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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-11-15, Page 15.77C1P3C17011 The movement for active, healthy hying BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH . Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Ethel Morning Worship The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord All Welcome Manse 887-9313 Morning Worship "The Future of the Church" , Church School - Nursery We welcome you to come and worship with us. 887-9831 Wheelchair Accessible - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Cathrine Campbell 11:00 a.m. You are invited to an OPEN HOUSE at CLINTON AND DISTRICT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1995 at 8 p.m. Find out about Christian Education at Clinton and District Christian SchooL You will see a short film on Christian education, have a tour of the facilities, meet some of the staff, and see the curriculum being used. Refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome! it\ 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 am. CKNX Sunday Faith 20 5:30 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V. jiff 14:sitars 'Welcome 'Wheelchair accessible PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1995. From the Minister's Study Follow Christ's commandment By Rev. Cathrine Campbell Melville Presbyterian, Brussels and Knox, Belgrave One of the delights of pastoral work that I have found is visiting members of the congregation. All have stories to share that are meaningful and they often give you fresh insights into life and its complexities. It is a time of fellowship and refreshment - both figuratively and literally. I meet with people of all ages and I am always impressed by the modesty with which great things are told; families raised in Christian love, communities nurtured with care and commitment, and faith expressed in selfless acts. This is the month of Remem- brance Day and we should all stop and give thanks. We give thanks for those who fought and gave their lives for the vanquishing of fascism, racism and the perversion of all that has been God given, for all his people. Totalitarianism, in whatever form, is to be resisted and defeated and Canadians have proven, many times throughout this century, that they are willing to respond to the call to fight those who would trample right and freedom underfoot, no matter where in the world. They do it not for great glory but for a greater good. I am reminded in reading the Greeters at Blyth United Church, Sunday, Nov. 12 were Lorna and Randy Fraser. Ushers were Leslie, Ian, Tim and Mark Caldwell. Joan Caldwell was in charge of the nursery. Darcey Cook"entered the church with Rev. Ian Diamond to place the Bible on the pulpit. Call to Worship, welcome and announcements were given by Rev. Diamond. From All that Dwells Below the Skies was sung followed by prayer of praise and confession, and assurance of pardon. Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant was sung prior to the theme conversation with the children, "I love you forever". Jesus loves us all the time. The choir anthem Turn your Radio On was accompanied by choir director, Phyllis Boak. The psalm was number 145. The New Testament Lesson was from 2 Thessalonians 2; 1-5, 13-17 and read by Rev. Diamond. The gospel lesson, Luke 20, 27-38 was read by Bill Howson. Rev. Diamond's sermon was "Resurrection means life that is new". For many people the idea of resurrection, or life beyond earth, is not worth thinking about, he said. Today is where the action is. Yet from time to time people ask "is this all there is to life? Sweat and struggle? Trial and error? Isn't there something more?" And then they acknowledge the impact that people of faith have on the wider community, he said, people who do look to the future, in hope, and serve the present with compassion and vigor. The Chris- tian faith affirms that life itself is a gift from God. It is not something that can be created and controlled. The only authentic way to live is by consciously living in the presence of God, Rev. Diamond said. history books, especially about the Second World War, that those who went to that war were people who had just come through the Great Depression. This was a grim time, people were often reduced to begging just to survive in the most basic of ways. Few were immune to this economic catastrophe and it was, sadly, only a war that reignited the economic engine. Fifteen years of deprivation and conflict left their mark on many. At the end of the War the survivors resolved to follow the Biblical model and "turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks". They did not want to repeat what had gone before and it is from these people that we get the foundation of what is now called the "social safety net". They wanted to know that never again would an able-bodied person ride the rails looking for work that wasn't there, or that a senior citizen could starve or freeze to death. Children were not to suffer from rickets or malnutrition or die because the parents could not afford medical treatment. These people were our grand- parents and parents; they gave us lives of example of care and concern that we can emulate today. We owe much to these ordinary folk, not just on special days but all days. In our own busy daily lives This same God claims us in Jesus, the one who lived, suffered, and died, but also the one who was raised to new life. And it is that life, the gift of the living God, that we share: here and now; now and forever, Rev. Diamond said. When Jesus arrived at Jerusalem in the last few weeks of his earthly ministry, he encountered fierce opposition from the religious leaders, especially the Sadducees. They posed a hypothetical situa- tion. A woman outlives her seven husbands, all of them brothers. Supposing they were all raised to new life, which one would be her husband? What happens up there? How are things ordered? Are the social structures down here duplicated in some way. The answer that Jesus gave is one that needs repeating, Rev. Diamond said. The resurrection is not a continuation of life on earth. He taught that marriage and family life was the basis for the ordering of an earthly community in "this age", but resurrection life is different altogether. It is life characterized by eternal friendship with God. That relationship, recognized and nurtured on earth, is sustained and fulfilled in eternity, or "that age". It is that life which transcends time and space and all of the cultural limitations which are ours now. The message that comes is one of hope, and reassurance, but also a renewed call to serve. We are on a journey with God which is unfold- ing all the time, Rev. Diamond said. There will be unexpected events along the way, but the journey now is not incidental to what happens later. Pelle who live as resurrection people can step out in faith, take risks and admit and learn by their we should take time to reflect most particularly on the Fifth Command- ment. In our doing well for others we do honour to them. For many, the Ten Command- ments is a "Thou Shalt Not List" designed to make us all jumpy and guilt-ridden, it is to be ignored or jeered at. That is sad for in reality it is a God given prescription for a just and happy life. There is nothing positive or life affirming in idolatry, "busy" work, disrespect, murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and covetness. There is everything positive about love, productive work, respect, life giving, fidelity, giving, truth-telling and happiness for others. We humans actually have a very easy choice when we view the Commandments from God for what they are, guidance and help in a sometimes confusing world. And we have, of course, the ultimate commandment in the command- ment of Christ - Love One Another. We are all called to care for God's world. We have guidance from God, we have examples in this world of how to live a God- filled life and we must respond gladly and in doing so we honour those who have gone before and give hope for the future. mistakes. The challenge is to do what they do with integrity with a sense of inclusiveness as the whole people of God, Rev. Diamond said. Jesus once said: "Our God is the - God of the living, not of the dead!-" Move on in faith, to the future- with God, which surpasses every human asperation and fulfills our divine purpose, and to God be all the praise, majesty, dominion and power, he concluded. Through All the Changing Scenes of Life was sung. Minute for Missions was given by Joan Clark. Pastoral prayer and The Lord's Prayer followed. The closing hymn was Children of the Heavenly King. Flowers in the church were from the funeral of Len Shobbrook and family. Nov. 19 is Fellowship and lunch following church service. Nov. 26 is baptism service. Nov. 30 the UCW Christmft pot luck luncheon begins 12 noon. The meeting will follow. Guest speaker is Rev. Ian Diamond. Roll call is from Matthew. Dec. 10 is the service of carols and readings with an 11 a.m. White Gift segment. At 7:30 p.m. is the Sunday School Christmas concert. Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. is the com- bined Churches Christmas service at Londesboro United Church. At 11 a.m. on Dec. 24 there is a Christmas service with commun- ion. At 7:30 p.m. is the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday November 19 - Pentecost 24 HOLY EUCHARIST - BAS Rev. Nancy Beale 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 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 Pastor talks of resurrection