HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-03-16, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16,1994.
From the Minister’s Study
Jesus gives us a good example, says pastor
By Rev. Cameron McMillan
Brussels and Ethel
United Churches
The longer I live, the more I realize
the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude is more important than
facts. It is more important than the
past, than education, than money,
than circumstances, than what
other people think or say or do. It
is more important than appear
ance, giftedness or skill. It will
make or break a company, a
church, a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a
choice every day regarding the
attitude we will embrace for that
day. We cannot change our past.
We cannot change the fact that
people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
Caldwells greet at United
Greeters at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, March 13 were Stephen
and Joan Caldwell. Ushers were
Brenda McDonald, Melanie Bearss,
Steven Webster, and Lance Bearss.
Rev. Tolmay opened with Call to
Worship from Psalm 107: 1-3. The
hymn, "Come let Us all Unite and
Sing" was followed by Prayer of
Invocation, Prayer of Confession
and the Apostle's Creed.
Laurie Falconer was in charge of
Junior Congregation. Rev. Tolmay
spoke to the children about how
Moses helped lead the people
through the desert. With God's help
they were healed from snake bites.
The people then knew no matter
what that God loved them.
Rev. Tolmay spoke of the
sadness of Jesus' death. This day in
the middle of Lent we can see
hope, he said.
Then, one of the children lit a
rose coloured candle to show God's
love. Even though we sometimes
The only thing we can do is play on
the one string we have and that is
our attitude. I am convinced that
life is 10 per cent what happens to
me and 90 per cent how I react to
it. - Charles Swindoll.
We are that time of year when we
think about Jesus' journey to
Jerusalem, and the conflict with
religious authorities which led to
his death on a cross. The important
thing to notice is the attitude that
Jesus took as he went towards this
great final event in his life.
Jesus faced his death calmly and
courageously. He knew that he was
caught in forces that were too
powerful for him to control. He did
not resist the forces that oppressed
him. He stated his own case calmly
and firmly. Then he let the
authorities do to him whatever they
think we can take no more, God
will show a sign to encourage us,
Rev. Tolmay said. The candle
represents this hope.
The choir sang the anthem
followed by the hymn, "We Sing
the Praise."
The scripture reading, from
Numbers 21: 4-9 and John 3: 14-21
was read by Ross Clark and Nathan
Shannon.
Rev. Tolmay's sermon was titled
"The Snake and the Cross". In the
Bible the snake is referred to
several times. The snake or serpent
will represent the evil doing. The
snake will speak and the person
does, even after God has asked
them not to do the deed. God then
becomes our hero by saving us.
God forgives us.
Although we don't know how the
cross works we must believe in it.
We don't need to know how it
works. Jesus became everything
God hated; Jesus became the
sinner. When he was nailed to the
chose to do.
As he went up on the cross, Jesus
asked that his oppressors might be
forgiven "because they do not
know what they were doing."
How magnanimous of him. Do
we have the courage to forgive all
those who wronged us? Jesus then
put his family affairs in order,
entrusting his mother, Mary, to the
care of his best friend, John.
The pain of the crucifixion must
have been excruciating. Jesus
uttered from the cross two cries of
"I thirst." and "My God, my god,
why have you forsaken me?"
Someone gave him a drink.
His spiritual confidence also
finally returned. His last words
were: "It is finished" and "Father
into thy hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus knew there was life beyond
ross he called out, "My God, why
have you forsaken me?"
Understanding Jesus' life doesn't
matter, just believing and having
faith is what it is all about. The
cross is for each and everyone; it is
there and it makes a difference.
Bill Burkholder read the Minute
for Missions. He spoke of one
place where mission money has
helped. Missions can help in other
areas of the world as well.
Sunday, April 3 is the Easter
Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m.,
followed by a Pancake Breakfast
sponsored by Sr. Teen Club. For
tickets contact Linda Wilson, Diane
Ferguson, Bonnie Shannon or a Sr.
Teen Club member.
Prayers this week are for Molly
Grant, Roy Easom and Betty
Nethery who are in hospital. Also
Irene Ament who is home from
hospital.
The Lord's Prayer was sung
followed by the final hymn, "All
the Way my Saviour leads Me".
earth. As he said to the repentant
thief dying on a cross beside him:
"Today you will be with me in
paradise."
The attitude that we take to the
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
March 20 - Lent 5
Holy Eucharist
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
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
You 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
1 BLYTH CHRISTIAN Zjk REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233
Sunday 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guest Preacher - Pastor Ron from Lucknow
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.
Rll Visitors'Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible
events that surround us are most
important. Have we got the right
attitude towards what is happening
in our life? Jesus has given us a
great example.
Pastor preaches from James
Pastor Tom Warner preached
from the book of James at Brussels
Mennonite Fellowship, on Sunday,
March 13. Rob Demaray read a
selection from the book,
"Eavesdropping" in which a
dialogue takes place between three
Pharisees. Thelma Steinman and
Kathy Procter looked after the
congregational singing and
Michelle Litchy played for the
offertory.
Following the Christian
Education hour the monthly
fellowship meal was held in the
gymnasium. The adults gathered in
the chapel following a time of
fellowship for a prayer time. The
children saw a short video in the
gymnasium and then had a
children's prayer time. The youth
met in the video room with Pastor
Tom, for an alternate activity.
A fun night was held on Friday
evening at the church to celebrate
March break and to celebrate with
the deJong family. A wide range of
games and socializing were
enjoyed by people of all ages.
On Saturday evening the
Community Praise group
worshipped under the theme "An
African Adventure". Some
members of the Grade 5 Sunday
School class shared things they
have learned about Africa. Next
Saturday the Community Praise
will hear an Easter monologue.
The Senior Youth will be at a
retreat at the Blenheim Retreat
Centre this Tuesday and
Wednesday.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship
- "Risking our Future"
- Church School - Nursery
****o9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship
- Church School
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah Pilgrim through this barren land
WELCOME TO ALL
Man tells personal experience
On Sunday, March 13 at Auburn
Missionary Church Walter Packer
gave a testimony of how the Lord
S. Howson in charge of study
Continued from page 6
Legend of Easter Flower" and
scriptures Luke 22: 14-20; John 19:
16-19; and John 20: 14-18. Each
portion was followed by an
appropriate poem.
Mary then had different members
read the Easter customs in
Germany, France, Norway,
German, Italy and England. Bea
read a poem "The Cross in My
Pocket" and closed devotions with
hymn "There is a Green Hill Farm
Away."
Susan Howson was in charge of
the study on "What makes a
Christian Home and Family?" All
participated with different
scriptures to illustrate.
Bonnie Shannon, president,
came into his life and changed him.
It was the prayers of his five-
year-old grandson that convinced
welcomed all and thanked all those
who took devotions, study and
lunch.
The UCW purpose was repeated
in unison followed by the roll call
"Home".
The Senior Teen Club is selling
tickets for the pancake breakfast
April 3 after Sunrise Service.
Breakfast will be served 7-10 a.m.
The UCW are catering to the
Optimist Club on March 23 and the
Lions Club on March 24.
The annual Garage Sale is May
21 from 9-1 p.m.
The meeting closed with the
Lord's Prayer. A delicious lunch
had been prepared by Alma
McCallum, Erma Cook, Phyllis
Boak and Dorothy Scott.
him of how he was living a sinful
life. His prayer each morning is
that the Lord will make him
useable that day.
Pastor Came sang a solo 'Sinner
Saved by Grace.'
Pastor Carne's message was
"Leading by example" with
scripture from Acts 8. A leader
must have initiative, he said. Often
leaders grow soft and dried up.
They should not ask others to do
something that they themselves are
not willing to do. Leaders should
have integrity. We can become
proud of our success but often there
is a necessity of a thorn in the flesh
to keep us humble. Pastors need to
be praying more; visiting more;
evangelizing more with a more
dedicated and spirit-filled leader
ship.
The missions convention held
last week was very successful.
Many reports were heard of what
the Lord is doing through His
workers on the foreign field.
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.
□][
1
£
S
£
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
Saturday, March 19 -
Sunday, March 20 -
Community Praise at 7:30 p.m.
9:15 a.m. Singing Tune-Up Time
9:30 a.m. Worship Hour
10:30 a.m. Sunday School
for all ages
Pastor Tom Warner WELCOME Elder Alice Knorr
887-5388 887-9203
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