HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-03-05, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5,1997 PAGE 11.
From the Minister's Study
Where would we be without friends?
By Rev. Steve Huntley
Blyth United Church
Where in the world would we be
without friends? Friends add spice
to life. We turn to our friends in
time of difficulty (if we choose).
We spend time or simply hang out
with our friends, whiling the time
away engulfed as if in the pleasure
of an extremely enjoyable kind,
like a connoisseur enjoying a fine
taste of wine or other beverage.
Friends are precious commod
ities, never to be taken for granted.
Christian friends are even more
special, for they carry within their
being the body of the greatest
friend you will ever have - Jesus.
"You are my friends," Jesus said
to his disciples.
Jesus is the greatest friend we
will ever know. He is a friendship
of unlimited pleasure.
Would it surprise you to learn
that friendship is defined, at least
by one notable Christian author, as
a love? Can friendship be a type of
love?
The English author, C.S. Lewis,
defines love in four ways,
Affection, Eros (sexual love),
Charity (God's love), and
Friendship. "Friendship," he writes,
"is the least natural of loves, the
least organic, unlike the other loves
we could survive without friends
(biologically speaking), though few
would choose this."
"To the Ancients," he writes,
"friendship seemed the happiest
and most fully human of all the
loves. The modern world, in
comparison, ignores it. We admit,
of course, that besides a wife and
family a man needs 'a few friends,’
but the tone suggests a low place in
the hierarchy of needs".
In our fast-paced world friends
and friendship can be strained.
Pressures of time, distance, work
and home responsibilities can put
constraints on our friendships, or
upon the time it takes to build new
ones. Friendships can suffer from
chronic neglect, or worse no friends
at all.
There are perhaps, few things as
pathetic in life as the person who so
badly desires a friend and yet can't
make any. This seems even
paradoxical. If a friend is wanted so
badly then get on with it; there are
plenty of people, plenty of friends
in he world, friends just for the
asking. And. yet, therein lies the
dilemma.
To have a friend requires that
you be a friend and more
specifically that you have
something for which your
friendship is about.
Lewis, writing about where
friendship starts, explains that
friendship requires a common
"thing," for which the friendship is
about, whether that thing be sports,
art, religion, literature, cows, you
name it. The typical opening
expression of friendship would go
something like, "What? You too? I
thought I was the only one!"
Friendship seeks no privilege
other than to be about the same
thing. This is why friends can
spend long periods of time together
and not get bored of one another's
company. This is why friends can
pick up where they left off - the
thing for which the friendship is
about still awaiting renewal and
exploration.
Baggage, UC sermon topic
On the third Sunday of Lent
greeters at the Blyth United Church
were Herb and Bonnie Shannon.
The ushers were Lavern, Shawn
and Ross Clark and Lois van Vliet.
Barb Bosman provided beautiful
music for the service.
Rev. Stephen Huntley opened the
service with greetings and the call
to worship. He also played the
guitar for the introit Be Still.
After words of welcome and
announcements, a special prayer
was said for the family of the late
Les Rutledge. The opening hymn
was Immortal Invisible, God Only
Wise followed by the prayer of
confession and assurance of
pardon. The choral anthem
Heaven's Jubilee was beautifully,
sung by the choir.
The children's hymn was The
Servant King. The 10 command
ments was the topic for the
children's time. Rev. Huntley
explained that God gave people
these rules to follow and to help
love one another. He asked the
children for some commandments
of life or rules of their homes. The
children responded with many
rules, such as cleaning up their
mess; keeping feet of the table;
cleaning their room.
Rev. Huntley asked them 'Why
do you have these rules?' After the
children responded Rev. Huntley
explained that it keeps things from
getting too messy. Because parents
and God love them, they expect
them to do their best to follow
these rules.
Rev. Huntley led the children in
prayer.
It was Banner Sunday. Anne
Elliott handed the banners to the
Grade 2 class, Kindergarten, Grade
1 class and the Grade 4, 5, 6 class.
The children then went to their
classrooms.
The psalm reading was Psalm 19.
John Uyl read the Old Testament
lesson, Exodus 20: 1-17. The
Gospel reading was John 2: 13-22
read by Rev. Huntley.
The sermon was "Crosswalk
Baggage Department". "On the
journey to Easter Sunday there will
be many crosswalks," Rev. Huntley
said. "Jesus said, 'Take up your
cross and follow me'." Rev.
Huntley said.
"We need crosswalks to get to
where Jesus wants us to be." Part of
this walk is using the 10
commandments, six written for
God, four to help love one another.
Rev. Huntley asked the congre
gation to name the 10 command
ments. As each commandment was
named a choir member brought
forth a piece of baggage. Rev.
Huntley said only one man filled all
10 commandments - that man was
Jesus. Just as a carpenter uses a
chalk line to give direction, the 10
commandments gives guidance.
Like baggage, the commandments
will get broken or put aside. While
carrying crosses, people sometimes
take on extra baggage. "Have you
ever tried to carry lots of luggage
while trying to cross the street? It is
very difficult," Rev. Huntley said.
In life people gather many pieces of
baggage that they try to carry with
them. But, Jesus says to leave the
baggage behind.
"Take our Lord seriously and
leave the baggage behind. Take up
your cross and follow me."
The hymn Beneath the Cross of
Jesus was sung.
Following the offering Les
Caldwell read the Minute for
Mission. The Lord's Prayer was
sung, then the closing hymn The
Old Rugged Cross.
15 at Blyth UCW meeting
The regular meeting of Blyth
UCW was held on Tuesday, Feb.
25 with 15 present. President Emily
Phillips welcomed all. Vera
Hesselwood and Marjorie East led
devotions with "Love" as their
theme. Scripture, John 3: 14-19
was read as were palms and prayers
on love. Hymns Love Divine and
Oh Love That Will not Let Me Go
were sung with Elva Brown at the
LESLIE MELVIN RUTLEDGE
Mr. Leslie Rutledge of 451
Queen St., Blyth died at St.
Joseph's Health Centre, London, on
Saturday, March 1, 1997.
Bom June 27, 1925 in Grafton,
Mr. Rutledge was the beloved son
of the late Frederick and Gertrude
Agnes (Morris) Rutledge. He was
a clerk with Shell Canada prior to
retirement and a member of Blyth
United Church.
Mr. Rutledge was the dear hus
band of the former Shirley Wallace.
He was the loving father of Robert
piano.
Jackie Cook was guest speaker.
She spoke on the life of Esther and
that we all have a smorgasbord of
choices. People struggle different
ways with their individual
problems and no one should judge
anyone until they get to know them
and share their problems. Emily
thanked Jackie and presented her
with a gift.
and Jean of Brampton, Larry and
Janet of RR3, Clinton, Gwendolyn
and Doh Brander of Norval,
Richard and Heather of Clinton and
Dr. Kenneth and Helen of Port
Elmslie. Also left to mourn his
passing are his brothers Horace of
London and Frederick of Ottawa.
He will be lovingly remembered by
12 grandchildren.
One brother, Kenneth, prede
ceased him.
Funeral visitation was held on
Monday, March 3, from 2-4 and 7-
9 p.m. at the Beattie-Falconer
Funeral Home "Tasker Chapel".
Funeral service was held on Tues
day at Blyth United Church. Rev.
Stephen Huntley officiated.
Interment will be at Eden United
Church, Cemetery, Mississauga.
Emily then conducted business.
All recited the UCW purpose in
unison. Roll call was answered by
the name of woman in the Bible.
Anyone wishing a container for
loonies for Lent can pick them up
in the narthex.
May 4 is the UCW church
service celebrating the 35th
anniversary. Sharon Wittich is to be
guest speaker. The topic is "Rejoice
and Risk".
World Day of Prayer is at St.
Michael's Church, Friday, March 7
at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunrise Service
is 6:30 a.m. March 30 at the home
of Ernie and Emily Phillips.
Women's Day Out is Saturday,
April 12. Items are needed for the
Loonie Draw.
The next meeting is Tuesday,
March 25 at 8 p.m. Anyone
needing a ride can call Emily.
Speaker will be Rev. Mary Jane
Hodben. Roll call to be answered
with a personal item for the
women's shelter.
Lunch was served by Emily
Phillips, Catherine Caldwell and
Vera Badley.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
you are welcome this Sunday
MARCH 9 - LENT 4
MORNING PRAYER
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s,
9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday Brussels
Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m. - Sunday
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister
Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship
Church School - Nursery
*****
Ethel Morning Worship
*****
Worship and Faith Study Group - Wed., March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
you're invited to worship with us this Sunday
10 a.m. ~ Sunday Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. ~ Evening Service
“jVow faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see."
Jlebrews 11:1
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH*Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
FREE APRIL
OOL'S DINNER
All You Can Eat
Spaghetti
Entertainment
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1997 5 - ~
BLYTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE PAY ONLY FOR YOUR .
ADULTS $3.00 Each Utensil CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE
7 p.m.
R CUTLERY!
Proceeds to Blyth Church of God Building Fund
Phone 523-4590 for information
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
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
- Morning Service
- Sunday School
- Belgrave Service
- Bible Study
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - Bible Study
Wheelchair Accessible
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
Rev. Cathrine Campbell 887-9831