HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-05-20, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992.
From the Minister's Study
Look beyond the surface appearance
PETER D. TUCKER B.A. B.D.
BELGRAVE AND
CALVIN-BRICK
UNITED CHURCHES
A short while ago I took my car
in to a local garage because it was
sorely in need of an oil change,
lubrication and brake check. My
action was stimulated in part
because a special offer was
advertised at the time. (I have never
been able to resist a bargain.)
Several times I have come home
from farm auctions with “bargains”
in tow. Each time I have been
greeted with the words, (and
justifiably so) “what in the world
are you going to do with that
thing?” Sometimes I know, and
sometimes I don't know, but the
point is that certain things in life
are irresistible, simply because they
appear to be bargains.
My impression was that all was
in good shape, as I try hard to
maintain my vehicle as it should be
maintained. But I gave routine
permission for worn parts to be
replaced as needed, went away,
then returned in an hour expecting
to find that the care was ready to
go. As soon as I returned, I
W. DeRuiter, guest pastor at CRC
Serving as ushers for the May 17
morning service at Blyth Christian
Reformed Church were Brenda
Verburg and Gerry Exel.
Mr. Walt DeRuiter was guest
pastor for the day. After reading the
Law, the hymn of Response was
“In Sweet Communion Lord, with
Thee.” The morning sermon was
entitled “A Caring Mother”. The
examples of Hannah (I Samuel 1:
9-18), and a Gentile Woman (in
Matthew 15: 21-28) were used to
portray a loving mother's
persistence in faith, in relation to
the well-being of her child. A
caring mother will determinedly
pursue what is best for her child
and in these illustrations God's will
recognized that something was
wrong, for the car was still in the
air with a mechanic hard at work
on it. I had a sinking feeling in my
wallet as I understood that my
initial impression that all was well
was far from accurate. In fact, the
brakes needed a considerable
amount of work done. Later I
emerged from the garage with a
mixture of relief and sorrow. The
relief was because I was now sure
of being able to stop in an
emergency. The sorrow was
because my monthly budget had
been blown sky-high by
unexpected expense.
The everyday circumstances of
life are very similar to our spiritual
journey through life. Everything on
the surface may appear to be rosey,
but as we begin to examine in
detail the facts of our lives we may
well discover that surface
appearances count for nothing. It
has been said truly that “the
unexamined life is not worth
living,” but so many of us sail
blindly on without any process of
self-examination in place. Some
simply assume that the purpose of
life is to “have a good time.” The
was sought out. These two scripture
texts encourage parents to develop
a prayer life of persistence and
faith, with God's will always in
mind.
The evening service began at
7:30 p.m. In charge of nursery was
Janie Wilts and Denise Ten Pas.
Grace Datema served as the
organist. Mr. DeRuiter chose to
speak on the second chapter of Job.
In the scripture illustration the
severe trials and tribulations that
Job encountered in his life, were
discussed. Yet he persisted in faith
and contentment, even when his
friends became remote and his wife
withdrew her support, and
encouragement. Mr. DeRuiter said
that in our own lives we also
philosophy appears to be that of a
man about whom Jesus talked.
Without any regard for solid
foundations he went about the task
of building a house. All was well
for a brief period. The house
looked substantial. The owner was
very pleased. But a storm came,
flood water rose and it was soon
apparent that the house was lacking
in foundations, for it had been built
upon sand, rather than a foundation
of solid rock. He learned in a hurry
that appearances are deceptive.
As long as life is easy and the
sun is shining, we may well see no
reason for the examination of our
lives. It is when the sun goes in, the
storm crashed around us and the
lightning of life strikes, that we
need a strength and a companion
ship greater than our own.
A question then arises. “Where
does my strength lie?” Is it in
friends or neighbours? Is it in the
things with which we have
surrounded ourselves? Is it in our
powers of intellect? There is a
strength available to us which is
always adequate for the pathways
of life. That strength is God's
strength. It is available to us
encounter setbacks and crisis. He
shared a personal loss that occurred
in his own life, and reflected that
no one welcomes these types of
experiences but often when we
have pulled through them and look
back we realize just how much we
have grown as a person, through
the pain and anxiety. Often we
learn to become more patient and
we leam to rely on God.
Can we remain content, satisfied,
and all the while hold on to our
integrity like Job, despite our
personal crisis? Mr. DeRuiter
ended by saying in spite of our
hurts and frustrations our Lord will
help us through every step of the
way, everyday!
immediately, and it is life's biggest
bargain. It is free! Faith needs a
foundation. That foundation is in
Jesus Christ.
When I drive my car these days I
have a new confidence in its ability
to stop in a hurry, and to protect
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
May 24 - 6th Sunday of Easter
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.
"Thank you 0
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 - 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth
you are ‘WeCcome 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
myself and others from harm and
danger. That knowledge would not
be mine unless I had looked beyond
surface appearance and had a
detailed examination done. Look
beyond the surface appearance
now. Your life depends on it!
- Morning Worship
- UCW - 30th Anniversary Service
- Guest Speaker - Mr. Ian Hulley
- Church School - Nursery
******
- Ethel Morning Worship
Lord for the time that is now"
Love, minister’s sermon topic
Welcoming the congregation at
Blyth United on Sunday, May 17
were Gordon and Catherine
Caldwell. Ushering were Kathy and
Sara McNichol and Colleen and
Michelle McNichol.
Hymns were “Joyful, Joyful, We
Adore Thee” and “Savior Teach
Me Day By Day”. John Ramirez
was pianist. Leading Junior
Congregation was Bonnie Shannon
while Anne Elliott was in charge of
the nursery. The senior choir's
anthem was entitled “Wonderful
Words of Life”.
There will be a U.C.W.
Executive meeting May 21. The
third annual Mother's Day Tea is
on May 27.
On July 1 celebrate Canada's
125th birthday by walking,
jogging, or bicycling from
Wingham to Whitechurch.
Next Sunday, May 24, Mr.
Martin Baan will be speaking at the
church about “Gideon Interna
tional”.
The scripture reading was from
John 13 (31-35) and formed the
basis for the message with the
theme being Christ's new
commandment. In verse 34, Jesus
says “A New Commandment I
Give Unto You That Ye Love One
Another, As I Have Loved You”.
By loving one another, men will
know that we are disciples of
Christ. Rev. Ramirez said that
loving one another sums up the
whole duty of Christians. He said
that what counts is when we use
ourselves to be God's instrument.
He also stressed that Jesus said
“Love One Another As I Have
Loved You” - not as your mother,
brother or friend loves you, but as
Jesus loved you, enough to give his
life for you - that is the type of
love he demands. Many may
memorize scripture and know a lot
of theory but the question that will
be asked of us on that final day will
be “Have You Loved One
Another?”
The service closed with the
singing of the hymn “The King of
Love, My Shepherd Is”. During the
postlude John Ramirez played two
beautiful selections “He” and “How
Great Thou Art”.
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.
Walk on to church
On May 24, Huron county
churches will demonstrate that
walking is an activity for the mind,
body and sole.
"Take Heart Huron", a new heart
health program in Huron will be
sponsoring an event called "Walk
On to Church!" Parishioners across
the county will be encouraged to
walk or bicycle to church. The pur
pose of "Walk On to Church!" is to
encourage people to make physical
activity a part of their everyday
life.
"We want to show that physical
activity is easy to incorporate into
your daily routine," says program
coordinator, Heather Hoover.
According to a survey conducted
by the Huron County Health Unit,
only 34 per cent of Huron County
residents participate in physical
activity at least three times per
week. Regular physical activity can
help reduce your risk of heart dis
ease.
In Huron County, cardiovascular
disease accounts for 26 per cent of
all deaths.
"Walk On to Church!" is one of
more than 1000 walking events
happening across the country dur
ing Canada's Fitweek, from May 22
to May 31. Celebrating its 10th
anniversary, Canada's Fitweek is an
annual celebration of active living.
Thirty-nine churches in the coun
ty will be participating in the
nationwide celebration, including
Belgrave-Calvin Brick United
Church, Brussels Mennonite Fel
lowship, and St. Amrose Roman
Catholic Church (Brussels).
Londesboro
United news
Greeters at Londesboro United
Church on Sunday, May 17 were
Carl and Kay Longman. Ushers
were Bert Lyon, Don MacGregor
and Rick Archambault. The choir
sang an anthem. Rev. Ross's
sermon topic was “Questions about
Love”. The flowers on the
memorial stand were placed in
memory of Mrs. Laura Saunder-
cock, a former Londesboro resident
continued on page 23
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..."
BRUSSELS
MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
Speaker: Pastor David Rogalsky
10:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour
PASTOR TOM WARNER
887-6388
A
ELDER SHARON FREEMAN
887-6564
EVERYONE WELCOME
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
GUEST SPEAKER:
Rev. Nathan Elgersma
from Kincardine
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 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.
‘Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible