HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-12-21, Page 37THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1994. PAGE 37.
From the Minister’s Study
John put the right spirit into celebrations
By Rev. Cameron McMillan
Brussels and Ethel
United Churches
When we have a Christmas party,
we usually like to invite people
whose company we enjoy. We
invite people who are a lot of fun
and will give everybody lots of
laughs.
Sometimes we feel we have to
invite to our party a person whom
we do not regard as a close friend.
Perhaps they are a relative, the rude
husband of our dearest sister. Or
maybe it's the boss. We invite
them, not because we like them, but
because of their position in our
family or society.
John the Baptist is surely one of
those unwelcome guests that gets
invited into the Christmas story. He
is there because he is part of Jesus'
family, a cousin, not because we
like him or want him there. John is
no life of the party.
While everyone else is in fancy
party outfit, John appears wearing
some cast-off rags from a rummage
sale, a threadbare coat of camel's
hair and a leather girdle. Offer him
some fancy hors d'oeuvres, and he
snaps back at you "No, I'm on a
diet; locusts and wild honey is all I
eat."
He brings everyone a grim
message about repentance. He tells
everyone they must change their
ways.
We need to listen closely to John
the Baptist's message. Despite his
unusual appearance and gloomy
remarks, he tells us something that
we need to hear as we prepare to
celebrate Christmas.
"Bear fruits that show how you
have repented and changed your
ways," he says. It's not enough
simply to say the right words. We
must get our motives right, ensure
that our good thoughts are followed
up by proper actions. Don't just pul
on a Christmas party, show genuine
love and appreciation for all people
that you are honouring at
Christmastime.
Give help to the poor and needy,
John says. "Whoever has two coats
must share with anyone who has
none. And whoever has food must
do likewise." Be generous and
kind, John says. Support especially
those who are poor and weak. Be
honest. Don't take more from
others than you justly deserve.
Listen to what John the Baptist
says as you prepare to celebrate
Christmas. He gives us several
practical suggestions about how to
put the right spirit into our
Christmas celebrations.
‘you 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
Poinsettias decorate church
Poinsettias decorated the Blyth
United Church on Dec. 18 for the
fourth Sunday of Advent. The
seasonal colour in purple.
Greeters were Bill and Susan
Howson. Ushers were Garth and
Diane Walden and Faye Bolger.
Shirley and Les Rutledge lit the
fourth advent candle (Peace). / Am
the Light of the World was sung in
unison accompanied by Rev.
Stephen Huntley on guitar.
The hymn O Come, O Come
Emmanuel was sung followed by
the Prayer of Confession and
Assurance of Pardon.
The children came to the front
and talked about Jesus' birthday.
They hung a happy birthday banner
up and next Sunday at 10 a.m. is a
party for him. Barb Richmond had
children's time.
Psalm 40 was read followed by
the Gloria Patri. The choral kids
sang Ring Out Those Christmas
Bells.
Old Testament lesson Micah 5:
2-5 was read by Bev Snell. The
gospel lesson was Luke 1: 39-55.
The sermon was "Paths to
Christmas. A Peaceful Path." Rev.
Huntley said this peaceful path is
the most difficult; not too find, but
seldom trod. Everybody would like
to walk the peaceful path. He
asked, "how can there be peace on
earth without goodwill?"
He asked the congregation and
choir to rise and either shake hands
or embrace.
Hymn Hark the Herald Angels
Sing was sung followed by the
offering.
Minute for Missions was read by
Debbie Hakkers followed by the
Pastoral Prayer.
O Little Town of Bethlehem was
the closing hymn with the commis
sioning and benediction.
Christmas Eve family service is
7 p.m. on Dec. 24. Christmas
service is 10 a.m. with communion.
The Blyth United Church was
filled on Sunday night Dec. 18 for
the Blyth and district community
Christmas service. Choirs from the
Blyth United and Christian
Reformed sang many anthems,
which were enjoyed.
Rev. Adrian Van Geest gave the
sermon on "The Shepherd’s
Honor".
There were refreshments and
fellowship in the lower auditorium.
The offering will be presented to
the Canadian Bible Society.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Tim Purvis, Interim Moderator
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
- Morning Service
- Sunday School
- Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
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 8l God bless you in 1995
Blyth
Is Jesus left out, writer asks
Continued from page 4
About the time that Mary's baby
was due, Caesar Augustus, who
ruled the land, issued a law that
everyone should be taxed in his
own city. Mary and Joseph had to
make the long journey to
Bethlehem since Joseph was a
descendant of David. When they
arrived, the small town was
crowded and there was no place for
Mary and Joseph to stay.
At last, they were offered a stable
by a kind innkeeper. That very
night, in that stable, Mary gave
birth to a son. She wrapped him in
cloth and laid him in the manger.
Could it be worse? God's Son
born in a stable. It was all so
simple, a baby just like any other
baby. But they knew He was God's
Son. It was dark in the stable, no
angels, only a stable and a manger.
This is the Christmas gift we
receive from God, for He loved the
world so much that He gave His
only Son for our sin.
It was not all dark that night!
Near Bethlehem were shepherds
watching their flocks. Angels
appeared before them. The
shepherds were afraid, but the
angels said, "Fear not, I bring you
good tidings. The Saviour is bom
in Bethlehem. You will find Him in
a stable in a manger." The sky was
filled with angels singing, "Glory
to God in the Highest, Peace on
Earth, Goodwill toward Men.”
The shepherds decided to go and
find this baby, and worship him.
The poor shepherds were the first
to worship the Son of God. Mary
did not understand all these things,
but trusted in God.
This is the Christmas story as wc
hear it every year.
Do wc celebrate Christmas this
year?
What do wc do with the baby in
the manger?
Is Jesus the main reason to
celebrate Christmas or are we too
busy with shopping, dinner and
parties?
We are excited about the season,
but do we leave Jesus out of our
conversation? Let's go with the
shepherds and worship the baby,
our Lord and Saviour. If we will
celebrate Christmas, with our
hearts full of love for Him, who
gave himself for us, then we'll have
a blessed Christmas.
When God calls, "Where are
you?" as he called Adam so long
ago, can we put our faces upward
and answer, Lord here I am. Then
we will go the long and painful
road with Jesus, who carried our
sin to the cross at Calvary. And
then we can sing:
Good Christian friends rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice,
Jesus Christ, was bom to save.
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was bom to save,
Christ was bom to save.
Mrs. Femmy Van Amersfoort.
. 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 Wheelchair accessible
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
December 24
January 1
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
- Trinity, Blyth - 8 p.m.
- St. John's, Brussels -11 p.m.
- Rev. Aubrey Bell
- Christmas 1
- Morning Prayer BCP
- Ms. Nancy Northgrave
St. John's, Brussels
11:15a.m.
MENNO NITE FELLOWSHIP
Saturday, December 24
Sunday, December 25
Saturday, December 31
Sunday, January 1
Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m.
"Christmas Day Service" 10:30 a.m.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
New Year's Eve Skating at Arena
from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Followed by
entertainment, games, food and
celebrating at the church.
All Welcome!
"New Year's Day Service" 10:30 a.m.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Pastor
Tom Warner
/ 887-6388
‘Everyone Welcome
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
Saturday, Dec. 24 - 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, Dec. 25 -10:30 a.m. - Christmas Service
(no evening service)
Sunday, Jan. 1
Wednesday
Friday
-10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
-11 a.m. - Morning Worship
- 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
- 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Paster Bob Lewis, 526-7441
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259
7:30 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Manse 887-9313
- Christmas Eve Family Service
Saturday, December 24th
Special Music and Drama
"What kind of Saviour will He be?"
- Christmas Day Family Service
Sunday, December 25th
Ethel Family Service
Sunday, December 25th
"O Come All Ye Faithful"
Christmas greetings To All
11:00 a.m. - Brussels' New Year's Day
Family Service
Sunday, January 1st
"The Path Ahead"
9:30 a.m. - Ethel Family Service
"Ring Out The Old. Ring In The New"
A Welcome To A ll