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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1987-01-14, Page 21From the Minister's Study THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987. PAGE 21. The church must become a blotting paper BY REV. CHARLES CARPENTIER BRUSSELS AND ETHEL UNITED CHURCHES Here we are at the threshold of a New Year, but can you think of one new thing which really begins at this dead time of the year? If not, allow me to ask you a very old question: What is the Church? Some people would say: “The Churchisaplacethatshouldbc attended as often as convenient.” But this kind of answer is a far cry from what the early Christian Church was. That Church was neither convenient nor safe. There were no buildings, and the mem bers met secretly in catacombs - those underground excavation be neath the streets of Rome. What is the Church? The Church is not a building, it is not status, but it is a fellowship of people who are sharing a particular way of life, a particular hope, and a particular belief. This fellowship is united in its diversity by the amazing love of God for all people. A love that leads to the Cross of Christ, the only place where all people stand on the same level ground. Unfortunately, the Church has become a museum to display the victorious life. We keep spotlight ing people who are so wonderful in the Church. For many people the Church is a place you go when you put on your best clothes; you sit in 25 years of UCW celebrated Sunday School, you worship, you have a pot luck dinner together, but you never bring your life! You leave behind all your pain, your brokenness, your hopes, even your joys. Therefore, the Church in 1987, must become the blotting paper in our communities! Absorb ing all the sins; absorbing all the pain; absorbing all the broken ness; absorbing all the joys; absorbing all the hymn and liturgies of all the writers of all ages; absorbing all the sermons of all the clergy; absorbing all the biographies of all the Christians who have been turning the world upsidedown; absorbing all the working days and birthdays of all its members; absorbing all the hopes and fears of all the years. The only warning is: we need to hold a mirror in order to read what the blotting paper says. For now we see through aglass-darkly. But then? Your Parish is His Body. Your Offering is His Hands. Your Prayer is His Heart. Your Sins are His Thorns. In 1987 we can make the Church a place for God to heal people, to binduptheirwoundsandtoset them free. at Blyth United Church Sunday Twenty-five years of U.C.W . was celebrated in Blyth United Church on Sunday. January 11. The service was conducted by Presidents (Past. Present and Future) of the U.C.W. They included June Peck, Evalena Webster. Mary Wightman. Myrtle Vodden. Evelyn Smith. Ruby Pattison and Susan Howson. The Theme “Called to Re pond” was carried throughout the service ending with a .candle lighting ceremony. The entire service was conducted by the United Church Women including thegreeters, ushers, andthelovely choir number by ladies of the Senior Choir. First president Myrtle Vodden and present president Susan How- son pre sentedtheirthoughts on the U.C.W. 25 years ago andtoday. A highlight ofthe service was the dedication of the historical plaque containing the names of all the Blyth U.C.W. presidents. The plaque was beautifully engraved by Ernie Phillips. Other events to celebrate the 25th Anniversary are being plann ed during the year. A Blyth Christian Reformed Church HIGH WAY4, BLYTH Rev. Roger Gelwicks Worship Services 10:00a.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 20 5:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME Business Directory Blue building on Hwy. 4 north of Belgrave •Small Engine Repairs •Licenced body repair & painting •Highway Tractor Repairs AUTO & FARM REPAIR OWNER: CREG DUCK •Welding ?77.?779 •CarOiling Oo 4 Outu •Licenced Mechanic TAplnrnrp •Safety Inspections OCiyiUUV Advertising helps good things happen. CANADIAN ADVERTISING FOUNDATION Hopper Welding & Repair REPAIRSTOFARM EQUIPMENTAND AUTOMOBILES Wavne Hopper Belgrave 887-6142 Phil’s Refrigeration and Appliance Services Dependable service to all makes and models of major domestic appliances. 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N0G1H0 BILLAITCHISON 887-6747 Brussels Variety Groceries, Tobacco, Health Care, Stationery & Cards, Lottario-Lotto 649 Agents for: Drycleaners, film processing and T remeer Printing Open 7 Days A Week 887-6224 McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 91 Main St. South, Seaforth Office 527-0400 FARM,HOME, COMMERCIAL AUTO COVERAGES Thompson’s Meat Market Brussels Fresh Meat Freezer Orders Custom Butchering by appointment Call Brussels 887-6294 mart Don Pietsch Owner/Manager FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS 44 Ontario St., Clinton —PHONE — 482-7771 Expert Interior & Exterior Decorating Wallcoverings Benjamin Moore Paints WindowShades STOP Hildebrand Paint & Paper Phone527-1880 15 Main St., Seaforth :-------------AGENTS E.F. “Bill” Durst 527-1455 Bob McNaughton 527-1571 Graeme Craig 887-9381 Banter & MacEwan Insurance Brokers Ltd. 524-8376 John Wise Insurance Brokers Ltd. 482-3401 BRUSSELS AND AREA HUNT AND PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS HOMERENOVATIONS AND GENERALBUILDING CONTRACTORS H. TEN PAS CONSTRUCTION LTD. 30 years serving the area PREGNANT? anc/ need help 519-357-1066 WINGHAM 1-800-328-5683TOLi. FREE