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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-01-05, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5,1994. PAGE 13. From the Minister’s Study We must find time for stillness, pastor says By Rev. Paul Boughton Belgrave United Church Christmas is over now. The Magi who followed the Star to Bethlehem are about to start home and with them will go, perhaps, so much of the wonder and expectation and hope of the Christmas season. For a little while we were able to push into the background, maybe even forget, life's pressing realities and our many concerns. And that forgetting was important so that we could focus on deeper realities and find a larger perspective. But where are we now, in January, in the wintertime of mind and spirit? We are disturbed, no doubt, that our traditional understanding of things is challenged on every hand. There is a growing sense that we are victims of forces beyond our control, that our destinies are now largely in the hands of powerful bureaucracies. Deficits, joblessness, public anger, violence and messes are things for which no one will take responsibility. There is domestic fatigue because it takes two people working (if they are fortunate to have jobs) to make ends meet. And then when do they have time for each other or extra time to do the things they would like to do. A sociologist writes: "The kicker for many Canadians isn't relation ships or money or even health - it's time. The months and the years are flying by. Success that was supposed to make life easier has brought with it ever escalating demand and expectations which require more and more time. What does it mean to live as a human being in a world such as ours? What kind of future is there for our children? Fortunately the future comes upon us one day at a time. If we can bring an ethical dimension to technology so that it truly serves human and humane ends then there is hope. The speed it has brought to our living, the threat of human annihilation, the great economic changes and scientific achieve ments technology has made possible, jeopardizes all we have prized in terms of human community and a basic sense of trust and security. We feel unsettled and alienated from others. As we have seen things change very quickly politically and economically over the last few years there is the hope of changes in the near future, new resources and methods, that will relieve us of much of our distress. But more important than anything else are the resources that can sustain us in this turbulent time. "Where does my help come from?" asks the Psalmist. "My help comes from me Lord." Even as we rush into an uncertain future we must find time for stillness and learning to live deeply, time for letting go, even for a few moments each day, of our great concerns so that we can see things in a different light and allow God a part. We may recall the plight of the innkeeper who sent Mary and Joseph out to the place where the animals were kept because he had no room and he had no time to make room. We can hardly blame him for time is our problem too. His reasons are our reasons. "Do you know what it's like to run a business, a family, to run anything in this world for that matter, even your own life?" he asked. "It is like having a million things to do.. .until finally you have eyes for nothing else, but your own concerns. As people of the world you must understand I was very busy." If we will take the time there is personal strength and courage and hope to be gained. Our faith offers that which no agency or government department can ever offer. It will help us face our difficulties realistically and work with others in finding solutions. And when answers are not yet evident we will be kept from despair. fou are ‘Welcome 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 THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday Sunday, January 9 - M.P. Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 Sunday 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 - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441 Couple resides near Auburn Maria and Tim Walden WALDEN - VERBURG Maria Verburg, RR 1, Auburn and Tim Walden, RR 3, Blyth were united in marriage on Oct. 16, 1993 at Westfield Church by Rev. Lorenzo Ramirez from London. The bride is the daughter of Jacobus and Rita Verburg and the groom is the son of Garth and Dianne Walden. The maid of honour was Brenda Verburg, sister of the bride. The bridesmaids were Christa VanderHeyden, sister of the groom, Patricia Roetcisoender, cousin of the bride and Jill Walden, sister of the groom. The best man was Richard Roetcisoender, friend of the groom. The ushers were Shane Snell, cousin of the groom, Dwayne Scott, friend of the groom and Mark Verburg, brother of the bride. Greeters were David McClin- chey, friend of the groom and John Verburg, brother of the bride. The couple was honoured at a reception at the Blyth Community Centre. They are now residing at RR 2, Aubum. 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Guest Preacher: Rev. Bill Steadman, Sarnia - Church School - Nursery 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship - Church School For Thy mercy and Thy grace, faithful through another year Father and Redeemer hear - hear our song of thankfulness A BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233 Sunday 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Guest Preacher Rev. Nathan Elgersma of Kincardine The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20" Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday Faith 20 5:30 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V. All Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible MELVILLE Psalms part of sermon topic Continued from page 3 from your parents? As Psalm 139: 13 says, "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb." If God cares for limpkins and lilies, how much more will He care for you, Mr. VanderSterre asked. No one is lost in the masses of people or in the cacophony of sound. As Psalm 139: 7-13 states, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Whether I go up to the heaven, You are there; if I go down to hell Y ou are there." We may feel lost and forgotten but God never leaves us but cradles us in His care. Isaiah 49: 15 and 16 says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands." Mr. VanderSterre closed the sermon by reading that God never leaves His own and when difficulties come our way we can smile and know we don't face situations alone. Consider Jesus who cared enough to come to earth, suffer and die for us so we may have eternal life if we accept it. If He cares for the big things in our lives, He will also care for the littlest things. 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. ■ ■■ Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Alice Knorr 887-9203 "Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth." Psalm 47:6 & 7 BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Sat. Jan. 8: Community Praise - 7:30 p.m. Sun. Jan. 9: WORSHIP SERVICE - 9:25 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages -10:30 a.m. Potblessing Fellowship Meal to Follow Communion & Footwashing - 7:00 p.m. GUESTS EXPECTED