HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-06-01, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1,1994.
From the Minister’s Study
Primacy of the spiritual
By Rev. Paul Boughton
The Belgrave United Church
Pastoral Charge
I have been struck in recent
months by how often in our society
reference is made to the spiritual
side of human experience. In a TV
movie Marked For Murder, a
criminal sociologist prays in her
church for herself and her work and
quietly shares something of her
personal history with a co-worker,
an ex-con now working with the
police and with whom, of course,
she is emotionally involved.
I chat with my daughter-in-law, a
person from a much younger and
very different generation. We slide
easily into the subject of the value
of church-going and religious
symbolism and human spiritual
need, even though she professes to
be not very religious.
It is not difficult to raise spiritual
questions in secular settings. The
uncertainties, the increasing
violence and pressures of our times
are causing many to consider very
carefully the role that a spiritual
perspective might play in their
lives.
A psychologist suggests that
contemporary society can deal
fairly readily now with the
problems of stress and the sexual
or aggressive issues they may be
faced with. The part of life that is a
challenge is the life of the spirit,
and the issues of values, meaning
and hope. People are recognizing
that to be awakened spiritually is to
be in touch with who they are in
very deep ways and reacquainted
with a God who will stand with
them in the face of life's
contradictions and hurts. There is
also an increased sensitivity to the
needs of others and ability to be of
help to others in times of crisis.
The inward life demands a
radical revision of the way we
approach things. It means learning
to let got of the need for control.
People of the Spirit realize that they
are not in complete control of their
lives or of anyone or anything else.
This fact makes them humble and
prepares the way for a trustful
dependence upon God.
It is to be noted that while over
90 per cent of our society believe in
God and have a spiritual yearning,
most at the present lime have little
interest in religious institutions.
Tom Harpur of The Toronto Star
cautions that individual spirituality
may fizzle out if not sustained by
community. "We're social animals
... If anything is to come of the
present surge towards spiritual
growth, there must be some kind of
coming together, even on a small
scale, of cell groups or other forms
of mutual support."
Because of the chaos and
uncertainty of our time, there is a
movement towards community and
togetherness. Our culture is no
longer happy with the idea of the
independent individual. Religious
bodies should take seriously their
need to offer a changing society
new and appropriate forms of
community which have God at
their centre and a sense of mission
as their purpose.
The benefit would not only be for
the individuals and families who
become part of community, but for
the larger society and world.
We need to help make the world
a better place, a livable place. We
can only do this together.
Gracious God, in love and mercy
look upon Your children.
Bless us in our Christian
fellowship.
Grant us light, that in wisdom we
may serve You and bring wholeness
and hope to a broken world.
Give strength to our hands and
courage to our hearts, that we may
build a better world.
Whatever tomorrow may bring,
grant us the peace that only You
can give.
Dedication
The weather cleared Sunday afternoon for the dedication ceremony of the Masonic Chapel in
Brussels. Rev. Paul Acton of the Brussels and Blyth Anglican Churches led in the service.
The chapel was built by the Masons as a community project.
Missionaries hear guest trio
Binding Love trio were guest
musicians at Auburn Missionary
Church on Sunday, May 29. Their
singing of All that 1 am or Hope to
Be was enjoyed by all.
Pastor Carne's message was
"From Prejudice to Praise", with
scripture from Acts 10: 1-48. We
often think better of ourselves than
we do other people and we have a
tendency to favour our families and
ourselves, he said. We are often
prejudiced against visitors coming
into the church.
In this scripture Cornelius, a
Gentile, is considered by the Jews
to be a heathen. He was a God
fearing man but when he had the
vision of the angel he was scared.
We might be God-fearing but we
must be saved to get to heaven, said
Pastor Came.
Peter was a Hebrew and a
missionary to only the Jews, but
when the servants of Cornelius
came he was willing to go. Peter
realized that the gospel is for all
people.
On Sunday, May 22, the Senior
Celestial Songsters composed of
Madeline Burchell, Roberta
Linskill, John Baumbach and Dave
Rolston sang a number entitled,
The Land Where We Never Grow
Old.
Brian and Ruth Hall of Didsbury,
Alberta, who are going to Russia
with Co-Mission this summer, were
also present. Brian had a short
devotional on walking with God.
Pastor Carne's message was on,
"The Grace of Giving". Gracious
giving is shared giving. It is also
systematic giving as well as
sacrificial giving. Christians are as
rich as the resources of God.
Pastor Came is leaving this week
for France as it is the 50th
anniversary of D-Day during World
War II. Pastor Came is chaplain of
the Blyth Legion. This trip has
been organized by Rev. Alf Rees
who was a pilot during World War
II and was shot down by the
enemy. Rev. Rees committed his
life to Christ at that lime and has
been used of God to preach the
gospel in various parts of the
world.
Rutledges greet at United
Greeters al Blyth United Church
on Sunday were Les and Shirley
Rutledge. Ushers were Albert and
Nancy Wasson, Marg Caldwell and
Cliff Snell. Faye Bolger looked
after the junior congregation.
Nothing is impossible was the
choir's anthem.
The sermon was entitled "One
plus one plus one equals one." The
Minute for Mission was read by
Deb Hakkcrs. Communion was
served by the elders.
Mrs. Hakkcrs and Gayle Poore
thanked all who donated and
helped al the last week caterings.
The oak bookcase in the narthex
has been placed in loving memory
of Jim McCall, Ella Carter, Doug
Brigham, Eleanor Hiseler, William
Wightman and Les Wightman. This
gift was made by Dick Poore.
Next Sunday's service will begin
at 10 a.m.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
June 5 - Morning Prayer - BCP
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887-9273
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233
Sunday 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Robert Datema
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
‘y'ou 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
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.
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
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m.
B M F
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LIS
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SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1994
- Ethel United Church
Anniversary Service
- Guest Preacher: Dr. Reid Vipond, London
Special Music by the "Cornerstones"
No service at Brussels that day
************************
4-7 p.m. Brussels United Church
Lawn and Garden Party
A delicious Meal
All Welcome
Saturday, June 4: Final Community
Praise at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 5:
9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP SERVICE
10:30 a.m. Sunday
School For All Ages
Elders: Elwin Garland
887-9017
Linda Campbell
357-1648
Alice Knorr
887-9203
Pastor Tom Warner
887-6388