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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1995-02-01, Page 16By Rev. Stephen Huntley Blyth United Church "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." - Hebrews 13:8 An ancient Chinese Proverb says: "the only certain thing in life is change." Our world has seen constant changes in recent decades. These changes in our daily lives often leave us feeling over- whelmed. The 13th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews makes a very important statement regarding change. It says that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." This great statement of faith culminates an even greater letter on the subject of faith. This well-known passage of scripture has often been incorrectly interpreted to mean that since our Lord is always the same, we too need not change. What was the same yesterday is the same today and tomorrow! For people living with, and incorporating the many changes that each day, month, and year brings, the idea that we need not change is easily experienced as both unhelpful and untruthful. Conversely the Christian's al, L., , and leaders of change in the world. It is true that the statement that Jesus is always the same, does mean that some things don't change. It is not to change in our lives, however, that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews refers, but to the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. This means that those who choose to follow Jesus have within them this same nature or character of Christ. This 'character (or garment as St. Paul refers) does not fade like an old used coat. Rather it is of the kind of fabric which never grows old. Have you ever bought a well- made coat or shirt and marveled at its wearability? It never wears out! The nature of Christ is like this. We can count on it to continue to protect us and keep us in good stead. It is the same yesterday, today and forever. Thus, in as much as we have become one in Christ, we can encounter change with confidence, knowing that as we continue to encounter change, we have within us a solid and unchanging core which enables us to cope with and incorporate the many changes that take place in our fast-paced world. 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. Aff Visitors Welcomi Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 Morning Worship "The Challenge to follow Jesus" Church School - Nursery Congregational Annual Meeting preceded by sandwiches and coffee Lower Hall - Ethel Morning Worship Church School - Congregational Annual Meeting at the home of Gary and Beth Earl "Guide Me 0 Thou Great Jehovah" Welcome 11:00 a.m. 12:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. /11 0•10.111i=2. 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. Just say yukve, to being our guest at BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Sunday, February 5 - Singing Tune-up Up 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Alice Knorr 887-9203 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4:11 Elder Linda Campbell 357-1648 Elder Elwin Garland 887-9017 Travelling a new path Members of Teen Challenge atttended Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Hall on Jan. 29, to give testimonials on a new life, free of drug and alcohol addiction, which was offered to them on the group's farm near London, Ontario. Representing the group are Pastor Keith Gonyou, and three young men in the program, Mike, Dan and Daniel. Teen Challenge a fresh start PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1995. From the Minister's Study Coping with change not always easy For young men who have fallen into the trap of drugs and alcohol, there is an organization which gives them the opportunity to get clean as well as deal with the prob- lem which were the cause of their addictions. Teen Challenge Pastor Keith Gonyou spoke to the gathering at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Hall on Jan. 29 to tell the congrega- tion of the work being done at the farm and to introduce two young men involved in the program. The residential rehabilitation pro- gram which is geared to men between the ages of 16 and 40, offers spiritual, academic and voca- tional training to equip them to re- enter society. Both men, giving testimonials, were in their early 30s and told similar stories of childhood abuse, whether it was verbal, physical or sexual. The torture they withstood early in life led to smoking cigarettes as early as six, alcohol by nine and illegal drugs before the teen years. They developed mistrust for any- We do not have to view change as an unwelcome stranger and instead see change as an opportunity for new growth and new insights into God's big world. Numerous changes happen to us each year, changes brought about by deaths and births, weddings and retirements, that ongoing cycle we call the mystery and miracle of life. Change is difficult for us because it involves loss and risk. Loss, because you say goodbye to persons and things that have been significant in your lives, acknow- ledging at the same time their presence as a gift. Risk, because you stand before the unknown and open yourself up to new and possibly uncomfortable circum- stances. In the midst of these changes we look to our God-given resources of eternal worth and value to see us through and to come out stronger on the other end. For His nature is unchanging and can be counted on, 'equipping us with everything good to do that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.' Amen. men speak out on behalf of Teen Challenge, telling young people there is a place to go and that God can be the answer for them. Teen Challenge was started in 1958 in New York City and has grown to more than 250 groups in 60 countries. The local facility in London Ontario sits on 84 acres and houses 100 men. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about Teen Chal- lenge and is prepared to commit one year to the program, may con- tact Teen Challenge Farm at 519- 652-0777. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday February 5 - Epiphany 5 Holy Eucharist Ms Nancy Northgrave, Lay Pastor Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 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 You are Wetcome 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 one who tried to befriend them or love them. The lack of trust caused them to push people out of their lives while the street-wise attitude and drug abuse caused problems holding employment. After less than a year with Teen Challenge, the men have found a new light in their life, they say. Both tell how a series of events brought them back to church and to the program. They believe it was the intervention of God in their lives which allowed them to be saved. 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