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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-04-08, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8,1992. PAGE 19. From the Minister's Study Praise God, for what he’s done MELVILLE BY THE REVEREND VICARS HODGE, RECTOR THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. PAUL’S , WINGHAM AND TRINITY CHURCH, BELGRAVE This morning I have been reading Isaiah 43: 16-21. If you have a Bible handy look it up and read these words from God for people in pain. These are words of encour­ agement for people who feel like they have wasted large pieces of their lives and wish they could make some decisions over again. These are words for everyone who feels a bit “beaten up” by life. And that is how it is for most people I know. God says to us: take heart. Don't give up hope. Forget the for­ mer things; do not dwell on the past. That is easy to say and hard to do, isn't it; to forget about the past? I hear myself thinking, “Yeah, sure God. Maybe for some people. But if you knew my circumstances ...” But then I recall that God indeed does know my situation ... perfect­ ly. He knows me because he made me and loves me. And his words here arc indeed for me. God contin­ ues See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not per­ ceive it?" Isaiah is really a timeless piece of writing. It was first written as God's words of comfort to his chosen people who were prisoners of war and captives in a far away place. In Babylon, they longed to return to Israel and home, and they despaired of hope. In their despair, God spoke. He said to them that He could and would do the impossible thing and restore his people. Isaiah continued: I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Nothing lies outside of the power of our God to redeem. Years later, after the chosen people returned from the Exile, Isa­ iah's prophesy of God doing a new thing was again of comfort to his chosen people. Longing for deliver­ ance from the oppression of the Roman occupation of Palestine, they heard in these words, God's promise that He would do a new thing, and send his messiah to deliver his people. And God did! Christians look back over the span of God's history of his loving interaction with humanity. From our vantage point we see how clearly Isaiah's prophesy of God doing a new thing has been ful­ filled. God sent his son, Jesus, into the world to live and die as one of us to win the human race back to himself. By dying for us on the cross, Jesus took your place and mine, and paid the price of our sin. And that made possible the most incredible new start for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and next week is Easter. At Easter, Christians throughout the world celebrate the most incredible new things that God ever did. He made possible a new beginning and a sec­ ond chance for all who will receive it. If you are like me and wish you could live life over, this is Good News for you. Praise God for what he has done! This Sunday why not attend the Church of your choice and celebrate anew the incredible New Thing that our God has done for you and me. 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 - 4:13 p.m. - Kid's Klub Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth Devotion to Christ, sermon topic Greeters at Blyth United Church on Sunday, April 5, were Fred and Mary Howson. Ushers were Emily Phillips, Mary Walden, Les and Shirley Rutledge. The service opened with the call to worship, followed by prayers of invocation and confession. Hymns were “God of Grace” and “God of Glory” and “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee”. The scripture reading John 12 (1-11) was read by Julie Ritchie and Leanne Haggitt representing the grades three, four and five girls. Laurie Sparling was in charge of Junior Congregation. Evelyn Caldwell led the Nursery. The anthem, a lovely solo, entitled “I Walk Into The Garden” was Baans sing at Missionary service The morning service on April 5 at Auburn Missionary Church was opened by singing “For God So Loved The World.” Dianne and David Baan sang a duet “Lord, Lay Some Soul Upon My Heart”. The words of that song really struck a chord in everyone's thinking. Pastor Came's message entitled “The Bottom Line” was taken from Matt. 26: 31-35 with the text from Matt. 16: 24. The bottom line in an underground church is, that you come by choice. How well would your faith survive if you were put under oppression with a literal thought of death. If you are just a hanger-on, your faith will not hold on the bottom line. To be a Chris­ tian at the bottom line you will need a flourishing faith. A faith that has been strong in the Word of God and also in prayer. How flour­ ishing is your faith? You must ded­ icate yourself to the high calling of God. If you follow the Lord only to a point you will never finish the high calling. On Sunday, April 12 there will be special music by the King's Messengers. A pot luck dinner will follow. Good Friday service is at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is cordially invited to come and share the joy of Easter and the resurrection. sung by Cheryl Cronin. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and Communion. Rev. Ramirez expressed deepest sympathy to the family of Ron and Diane Ferguson in the passing of Ron's mother, Eva Ferguson. A special thank you to the family for flowers placed in her memory. The sermon title was “Expressing Our Gratitude and Devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ”. The scripture reading from John tells the story of Mary and Martha preparing a spe­ cial dinner for Jesus, who had recently raised their brother Lazu- rus from the dead. This dinner was an expression of love, gratitude and devotion. Rev. Ramirez said that even today families get together over a meal, to share love and affection and we use dinners to express thank yous which we find hard to convey in words. Sharing a meal is a sign of closeness and Jesus used “The Lord's Supper” himself as an expression of love towards his disciples before he departed from them. Martha was an excellent hostess at this special din­ ner and Rev. Ramirez said she rep­ resents all the people who work exceptionally hard for their church and community. Her service was consecrated towards the Lord. Mary showed her love and gratitude by pouring a pint of very expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. She didn't count the cost, to her there is no waste in love. Mary and Martha showed love and gratitude to Jesus in three material ways; by giving a dinner, offering good service and by giving a very expensive gift. Rev. Ramirez concluded with the hope that in our daily living may we all find con­ crete ways through service to show our love and gratitude towards our Lord Jesus Christ. The service closed with the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be.” THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday April 12 - Passion/Palm Sunday at Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev'd E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 you are ^Weicome at the BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11 -12:15 - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McCONNELL ST., BLYTH Blyth United Church Rev. Lorenzo Ramirez Jr. April 12 - Palm Communion Service 11 April 17 - Good Friday Service 11 a.m. April 19 - Easter Service 11 a.m. "He is not here, for He has risen Matthew 28:6 Be joyful always; pray continually 1 Thessalonians 5:17 BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Prayer Sunday 9:30 Worship Service 10:30 Christian Education Hour for all ages 12 Noon Potblessing Fellowship Dinner Everyone truly welcome Pastor Tom Warner Sharon Freeman 887-6388 887-6564 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 Palm Sunday - Morning Worship Service -"Triumph or Tragedy" -Holy Communion -Confirmation of new church members - Church School -Nursery -Coffee Hour -Ethel Morning Worship Service -Church School****** "All glory, laud and honour to Thee, Redeemer King A BLYTH CHRISTIAN A REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH GUEST MINISTER: REV. J. DROST from Kitchener Sunday at 10 a.m. & 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 Visitors ^Welcome TVheelcfiair accessible SPECIAL EASTER SERVICES AT ST. AUGUSTINE HOLY THURSDAY 8 P.M. Mass - Washing of feet GOOD FRIDAY 3 HR. WATCH Meditating on the 7 last words of Jesus on the Cross. (12 noon - 3 p.m.) including Stations of the Cross and Good Friday Liturgy HOLY SATURDAY 7:30 P.M. Blessing of the New Fire, the Paschal Candle, the Easter Water Mass of the Resurrection EASTER SUNDAY 10:00 A.M. Blessing with the Easter Water followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 a.m. Confessions will be heard before and after all the services Father Joseph F. Lupo officiating All are welcome