Loading...
The Citizen, 1989-03-22, Page 57PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1989. From the Minister's Study "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do' BY BOB BARNHART PASTOR, BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD Jesus was on the cross approxi­ mately six hours before he died. Only seven sayings are recorded in the gospel. One of them is found in Luke, 23 verse 34. Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Lewis Smedes in his book “Forgive and Forget, Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve”, talks about four stages of forgiveness. I would like us to look briefly at those four stages. The first stage is hurt. 1 do not think that it is too broad a generalization to say that everyone at some time in their life will be hurt. That’s why Christianity is relevant for everyone because it can help in areas where everyone struggles. When you are hurt, what then do you do with it? This brings us to the second stage which is hate. This is where Palm Sunday marked at Blyth Greeters at Blyth United Church for Palm Sunday were Harvey and Feme McDowell. Ushers were Jim and Sandra Howson, Jim Walsh and Dick Poore. The scripture reading Matthew 21 (1-11) was read by two members of the Grade 6 class, Kimberley Ferguson and Pauline Stewart. During the scripture reading the members of the nursery class under the direction of Gayle Poore, waved palm branches in remem­ you want them to hurt. This is where your anger can raise its ugly head. This is where revenge comes in. I have a friend who says, “I don’t get even, I get ahead.” In other words they are going to hurt more than I did. Many of us are not violent people and we may not take any physical actions to hurt but in our words or in our minds we attack. The third stage is healing. This is where we seek to forgive the other person for the wrong that they have done us. This is where I believe Christ was at on the cross. Because Christ has been there he can help us forgive those when we can’t forgive. Corrie Ten Boom tells a story on herself about learning about for­ giveness. During World War Two Corrie was in a German concentra­ tion camp. After the war she travelled speaking on forgiveness. One Sunday she was speaking on forgiveness in Munich Germany. After the service a man came up to her and said: “I am so glad that brance ot Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. During the children’s story, Rev. Ramirez explained that the waving of palm branches signified a wel­ come and praise for Jesus. It also was out of respect and honour for the one they thought would be king. The senior choir sang the anthem entitled “Jerusalem”. The sermon topic was “Why are we following Jesus?” Communion followed the Jesus forgives all of our sins”, and reached to shake hands with her. She knew him. Corrie was faced to to take showers with other women while this “beast” looked on, mocking, guarding, helpless naked women. Corrie remembered she could not forgive. What could she do? She prayed “Jesus I can’t forgive this man, forgive me”. At once she felt forgiven for not forgiving him. In the power of that moment her hand went up and she took the man’s hand. In her heart she had freed him from his past and she freed herself from hers. The fourth stage is coming together. This stage may or may not happen because it depends as much on the other person as on you. The first three involve me and me alone. The last stage involves the other person. Suppose the other person doesn’t want to be forgiven. That is why many people do not accept Christ. Because they don’t think they have done any­ thing wrong to be forgiven for. message. Members of the senior teen club have just finished a 30 hour Starve-a-thon. Money raised will go to Compassion of Canada. Everyone is welcome to attend the Evening Unit’s meeting March 29 at 8 p.m. A special video taping on Home Safety will be viewed at the firehall as part of this meeting. Next week is Family Sunday with a special Easter service with sever­ al of the Sunday School children taking part. True coming together is where the other person understands the hurt he or she caused me. He or she needs to be sorry for the hurt that he or she caused. The third thing is he or she needs to be willing to change so that they won’t cause the hurt again. This is the same in Christianity. To come to God we need to Blyth Christian highway Reformed Church 4, blyth Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Rev. W.H. Lammers March 24-Good Friday- 10a.m. Service Sunday School 11:00 a.m. TheChurchof the “Back toGod Hour” and “Faith20’’ Back toGod Hour10:30a.m.CKNX, Sunday Faith20 5:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10 a.m. - Family Bible School 11 a.m. - Morning Worship 8 p.m. - Evening Service Wed., 8 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study Sat., 10:30 a.m. - Kids’ Klub and Young Teens « milhaa Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS REV.KENKNIGHT Easter Breakfast 9 -10:30 a.m. Comeand support the Sunday School 11 A.M. MORNING SERVICE SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 A.M. BELGRAVE SERVICE understand that we have sinned, we are sorry for our sins and are willing to repent, which means to make an about-face, a complete change of direction. When this happens, the relationship is restor­ ed and both can go on with the past behind. Forgiveness works in both our relationship to God and with other people. Missionary writes Melville WMS The March meeting of Melville W.M.S. was held in the church parlor with nine members answer­ ing the roll call with an Easter verse. Mrs. Helen Elliott, the presi­ dent, opened the meeting with a poem “They hailed him King” followed by prayer. Hymns were sung with Wilma Hemingway at the piano. The secretary’s report was given by Ruby Steiss and the treasurer report by Evelyn Mair. Easter thankoffering envelopes were given out. A letter was read from Ellen Waldock a Missionary in Zambia and who spoke at the church in September while home on fur­ lough. It was decided to have meetings on the second Thursday of each month from now on. The scripture from Luke 3, verses 12 - 24 were read by Wilma Hemingway and Evelyn Maier gave a Easter Meditation and led in prayer. The topic on Native African people was given by Isobel Gibson. The meeting closed by all repeating the Mizpah benediction. A cup of tea and cookies were served by Ruth Martin, Thelma Cardiff and Marguerite Krauter and a social time enjoyed. Brussels woman heads WMS George Bullen, Goderich, was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Stratford-Huron Presbyterial, W.M.S., held in Knox Presbyterian Church, Strat­ ford. Mr. Bullen spent a year in China teaching English at Nanjing, form­ erly Nanking, where the Chinese government provides a place for foreign students, mainly from third world countries to study. He said that Christians make up less than four per cent of the population and they are very careful not to offend other religions. His presentation included slides showing the scen­ ery, architectural structures, Chin­ ese culture, and the people with whom he worked. Mr. Bullen was introduced by Mrs. Robert McAlli­ ster of Auburn. Mrs. Robert J. McTavish, Shakespeare, presided for the morning and afternoon sessions which were based on the theme, “Go and Tell”. The morning devotions were conducted by Mrs. Iva Jack and Mrs. Catherine Blatch, Milverton. Mrs. Mary Scott brought greetings from the Knox W.M.S. groups, and Rev. David Thompson representing Stratford- Huron Presbytery encouraged the ladies to work and pray. Mrs. Floyd Willows and Mrs. Alvin MacKay, representing the Emily Garden of St. Andrews, Stratford, gave the afternoon devo­ tions. A skit, written by Mrs. Gordon Alexander of Listowel and presented by Avonton W.M.S. groups portrayed the organization of the first Stratford Presbyterial groups. These groups were Harr­ ington, Knox Stratford, Motherwell and Avonbank, Mitchell and South Missouri and were organized in 1884. The annual presentation of the MacErspey Award was made, with the award going to the Avonton COC, and The Helen Gowlett award to Atwood Explorers. Mrs. Elmer Rivers, Seaforth, presented the new slate of officers, who were installed by Mrs. Edward. Cour­ tesy remarks were given by Mrs. Don Webb, St. Marys. The offiers for 1989 are: Past President, Mrs. Robert J. McTa­ vish, RR 1, Stratford; President, Mrs. Stuart Stevenson, Brussels; first Vice Pres., Mrs. Gordon Alexander, Listowel; second Vice Pres., Mrs. Robert Edmunds, Mit­ chell; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Robert Laing, Staffa; Correspond­ ing Secretary, Mrs. John Gibson, St. Marys; Treasurer, Miss Jean Isbister, Stratford. The following are secretaries: Press, Mrs. Muriel Sheldon, St. Marys; Adult Groups, Mrs. Charles Corry, Atwood; Children’s Groups, Mrs. Larry White, God­ erich; Friendship and Service, Mrs. Floyd Willows, Stratford; Glad Tidings, Mrs. Alex Nichol, At­ wood; Literature, Carpenter Shop - Miss Isabel McTavish, Stratford; W.M.S. Bookroom - Mrs. C. Pat­ terson, Sebringville; Without Port­ folio, Mrs. R. McAllister, Auburn and Mrs. Fred Slater, Goderich; Auditors, Mrs. Gerald Richards, Stratford and Mrs. Fred Kipfer, Stratford. The wingham Sales Arena “EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF’ OPEN MON.-SAT. 9-6 FRI NITES TIL 9 357-1730 NEW & USED GUNS ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Patt Nunn 887-9267 HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Good Friday - Meditation on the Cross 9:30a.m., Blyth 11:00a.m., Brussels Easter Eve - Easter Vigil Community Service 7:30 p.m., St. John’s, Brussels EASTER SUNDAY - ALLELUIA! Resurrection Hymns & Eucharist [Book of Common Prayer] 9:15a.m., Blyth 11:00a.m. Brussels “The Lord is Risen, Indeed. ’’ BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street Minister - Reverend Charles Carpentier JOURNEYING TOGETHER TO EASTER March 23 Maundy Thursday Service 8:00 p.m. Minister’s Subject: ‘I Have Given You An Example’ Sacrament of Holy Communion March 24 Good Friday Service 11:00 a.m. Minister’s Subject - “The Journey to Calvary” March 25 Ecumenical Service of Light and 7:30 p.m. Renewal of Baptismal Vows, St. John’s Anglican Church, Brussels EASTER SUNDAY - DAY OF RESURRECTION Minister’s Subject - “Jesus Alive ... Alive for You” Family Worship Sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday School Holiday - Nursery Care Provided 10:45 a.m. Music by the Intermediate Choir March 26 11:00 a.m Jesus Christ is Risen - Hallelujah NEW & US Furniture Antiques Carpet & Giftware BULK Baking Goods Spices, Bulk Candy, Food & Grocery Items CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR For The Whole Family