The Citizen, 1991-06-19, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1991
From the Minister’s Study
It’s important to offer forgiveness when asked
BY REV. CAMERON
McMillan
BRUSSELS AND ETHEL
UNITED CHURCHES
The story of the prodigal son is
one of Jesus' most famous parables:
Luke 15: 11-32.
It tells of a young man who took
his one-third share of a family for
tune, went off and spent it reckless
ly in a far away place. Broke, he
took a job feeding pigs that didn't'
even pay him enough to feed him
self. He came to his senses, went
home to his father and admitted
that he had made a mistake. The
father welcomed him home warmly
and put on a lavish party to wel
come him back. His harsh, judg
mental older brother was extremely
jealous of the warm reception given
to this boy who wasted so much of
the family fortune. He refused to
attend the party.
This story is loved because it is
true to life, describing people
whom we have met. We all know
of young people who having wast
ed their money, eventually came to
their senses, come home and were
forgiven by their parents. We also
know of other siblings who got
jealous and upset when a parent
forgave a brother or sister who
made a bad mistake. A parent's
love for their child is very deep
and broad. It lasts forever and cov
ers any kind of mistake a child may
make.
This parable is trying to show us
that God's love for each one of us is
as great as that of any loving par
ent. Our sins will always be forgiv
en, as long as we admit that we
were wrong. Whenever we come to
God, repentant, admitting and feel
ing sorry for our mistake, we are
always forgiven and welcomed
back into God's fellowship with
great rejoicing.
The key question for us is
whether we are willing to admit
that we have made mistakes? Sins
that arc not admitted cannot be for
given. We then continue in our sins
and remain lost and estranged from
our heavenly Father.
It is important that we be willing
to offer forgiveness whenever a
repentant sinner comes into our
presence admitting his mistake.
Think what would have happened
if it was the harsh, older brother
and not the loving, forgiving father
who first met that son as he
returned home. Harsh words would
have been said, false accusations
made, no forgiveness offered, no
love shown. The young man would
have been totally crushed and left
home again in despair, not meeting
or knowing about his father's love
and forgiveness.
It is important that we offer for
giveness when it is asked for.
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV.
June23 Pentecost 05
Blyth
9:30 a.m.
MORNING PRAYER
Brussels
11:15 a.m.
Christ's love, sermon theme
Christ's unconditional love was
the theme for the church service at
Blyth United Church on Sunday,
June 16.
The service began with a sing
song led by Cheryl Cronin.
Greeters for the service were Fred
deBoer and Steve Caldwell. The
ushers were Randy, Lorna and
Cathy Fraser and Marg Caldwell.
Karen Coultes was in charge of
junior congregation and Laurie
Sparling took care of the nursery.
Flowers in the sanctuary were
placed by Mary Ann Howson in
loving memory of her father Walter
Newcombe and by Don and Mari
lyn Craig and family in memory of
their fathers, David Craig and
Charlie Johnston.
It was noted during the
announcements that Harold Camp
bell is still in University Hospital.
The U.C.W. General will hold their
meeting on Thursday at 2 p.m. The
ladies were reminded of "A Cele
bration of Gifts" conference to be
held at Siloam U.C. London on
July 20. Deadline for registration is
June 30.
Rev. Ramirez wished all fathers a
happy Father s Day and since he
was away on Mother s Day, a belat
ed happy Mother's Day was also
extended.
The choir, under the direction of
Phyllis Boak, sang "The Wonder of
it All".
In his message on Christ's uncon
ditional love, Rev. Ramirez
referred to the scripture reading
Luke 7: 36-50 about the woman
who wiped perfume on Jesus' feet.
She went to Jesus knowing that it
could be dangerous for her (she
risked being stoned), because she
knew about Jesus. She knew that
Jesus loves all people no matter
who or what they arc or have done.
Jesus forgave her sins uncondition
ally. The woman's faith took her to
Jesus. Jesus said "Your faith has
saved you - go in peace".
Relating this to us today, Jesus
does not prejudge people - no mat
ter who they are and therefore we
should not judge others, said Rev.
Ramirez. God welcomes us all.
Jesus gives all people the oppor
tunity to come to him. He wants to
know everyone. He gives us all an
equal opportunity. All we need is
faith.
God loves all people uncondi
tionally - spite of what they have
done or who we arc - not because
of who or what we do.
May we all be blessed to find that
we have God's unconditional love,
he said.
UCW holds campsite experience
Some 156 United Church
Women gathered at Camp Mcncsc-
lung near Goderich on Monday,
June 10 for their annual Campsite
Experience Day.
The theme was "A Woman and
her World". The programme was
planned by the Stewardship Com
mittee of Huron-Perth Prcsbytcrial.
Those on the committee were
Leona Morley, Exeter; Susan How-
son, Blyth and Beth Tubb of
Mitchell.
"A woman and her friends" was
the opening part, where all women
WMS plans picnic
The June meeting of Melville
W.M.S. was held in the home of
Mrs. Helen Elliott with eight mem
bers and one visitor present.
Helen Elliott, the President,
opened the meeting by reading 2nd
Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 1 1
and 12 and prayer "His name is
Wonderful" and "Jesus, Jesus" was
sung with Mrs. Helen Elliott at the
piano. The secretary report was
given by Ruby Stciss and the trea
surer report by Isabel Adams.
An invitation was read to attend
Wingham Presbyterian W.M.S.
Sept. 17. Mclvi’le W.M.S. is invit
ed to Helen Elliott's cottage for a
picnic on August 7 and each is to
supply some programme.
The collection was taken by
Isabel Adams and dedicated by
Helen Elliott. A paper on the Gulf
war was given by Isobel Gibson.
Prayer was by Ruth Martin. Helen
Elliott read from the book on Liv
ing Faith: "Life in Christ" and "Lit
tle Cares". Helen Elliott closed the
meeting with prayer. A lovely
lunch was served by Ruth Marlin
and Helen Elliott and a social time
enjoyed.
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Friday 7:30 p.m.
- Family Bible Hour
Switzer Family Puppeteers
- Anniversary Services
- Rev. Allan Shantz and the
Switzer Family Singers
- Youth
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
DR. W. H. LAMMERS
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20"
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday
Faith 20 5:00 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V.
ALL VISITORS ‘WELCOME
Give a child a future.
Buy UNICEF all-occasion
Greeting cards today.
unicef
For a new tull-colour brochure, contact:
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443 Mi Pkaeam RoaJ.
Toronto. Ont M4S2LS
Telephone i4I6)4S2-4444
OR <all Toll-free l-Mio-2hs-''"i'iOperaior "4li
registered, and renewed friendships
al coffee lime.
"A woman rejoices" with singing
led by Grace Pym of Exeter,
accompanied by Marjorie Johns,
Exeter. Rev. Kathy Urbasic-Hind-
lcy, director of the camp, wel
comed those present on behalf of
- the Camp Board of Directors.
"A Woman and Her Children"
featured speaker Barb Hicks of
Clinton. She cautioned to be careful
what you do and say to your chil
dren because "you reap what you
sow". She compared the growing
up years to a butterfly's struggle to
emerge from its cocoon. Children
need that kind of struggle to make
them strong. The greatest sermon is
the way we live, she added.
"A Woman Exploring" was an
activity taken by Susan Howson.
Groups of women walked on tour
of the camp to answer a scavenger
hunt questionnaire.
Rev. Cheryl Ann Stadelbauer-
Sampa, Egmondville United
Church conducted Bible Study as a
small discussion group session,
talking about "Women of the
Bible".
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and worship
with us
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
9:30 a.m. - Worship Service
10:30 a.m . - Christian Education Hour
for all ages
Everyone Welcome!
Jesus took
all our
sins
away
Pastor - Gordon Bauman
887-6388
Elder - John Baan
887-6967
Designed by: Tracy Goodland
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
REV. LORENZO RAMIREZ JR.
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
Junior Church - Nursery
What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits toward me?
' Psalm 116: 12
Church Office 523-4224
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
- Morning Worship Service
Sermon- "The Older Brother"
11:00 a.m.
11:45 a.m.• Reception for Betty Graber
Brussels Citizen of the Year
Worship services on June 30th and for
the month of July will be at Melville
Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a m.
9:30 a.m.
God you meet us in our neighbours,
sharing love in word and deed
• Ethel Worship Service