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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-11-23, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1994. Front the Minister's Study. Lord’s coming not just darkness, judgement The Rev. Alex McGilvery Dungannon Union Pastoral Charge United Church of Canada It is only about six years until we enter a new millennium, and history has shown that the period before the turn of the century is usually one of turmoil. Imagine the turmoil before the beginning of a new thousand years! We are seeing some of this on the news as the number of cults rises, and the nature of those cults become more dangerous. Yet we don't need to turn to the news to see an increased turmoil about us. It may not be as dramatic as what we see in the news, yet there is more uncertainty about what the future holds in store for us. The season of advent is traditionally the time of preparation for the coming of the Christ Child, yet it is also a time when we look forward, to the return of Christ to this world. Much literature has been written on this subject and even more has been preached, predicting the end of the world as we know it. No one knows the day or the hour but it is always tempting to try to guess. It is all too possible to put so much energy into trying to guess the time and nature of the end of the world that we forget that we are called to be busy at the work of God when it happens. I think it is especially easy for the young people to look at the world and despair. With jobs disappearing and the ecology becoming more fragile things don't look good, especially in this area where there isn't much work for young adults to look forward to. Yet the coming of the Lord is not just darkness and judgment. While the media quotes prophecies of war, famine and natural disaster, Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, has a different sign of the coming of the day of the Lord. "He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse." (Chapter 4, verse 6). We don't even need to wait to the end of the world for this prophecy to be fulfilled, because, while the world will end in some unforeseeable future, God is with us right now. As we are open to the Spirit .of God we will see our children, or parents in a new light. The solution to turmoil of these days is not in despair. It is not in creating the disruption. It is not in blaming the other generation for not understanding. The solution is God. While we were awaiting Christ mas, and the new millennium, let us aim to celebrate it by trusting God, and God's spirit working in each of us. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday November 27 - Advent 1 Morning Prayer Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Early shopping Area people had the opportunity to get some Christmas baking done the easy way at the St. John's Anglican Church, Brussels, annual Bazaar and Bake Sale this past Saturday. Shirley Hunter, right, buys some Christmas goodies from Cora Alcock. Missionaries hear soloist Susan Dobie was soloist at Auburn Missionary Church on Sunday, Nov. 20. Her song was, The Lamb of God. She was accom panied on the piano by Kim Baan. Susan is attending Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener. Pastor Came's message, "Stand ing up for what is right" had scrip ture from Acts 14: 1-7. Much of the church of today has lost its "tang", he said. Often there is not much difference between the world and the church. He said that sometimes when Christians hold up the Bible and pray people are offended. The demand on the Christian church of today is to stand for nothing. The world wants the church to shut up, he said. Paul and Barnabas stood for the Lord and absolute truth. "Does Jesus enter into our conversation?" Pastor Came asked. We should not be embarrassed to talk about Jesus in our everyday talk. Paul and Barnabas stood for transport of the gospel. They took the gospel wherever they went. Paul and Barnabas said 'Jesus is Lord and Jesus is alive.' May God help us to stand for something, Pastor Came said. Members are looking forward to having the Son Shine Gang from Wilmot Centre Missionary Church with them next Sunday. They will be ministering in the Sunday School at 10 a.m. and morning service at 11 a.m. There will also be a seminar Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27. Blyth United men bring ties Continued from page 3 helped them in the process. Gifts to the Mission and Services Fund help campus ministers provide the needs of young people like Carol and Albert when they are far from home. The service closed with the hymn, Be Thou My Vision preceded by commissioning, benediction and choral response. Following the service, Blest Be the Ties that Binds was held. During the month of November all men of the congregation were asked to bring a lie to church, a hated tic, favourite one or what ever, and inside place a donation. Proceeds would go into the general treasury of the church. The lies would be made into a wall hanging as a permanent reminder that we are all tied together, he said. There were many ties and it was very humorous watching the men stand up, holding their "not very favourite" ties. Greeters at Blyth United Church Nov. 13 were Lenora Davidson and Joann MacDonald. It was the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, the seasonal colour - green. Ushers were Stephen and Joan Caldwell and Evelyn Caldwell and Kristy. Lauric Falconer looked after junior congregation and Bonnie Shannon was in charge of the nursery. Rev. Stephen Huntley, minister, opened with call to worship preceded by Morning Has Broken. For the children's lime, Rev. Huntley had them play the game, "Simon Says". He asked them what the most important thing was about the game. They replied, "listening". He said "That is the same as God's message. We must listen to Him as He has a Master Plan for each and every one of us." The sermon by Rev. Huntley was entitled "Will You Sit or Will You Stand?" He said, "When a large project we are doing is completed we can sit and rest when the job is done feeling a sense of satisfaction. Like Christ did when His work was completed - He gave His life." Harvey Snell spoke on Minute for Missions, the topic being "Love God With All Your Mind." The three part message was on the United Church Women, the church's newsletter and the weekly Christian Education class. 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 Jou 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 Z|a 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 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 "Prepare for Christ's Coming" Church School - Nursery 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship Church School Presentation "Growing Up Happily" "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus" All Welcome on this First Advent Sunday ^Z^ Brussels Mennonite Fellowship ® Welcomes You Sunday, November 27 - 9:15 a.m. Singing Tune Up Time 9:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE (Mennonite Youth Fellowship will be in charge of the service) 10:30 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Elwln Garland 887-9017