The Citizen, 1996-03-20, Page 15MELVILLE
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
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BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259
Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
"Blessed are the Peacemakers"
Church School/Nursery
9:30 a.m. Ethel Morning Worship
Church School
"Turn your people to ways of Peace"
Welcome to Brussels United
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1996 PAGE 15.
From the Minister's Study
Easter season a time of rebirth, renewal
When it comes to the killing of
Jesus we have a list of those who
are more than suspects, they are
Jesus enemies. We learn of them,
marvel at the sheer stupidity and
cupidity of them and, perhaps,
think they belong to another time
and place.
What relevance do they have
today? What do the following have
to tell us?
• Caraphas - the high priest for
that year,
• All the chief priests and elders,
• Judas,
• The whole Sanhedrin,
• Pilate and his wife Claudia,
• Satan,
• Herod Antipas,
• Herod the Great,
• Annas - father-in-law of
Caraphas,
• Unnamed false witnesses,
• A large number of soldiers.
All of those on that list conspired
to do nothing good. They plotted,
they planned, they abused their
power and they succeeded. They,
collectively, killed Jesus. It was not
easy but they did it.
And from that conspiracy I found
another list as I was reading the
story of Christ's betrayal and death
from all four of the Gospels; it is a
long list, a sad list, and it is a list of
unimpressive things that we do
By Cathrine Campbell recognize today, sometimes in our
own lives. See what you recognize:
• Cowardice,
• The inability to follow Jesus in
little things,
• Denial of Jesus,
• Weakness of faith,
• Indifference,
• Envy,
• Unscrupulousness,
• Abdication of responsibility,
• Mob mentality,
• Yielding to temptation - big or
small,
• Easy answers,
• Greed,
• Pride,
• Betrayal,
• Self-importance,
• Hypocrisy,
• Fear of the unknown,
• Divided loyalties.
That list, found from the lives of
the enemies, must be confronted.
We know from those lives that evil
hates opposition and knowledge;
evil thrives on those who seek
money for the sake of money,
greed and pride of privilege or
keeping up the status quo. Evil
hates the clear thinker and loves the
crowd mentality.
It is said of Pilate, he would be a
pollster's dream for he tried only to
be a real crowd pleaser, he really
did not care about the fate of Jesus
or the issues behind it, he did fear
the crowd.
Evil hates commitment; espe-
cially to the example and teachings
of Christ. Evil would rather we
follow Judas's example and leave
when we feel a perceived slight, if
the demand is too much for us or
interferes with us "getting on in
life".
But what evil really loves is
indifference and easy answers. It is
no accident that the Sanhedrin
could not find a decent witness
against Christ - for there weren't
any. Christ's answers are clear and
demanding in the true sense of the
word. Jesus wants an active, loving
response to His call and to His
people.
Walt Kelly's Pogo states "We
have met the enemy and it is us".
To be an enemy is to be in conflict
- if we are in conflict with Christ
and his teachings - then Pogo is
right. If we are not, then Pogo is
wrong.
Our challenge at this time of year
is to go back and look at the lists.
We are approaching Good Friday
and then Easter Sunday when we
remember despair and joy. Take the
list of sad things that cause you
despair and turn it into a list of
positive things that will bring you
joy.
This is a time of rebirth and
renewal and I hope you will join in
shouting the glad tidings: "Jesus
Christ has risen today! Hallelujah!"
It was the Fourth Sunday of Lent
at the service at Blyth United
Church this past Sunday with the
seasonal colour - purple. Greeters
were Herb and Devon Shannon and
ushers were Lenore Davidson,
Brenda McDonald, Mary Walden
and Lois van Vliet. Phyllis Boak,
director of music, was organist.
Rev. Stephen Huntley opened the
service with Call to Worship,
words of welcome and announce-
ments which were followed by the
opening hymn Holy, Holy, Holy.
For the children's time, Rev.
Huntley introduced a new alleluia
version of Jesus Loves Me,
accompanying them on guitar,
followed by the choir anthem, /
Believe in a Hill called Mount
Calvary with Mrs. Boak accom-
panying at the piano.
The Old Testament lesson was
Age old ministry
Participants at the Kid's Break at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship on Saturday afternoon
were treated to a special performance, "Dinosaur Days". Approximately 100 people were on
hand to see the Genesis Company's presentation of this special performance, which
features Geoffrey and Ellen Whitt.Using puppetry, music and games, the pair answer
questions on some age-old questions about creation.
Shannons greet at Blyth United
from Exodus and the New
Testament lesson was from
Romans read by Bodie Craig. Rev.
Huntley's Gospel reading was from
John, chapter 4.
Rev. Huntley delivered a sermon
entitled, "Life Giving Water". He
said trying to satisfy a spiritual
thirst with material things is like
trying to satisfy a physical thirst
with salt water. "The more we
drink, the thirstier we get. Material
success, alone, leaves us empty."
St. Augustine, he said, called it 'a
spiritual restlessness'. Frank Sheed
called it an 'absence of meaning'.
Charles Brower described it as an
inner 'void'. In every human heart,
there is a thirst no water can
quench. There's a restlessness no
success can satisfy.
In closing, Rev. Huntley said,
"Jesus and Jesus alone, can satisfy
the thirst in our hearts. Jesus and
Jesus alone, can fill the void in our
lives.
"Jesus is the Son of God, come to
fill the God-hole in each of us.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace, come
to calm the Prince's restlessness in
our hearts. Jesus is the water from
heaven, come to satisfy the thirst
we feel."
Following the sermon, Albert
Wasson, chair of the Ministry and
Personal Committee explained the
role of that committee, then led a
meaningful message for the
congregation. Anyone having any
concern should feel free to discuss
it with them. The members are,
Emily Phillips, Bill Howson, Steve
Sparling, Doug Howson, Lavern
Clark and Fred Meier Sr.
The service concluded with the
Continued on page 19
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
Guest Speaker: Harry Nigh
from Hamilton Welcome Inn
10:30 a.m. Sunday School (for all ages)
Everyone Welcome
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
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are wet-come this Sunday
March 24 - Lent 5
St. John's - Morning Prayer - BCP
Trinity - Morning Prayer - BAS
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15a.m.
ZiSh
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.
Ali Visitors Welcome Wheelchair accessible