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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 FREE APRIL OOL'S DINNER All You Can Eat SPAGHETTI ENTERTAINMENT • AY, APRIL 1, 1996 BLYTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITYCENTRE - 6:30pm - PAY ONLY FOR YOUR CUTLER? ADULTS $2.50 Each Utensil CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE Proceeds to Blyth Church of God Building Fund Phone 523-4590 for information 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