brussels 11:15 a.m. We welcome you to come and worship with us! HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00a.m. - Debra Siertsema & Darlene Vanderveen singing 8:00 p.m. - The Chapelaires Wednesday - Discipleship Training Friday - 7:30 - Youth SHARON BROWN Sharon Brown, daughter of John and Elva Brown of RR 3, Walton graduated on May 27 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. Family Sunday held at Blyth United Church Greeters for Family Sunday No. 5 at Blyth United Church, June 3 were Marilyn and Debbie Craig. Ushers were Kathy and Randy Fraser, Margaret Caldwell and Fred de Boer. Special guests at the service were Auxiliary and Legion mem­ bers from Blyth, Brussels and Howick in celebration of D-Day. The senior choir’s anthem was “Open My Eyes that I May See” accompanied by John Ramirez who acted as pianist in the absence of Mrs. Phyllis Boak. During the offertory, John favoured the congregation with two selections entitled “Nocturne” and “Chromatics”. It was the final day for Sunday School and a pancake breakfast prior to the service was part of the occasion, along with Award Presentations. Sunday School superintendent, Lorna Fraser, assisted by Bev BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Brussels asks opinion on recreation pact A written opinion of role of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Recrea­ tion Committee will be sought from a provincial recreation official, Brussels council was told Monday night. Hugh Hanly, clerk-treasurer for Brussels said he had spoken to Melanie McLaughlin of the Mini­ stry of Recreation and Tourism about the matter and would ask her to give a written opinion. Council became involved in a dispute with the Recreation Committee after the committee decided to expand the parking lot at the B. M. & G. arena and the contractor was asked not to do the job by Brussels council. The project is on hold until the next regular meeting of the recrea­ tion committee, Mary Stretton, Council’s representative on the committee said. Speaking of a meeting between council and the committee last week she said “I wasn’t too impressed with the way the chairman (Dale Newman) spoke about Brussels council. 1 felt we have been quite fair about most things they want.” Mr. Hanly said that in conversa­ tion with Ms. McLaughlin she had indicated that the joint recreation agreement wasn’t meant to take away the village’s authority over land it owns. The agreement was made to jointly manage the facili­ ties not give up ownership to the committee, Mr. Hanly said he had been told. Anything major is supposed to come back to the village council, he said. “If it would solve the problem (of too little parking) I would agree,” Reeve Gordon Workman said. He said there is enough parking space there for the capacity of the building now he said if it is used properly. Adding a larger, gravell­ ed parking lot is not going to solve the problem because people will misuse the extra space, he said. Blair, awarded several members with attendance certificates and seals. Bibles were presented to all children entering Grade 3 next year. Classes winning perfect at­ tendance awards were Grades 5 and 6 and Grades 7 and 8 girls. The top class bringing their families to church for the year were the Grade 5 and 6 boys. In appreciation, retiring teachers each were presented with a red carnation and retiring assistant superintendent Joan Caldwell was presented with three red roses. Paul Hessels and Abigail Ramirez presented a donation to the Church from the Teen Club. Scripture reading was Ezekiel 37 (1-14) and the title of the sermon was “The Hope of Restored Life”. The scripture passage related the vision of Ezekiel walking in the valley of dry bones, those of the slain Israelites. The Lord com­ mands Ezekiel to prophesy that He shall lay sinews and flesh upon these bones and cover them with skin and then breathe upon those slain that they may live. Rev. Ramirez made note of three points one can conclude from this passage. First, that many times we are like the dried bones in the valley, when we are drained physi­ cally or emotionally. Often we feel lifeless yjt God would rather see us animated, full of life, joyful. Second, God is the giver and provider of life, with God every­ thing is possible. Third, God can give everyone hope. His wish is for everyone to enjoy life now and even when we have aches and illness, God wants us to know that there is hope even in the midst of hopelessness, not only in this life but the hereafter. In closing, Rev. Ramirez empha­ sized the hope of restored life by quoting the last two verses. “Ye shall know that I am Lord when I have opened your graves and brought you out of your graves and put my spirit in you and ye shall live and I shall place you in your own land. The service fittingly closed with the singing of hymn “Breathe On Me Breath of God”. 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 205:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street 887-9313 Rev. Cameron McMillan SundayJune 10th Worship Service Ethel Worship Service ******** -General U.C.W. Meeting a.m. a.m. 8:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:15 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. Saturday Come, -Committee of Stewards -United Church Yard Sale Boynton’s lawn-Turnberry Street Holy Ghost, our souls inspire We serve people from all walks of life We are here to helpall of thefamilies in our community. In doing so, we serve people from all walks of life. As a result, we provide funerals that meet the needs and budget of many different families. We give people the information upon which they can base their decisions, and they choose the services they desire. If you would like more facts about funeral costs and services, please give us a call at the number listed below. Betts Funeral Home BRUSSELS 887-6336 ONTARIO FUNERAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION [Incorporated] GORRIE 335-3571