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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-07-17, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 17,1991. PAGE 15. From the Minister’s Study Take time this summer to sit and be still BY REV. CAROLYN McAVOY MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN, BRUSSELS KNOX PRESBYTERIAN, BELGRAVE It's summertime and how many of us crave days at the beach, lazy afternoons or evenings beside a stream or in a lawn chair, relaxing at a ball tournament or drives in the country? Part of us longs for a rest, time to be quiet, stillness. Know what? Not only is this nat­ ural to us, but it is biblical. Over and over again God calls us to still­ ness. You can look up all sorts of passages about this, 1 Thessaloni­ ans 4; Job 2; Isaiah 40 and the one I like best, Psalm 46. That psalm describes a noisy, tumultuous and warring world ... and in the midst of all that God calls his people to be quiet, to be still ... the powerful verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Our world is pretty noisy and tumultuous. You could right now list off a whole bunch of situations that cause concern in our world. And even in our personal lives we are always on the go. There are many things in our society that dis­ tract us from God. Some of us are caught up in a kind of ferver of always doing things ... so we don't have time to be still, we don't take time to cultivate gentle and quiet spirits. We seem always busy, run­ ning here and there. Actually, 'busy'ness is a social stigma isn't it? It's a status thing to be able to always say 'I’m so busy!'. If we aren't busy it seems that we don't measure up to society's expec­ tations of us. There are maybe oth­ ers of us who aren’t so physically busy, yet we aren't taking time to be still either. We run our lives in such a way that they are filled up and there is no time for stillness. We fill each moment with some sort of activity so that we have something to think about, worry about. Even our leisure time is often spent reading, watching TV, talking. How often the radio or TV blather away at us, receiving little if any of our attention, and yet keeping us from stillness and quiet. When we pray how often is it us speaking to God rather than listen­ ing? How many of us respond to God's powerful urging, 'Be still and know that I am God’? It's summertime and part of us craves that stillness, that peace of mind ... that quietness with God. And yet we are afraid. Take a few moments and think about whether any of these next ideas relate to you. It seems we are afraid of still­ ness. Why? Is it because when we clear ourselves of the business and clutter and worry of human life, then we are free to experience God? Is it because in the gentle, quiet rooms of our soul God is able to slip in and fill us with his pres­ ence? Is it because when we face our inner selves and the questions and inadequacies that lurk there, we become aware that there is some­ thing, someone besides our­ selves...? Is it because when we relax and still ourselves and allow ourselves to consider God then we let the reins of our life fall into his hands? Can you think into your life and remember the moments of stillness ... the moments when it was just you and God ... and a lake or a field or flowers? ... times when you sat in comfortable silence with another person? These are the limes God calls us to, and when we still our­ selves we do find God, even amid all the worry and stress of our world. This summer take some time ... risk it, and 'be still and know that I am God'. BLYTH UNITED CHURCH Couple honeymoon in Caribbean MAIR-BORDASH Joan Isabel Mair and Gregory Edward Bordash were married June 15, 1991 at Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels. The bride is the daughter of Jim Mair of Brussels and the late Evelyn Mair. The groom is the son of Edward and Eileen Bordash of Markham. Rev. Carolyn McAvoy officiated. Music was provided by Joanne King and Margaret Mclnroy was the soloist. Maid of honour was Norma Royer, sister of the bride. Brides­ maids were Wanda Power and Mary Lou Ackerman, both friends of the bride. Best man was Ken King; ushers were Romi Malik and Steve David, all friends of the groom. A dinner and reception were held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Brussels. The couple honeymooned on the Caribbean Islands of Nevis and St. Lucia for two weeks. Greg and Joan will reside in Whitby, Ontario.Joan and Edward Bordash Newlyweds reside in Embro Tina and John Bos BRUINSMA-BOS Dr. W. Lammers presided over the April 27, 1991 wedding of John Bos to Tina Bruinsma. The wed­ ding took place in Blyth, Ontario. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bos of RR 3, Auburn and Tina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bruinsma of RR 5, Goderich. Maid of honor was Yvonne McCall of Brantford, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Tara Bru­ insma of Kincardine, sister of the bride; and Audrey Bos of Auburn, sister of the groom. Groomsman was Rob Wilts of Blyth, friend of the groom. Ushers were Wayne Bos and Auburn, brother of the groom; and Gerry Exel of Brussels, friend of the groom. A reception was held in Brussels. The couple took a wedding trip to Venezuela and they are now resid­ ing in Embro, Ont. (Photo by Har­ vey McDowell.) 'Under God's Care,' sermon topic At Blyth United Church, Sunday, July 14, greeters were Laurie and Dorothy Scott. Ushers were John and Agnes Wharton, Douglas Howatt and Janet Lawrie. Rev. Ramirez opened the service with the call to worship followed by the hymn. "Praise the Lord, ye Heavens adore him". The scripture reading was from Exodus 2: 11-24, 3: 1-4. The hymn, "He Leadclh Me" was sung followed by a lovely anthem "Calvary", rendered by the choir. The sermon was based on "Under God's Care". The service closed with hymn "The Lord's my Shep­ herd" followed by the benediction. Speaker: George Cowan 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 ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. July 21 Blyth 9:30 a.m. Pentecost 09 MORNING PRAYER Brussels 11:15 a.m. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Joint Worship Service July 21st Melville Presbyterian Church 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Worship Service The glad earth yields hergolden wealth of ripening grain and breath of clover fields HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 8 p.m. Wednesday Friday 7:30 -Family Bible Hour -Morning Service -Evening Service -Prayer & Bible Study -Youth 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 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 VISITOR "WELCOME