HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-12-13, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1989.
From the Minister's Study
God’s love and goodness is there even amidst tragedy
BY REV. LORENZO RAMIREZ
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Luke 2: 19 But Mary treasured up
all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
December 11, 1981 is one date I
won’t be able to forget. It was an
anxious time for me, early morning
of that date waiting for a second
phone call from my younger sister.
Just past midnight, the first phone
call from my family, which I never
expected, was heard. My sister
said Dad was brought into the
hospital and that he was very
seriously ill, (a massive heart
attack) and that they were going to
the hospital to see what his
co* 4ition was.
He was shopping for some
bargains as we all do this time of
the year, except that these bar
gains were bamboo wood to make
lanterns, barbecue sticks and
clothes pins. He was hoping to
make good money and save for
presents for his grandchildren and
for our mother. It was there in the
other town market that he had this
heart attack, collapsed and died.
He was not known in the area so it
was around noon when someone
recognized him and sent word to
my mom.
Four o’clock in the morning the
second phone call was waiting for
came. My sister couldn’t speak, so
1 told her what I already felt. I said,
“Dad died right?’’ and she cried
and said “yes”. I said, “I’ll try to
get there as soon as I can.”
Ever since, December and espe-.
cially Christmas has been a mixture
of difficult and trying times. Yet it
also became a time of reflection
and affirmation of God’s infinite
goodness to me and my family both
here and in the Philippines.
It’s only now that we think ot the
calmness and the silent night when
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
was born. But the fact of the matter
was, it was a most difficult time for
the Holy Family that first Christ
mas.
Joseph had to go to Bethlehem
due to some new taxation law. He
took his wife Mary who was
pregnant and about to deliver. It
was a long way from Nazareth of
Galilee to Bethlehem of Judea and
on a donkey. I suppose that Mary
was very thankful, she didn’t have
to walk, like Joseph, all the way.
Then when they arrived there,
there was no room. It must have
been frustrating, never mind an ex
hausting, experience. After our
Lord was born, they had to go to
Egypt because of the King’s law
that all children two years and
under had to be killed to make sure
no other person would be a King
except Herod.
1 know this seems very gloomy
for a Christmas message but I know
out there even this very day there
are those who will for the first time
be facing Christmas without their
loved ones, be it their wife or
husband or any other of their
family. The tragedy that happened
at the University of Montreal where
14 young ladies’ lives were taken;
the hundreds of civilians that were
caught at the cross fire between the
Philippines government’s army
and the rebels: what will their
Christmases be like?
But here’s hoping and praying
that in spite of all these, we will be
able to see and meditate on God’s
infinite goodness and His never
ending love amidst tragedy and
human violence.
May God’s love in Christ Jesus
our Lord and the presence of His
abiding Spirit give us all that peace
and joy that proceeds from knowing
Him in our lives.
Story reveals Jesus9 coming
Greeters for white gift and
Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 10
at Blyth United Church were
Harold and Adeline Campbell.
Ushers were Chad Haggitt, Shawn
Clark, Shane Burkholder, Jeff Fer
guson and John Walden.
The church was decorated in
Christmas theme with fresh ever
green garlands, wreaths, Xmas
trees and several colourful poinset-
tias donated in memory of loved
ones by members of the congrega
tion.
Rev. Ramirez opened the service
with lighting of the pink advent
candle, following which a few
announcements were read. There
will be a Community service on
Sunday, Dec. 17 in the Christian
Reformed Church at 7:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. Also, there
will be a special Christmas Eve
Communion service which will be
held Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Lorna Fraser, Sunday School
Superintendent announced the pa
geant which followed, entitled “He
Is Coming”. John Ramirez acted as
narrator for the presentation which
revealed the story of the coming of
Jesus. The Junior and Intermediate
choirs accompanied by Mrs. Phylis
Boak sang several numbers includ
ing “Shout and Sing for Joy”,
“What Shall I Give Him” and
“Angels We Have Heard on
High”. A boys trio consisting of
John Ramirez, Paul Hessels and
Ian Caldwell sang “The Hills are
Bare at Bethlehem”. The girls
from the Intermediate and Junior
choirs sang two numbers “When
Xmas Morn is Dawning” and “Lo,
How a Rose”. The nursery and
kindergarten classes delighted the
congregation when they sang
“Away In A Manger” and “Come
On”. Mary, mother of Jesus was
portrayed by Elizabeth Sauve and
Jason Stryker acted as Joseph.
Several other members of the
Sunday School contributed special
reading parts throughout the pag
eant. Passing the offertory plates
were Greg Toll, Trent Richmond.
Shane Burkholder and Shawn
Clark. The service closed with
singing of “Joy to the World”.
Melville
Presbyterian Church
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00 - Morning Service
Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service□J We welcome you to come and worship with us!
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
Dec. 17/89 Advent 3
LESSONS&CAROLS
REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV.
9:30a.m. 11:15a.m.
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
A
Canadien art
Wesley Wilson, Chris Stewart and Jerry Mason did this snow sculpture of the Montreal Canadiens
crest last week at Blyth Public School. All of the Grade six students were involved in an art class and
came up with some interesting sculptures.
Hosp. aux. pledges $15,000
President Patricia Carrier chair
ed the Dec. 4 Christmas meeting of
the Clinton Hospital Auxiliary.
In her opening remarks of wel
come she invited everyone to stay
and participate in the decorating of
the hospital. She expressed her
feelings saying “Not only do
patients and staff enjoy the festival
flair of holiday decorations but the
community also has a pretty hospi
tal to see.”
The other important function was
presenting Mr. Jewson with a
cheque for $7,000. This presenta
tion finalized the Auxiliary’s two
year pledge of $14,000. for the
Gastroscope for the hospital.
Correspondence was read by
Margaret Middleton and the trea
surer’s report by Rae McFarlane.
Doreen Nagalo, Gift Shop Chair
man, in her report asked knitters to
size their articles and if possible
include washing instructions. She
also said the gift shop could not
accept credit cards. The shop is
also decorated for Christmas with
many articles on display suitable
for gifts.
Margaret Coventry also reported
that a patients’ Christmas party
would be held on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
It was encouraging to hear from
Bernice Jewson that the Teen
Volunteer Program would probably
have seven or eight new volunteers
for next year.
Also of importance, the Finance
Committee recommended that
$15,000 be pledged, to give to the
hospital toward the purchase of
new X-ray equipment. This pledge
would be a two-year commitment.
A motion was made and carried to
do so.
The meeting was adjourned and
the members enjoyed a delicious
lunch prepared by the hospital staff
cafeteria.
Following lunch, many of the
areas in the hospital were decorat
ed. The members endeavor to
make the hospital stay over Christ
mas a little more enjoyable to
patients, staff and visitors.
King Street 887-9313
Rev. Cameron McMillan
3rd Avent Sunday Morning Worship
December 17 Church School
11 a.m.
Community Carol Singing
Everyone Welcome
December 19 at 8 p.m.
’ God of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
Rev. W. H. Lammers
Sunday at 10 a.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
Faith20 5:00a.m. weekdays, Global T.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
Fri. 7:30 p.m. - Youth
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - Kids Klub
HURON
SUPERIOR MEMORIALS
“Established over 60 years”
“Evening appointments available
Serving Blyth, Brussels
and all of Huron County
Neil Elliott
153 High Street, Clinton
Bus. 482-9441 Res. 482-1748