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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-12-14, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14,1994. From the Minister’s Study It can be Christmas all year long By Don Vair, Belgrave Christmas, what a wonderful time of the year. One of the great joys of Christmas for me is in the singing of the ageless carols which put this whole event into perfect perspective. The carol Silent Night says "Christ the Saviour is bom". What happened in Bethlehem that glorious day was in fulfilment in meticulous detail of ancient prophecies. Isaiah for example, prophesied by the Holy Spirit that Jesus would be bom of a virgin. Matthew and Luke record the fulfilment of this in specific vital detail. Micah was led to Prophesy that Jesus would be born in an obscure little place called Bethlehem. In fact, Christ was born to the very date prophesied by ancient men appointed by God to do so. The Lord Jesus Christ did not begin His existence in Bethlehem's manger, for He existed before. He always was. Micah said "Whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." John's gospel records Jesus in conversation with unbelieving Jews in which he informed them that He existed before their father Abraham. King David 1,000 years B.C. In Psalms 110, calls Jesus his Lord. See Matthew 22:44 for Jesus Christ's quotation of David's declaration. Jesus Christ not only existed before - from everlasting, "He was and is God." Hark the Herald Angels Sing says "veiled in flesh the God-head see, hail the incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel." Once in Royal David's City declares "He came down to earth from Heaven, who is God and Lord of all." Isaiah says He is the mighty God and everlasting Father. I Timothy 3: 16 declares "God was manifest in the flesh" not a god, but "Theos",, very God. The story of the Saviour's birth is: 100 per cent truth, but not the; whole truth. As General Alberlt Orsbom of the Salvation Army said, "There is a clear connection between the cradle and the cross. Surely the virgin birth and atoning Saviour are indissolubly connected." We are bom to live. Christ was bom to die for my sin, your sin and the sins of the world. If you miss this truth, you miss the total meaning or reason for Christmas. The carol Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne says "But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn they bore Thee to Calvary." John 3:16 says it so clearly "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Are the truths of these old carols just upon our lips, or are they in the deepest depths of our hearts because we have personally invited the Christ of Christmas to come into our hearts to wash away our sins, in His blood shed on Calvary? If these truths are fully believed upon, it can be Christmas in your heart every day of the year. . BLYTH CHRISTIAN 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. All Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wfteelcftair accessible HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H.’CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 7:30 p.m. - Community Christmas Service at Blyth United Church Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441 Richmonds usher at United Blyth United Church was beautifully decorated Dec. 11 for the third Sunday of Advent and While Gift Service. The seasonal colour is purple. Greeters were Terry and Barb Richmond and ushers were several Sunday School children. The Shannon family, Herb, Bonnie, Nathan and Devin lit the Third Advent Candle "Love". I Am the Light of the World was sung in unison accompanied by Rev. Stephen Huntley on guitar. The Choral Kids presented, "A Christmas Pageant", under the direction of Phyllis Boak and Susan Howson. During the pageant they sang intermittently Little Donkey, A Child is Born and Away in a Manger accompanied by Phyllis Boak on piano, Rev. Huntley on guitar and Shawn Clark on trombone. While the children presented their white gifts, offering was taken up. Minute for Missions was read by Ashley Howson. The closing hymn was Twas in the Moon of Wintertime. The many beautiful poinsettias decorating the church were placed in memory of loved ones. An off- white poinsettia was placed in memory of Robyn Thompson, who passed away just recently. It was placed in loving memory by Stephen, Brenda, Mary and Robert. A Christmas Eve family service will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. Christmas service will be at 10 a.m. with communion on Dec. 25. Celebrate Christmas with area churches. On Dec. 18 at 7:30, area churches are gathering at Blyth United Church for an interdenominational Christmas service. Guest speaker is Rev. Adrian van Geest of the Blyth Christian Reformed Church. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Tim Purvis, Interim Moderator 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. L. Campbell leads worship Linda Campbell was worship leader at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship on Sunday, Dec. 11. Thelma Steinman was song leader and Nancy Elliot Greenwood was pianist. Phailop Larprom sang a solo for special music and Andrea and Denise Hiller played the flute Missionaries hear soloist Clare Smith was guest soloist at Auburn Missionary Church on Sunday, Dec. 11. His singing of Christmas Praise touched hearts. Mrs. Smith, Clare and Barbara Smith sang Away in a Manger. He's My Saviour, it was appreciated by everyone. Pastor Carne's message "The Prince of Peace" was taken from Isaiah 9: 6 and Ephesians 2: 11-22. "What premium do we pul on peace?" he asked. We take peace for granted and we often forget what unrest and tumuli is all about. Pastor Came said, many countries would really like peace. He said, we are born on a battlefield and live in a war zone because by nature we live away from God. We live lives of anxiety. If we have no peace with God we will have no peace with ourselves and no peace with others. We climb the ladder of self-esteem by putting others down. and piano for the offertory. Travis Campbell lit the third advent candle which was the candle of repentance, the Shepherds' candle. Pastor Tom Warner preached from Luke 2: 1 -20. Following the Christian Educa­ tion Hour, the youth group served a soup lunch, for which they accepted donations to help with financing a trip to the Youth Convention in Wichita, Kansas, in July. The Grade 5/6 class and the youth group will each hold their Christmas Party on Dec. 17. The Children's Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the church. Thought for the week: God gave you a message to share - don't keep it to yourself. you are ^Wdcome at tfie 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 THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday December 18 - Advent 4 St. John’s Brussels -11:15 a.m. Decorating Service and Pot luck lunch • * * * ' •. Trinity, Blyth - 6:30 p.m. Pot luck supper in Blyth Parish Hall and 8:00 p.m. Decorating Service Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels No morning service this week 11:15 a.m. United Church Join together in the celebration of Christ’s birth Christmas Eve Family Service 7:00 p.m. - Dec. 24 Christmas Day Service & Communion -10:00 a.m. - Dec. 25 Rev. Stephen Huntley Phone 523-4224 Merry Christmas & God bless you in 1995 XXX BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 11:00 a.m. Manse 887-9313 9:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. - Morning Worship Service "Hope Continues Through Our Children" Church School - Nursery - Ethel Morning Worship Service - Traditional Community Carol Sing Tuesday, December 20th "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" ‘Welcome to All BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Sunday. December 18 - 9:15 a.m. Singing Tune Up Time 9:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE “FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT” 10:30 a.m. Sunday School Jor all ages CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT 7:00 P.M. Everyone Invited! Saturday. December 24 - Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 25 - “Christmas Day Service” 10:30 a.m. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Saturday, December 31 - New Year’s Eve Skating at Arena from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome Sunday, January 1 - “New Year’s Day Service” 10:30 a.m. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Elwin Garland 887-9017