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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-02-26, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26,1992. C hurch From the Minister’s Study We must be content BY REV. LORENZO RAMIREZ MINISTER, BLYTH UNITED What comes to mind whenever I ponder upon our economic, political and national situation, is the story of a dog who was carrying a bone in its mouth and it came to a small bridge and saw under the bridge, in the water, a mirror of itself; but not realizing it was itself reflected in the water, it growled hoping that the dog under the bridge would be scared and drop its bone, so that he would have a second bone for himself. Lo, and behold, it dropped its own bone and lost it under the bridge into the water. The dog was baffled that the dog under the bridge in the water lost its bone too, the same time he did. There are instances in our lives when we should be content and be thankful for everything that we have, no matter how small or big it may look to us, nor how it compares to the others. Paul's letter to the Philippians (4:12-13 N.I.V.) says exactly that. “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything, through him who gives me strength.” World Day of Prayer, Mar. 6 When Christians around the world gather for World Day of Prayer services on March 6, con­ cern for the environment will be at the heart of their prayers. They will be invited to reflect on the chal­ lenge of “Living Wisely With Cre­ ation”. Prepared by women from Aus­ tria, Germany and Switzerland, the service is written from the perspec­ tive of industrialized countries, which have experienced tremen­ dous economic growth and advances in technology, and are only now beginning to look al the environmental costs of unlimited progress. The order of worship carefully weaves together scripture readings, including an exuberant psalm in praise of creation, some of the writers' experiences in the reconstruction of their countries after World War II, and concerns about the present ecological crisis. The Tower of Babel becomes a symbol of the yet unseen implica­ tions of our high technology. World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of “informed prayer and prayerful action”. On the first Friday in March each year, people in over 170 countries participate in a com­ mon service in their own locality. Services are translated into thou­ sands of languages and dialects. In Canada, the World Day of Prayer is sponsored by the Wom­ en's Inter-Church Council of Canada, a national council with representatives from 11 denomina­ tions. Local service are organized by ecumenical committees in thou­ sands of communities across Cana­ da, with each church taking a turn to host the annual service. The offerings from the services arc used to provide study and worship resources, to cover costs of printing and distributing the services, and to support ecumenical projects in Canada and abroad. Services in this area will be held at Brussels St. John's Anglican and Blyth Christian Reformed Church­ es on Friday, March 6. Although sponsored by the Women's Intcr- Church Council, the service is for everyone - including men and chil­ dren. Baptism at St. Augustine Father Jan Bucyark, Superior General of the Michelite Fathers was the celebrant at St. Augustine's this Sunday, February 23. Father Jan was born in Poland and now resides at the Retreat House in London where the Miche- lites work with young people, and lead in marriage encounter groups. Father spoke on the Gospel's Teaching (Luke 6: 27-38) where we are to be sons and daughters of God. We are to be like Him. He pointed out that it is a hard role to follow as we must go beyond our human limitations, that we must react like no other people. As Christians we are to Christ what we would be like if he were in our place. We should forgive and not take revenge. We should take the same position of what Jesus would want us to do. We should follow Christ not just when it is easy but also when it is hard. It is easy to love those who love us, but as Christians we are called to do more. We have a great example to fol­ low Christ's forgiveness. He respected the poor, the sinners and the tax collectors, the people others put down. Christ chose not the lawyers or scholars but fishermen and tax collectors to the most important role in establishing the church. We present the gospels to others by how we live and how we present ourselves . What we do, what we say and how we live are very important. We were asked to pray for courage that we may live today the life of Jesus, forgiving others. Look with respect and not condemn. Hate sin and evil, but love those who commit the sin, that through our love and understanding they may return to God. We must be an inspi­ ration to others and bring them back to Christ. Last week Nicole Sherri Lee Boyle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Boyle was baptized into the family of God. Father Lupo will be back next Sunday. ’Samson’, topic of sermon ANGLICAN CHURCH FK* OF CANADA Rev. E. Paul Acton. 887-9273 8th Sunday after Epiphany - Mar. 1 (H.E.) Ash Wednesday - Mar. 4 -Brussels-1:00 p.m. TRINITY, BLYTH ST. JOHN'S , BRUSSELS 9:30 a.m. 11:15a.m. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. - Worship Service - "Visions of Heaven" -Church School -Nursery ****** -Ethel Worship Service -Church School****** God's love includes us all 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 Tuesday - 4:15 p.m. - Kid's Klub Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth Greeters for the Sunday, Feb. 23 morning service at Blyth Christian Reformed Church were Albert and Alma Hessels. Ushers included Ron Wilts and Brenda Verburg. Fond farewells were given to our pastor for three years, Dr. W. Lammers and his family two weeks ago at a “very special” goodbye service. This being our churches second Sunday with a pastoral vacancy, Dr. J. VanDorp of Wiarton officiated the services. The opening hymn was No. 121, entitled “O God, to us show mercy”, with Hinke Bakelaar as organist. Dr. Van Dorp then read the Ten Commandments taken from Exodus 20. The title of the sermon was “The Jerusalem Conference”, based on scripture taken from Galations 2: 11-16 and Acts 15: 1- 35. The focal text Acts 15: 28,29. The sermon compared the disputes and crisis facing the early New Testament church with the issues sometimes encountered in many of our churches today. The Jewish Christians felt that they had irreconcilable differences with the new Gentile believers. However at the Jerusalem conference, with the Holy spirit's guidance the old law was repealed and a new consensus was formulated. With the Holy Spirit's guidance this new integrated church flourished (Acts 15). A vital remnant of the old law was kept and the Jews and Gentiles The sermon spoke of how Samson, though self-centered, strong-willed and hot tempered, was God's instrument to liberate Israel from the Philistines. God uses even leaders and people like Samson, people with gross imper­ fections and puzzling inconsis­ tencies. He lessens these flaws through the wonderful work of our saviour Jesus Christ. The closing hymn was No. 326 with Grace Datema as afternoon organist. 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. worshipped “Shoulder to Shoulder”. Dr. VanDorp concluded by saying, “surely we as Christians, 2,000 years later can do the same, worshipping together with the Holy Spirit's guidance and overcoming obstacles and issues of crisis.” The afternoon service began at 2:30 p.m. The sermon title was “Samson”, based on Judges 16: 1- 31, with the text coming from Hebrews 11: 28-34. Mennonite youth group plans Penny Carnival On Sunday, Feb. 23, Mennonite Fellowship Pastor Tom Warner preached from Matthew 24: 45-51. Thelma Steinman led the congrega­ tional singing and Denise Hiller was pianist. Sunday evening the Winter Bible School continued at Wellesley Mennonite Church. It was an evening of singing and discussion on the value of music to worship. This Thursday evening the adults who meet while the Venture Club is in session, will deal with the topic, “Praying Between the Times”. Next Friday evening, the Youth Group will hold a Penny Carnival fundraiser. On Saturday, the Youth group and grade seven/eights had a snow day. They made snow sculptures on the Church grounds and had a sleigh ride at Purple Grove near the Greenwoods' home. They ate sup­ per at the Church. Friendship Club In the absence of president Gerald Exel the Feb. 19 Friendship Club meeting in the Legion Lounge was opened by vice-president Sarah Stephenson with the singing of “O Canada”. Martha Logan volunteered to purchase the prizes for the March 18 meeting. An appropriate reading entitled “Bottom Line” was read by Ethel Brewer. The meeting was adjourned and cards followed. The winners were: high lady, Mary Davidson; low lady, Ethel Brewer; high man, Sarah Stephenson; low man, Pat Rowland and Uno, Adah Smith. A BLYTH CHRISTIAN Z-t REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Rev. John Drost from Kitchener Sunday at 10 a.m. & 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. Uli Visitors iVelcome ‘Wheelchair accessible. ye fatow that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour for all ages. Friday, Feb. 28 Mennonite Youth Fellowship (MYF) Fundraiser 7:30 p.m. Penny Carnival 8:30 p.m. 'Hire a MYFer’ Auction Pastor Tom Warner Elder Elwin Garland 887-6388 887-9017