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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-03-12, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1997 PAGE 15. From the Minister’s Study Many events planned to mark Holy Week By Rev. James Murray Duff’s United in Walton and Bluevale United Church, The United Church Of Canada The churches of Brussels and Walton are embarking on a new series of joint weekday services for Holy Week. Holy Week includes the days between Palm Sunday and Easter. The purpose of Holy Week is to follow the events of the last week of Christ's life. During these services we learn of how Jesus understood his impending execution, and how He shared with His disciples at the last. In Holy Week we take a metaphorical journey with Jesus from life, to death, and then join with Him in the resurrection. On the evening of Palm Sunday, March 23, a program of Easter music will be performed by the Blyth Festival Singers at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Brussels at 8 p.m. There is no admission. Refreshments will be served following the concert. The special noon hour services will run this year from Monday, March 24 to Wednesday, March 26. They will be held, starting at 12:05 each day at Brussels United’ Church. There will be a worship service which will be half an hour in length. I will lead the service on Monday, March 24. The Rev. Cathrine Campbell of Melville Presbyterian Church will lead the service on Tuesday, March 25. Pastor Glenn Brubacher of the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship will lead the service on Wednesday, March 26. Following each service a light lunch will be served. A freewill offering will cover the cost of the lunch, with any profits going to support the Canadian Food Grains Bank and the North Huron Community Food Share. By bringing the churches of our community together, we hope to stress our common faith and hope. St. John's Anglican Church in Brussels will host the Maundy Thursday service for our community on Thursday, March 27 at 9 p.m. This service recalls how Jesus washed His disciples' feet, as an example of how to be great in God's world. It was at this Last Supper that Jesus mandated the eucharist (the Lord's Supper) as the way for us to recall His life and His ministry. A number of the local ministers will be participating in this moving service. On Good Friday, the Presbyterian and United congregations join together for a 9:30 a.m. service at Brussels United Church. St. John’s Anglican Church gathers for a service at 11:15 a.m. The focus of this service is the crucifixion. For it is by facing the reality of suffering and death, that we are able to fully appreciate and share in the gift of resurrection. Easter is the day of resurrection. It is the day we celebrate the gift of new life in God which was given to Jesus so long ago, and is shared with each of us here today. This is the most important and joyous day of the year for Christians. While many people make a bigger deal out of Christmas, we must remember that without Easter, there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas. The different churches will be celebrating this day, many having sunrise services and breakfast gatherings. Food plays an important role on this day, for it was in sharing meals together that the first disciples felt Jesus' risen presence among them. The Brussels Mennonite Fellowship hosts a Sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast. Melville Presbyterian Church gathers at 8:30 a.m. for a service, followed by breakfast. The Easter morning worship services remain at the usual time for all churches. We hope you will join us for as much of this week as you are able to fit into your schedule. It is a time for spiritual rebirth and growth. May the spirit of new life be bom in your heart this blessed Easter. Shannons greet at United The fourth Sunday of Lent greeters at the Blyth United Church were Herb and Bonnie Shannon. Ushers were Vera Badley, Fred deBoer, Lavem Clark and Shawn Clark. Rev. Stephen Huntley welcomed everyone. Condolences and prayers were sent to the families of Rev. Arthur Watson (a former minister) and Charlotte Bell on their passing. Rev. Huntley welcomed back snowbirds, Grant and Pat Sparling and Fred and Mary Howson. Jody Cobum spoke on her work in Blue Fields, Nicaragua. She spent 16 days helping put a new roof on the school. When she left there was still a small portion to replace. Being primarily a Spanish­ speaking area, the Canadians had many mishaps from lost luggage, stalled boats and bus breakdowns. There was much violence, but Jody said the experience was fun as well as sad. The children had nothing, not even a home. They came to the school for a meal each day. The children were more than happy to receive anything including clothes. While there, the grain from the Canadian Food Grains Bank arrived. The people were pleased to receive such an abundance of food. Jody felt overwhelmed to think Blyth-area people had helped to bring such joy. She said they (Canadians) have helped to bring hope to Blue Fields. She concluded by thanking everyone for their support and prayers. The first hymn was O Worship The King. The choir under the leadership of Michael Duthie, sang Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb? The children's hymn was The Servant King. Rev. Huntley asked the children,, "What does Mom or Dad do to show us love?" After responses from the children Rev. Huntley said parents show love by taking care of them. The Psalm reading was Psalm 103, "My Soul Give Thanks to the Lord." Lavem Clark read the Old Testament reading, Numbers 21: 4 - 9. The Gospel reading was John 3: 14-21. Rev. Huntley's message took the congregation on their continuous journey through Lent. It was titled "Baggage Check". Sin can be like baggage, Rev. Huntley said. He asked people to check their baggage, by putting it in an imaginary locker, and to give the key to Jesus. "By locking up our baggage it is easier to move about. But sometimes it's hard to hand over the key to the Lord. We become comfortable carrying our baggage, just as we are comfortable with our sins." It's easy for people to point out their sins or bad behaviour, he said, but hard to find the good things they do. Jesus said, "I am not here to condemn, but to save." Rev. Huntley said, "Let's leave our baggage with God. Let Him take care of it. In other words confess your sins and God will forgive." The hymn Come Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love was sung. The closing hymn was When 1 Survey the Wondrous Cross. Brussels UCW celebrates season The Brussels UCW met on March 5 in the church basement. President Rene Richmond, welcomed the ladies with a special welcome to her mother Anne Myers who is visiting in the area. The meeting was opened with a prayer "I said A Prayer for You Today" followed by the minutes, treasurer's report and correspon­ dence. The March luncheon will be March 19. The "Spring Thankoffering" will be March 31. Irene Cantelon will be the guest speaker. The June Garden Party will be Sunday,June 15. The speaker was Nelva Scott. She opened the worship with prayer. The Bible reading was Matthew 26: verses 36 - 44. The theme that Nelva chose was "Easter and Lent, a Time of Reflection". She spoke of prayer and the place it has in people's lives. Jesus prayed so often, she said. One of the first prayers that children learn is the "Grace" before meals, then the "night prayer". Prayers should not be all "gimmes", but have a balance of "praise" and "thank yous" as well, she said. Jesus prayed for those who did him wrong and those who were put to death with him. "You must have faith. Not all prayers are answered our way but God gives us the peace and courage to cope with things. When things go well we sometimes leave out our prayers and sometimes we need to sit and let God talk to us," Nelva said. She finished her meditation with a poem "Direction". As a closing prayer the hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, Forgive our Foolish Ways was sung. The meeting was adjourned. A delicious lunch was served by Adah Smith and Jean Bridge. WHERE DO YOU TURN WHEN YOUR DOG OR CAT IS LOST? YOUR NEWSPAPER: The link to your community you're invited to worship with us this Sunday 10 a.m. ~ Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. ~ Evening Service "Ge strong and courageous, too not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the ff>rd your God will be with you wherever y°uS°-" Joshua 1:9 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH I Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest 2^ Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 ■ 4'^ Wheelchair accessible THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA you are welcome this Sunday MARCH 16 - LENT 5 HOLY EUCHARIST Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity, Blyth St. John's, 9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday Brussels Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m. - Sunday HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 YOUTH PASTOR - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday Monday Wednesday Friday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service 7:30 p.m. - Addictions Support Group 7:30 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study 7:30 p.m. - Youth 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 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Tuesday 7:30 p.m. - Bible Study Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - Bible Study Wheelchair Accessible We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell 887-9831 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 Fifth Sunday of Lent 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Church School - Nursery ***** Ethel Morning Worship ***** Tuesday, March 18 - 7:30 p.m. - Lenten Bible Course Wednesday, March 19 -11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. - UCW Lunch and Bake Sale Sunday, March 23 ■ Palm Sunday - Communion Read 'The Minister’s Study" for more Info re. Holy Week