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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-12-06, Page 24Celebrating the 75th Parishoners of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Blyth, joined with Catholic Women's League members, Dec. 3 to mark the 75th anniversary of the CWL in Canada. President of St. Michael's CWL Judy Van Beers, had the privilege of cutting the cake. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. White Gift Sunday Service presented by Church School Pot Luck Luncheon 9:30 a.m. Ethel White Gift Sunday The advent of our God with eager prayers we greet Everyone Welcome . MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Cathrine Campbell 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. 887-9831 Wheelchair Accessible THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are wet-come this Sunday December 10 - Advent 2 HOLY EUCHARIST 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 WeCcome 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 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 Welcome Wheelchair accessible PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1995. From the Minister's Study For everything there is a season By Rev. Ian Diamond Blyth United Church I am an Australian, born and bred. At present I am moving towards the end of a five month exchange of pastorates with Rev. Stephen Huntley of Blyth United Church. It has been a tremendous experience for me and my family, not only in terms of personal contacts but also in the sense of living through three seasons. Little did we expect to live through the hot humid days of summer, the multiple colours of fall, and the snow falls of winter within the space of just over three months! Back home on the Eastern seaboard of New South Wales not far from Sydney, the traditional seasons tend to be more nominal than real. Yes, winter is cool, and even CLW marks 75th The Catholic Women's League of Canada celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. St. Michael's, Blyth, marked the occasion with a mass Sunday, Dec. 4 led by Father Mark Poulin, who is the priest of St. Michael's, Blyth and St. Joseph, Clinton. He is also spiritual director of the Huron Perth CWL deanery. The parishioners were ushered in by members, Dorothy Van Steelandt and Nellie Van Bakel. The gifts were taken up by Marie Heffron and Margariet Hallahan. Eucharistic ministers were Jane Van Camp, Phyllis Street, Judy Van Beers and Inge Marshall. The readings were read by Wilma Rammeloo. A cake decorated with the 75th anniversary emblem was served along with coffee and juice after mass and was enjoyed by all. It was the first Sunday of Advent at Blyth United Church this past Sunday. Greeters were Brenda Brooks and Nicole Kerr. Ushers were the Bearss family, Steve, Frances, Candy and Mandy. The service opened with lighting of the First Advent Candle. It was performed by the Moore family, Warren, Donna and Erin. Rev. Ian Diamond, minister, followed with Call to Worship, Words of Welcome and announcements. The theme conversation with the children was about Advent. Rev. Diamond told them that not only are red and green the colours of Christmas, but purple is also. He told them the Advent is a time of waiting and watching, getting ready for Jesus' birthday. The choir rendered an anthem In the Springtime of My Years, under the direction of Phyllis Boak with Cheryl Cronin taking the solo. Herb Shannon read the New Testament Lesson from Romans 13, 11-14. The Gospel Lesson, from Matthew 24, 36-44, was read by the minister. cold at times.•But the most snow we have in my home town is one light fall which thaws before the day is out! Sure, we have autumn colours, bu't we have to look for them; spring is usually fine and warm while summer has its heal waves. With ad of this, the season:: tend to blend into each other, without the dramatic differences that have been so impressive in Huron County! Over here I soon learned that each season had its own character and colour, clothing and recreations, even distinctiue lifestyles. Significant events are marked by the seasons, they jog the memory! What this encourages is a view of life as an ongoing cycle, with acknowledgement of the past and anticipation for the future. Rev. Diamond's sermon was entitled, "Tell the Time!" It was based on the Gospel lesson from Matthew. He talked about his holiday up at the Red Lodge in Manitoulin Island last month with his wife and sons. He was rather amazed, he said at the quietness and serenity of the setting. "It was the sort of atmosphere some people dream about." Rev. Diamond . said he remembered thinking, "I'm going to give up my watch this week and just be free floating for a while with no schedules." He said, "The ironic thing is that time measurement is something which is supposed to assist us in life, not inhibit or control us. But it does and to show that we arc serious, we make sure that our children pay due respect to time and its importance." Jesus said "Watch out, tell the time, mot with me and I will give you life, hitt to the fullest. God be all praise, majesty, dominion and power." The service concluded with the The Biblical view of life accepts that "for everything there is a season", and sometimes those seasons arc radically different. At times, they arc the results of our own actions, for good or ill. On other occasions, they come as unwanted or unexpected develop- ments impacting on us from outside. Whatever the source, such seasonal events arc often beyond our control, and we become caught up in them. There may he intense pleasure, or pain. It may even occur that our lives seem totally dominated by the event of the moment, and we experience a kind of helplessness. When times are tough, one response we can make is to presume that as time passes, so will the trauma. We assume that there is a cycle and that patience is the highest virtue. hymn 0 Come, 0 Come Emmanuel. The church was beautifully decorated. Included in the flowers was an arrangement in memory of Earl Caldwell and Karl Ulch placed by Randy and Lorna Fraser and family. Rev. Diamond will be guest speaker at the churches combined Christmas service at Londesboro United Church, Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Approximately one in eight drivers age 16 and 17 were involved in a collision in 1991. Hang on, hang in, it can't last forever! It is a bit like saying "If winter is here, spring can't be far behind". But the Christian faith offers a vivid image of God as a loving Father, who empathizes with every human condition. The whole rationale of the coming of Jesus is that he became "one with us". As such, -he shared our seasonal experiences, our highs and lows, and accepted them all with his response of renewing love. The promise of Jesus to be with us through the Holy Spirit brings hope and growth as we arc attentive to Him and his Word. So, it is not so much a matter of benignly waiting for things to change, but of actively embracing every moment as a gift from God! Our personal struggles are then accepted as events in which we are free to trust the Lord for guidance, healing and strength; and our joys and achievements are welcomed as opportunities for gratitude to God, and a time to give of ourselves to others. - Whatever the season, God's purposes are being fulfilled! Bearss family ushers at United