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The Citizen, 1996-12-18, Page 16BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 Fourth Sunday of Advent 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Communion Church School - Nursery 7:30 p.m. Community Carol Sing Monday, December 23rd Brussels United Church 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Tuesday. December 24th Brussels United and Melville Presbyterian at Brussels United 0 Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant A warm welcome is extended to all to join us as we approach the celebration of Christmas 9:30 a.m. Ethel Morning Worship Communion Church School 2:00 .p.m. Huronlea Church Service MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Cathrine Campbell December 22 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Senior Choir Cantata "Dawn of Redeeming Grace"- 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. 887-9831 Wheelchair Accessible Please join us Sunday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. for our annual Community Christmas Service at Auburn United Church As the world is blessed with Christmas and the miracle of His birth, may your lives be blessed with lasting joy. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 YOUTH PASTOR - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service Monday 7:30 p.m. - Addictions Support Group Wednesday 7:30 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth You're invited to worship with us this Christmas Season 10 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Community Christmas Service at Auburn United Church "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which. is Christ the Lord BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH it\ Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Wheelchair accessible —Luke 2:8 • • • • You are Welcome at the BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday DECEMBER 22 - ADVENT 4 TRINITY - MORNING PRAYER ST. JOHN'S - DECORATING SERVICE & POT LUCK LUNCH Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity, Blyth St. John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m. Brussels Mennonite Fellowship invites you to join us in Worship Sunday, December 22 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Christian Education (for all ages) 7:00 p.m. "The Wonder" presented by our Sunday School (followed by refreshments & fellowship) Everyone Welcome! Interim Pastor Glenn Brubacher 887-6388 \I I It It 1 ( II R I S I \I \ • • • • • PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1996 From the Minister's Study 'Ills the season to care and share By Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity and St. John's Anglican Churches, Blyth and Brussels It was a cold, dark night. They were on the road, far from home. It was late. They were tired and hungry, with next to no money. The labour pains had begun. This would be her first child. She was afraid. Every single inn that they went to, there was no vacancy — nowhere for them to go. The young woman had begun to cry. She kept trying to be brave, but the fear was overwhelming. The baby was coming. Finally, an innkeeper took pity on them. He had no rooms left, but if they wanted, they could spend the night in his barn. That is what they did. It was less than ideal, but it was at least a roof over their head and the animals did provide some warmth. In the middle of that dark dusty barn, admist the cattle and sheep and the small of manure, a miracle happened. A new life was brought into the world. Like every newborn baby, it was a miracle. There was something special about this child though. Mary knew it. The shepherds knew it ... and Joseph knew it. They had heard voices — angels had whispered to them about this tiny little baby. His name was Jesus ... and he would change the world forever. This baby born in a barn, is our Messiah. He was a gift from God, born out of Mary's love for, and faith in, God. He spent his life teaching people about God's love, and how to love each other. In the end, he loved all of us so much that he was willing to die for us. Jesus was born for love, lived love, and died for love. He was the first, and best Christmas gift ever. This Advent (these few weeks Falconers light candle It was the third Sunday of Advent at Blyth United Church, Dec. 15. Greeters were Brenda Brooks and Joann McDonald. Ushers were Earl and Shirley Fyfe, Lois van Vliet and Frances Bearss. Rev. Stephen Huntley conducted the service. Preceding the service, Michael Duthie, director of music, played a prelude of Christmas carols, while the congregation was being seated. Rev. Huntley opened with Call to Worship, greetings and words of welcome, followed by the lighting of the third Advent candle by the Falconer family, Kevin and Lorie, Jackie, Orie and Corine. Opening hymn 0 Come, 0 come Emanuel was sung followed by the children's time, with the minister having them put more ornaments on the tree, preparing for the Advent. The choral anthem was Gayle Poore singing Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) with Mr. Duthie accompanying on the piano. Warren Moore read the Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 61: 1- 4, 8-11. Rev. Huntley delivered the Gospel reading from John 1: 6-8, 19-28. "Good News - Repent" was the title of Rev. Huntley's sermon. He said, good news sounds good while repent conjures up negative Continued on page 18 leading up to Christmas) I hope that each of you will take some time and reflect on this story. As you finish up your shopping, think about Mary and Joseph. A young couple — pregnant and afraid — with no money and no place to go. This Christmas there will be other young moms -- with no money and no place to go. Perhaps they have already given birth to their baby but can't afford to feed the child, let alone buy all kinds of wonderful Christmas presents for the baby. For many of us, being in that kind of situation is almost impossible to imagine, for others, it's just their reality. I would like to encourage you to share what you have this year — not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year. There are many agencies in the area that exist solely for the purpose of helping others, caring for others. Please give generously to them, whether it is a gift of food, clothing, money, or your time. God sent us the baby Jesus because he cared for us, let's do our part to show our care for others. Have a blessed Christmas!