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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-02-28, Page 27THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019. PAGE 27. By Pastor Brian Hymers Knox United Church, Belgrave Today, (Monday) as I look out my window and listen to all the news reports of road closures and blizzard-like conditions, I find myself looking back for a message for this week instead of writing a new one. The church’s lectionary calendar states this week is the last Sunday of Epiphany, that being Transfiguration Sunday. Throughout this season of Epiphany, we have been looking for Christ, just as the Magi did, and then spreading the good news all around us upon finding the wonder and blessing of Christ in our lives. I have been reviewing my sermons over the past five years and came across the one I wish to share with you this week. It was delivered three years ago on Reign of Christ Sunday, a far cry from Transfiguration Sunday, the time of great change in Jesus’ appearance to the Disciples, (I think I have had enough change in the weather lately to last me for a while. I just want some calm and relaxation). Christ is the Good Shepherd of us all. I hope all found warm refuge and that everyone remained safe during this latest winter blast; we just need to remain patient and spring will be here before we know it. Until then sit back relax while reading your newspaper, grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy these words of a few years back. This is Reign of Christ Sunday and the topic of the Good Shepherd and his good flock always comes up. Christ’s Reign over all of mankind is very comparable to a Shepherd tending to his flock. Jesus is constantly watching over us, always aware of our needs and providing the comfort of a caring ear to our prayer. His job as a Shepherd is to be able to lead his flock to not only lush fields of green tender grasses on a mountain top, but also to cool streams of soothing waters. If he is successful in accomplishing all this, he is rewarded with a healthy, growing herd. One he can be very proud of and one that will flourish and expand to include many, many members. Offspring from generation to generation will increase to completely cover the landscape and hillsides for miles and miles. Jesus started with only 12 members; this group grew and grew over centuries until it reached from one side of the world to the other. We are all part of this global Christian family of believers that spans from east to west and north to south. Each continent and every country in the world has Christians, even in places where it has been banned by the controlling government. And so it is with us here today, worshipping and acknowledging the reign of Christ as the good shepherd. He is the one we look to for guidance and for help in coping with the struggles of these modern day events and tragedies. We all look towards and lean on the Good Shepherd, the one who has always been there to protect and guide us in the past, the one who will remain true and care for us whenever we need his hand. Jesus is the Lord, the son of our creator and the son of the one still creating each and every day. All we need to do is believe in him and his love will guide and protect us always. We as the Good Shepherd’s sheep are to take the messages read through scripture, told to us by the prophets of Old Testament teachings and the writers of the New Testaments of our modern day Bibles. In Matthew 25, we learn how God and his son would react to our learning of a very valuable lesson. Jesus was preaching to his Disciples and a group of worshippers gathered in a crowd like you reading this newspaper today. He would talk and explain to them that they (and we) are the true sheep of Christ and that we will not need to fear the evils of the devil and become the goats of the kingdom but remain the sheep of the herd of Christ. If we remain true to his word and become helpful to others we will be spared. Jesus stated, “for when you did good deeds to one of the least of my brothers and sisters: you are doing it to me”. You are a Good Shepherd to God’s flock. You are part of the great movement of the reign of Christ throughout this earth. Throughout this area and beyond, there are many who need a hand-up, not necessarily a handout. A hand-up to a family that has lost a member during the past year can be your call of sympathy and love, being a good shepherd to them. Visiting someone very low at this time of the year, suffering from the winter blues or cabin fever, could be a hand-up. A hand-up could help someone over an addiction to alcohol or drugs or family abuse. Just a simple gesture like shovelling a driveway or sidewalk following this past week’s storms, or a cup of coffee or tea to brighten someone’s day can brighten up even the darkest of days and times and lift up even the loneliest of hearts. This season of Lent, let’s make a point to try and encourage the light of Christ to be shown to someone, shared by those in need of a hand- up, not a hand-out, to one of Christ’s lost sheep of this area. As we lament on our journey with Christ as I have this day, let us share this important information, share the events that changed and shaped you to be better people to follow the guidance of our newfound Shepherd, Jesus, and help guide others to the richness of Christ. We should always remember Christ’s words, “that when we do it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters you were doing it to me”. Be kind to each other; the winter is almost behind us and the smells of spring are but a few weeks away. Amen and to God all the Glory. THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn March 3 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. Worship Pastor Ernest Dow “Born to Reproduce” (2 Tim.2:1-14) Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. HEIRBORN (JK-Gr. 6), 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jr. & Sr. YOUTH (Gr. 7-12) Thurs. Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Annual Meeting, Sat. Mar. 2, 7:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. Wednesday Night Kids’ Club 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm (ages 5-12) For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca Special Speaker: Angie Lannin Accessible Sunday, March 3 Worship Service at 11:00 am Blyth United Church Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, MARCH 3 Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Worship & Sunday School - 9:30 am (*New time) Coffee & Snacks following the service We invite you to join our church family in: Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship BRUSSELS United Church Worship and Sunday School Sunday, March 3 at 9:30 am Worship leader, Angie Lannin All are Welcome The Regional Ministry of Hope BLYTH BRUSSELS Trinity St. John’s 9:15 am 11:15 am COME WORSHIP WITH US! Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope St. Paul’s Trinity WINGHAM 11:15 am These Anglican Churches Welcome You Sermon Series: The ABC’s of Anglicanism: Week four: How Anglicanism is organized From the Minister’s Study Don’t be afraid to give a hand-up to others