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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-07-04, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019. PAGE 21. From the Minister’s Study Parable calls for all to spread His word By Pastor Brian Hymers Knox United Church, Belgrave This week’s selection of scriptures are from Galatians 3:23-29, a well as Luke 8: 26-39. These two scriptures allow us to further investigate our religious journey and our ability to prophesy following the granting of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in the upper room at Pentecost and 21st century disciples of Christ, continue to spread the Good News. The Galatians message, written by Paul to the churches of Galatia about 50 years after the death of Christ, helps us to better understand our freedom from the laws of old. It was written to this newly- formed church to allow for the people to break their prejudices against one another as the new members of the church. The most pressing controversy in the early church was in fact the relationship between converted Jews and Gentiles both being new believers in the teaching of Christ. There was great concern for Paul and for the young churches he had founded on his first missionary journey. Paul wrote these letters to clear the air, to give clarity to correct this problem of prejudice amongst the new church members and followers. Some things in the church, however, never change, this problem still exists today. We do not think we are harming our new members by our ways of old, but we are holding back the progress that could be made if we could all realize we are all the children of God. In his letter to the church, Paul refers to the guidance that the Jewish law gave. They did not have to think of new ways or be open to other alternatives. This is the law period. There were laws of old; when and what to eat, how it was to be slaughtered and even how you washed your hands. We, as the United Church of Canada, still struggle with our identity and our individuality. This region, Region 8, has voted to be totally inclusive, that means nobody, not a single person of any race, creed, colour or sexual orientation, is to be excluded or discriminated against in any way shape or form in this church. The United Church of Canada nationally has made a stand. We as congregations voted on it and accepted this role. We are a welcoming community of openness and clarity. We are not to be setting our own rules, or setting a standard for participation and acceptance in this building that excludes persons of different races, creeds, colour or sexual orientation. We are a Pride- friendly church. Paul’s newly-formed church 50 years following the death of Christ was struggling with Gentiles and Jewish acceptance and understanding of each other. The church has made a vision to make this building a safe place for anyone to worship without prejudice. Paul’s scripture shows that God wants for us, through the belief in his son Jesus to come together as “children of God” each and every one of us. The lesson from the book of Luke this week is one I remember from my childhood days. Jesus gets out of the boat, like He always does. This time, He is, however, completely across the lake to an area called Gerasenes. Some manuscripts call it Gadarenes, others Gergesenes. All three spellings are underlined in my Microsoft Word program, so they are all unknown to modern man as to the proper spelling or name of this town or area. Upon getting out of the boat, He is greeted by a crazy man, a fellow completely naked, filled with demons, living in a cemetery. The local people have chained up this fellow a few times, but he breaks free and they let him stay in the cemetery, I guess out of sight, out of mind. He comes to Jesus knowing Christ can help. All demons know of Christ and his powers to free people they have captured, so they are terrified. Jesus is confronted by the demons, not the man, let’s call him Fred, and they are terrified to go to the pits of hell, and so they happen upon a nearby group of pigs. The pigs then, possessed by the demons, run headlong over the hill into the lake and drown. Jesus tells Fred to go back to town that he cannot remain with him and to tell everyone what God has done for him. He cannot return to the other side of the lake with Jesus. So that’s the Coles Notes childhood recollection of this parable. But let’s break it down as adults with more theological thought and understanding. These are completely different people to Christ, they live completely on the other side of the lake. Like us going across Lake Huron to Michigan, they are completely different political and economical people. Fred is a crazy fellow filled with demons. Like any other person possessed with demons, it’s not his fault, but he recognizes Christ as a possible helper in his life. So many people in our modern day society are possessed by problems of physical or mental issues. Some are possessed with evil demons. Many of these individuals are trapped but not of their own doing. We are to treat them as regular people with respect and dignity. We are taught by Christ to become personal, to get to know them by their given name and talk to them with love, compassion and grace just as Jesus did. The reference to living in the cemetery could be that to them it was a place of old spirits and ghosts of centuries gone and this fellow has taken on all the demons of those passed on before him. The pigs to me just happened to be there and Jesus cast the demons into them. I believe it was just coincidence for this to be pigs, although this lesson is written by huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn July 8-12, 9:30-noon “ROAR” Vacation Bible School - register at huronchapelkids.com July 17-20 “180 CAMP” for Gr.7-12 - info & register at huronchapelyouth.com Evangelical Missionary Church 10:30 a.m. Worship Pastor Phil Delsaut - “Christ, the Solid Rock” (Mt. 16:13ff) Sunday July 7 OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca No services during the month of July Accessible Blyth United Church Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, July 7 at 10:30 a.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. Summer evening service 6:00 p.m. at various homes. For additional details please contact Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 BRUSSELS United Church July is our summer break Your chance to worship with other congregations including Melville Presbyterian at 9:30 am B.U.C. services resume August 4 at 11:00 am 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 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, JULY 7 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 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 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. Continued on page 25