HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-05-27, Page 18PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27,1992. The Minister's Study: Society has gone soft on law and order says Minister BY JAMES H. CARNE, PASTOR THE MISSIONARY CHURCH, AUBURN “For better, for worse,” is a commitment to the future, and to each other, that a couple makes on their wedding day. It can be, also, a sign of the times. Someone has said that, in the “last days,” the “bad” will get worse and the “good” will get better. I think that this is an accurate and observable description of these days that precede the winding down of history. Let's look first at the “worse” scenario. Governments get more and more secularistic and amoral. The advent of Sunday shopping and casino gambling will tear even further the fabric of our moral fibre and will cast an increasingly secularistic cloud over our society. As much as one must deplore the violent destruction of the Morgentaler abortion clinic, yet the NDP Government support of a man who thumbed his nose at the law, and the repair of his illegally- established clinic out of the public purse, are an abomination! Murder and mayhem proliferate unabated and reflect the little respect that many people have for a society that has gone soft on law and order. The old humanistic philosophy that Exchange Sunday held at Brussels Mennonite church Sylvia Cameron was worship leader on Sunday, May 17 at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. Pastor Tom Warner gave an inspiring message based on passages from Thessalonians and from II Timothy. On Sunday afternoon the congregation gathered at the home of El win and Linda Garland for a bridal shower for Heather Baan and Richard Gerber who will be married next month. On Sunday, May 24, Exchange Sunday was held at Brussels Mennonite Church. Dave Rogolsky of Poole Mennonite preached at Brussels and Pastor Tom Warner had the service at Poole. Sylvia Cameron was the worship leader. Thelma Steinman was song leader and Heather Baan played the piano. Dave Rogolsky preached on stewardship and stressed the Christian's obligation to give the first fruits of his labour to the Church or to God's work. The scripture reading was from Acts 6. The ladies met at the church on Tuesday, May 19. The Milverton ladies joined the Brussels ladies for a joint meeting with Anne Snider as guest speaker, sharing about low self-esteem and depression. The Youth and grade seven/ eights gathered at Warners on Sunday evening for a wiener roast and fireworks display. observed that, “every day and in every way we get better and better,” can be hardly supported by the statistics. So, the “bad” gets worse. To counter-balance the bad-to- worse situation, there is also a good-to-better picture: the Cold War has ended; disarmament is taking place on an unprecedented scale; “iron curtains” are being rent asunder and countries, formerly inaccessible are opening up to democracy and to the gospel; Missions organizations and Bible Societies are having to scramble to keep up with demands for their services; outreach ministries are meeting with huge success in their efforts. I read recently of a church in Eugene, Oregon, that was started seven years ago. The fact that a 17- acre site has been purchased, a 1600-seat auditorium is a rather notable accomplishment. The plans that the church has to plant 100 new churches in the next few years and their success in establishing seven new congregations already in its seven year history borders on the phenomenal. This church expects to see 800 people come to faith in Christ in one year. I suspect that they will not be disappointed. In another instance a missionary society, celebrating its golden anniversary, tells how it developed from the original six men who founded it to an organization that has included more than 3,000 missionaries who have established 600 churches among tribe groups in 23 countries. They have translated the New Testament into 24 languages and are working on 100 more. Work is being carried on among 200 language groups and 25 training centres in 10 countries that have been established for the purpose of training a steady stream of missionary candidates. And this represents the accomplishments of only one of hundreds of missionary agencies. The “good” is getting David and Darlene Pullen Couple marry in Londesboro United Darlene Caroline Hulley and David Stewart Pullen were married Saturday, May 23, 1992 at 3 p.m. in Londesboro United Church by Reverend Paul Ross. The bride is the daughter of Ken and Betty Hulley of Londesboro, and the groom is the son of Don and Florence Pullen of RR 4, Clin­ ton. Maid-of-honour was Sandra Howson of Blyth and the brides­ maids were Denise and Ruth Hul­ ley of Londesboro. Junior bridesmaid was Crystal Hulley of Clinton and the flower and ring bearer was Kimberly Hulley of Clinton. Best man was Mike Pullen of Clinton, brother of the groom. Guests were ushered by Dean Cartwright of Toronto and Rick Steele of Exeter. The soloist for the ceremony was Marian Visser of London and the pianist was Bryan Pickell of Goderich. Rick Elliott of Blyth played the bagpipes. A reception was held at the Seaforth Community Centre. The couple will reside at RR 2, St. Marys. Angela Verburg and Tina Bos provide musical prelude to Blyth CRC service Greeters for the May 24 morning service at Blyth Christian Reformed Church were Calvin and Cheryl Bakelaar. The musical prelude to the service included several selections with Angela Verburg playing organ, and Tina Boss playing the clarinet. The opening hymn, No. 374, “This is My Father's World”, was sung. In the announcements it was mentioned that Gerrit Beimers is in St. Joseph's Hospital in London. Also this Thursday at 8 p.m. there will be a special Ascension Day service. After the announcements the baptism of Mark James Siertsema, son of Mike and Deb, was administered, with guest pastor Mr. Nathan Elgersma from Kincardine officiating. Afterwards Marg Siertsema performed a solo of dedication entitled “Wordless Ones.” Scripture for the morning message came from I Samuel 3. The sermon title was “Starting Over”. In the illustration Samuel receives a message from God that he is to relay to Eli the priest. The priesthood in Israel, under the headship of Eli would soon be terminated due to the stubborn refusal of the Israelite people to conform to God's laws. Eli and his people would have to put off old traditions and begin anew. In our own lives sometimes we have to venture beyond what is safe and break out of traditional molds. Mr. Elgersma said that we often ignore the topic of judgement as it is too frightening. Yet if we look closely at the Bible we receive comfort because we know that by God's Grace our failures and messy lives are not the end of the road. Christ's forgiveness affords us the grace to start over. The morning service closed with No. 314 as the hymn of dedication. better! His people in these last days and, So, it is not all doom and gloom. for them, the future is always “for God is working mightily through better.” THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday May 31 - 7th 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 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 ETHEL UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 - 115th Anniversary Service - Guest Speaker - Mr. Kevin Stewart ****** - Members of the Brussels' United congregation are invited to attend the Ethel United Anniversary Service. Brussels service withdrawn****** "The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ the Lord" 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 11:00 a.m.