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The Citizen, 1991-11-06, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1991. From the Minister's Study Christians should leave safety zone BY REV. CAROLYN MCAVOY MINISTER OF MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN, BRUSSELS KNOX PRESBYTERIAN, BELGRAVE If you've ever played the defen­ sive role in a sport, say the defence position or goaltender in hockey, the guard in basketball ... or the last one back, the safety in football, then you know that it's a major mis­ take to leave your zone, the safety zone. And if you do and a goal or points are scored, you'll likely get some pretty explicit looks from your teammates on the bench. We are taught not to leave the safety zones in life. However, on Don Poslerski's book Reinventing Evangelism, this is one of his main ideas: leaving our safety zones to enter into some- Choral Kids sing at Bly th United lhe theme of worship at Blyth United Church on Sunday, Nov. 3 was “Three Crowning Jewels - Faith, Love, Endurance”, and was based on 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12. Greeting everyone to worship was Lenora Davidson and Vera Badley. Joan, Steve, Kristy and Tim Caldwell served as ushers. Diane Ferguson led Junior Congre­ gation and Linda Wilson looked after the nursery. The newly named “Choral Kids” presented two numbers, “Thank you Jesus” and “No Mountain High Enough”. They were accompanied by Phyllis Boak and conducted by Susan Howson. In his sermon Rev. Ramirez noted that too often what we mea­ sure our congregations by is (1) How large the membership is; (2) How many are added to the mem­ bership each year, (3) What the size of lhe budget is; (4) How full the Church is on Sunday. This is fine, but becomes wrong when that is all we are concerned about. We are missing a great deal if this is all that is important to us. For our suc­ cess and growth is not by numbers but by the three crowning jewels - faith, love and endurance. Sure it would be very nice to have Churches full every Sunday, but the congregation that shows concern for each other and the community is the one that is grow­ ing through faith, love and endurance. This is very true with Blyth United Church. When our faith, love and endurance are strong, we will not escape sufferings and hardships, but we are better able to handle them knowing God will give us the strength to carry us through and we can use these sufferings and hard­ ships to help us be creative and grow in our faith. In all persecu­ tions and trials we can endure if we have faith and love. These are the jewels in lhe crown of life waiting for us as Christians. Please remember in your prayers the following people who are in hospital: Irene Ament, Mae McDonald, Blake Hesselwood, Rosella Rooney and Gary Caldwell who has just come home. The Harvest Bonanza will be held this week Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Bazaar and Silent Auction on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The U.C.W. is looking for a per­ son or persons to head up the Sum­ mer Caterings and regular Season Caterings. If you or someone you know can help please contact Joan Clark before November 21. Committee presents educational events one else’s comfort zone. In his mind that should be lhe major emphasis of churches and Chris­ tians who are trying to reach out with God's love in these modern days. Do you remember the story of Zacheus, who heard that Jesus was coming to his town and because of his height and the leering crowds, Zacheus climbed up into a tree so he could see Jesus, somewhat unnoticed. Jesus stops along the path below the tree and calls up to Zacheus, “Come down, I'm going to eat at your place today”. Zacheus was so overwhelmed and touched by Jesus' action to him that he declared he would give half his money to the poor, and pay back four times anything he had stolen from the ratepayers. What the whole story boils down to is a man saved by Jesus Christ. And, how did that salvation take place, what enabled Zacheus to turn his life to Christ? Jesus left his safety zone (the temple, friend's home etc.) to go into someone else's (Zacheus' home) comfort zone. Jesus willing­ ly went to a place where Zacheus was comfortable, his own home, plus he spoke to him in the tree where he was hiding, and comfort­ able. What we leam from the bibli­ cal story recorded for us is that Zacheus was so touched by Jesus that he totally changed his life around. And, how did Jesus touch Zacheus, by going to his house, even amid the murmuring of the Jewish leaders and religiosos. He goes to the place where Zacheus feels comfortable, and there, salva­ tion takes place. In our modem days, Christians, and the Church need to leave what has been safe for us to enter into what's comfortable for others, in order to share the gospel of God's, love through Jesus Christ. We have the example of our Lord to follow. He went to Zacheus' home., he took the initiative, no' waiting for Zacheus to ask him, but inviting himself. How often we would rather have people on our own ‘turf’ as the saying goes, but the challenge is for us to go and visit others on their own turf, where they are comfortable. Let the risk be for us. As soon as this is said, we need to know that we won't always see the results of this kind of risk-tak­ ing. And, in fact, we may have to be ready for the explicit looks of displeasure that may come from our teammates on lhe bench. But Christ's example clearly seems to be leading us to leave our safety zones sometimes, to enter into someone else's comfort zone. Sometimes taking that risk might mean the team ends up with a breakaway or scores some points. Sometimes we don't see die results, although perhaps they bear out later in life. During this week of remem­ brance, consider this wartime story. Two friends in WWI were insepa­ rable, enlisting, training, shipped overseas together, they were now fighting side by side in the trench­ es. During an attack, one of the men was critically wounded in a field filled with barbed wire obsta­ cles, and he was unable to crawl back to his foxhole. The entire area was under a with­ ering enemy crossfire, and it was suicidal to try to reach him. Yet his friend decided to try. Before he could get out of his own trench, his sergeant yanked him back inside and ordered him not to go. “It's too late, you can't do him any good and you'll only get yourself killed.” A few minutes later, the officer fumed his back, and instantly lhe man was gone after his friend. After a bit he staggered back, mortally wounded, with his friend, who was now dead, in his arms. The sergeant was both angry and deeply moved. ‘What a waste,’ he blurted out. ‘He’s dead and you're dying. It just wasn't worth it.’ With almost his last breath the dying man replied, ‘Oh, yes it was Sarge, when I got to him, the only thing he said was...I knew you'd come Jim!’ Wouldn't it be wonderful, if in the midst of the world's stress, peo­ ple could respond because of our action ...‘I knew Christ's church would come. ’ ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. E. Paul Acton 887-9273 NOVEMBER 10 - PENTECOST 25 TRINITY, BLYTH ST. JOHN'S , BRUSSELS 9:30 A.M. 11:15 A.M. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth MELVILLE SWAN (Stop Woman Abuse Now — Co-ordinating Committee Against Woman Abuse, Huron County) has organized several pub­ lic education events to be held in November, in recognition of National Wife Assault Prevention Month. The first event will be held at The Livery in Goderich on Novem­ ber 20, starting at 7:30 p.m. "Shel­ ter from Assault" is a theatrical presentation by the Company of Sirens. This energetic, entertaining group of women offer productions on socially important issues such as poverty and hopelessness. "Shelter from Assault" challenges people to see how the abuse of women affects everyone and shows them what they can do about it. The next evening at Clinton council chambers, beginning at 7 is the second annual series of Huron County Heroes, a presentation giv­ ing men an opportunity to join together in support of ending vio­ lence against women. Heroes will also be held in the Wingham Court­ room at Town Hall at 7 on Novem­ ber 26 at lhe the Youth Centre in Exeter at 7 on November 28. Women are also welcome to attend and participate. Each evening will include pre­ sentations by Jeff White, a musi­ cian and songwriter, Goderich lawyer Heather Ross, and Doug Reberg, Psychologist of the Huron- Perth Centres for Children and Youth and Coordinator of the Group Delta Men's violence coun­ selling program. Representatives from local police forces will be special guests each night. It is an evening to leam, to dis­ cover what is being done in the county to end violence against women and to share ideas about what needs to be done. There is no admission. The Huron County Heroes presentations are funded by a grant from the Ontario Women's Directorate. For further information call 1- 800-265-5506 or 524-5333. Drink and drive and you’ll get a set of new wheels. You can lose a lot more than your licence drinking and driving.©Ministry of the Attorney ontano General If you're prone to making excuses, consider the benefits of a church family: Friendship. Worship. Service. Love. Purpose in living. Hope. We Loarmly invite you to check us ouL (No tux or tails required!) 9:30 a.m. - Worship Service 10:30 a.m. - Christian Education Hour for all ages BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Elwin Garland 887-9017 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. -Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us 4s PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Guest Minister: Rev. Van Voren of Exeter Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 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. Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11.00 a.m. -Worship Service - "An Expensive Sacrifice" - Church School - Nursery 7:30 p.m. -Adult Membership Class 9:30 a.m. -Ethel Worship Service -Church School Lord, give me understanding that I may keep your law