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The Citizen, 1994-04-06, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6,1994. From the Minister’s Study Are we really worth that much, asks pastor By Steven Webb Knox Presbyterian Monkton Presbyterian It's hard sometimes to walk through the passion of Christ. To follow the emotions, understand what and why. At one moment we go to the upper room with Christ, we learn about service as he washes our feet. We go to the garden and we leam about fear and compassion as his prayer encompasses us. We stand off to the side as Judas approaches and betrays him with a kiss and somehow we feel its sting. We share the fire with Peter, seeking to find warmth against the chill of betrayal in the pit of our stomach. We lift our heads in shame at the sound of the rooster crowing. Slowly we walk a little closer to the crowd, afraid to be seen but drawn against our will. We stand at the foot of the cross and as our hearts break we remember that we promised to die with him. The questions and the doubts just don't seem to go away, whether it was 2,000 years ago or just two days ago. What happened and why? Oh, we know the reason, redemption and salvation bom out of love - but why? What is it that caused God to love us so much? Then our emotions bounce the other way. The women come back and we hear the reports of an empty tomb, an empty grave. An angel, the prophecies, the words of Jesus himself. But the tomb is empty? Could it be true? Is it reality? Are we really worth that much? Many people refuse to say yes, or if they say it, they say it with a little bit of hesitancy, almost as if they aren't quite sure. Easter isn't lost to them, it's just hard to understand. From fear and anguish to joy and celebration in three days. There must be a catch, a fine print clause, something we missed. Why would God do this? Stand at the tomb with me for a few moments. Bend over a little bit and look in. It will take a while for your eyes to adjust; it's a little dark in there. Look around, what do you see? Nothing? A few bits of cloth? A place where a body might have been? Step in. Go ahead, it's alright, just watch your head. Look around again. What do you see? A place of death? Cold in here isn't it? Kind of damp too. Now turn around. There it is. That light, that brilliance, that brightness shining though the door. That's love. It's the grace of God flooding into the emptiness of our lives, shattering the darkness of uncertainty, of shame, of sorrow, of forgotten promises and service. Now go back out through the door, watch your head. Step out into a new life, a life full of hope and certainty, a life of service and renewed dedication to God and others. Leave the emptiness behind, leave behind all that deserves to die. Go and live in the love and grace of God as experienced in Jesus Christ. Sun. School classes see video A solemn Ecumenical service, "Behold the Lamb", was held in Bluevale United Church on Good Friday with the congregations of the Presbyterian and United Churches participating. Rev. Banks and Rev. Dambroski officiated and the choirs of both churches took part in the service. Passages of scripture from Genesis, Exodus, Peter and John were read by Shirley Gamiss and Keith Elston, interspersed with congregational singing and responsive readings. The service closed with the hymn "Throned Upon the Awful Tree" and Solemn Meditation. Worshippers left the church in reverent silence. A prelude of Easter music played by organists Mary Lou and Etoile Johnston, assisted by Jack Jenkins and Milt Boyd as violinists, greeted the morning worshippers at Bluevale United Church on Sunday morning. The church was adorned with Easter decorations, Easter lilies and hydrangeas. Following the service the lilies were delivered to shut-ins, the minister, organists and violinists. Ken Mathers and Doug Chapman were ushers. Rev. Banks expressed words of welcome and gave the announcements. The call to worship was repeated and Lindsay Willits lit the Christ Candle and she and Rev. Banks gave the commentary. The hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" was sung. Shirley Gamiss assisted in reading the scripture passages from Acts 10: 34-43 and Mark 16: 1-8. Psalm 118 and the Apostles Creed were repeated in unison. The children gathered at the front and Rev. Banks told them the Easter Story. They went to the Sunday School rooms to watch a video on Easter while the congregation sang the children's hymn, "Alleluia, Alleluia." The choir rendered a lovely anthem "My Redeemer Liveth" and the trio, Eileen Sellers, Carol Nicholson and Mary Lou Johnston sang "Hill called Mount Calvary". Prayers of Approach and Prayers for the Family of God were said, mentioning those in hospital, Bill Peacock, Isabel Wheeler and Trevor Machan. Rev. Banks read a message from "Minute for Missions" and the service closed with the hymn "Thine is the Glory", followed by the benediction and choral response. Prior to the morning service, everyone enjoyed a tasty Easter breakfast supplied and served by the Sunday School children, teachers and superintendent. Pastor tells of Resurrection A large crowd gathered at Auburn Missionary Church on Easter Sunday, April 3. Doran Rolston sang a solo "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing". Pastor Carne's message from Ephesians 2: 1-10 was Christ's resurrection. The resurrection was the greatest miracle that ever happened, he said. If a person is without God then they are without hope, so they feel empty. Pastor Carne said, the prodigal son thought he was right but he wasted everything and he began to be in want. Pastor Carne said, the resurrection is characterized by life. There is meaning in life. During the singing of the first hymn at the Good Friday service two young people carried a huge wooden cross to the front of the church. Heather Shirley of Jamaica and of Toronto was a holiday visitor with John, Mary, and Marcy Stoll and also with Robert and Elizabeth Bowman and family and with Leslie and Dorothy Bolton. R. Datema preaches at CRC On a beautiful Easter Sunday morning Blyth Christian Reformed congregation welcomed Mr. Rob Datema to the pulpit. Before his sermon they listened to Angela and Julia Verburg sing two songs. The scripture reading was taken from John 20: 1-18 and Mark 16: 9. The sermon was "The Risen Christ" and "Mary Magdalene." Mr. Datema said that Christians sometimes need to feel a new awareness of what Jesus has done for them through his dying on the cross. Awareness of Christ gives a vital relationship with God. Worship of the Lord should be an experience instead of just waiting for the service to be over. Also an awareness of the risen Lord will help to find the purpose God has for each life. On the first Easier Sunday, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was an ordinary person. She was so full of grief, from finding the tomb empty she did not recognize Jesus. Only when Jesus called Mary by name did she see who he was. Jesus knows each one of his people by name. Easier is to celebrate the risen Christ, who died so that all could be saved through him. This celebration should continue every day, every second of our lives, Mr. Datema said. The hymn of response after the sermon was "Praise the Saviour Now and Ever". Next Sunday Rev. Vander Meer of Exeter will lead both worship services. Sunday, April 10 is also preparatory Sunday. The celebra­ tion of the Lord's Supper will be on April 17. YCI needs volunteers for project Canadians between the ages of 18 and 25 who are looking for adventure and who have an interest tn global development are invited to apply to participate on a Youth Challenge International project in Costa Rica. Youth Challenge International is a non-profit organization-whose mission is to encourage young people's active and continuing participation in issues of local and global development. Young people from around the world will work on a variety of community develop­ ment, health, and research projects for three months beginning in December of this year or in February of next year. No experience is necessary to participate; just a willingness to Continued on page 17 HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service, Paul Humphreys 8 p.m. - Evening Service, New Tribes Missionary Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441 you arc ‘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 . BLYTH CHRISTIAN 4k REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233 Sunday 10:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Guest Preacher: Rev. Vander Meer of Exeter 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. !A11 Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday April 10- Easter 2 Morning Prayer - BCP Blyth - Dedication of Hymn Books Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m.- Morning Service - Sunday School - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. 9:30 a.m. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service "Doubting Thomas" - Church School - Nursery 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship Service - Church School All my hope on God is founded He doth still my trust renew Everyone Welcome Jesus is Alive! BRUSSELS MENNO NITE FELLOWSHIP Saturday, April 9: Community Praise at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10: 9:15 a.m. Singing Tune-Up Time 9:30 a.m. Worship Hours 10:30 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages * Fellowship Meal to Follow Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 GUESTS EXPECTED Elder Alice Knorr 887-9203