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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-12-18, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18,1991. From the Minister’s Study Pageants' young actors do accurate portrayals BY REV. CAMERON MCMILLAN BRUSSELS & ETHEL UNITED CHURCHES At Christmas, we often see pageants in our churches in which young children act out parts of the Christmas story. Dressed in bathrobes, with terrycloth towels tied over their heads and floppy sandals on their feet, they prance awkwardly down our church aisles. They take their places and act out the Christmas story. The innkeeper scowls and says “no room”. Joseph and Mary go over to the area representing a cat­ tle shed. Standing nervously beside one another, they peer into the crib where baby Jesus lies. Shepherds come in from the fields and kneel down in worship. Kings come in from distant lands wearing card­ board crowns. They presented three coloured boxes as gifts representing gold, frankincense and myrrh. The awkward, jerky performance by the young actors is admired by proud parents, grandparents and other relatives. The goofs the kids make, the missed lines, the awk­ ward pauses are watched with amusement by the audience, Some­ how we feel that Jesus' arrival in the world must have happened a lot me smoothly than the church's annual pageant about the event. God would never have brought his son into me world in such a messy, mixed up way, would he? Actually, the representation of the Christmas event is not that far off the way it must have actually happened. Mary was a very young girl, not that much older than the kid that acts her role in the pageant. Forced to travel a long distance, giving birth to a child given to her by God that she had not asked for, the birth in a stable amongst a Youth Group hosts luncheon On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Presby­ terian Youth Group met at Carolyn McAvoy's home at 11 a.m. to help decorate the float for the Santa Claus Parade at 3 p.m. The float advertised the Commu­ nity Youth Food Drive, which took place Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. The Food Drive went very well, as a lot of food was collected. A big thank you to all who helped and to the community for their support and giving spirit. The Community Youth met at the Presbyterian Church and were divided into car­ loads to cover the town. The youth offered a carol as a thank you for the donations given. After everyone was done, we met back at the Pres­ byterian Church for pizza and pop. Sunday, Dec. 15 was the day of the Presbyterian Youth Group Fundraiser hot luncheon, which took place following church. The menu consisted of two kinds of hot soup, sandwiches, ice cream cone, juice and tea or coffee. There was tremendous turnout. The youth group would like to extend a thank you to all who supported this event in any way. There will be a Presbyterian Youth Worship Service, Sun., Dec. 22, 1991 at 11 a.m. with the youth and leaders participating in a skit. Practice for this event will lake place Sal., Dec. 22, 1991 at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. Anyone interested in becoming a member of our fun and exciting youth group please feel free to come to any of our meetings or events. bunch of animals. Mary must have felt as awkward and uncertain as that young girl in the pageant. Joseph, too must have felt terribly embarrassed. Not able to find a decent room in all of Bethlehem, his wife giving birth to a very spe­ cial child of which he was not the father. It was an awkward situation. The expression of the young kid acting Joseph's part is not that far off the mark. “Fear not, the Lord is with you”, the angel said to Mary when informing her that she was going to give birth to this very special child. It was a message that Joseph and Mary had to take to heart and apply in their own lives as they acted out the Christmas story. We need to take these words into our hearts, minds and lives as well, as we go about our busy preparations for Christmas this year. “Fear not, the Lord is with you.” May Christ be with you at this Christmas season and throughout the coming new year. Fear not, God travels with you. Read Luke 1: 26-38. Luke 2: 1-20. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. E. Paul Acton 887-9273 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a m. -Belgrave Service The Cantata 'Heaven's Child' on Sunday evening, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. Come , enjoy and celebrate the glorious birth In song ADVENT 4 - DECEMBER 22 (H.E.) TRINITY, BLYTH ST. JOHN’S , BRUSSELS Christmas Eve -11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve - 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day -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 Christmas greetings of Joy andTeace ? BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH DR. W. H. LAMMERS Sunday at 10 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. s Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Special Services z December 25-10 a.m. Dec. 31 - 8:00 p.m. January 1-10 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. BLYTH UNITED CHURCH Rev. Lorenzo Ramirez Jr. Dec. 22 11:00 a.m. - Christmas Service Dec. 24 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Eve & Communion Service Born for you a Saviour who is Christ the Lord Luke 2:11 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 -Music - Intermediate Choir -Family Worship Service -"The First Christmas Pageant" -Nursery Care Provided A / 9:30 a.m.-Ethel Worship Service 7:30 p.m.-Community Carol Sing Monday, December 23rd \\ 7:30 p.m.-Christmas Eve Family Service Tuesday, December 24th Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Church family community carolling Meet at church at 6:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour for all ages. 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle­ light Service 4:00 p.m. Christmas Dinner at BMF Come early for fun and fellowship BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Sharon Freeman 887-6564 ‘Wheelchair accessibleAU Visitors Welcome This Christmas, Give Your Children Superheroes They Can Really Depend On. Children love superheroes.. .bold characters who can best any foe.. .who use might for right. They’re great fun and fantasy. Even more, though, kids need real-life heroes.. .Dads they can depend on for love and attention and time. Moms that will model how real people live. This Christmas, give your children the superheroes they most need in life... you. This Christmas, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who came that you and your children might be all that you can be. P.O. Box 159, Brussels Ont. NOG 1H0 PASTOR Office: 887-6388 Tom Warner Home: 887-9490 ..JjuiCJ haoe calLcd you f-uencC, ffn. 75-75