HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-11-16, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1994.
From the Minister’s Study
‘Does God go on strike?’ asks pastor
Rev. Stephen Huntley
Blyth United Church
It could have been an acute case
of "sports deprivation", or merely
wanting to spend some time with
the Youth Group of our church,
either way I ended up last Tuesday
night watching The Little Giants at
the Goderich theatre. The Little
Giants is a movie about a PeeWee
football team in the states. The
movie is not as giant a picture as
the title might suggest, however it
did hold some entertainment value
and more importantly it was an
opportunity to hang out with teens.
I think that I am probably not the
only citizen of the village of Blyth
to be bitten by the sports
deprivation bug (I say this
cautiously as I am newly arrived). I
have recognized since being here
that sports holds a high place in the
hierarchy of the village. There is a
large area for baseball and a fine
hockey arena, which both provide
plenty of great opportunity for
sports devotees.
I have also noticed another sign
of the high ranking sports has
among Blythites. If organizers of
other activities don't wish to be the
only ones attending their particular
function, they best find out first
when the hockey and baseball
games and practice take place, and
then organize their schedules to fit
in.
So it is on this basis that I assume
"sports deprivation" has struck.
The main cause of this new strain
of "bug" that has hit such great
proportions all across North
America in recent weeks (and
months), is because athletes, of two
of this continents most beloved
sports have decided that the
baseball and hockey seasons are
too long and need to be shortened.
Acting unilaterally, both they and
the owners have taken extended
holidays. (I wonder what would
happen if we all did this with our
jobs? Before you get too many
ideas, perhaps you might consider
renegotiating your salary!)
Sports deprivation. With no
upcoming hockey games in sight
on TV how are you supposed to
keep from getting even more sick?
You could watch the re-runs or
previous hockey highlights, but
even the greatest devotees have to
admit that this can get dull, or sit
beside the radio and wait for news
of a labour break through. Hard to
feel good about all this.
If all this stuff is giving you
labour pains, why not seek a
permanent cure. Instead of waiting
for sports to hit the tube again, do
something that's a sure cure to this
disease. Use the opportunity to
spend more time with your family
doing all those things you couldn't
do because the hockey game was
on. Take your wife/husband out to
dinner. Learn a new game with
your kids. Help -out with a
community/church children or
teens group.
And even spend time with God.
Going to church might be a good
place to make this happen.
Something else you should know
about this latter suggestion. I've got
good news for you, God doesn't go
out on strike! No matter how many
people show up or don't show up to
spend time with Him, God won't
desert you and leave you to find
another cure (John 14:18).
God promises not to threaten
with lockouts, nor are his servants
in His pulpits liable to seek multi
million dollar contracts. (Perhaps
with the exception of some TV
types!)
So if you feel bitten by the sports
deprivation bug, don't let it get you
down. Take things into your own
hands and head off to your local
church on Sunday morning. You'll
feel so much better!
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
November 20 - Reign of Christ
Morning Prayer
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
‘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
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
bituaries
GORDON (DOC) STEPHEN
SON
The community of Brussels was
saddened this past week over the
loss of a beloved resident, Gordon
(Doc Stephenson). Doc passed
away Thursday, Nov. 10, 1994 at
University Hospital, London. He
was 68.
Doc exemplified community
spirit. With a smile, a wink and
gentle teasing he brightened many
a day. His wit and warmth made
him a friend to all while his enthu
siasm and energy made him one of
the community leaders.
From 1945 to 1983 Doc gave his
lime as a volunteer on the Brussels
Fire Department, for some years
serving as its chief. He remained
committed to the department as an
auxiliary member.
An avid curler and hockey fan,
he was an everpresent figure in the
arena, whether playing or cheering
first his son's hockey games, then
his grandsons.
For several years he served on
the recreation board.
An active member of the Brus
sels United Church, Doc was also a
member of the Brussels Oddfellows
Lodge #149.
Mourning his loss most deeply is
his beloved wife, the former Nora
Shaw. Doc will also be missed by
his children, Joan and Neil Beuer-
mann of Brussels, Dave and
Annette Stephenson of Busseis and
Dianne and Mark Bowley of Kin-
lough.
He will be lovingly remembered
by his grandchildren, Dan, Brad,
Randy and Josh Beuermann, Kyle,
Tate and Wade Stephenson and
Nick, Laura and Kaitlyn Bowley.
Doc was the dear brother of Bill
and Velma Stephenson of Brussels,
Lloyd and Jean Schmidt of Strat
ford, George and Isobelle Heimpel
of Stratford, Doreen Dale of Brus
sels, Ken and Shirley Wilkins of
Elmira and Ken and Elizabeth
Sholdice of Brussels. A sister-in-
law, Sarah Stephenson of Brussels,
is also left to moum his passing.
Two brothers Dick and Buck
Stephenson predeceased him.
Brussels Oddfellows Lodge #149
conducted a memorial service
under the direction of Mel
McCutcheon, Grand Conducter of
the Grand Lodge of Ontario acting
as Noble Grand, and Ken Barbour
as Chaplain. The Honour Guard
was comprised of members of the
Brussels Oddfellows Lodge and the
Brussels firefighters.
Rev. Cam McMillan officiated at
the service, which was held at 2
p.m. Sunday. Paying tribute to Doc
through eulogies were Cathy Work
man, retired firefighter Howard
Bernard and Doc's grandson Brad
Beuermann.
Mervin and Tillie Lichty, Rob
and Sharon Demaray and Sharon
Horst of The Comerstones, sang
Amazing Grace and Daddy's
Hands.
In remembrance of Doc dona
tions to Brussels United Church or
Brussels Minor Hockey would be
appreciated.
CHARLES NELSON HIGGINS
Charles Nelson Higgins of Mor
ris Twp., passed away at Wingham
and District Hospital on Wednes
day, Nov. 9, 1994. He was in his
75 th year.
He was a life-long resident of
Morris Twp. and farmed on Cone.
3. He attended Stone School and
was a member of Belgrave United
Church.
Mr. Higgins was the beloved son
of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nelson
Higgins; the dear brother of Mil
dred (Mrs. Lloyd McDonald) of
Waterloo, Edna (Mrs. Tom Pletch),
Norman Higgins, Ross and Wilma
Higgins, all of Brussels and the
brother-in-law of Rod McLeod and
Carman Farrier. He is survived by
several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sisters
Ferrol Farrier, Carrie McLeod and
Dorothy Higgins.
Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden officiat
ed at the service which was held on
Nov. 12, at McBurney Funeral
Home in Wingham. Interment was
at Brandon Cemetery, Belgrave.
Mr. Higgins' nephews, Don
Pletch, Paul McLeod, Robert
McLeod, Scott McDonald, Jim
Cronin and Bruce Higgins acted as
pallbearers.
The flowerbearers, Bonnie
Hogan, Donna Barger, Lorran
McDonald and Pamela Patrick, are
nieces of Mr. Higgins.
Memorial donations to the Cana
dian Cancer Society would be
appreciated as expressions of sym
pathy.
SOPHIA ELIZABETH MAE
JOHANN
Sophia Elizabeth Mae Johann of
Lucknow, formerly of Belmore,
passed away on Monday, Nov. 7,
1994 at Wingham and District Hos
pital. She was in her 81st year.
Miss Johann was the beloved sis
ter of Edna McKague of Belmore.
She was predeceased by her parents
Henry and Jesse Johann.
Rev. Peggy Kinsmen officiated at
the service held on Nov. 10, at the
Betts Funeral Home in Brussels.
Honourary pallbearers were Jerry
Ballagh, David Johann, Wes Gal
loway, Bruce Darling, and Lloyd
Morrison.
Interment was at Wroxeter
Cemetery.
In remembrance, donations can
be made to the Presbyterian
Church.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233
Sunday 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
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.
Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Tim Purvis, Interim Moderator
11:00 a.m.- Morning Service
- Sunday School
- Belgrave Service
IVe welcome you to come and worship with us.
9:30 a.m.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church School
"The Lord is my Shepherd"
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m.- Morning Worship
"Symbols of Christ's Reigri"
Church School - Nursery
Dedication of New Heating System
Pot Luck LuncheonwEveryone Welcome
9:30 a.m.- Ethel Morning Worship
INTERESTED IN CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION?
On Thursday, November 17,1994 at 7:30 p.m. you are Invited to attend
an
OPEN HOUSE
at Clinton and District Christian School,
243 Princess St. E.
This evening is open to anyone who would like to see the school
and learn more about it. The Christian School is
interdenominational, it provides a good academic standard of
education in the basics, plus it teaches Bible and makes prayer and
Christian music part of each day. Subjects are discussed and
taught from a Christian perspective.
At the Open House we will aive you a tour of the school and an
opportunity to see a film on Christian Education. Some of the staff
and promotion committee will be available to answer any questions
you might have. We would be happy to have you cornel
Pastor (r , Elder
Tom Warner teryorie Alice Knorr
887-6388 Welcome 887-9203
'Our (jod Is An Awesome QodT
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
Sunday. November 20
9:15 a.m. Singing Tune-Up Time
9:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE
Ministering to us in music and
word is Tim Harden
10:30 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages