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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-03-18, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1992. From the Minister's Study We are all inclined to think we are the exception BY JAMES H. CARNE, PASTOR THE MISSIONARY CHURCH, AUBURN My computer was acting “infect ed!” The directional keys were not responding to my directions! I couldn't believe my eyes. In panic I reached for the “off’ switch in a hopeless bid to prevent the “virus” from making any further incursion into the innards of my machine. Perhaps I had been foolish to yield to my curiosity and turn on the computer on Friday, the sixth of March, the day the Michaelangelo virus was to strike computerdom. I reasoned, however, that I was not linked to any other machine; nei ther did I have a “hard drive,” the component most susceptible to the virus; more than that, I had not bought any recent “software” with which someone might have tam pered. It was the old “it couldn't happen to me” philosophy that prevailed as I flicked the “on” switch. And now my computer was acting in a bizarre manner, exhibiting the char acteristics of “infection”. I felt a certain sense of awe that “Michae langelo” had discovered me and my computer in an obscure little village, and, that I was about to become a statistic of this virulent virus. Aren't we all inclined to think that we are the exception? For long enough I have suspected that the unfortunate victims of innumerable automobile accidents simply lacked the judgment and the skills that I possess. (That theory went out the window the other night when a coon waddled out in front of my car and, in spite of all of my efforts to brake and swerve, I hit it dead on. The next morning I had a con siderable blood-stain on my drive way to remind me that I always drive straight for the object on the road that I am trying to avoid.) In spite of the fact that both my parents succumbed as victims of cancer, heart-trouble and strokes, I keep hoping that I will be the exception and that my difference in lifestyle, for instance, will some how beat the odds of my becoming infected by the same virus or defec tive gene that felled them. How do you respond when God declares that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and that “the wages of sin is death?” What do you say when the Scriptures assert, “there is none righteous, no, not one?” How does one hope to get to heaven if he misses the Messiah Who declares Himself to be “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” without Whom one cannot get to God? Will he depend upon his hope that he is the excep tion, that the “virus” cou'd never infect his soul or pervade his per sonality? The smartest move that I ever made in my life was to recognize at an early age the symptoms of sin in my life, appeal to the Saviour for forgiveness and cleansing, and to follow Him to the Father. I discov ered that I was no exception, cither, when I believed that promise of Scripture that, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to for give us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I remember going home from that encounter with God feeling both forgiven and cleansed. If you arc infected with the sin virus, lake your case and condition to the crucified Christ Who died to lake away the sin of the world. By the way, if you want the directional keys on your computer to act as they should, don't hit, acci dentally, the “number lock” key which assigns them a different function! Pastor leads dedication service Sunday, March 8 morning ser vice at Auburn Missionary Church begun by the congregation singing, “Bless the Lord, O My Soul”. The call to worship was a poem titled “Home and Family” by Gloria Gaither. The pastor lead a baby dedication service for Sadi Hewgill, daughter of Brian and Colleen. Special music was a double trio which consisted of Dave and Dianne Baan, Jim and Marilyn Campbell and Brian and Colleen Hewgill. Pastor Came's message was titled “Parent Power”. Scripture was from I Samuel 1: 27, 28, 2:18. Do parents really consider the respon sibility in raising children? We have redeeming hope when we read Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in he way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The way children are taught can affect the next four generations. Children are given a pattern to fol low by what parents do and say every day. If children see their par ents praying, reading the Bible, going to church and putting to prac tice six days a week what they learned on the first day of the week, there would be a lot of happy fami lies. Parents must be careful not say, “do as I say, not as I do”. When parents rely on the Lord for their guidance in teaching their children the results are usually fairly rewarding. The service was closed by the singing of “A Child of the King”. The Missions Conference was a great success. The church has been decorated with a good selection of artifacts from different countries. The platform was decorated with large paintings which consisted of the Eiffel Tower in France, a typi cal Ecuadorian grass home, and city buildings which refer to the work being done in our cities. The paintings were don by Barb Bakker who is serving on the missions committee. It was a real privilege to hear each speaker and see slides or a video on the place they have been working for the Lord. Sunday, March 15 call to wor ship was a congregational reading “Strength in Weakness” by Gloria Gaither. After congregational singing and prayer, Pastor and Mrs. Came sang “Lord Send Me There”. Marilyn McIlroy from Palmerston was our guest missionary. Marilyn shared with us how the nationalist in Haiti have been trained and are now taking the responsibilities of teaching, preaching and caring for the sick. A good book she recom mended to aid us in praying more effectively is written by Patrick Johnston called “Operation World”. The service was closed by singing “Channels Only”. A buffet dinner in the church basement was enjoyed by all. Special music part of United service The congregation at Blyth United Church on Sunday, March 15 was greeted by Marilyn and Debbie Craig. A prelude of musical selec tions by John Ramirez at the piano and Phylis Boak at the organ was enjoyed by all, prior to the service. Cheryl Cronin led a sing-song which was followed by the call to worship and prayers of invocation and confession. Hymns were “When Morning Gilds the Skies” and “Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us”. The scripture reading Luke 13 (31-35) was read by the grade two class under the direction of Fred deBoer. The senior choir's anthem was “Make Me A Blessing”. It was announced that Explorers will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Church on Thursday, March 19. Also an invitation was extended to attend Belgrave United Church Sat urday, April 4, 1992, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., under the direction of Craig Railton. Register by March 25. For more information call 523- 4224. During the offertory, a special orgart/piano duet entitled “Canon in D” was beautifully rendered by John Ramirez and Phylis Boak. Ushers were Earl Fyfe, Albert Was son and Jim Walsh. Les Rutledge introduced the guest minister, Rev. John Ambrose, who chose for his message “Letting the People Sing”. Rev. Ambrose recently has been appointed manag ing editor of the new hymn book. He spoke briefly about singing and how it has always been a part of the Christian Church and how it has progressed from plain chants with no accompaniment down to its pre sent day form. He said hymns are poems that congregations use to express their feelings about God and are an important part of worship as they unify the congregation's life. He spoke about the various hymn books, the blue hymnary, published in 1930, which has been widely used and deeply loved; the red hymn book which has not been well received and the recent greer. book supplement. Because the life of a hymn book is approximately 25 years, in 1982 they began looking for a new hymn book. A committee of 24 members was formed and they hope to have it ready by 1995 or '96. He men tioned it would be a difficult task but some of their aims would be: to make it a people's book, and to make it widely enjoyed and widely used. They want it to be a healthy blend of past hymns and at the same time introduce new texts and tunes. They also want hymns children would enjoy and to make sure all pieces are singable and playable. The committee intends to test its decision from coast to coast in sev eral churches to give the people a chance to evaluate chosen hymns. In closing, Rev. Ambrose stressed the importance of having a good hymn book. He said it was the most important resource next to the Bible and that through hymns we leam, understand and articulate our faith. Some hymns are more memorable than sermons and many can even help us through the trials of life. The service closed with singing of the hymn “When In Our Music”. Libraries sponsor contest Participating libraries in the Southern Ontario Library Service are sponsoring a literary contest, open to residents of Huron, Perth, Bruce, Dufferin, Grey and Welling ton counties and the Region of Waterloo. The Dorothy Shoemaker Literary Award Contest, was originally a Centennial project of the Kitchener Public Library and was named in honour of its former Chief Librari an. The poetry entries will be judged by Veronica Ross. Dr. Joseph Gold, a professor of English at the Uni versity Of Waterloo will be select ing the prose winners. Entry forms are available at par ticipating public libraries. Deadline is March 31 and the awards cere mony will be held Friday, May 29 at the Orangeville Public Library. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday March 22 - 3rd Sunday in Lent at Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev*d E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service -"How God Speaks to Us" -Church School -Nursery ****** -Ethel Worship Service -Church School****** Lord speak to Me that I may speak 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. 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 BLYTH CHRISTIAN A REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH GUEST SPEAKER: Rev. John Hanegraaf from Woodstock 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. All Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP A Church Alive A Church For You 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour for all ages Pastor Tom Warner Elder John Baan