HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-05-28, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28,1997 PAGE 19.
From the, Minister's Study,
Have you been chosen, lately?
By Les Cook
Blyth Community Church of God
Recently, our church family
gathered at the bowling lanes for an
evening of fun and competition.
That is just what we had. For some
it was competition in the highest
order and for others it didn't matter
who had the best score or the most
strikes because we were just having
fun.
When it was over the owner of
the lanes supplied us with some
free passes to be used as prizes, but
instead of awarding the prizes to
the highest scores, names were
drawn from a hat, choosing the
winner by chance of the draw. Now
had the awards been given for high
score I don't think I would have
won a prize, and I didn't win from
the draw, but at least with the draw
I had another chance to win or a
another chance to be chosen.
It is a wonderful feeling to be
chosen even if it is by the luck of a
draw. Remember how good it felt if
you were the first picked when
choosing up teams as a kid? Or
remember how good it felt when
you were chosen for your present
job? It feels good to be chosen. It
feels good to know we have been
called to be on a specific team or to
do a specific job. In fact being
"chosen" feels so good that even
when it is by luck of the draw we
still feel good about being chosen..
To be chosen gives us a sense of
belonging and purpose in life, a
place where we belong.
In 1 Peter 2: 9 in a letter
addressed to "God's elect", Peter
refers to us a "Chosen People" a
Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation.
Now you might say, "how do you
know that is referring to me?"
Well, the last part of verse 9 says
"...of him who called you out of
the darkness", which means out of
confusion or unsureness. So make
no mistake about it unless you have
all the answers to life and living,
you have been called to this team
of people belonging to God.
But unlike being picked because
someone thinks we have a lot of
talent, the luck of the draw, or
because we won a competition, this
choosing came because of a void in
our life, a lack of understanding.
This choosing came not because we
were the most popular or talented
but because we admit that we aren't
perfect and there are some
questions out there we still don't
have the answers to. We have been
chosen or called out of that
darkness into what Peter calls a
"Wonderful Light" a place of
belonging.
You have been chosen lately,
actually you were chosen a long
time ago. The only choice that is
left now is our choice daily to
accept the calling or reject it.
Whatever our daily choice is, the
fact remains, that YES, you have
been chosen lately. According to
verse 10 when we accept the
calling we become "a people of
God" still not perfect and maybe
not having all the answers to life's
little secrets. But we become a
united effort or team moving
forward, having received mercy or
not being held back by the mistakes
of yesterday, preparing for
ourselves and others a better
tomorrow because we are truly a
CHOSEN PEOPLE.
Blyth United Church
Rev. Stephen Huntley
Change of Hours:
Morning Worship Service
Starting June 1,1997 10:00 a.m.
Reverting back to 11:00 a.m. - September 7,1997
Phone 523-4224
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
WMS gathers at rally
The WMS group of South
Kinloss hosted the Spring Rally for
the Maitland Presbyterial held on
May 12. Women from 16 different
societies sat down to a delicious
salad supper served at 6 p.m.
The meeting opened with an
enthusiastic sing song. President,
Erlma Haldenby, read a poem
"Why God Made Hugs".
Rev. Peggy Kinsman welcomed
everyone to South Kinloss.
The Kinlough group led in the
worship service comparing the
mission work to crocuses. They are
not afraid to take a dare and step
out in the ice and cold of early
spring. Joan Barr and Doris
Paulusse sang The Hem of His
Garment for the scripture. Others
participating were Marilyn Reid,
Betty Bushell and Erlma Haldenby.
Erlma presented different situations
and asked everyone to consider
how they would respond.
A trio, Ruth Bell, Shirley Colwell
and Rena Forster, of South Kinloss,
sang two different times throughout
the program for the enjoyment of
everyone.
Highlights from the Hamilton-
C. Siemon
brings
message
Carl Siemon gave the message at
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship on
Sunday, May 18. He stressed the
necessity of being alive for Christ.
Rod Steinman was the worship
leader. Kathy Procter and Erla
Koch were in charge of the singing.
Kristi Procter played for the
offertory.
On Tuesday evening the Ladies'
Fellowship held the annual Mother-
Daughter Tea and on Friday
evening the Youth Group will host
a Parent Sponsor Appreciation
Night.
The youth held a bake sale on
Monday, May 19 in Belgrave, and
a fundraising roast beef dinner on
May 31. The proceeds from both
events will go towards the youth
trip to a conference in Winnipeg in
July.
London Synodical held in Sarnia
April 22 and 23 were given by
some of the delegates who were
present for this 50th anniversary
celebration. The keynote speaker
was Rev. Heather Vais of Brantford
who spoke of the Women's
Missionary Society as a vibrant
organization in the church.
Members take inventory of the past
and see into the future. The theme
for the evening program was
"Witnessing Yesterday and
Tomorrow" with the presidents of
each Presbyterial wearing clothing
representing the year their
respective presbyterials were
formed. Huron-Perth Presbyterial
invited the Synodical to Knox
Presbyterian Church, Stratford for
the 1998 annual meeting.
From Maitland Presbyterial
delegates were Ethel Baker and
Donna Henderson, Molesworth;
Erlma Haldenby, Kinlough; Eileen
Chambers, Ripley; Agnes Breg-
man, Teeswater; Isabel Arbuckle,
Wingham; Joan McKay, Ripley;
Nancy McIntyre, South Kinloss;
Largaret Mclnees, Teeswater and
Mildred Dupont, Belmore.
Mary Wray gave a report of the
Children's Rally to be held at Camp
Kintail June 9.
Kathleen Elliott, Norma Rintoul
and Jean Ross of Whitechurch
conducted the "In Memoriam"
service.
This year's recipient of the
Honorary Membership certificate,
presented by the Presbyterial was
Freda Scott of Belgrave for her
service throughout the years.
Rev. Kinsman introduced Wilma
•Welsh of Don Mills, who works in
the church office in International
Ministries and Congregational Life.
She told that WMS has have 45
missionaries around the world plus
26 partners. Presently there are six
more preparing to go and serve.
The theme for the meeting, "Far
Away Mission Begins at Home",
was further developed as she told
of the differences WMS can and do
make.
Pencils, paper and books were
supplied for poverty-stricken
Guatamala as well as three decent
meals a week for children in Costa
Rica. Some of the problems of
churches in China, Hong Kong and
Taiwan , were brought to our
attention. Hong Kong is to be
returned *o the rule of China on
July 1. M my of the well-to-do
people have already left, but what
will happen to the poor.
Mildred Dupont thanked Welsh
for her informative message. The
courtesy remarks to all that had
participated to make this such a
successful rally were given by
Alice Nicholson and following the
hymn, Betty Mitchell of
Molesworth closed the meeting
with prayer
you are Wktcome 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 weicome this Sunday
JUNE 1 - PENTECOST 2
HOLY EUCHARIST
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John's,
9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday Brussels
Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m. ~ Sunday
ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788
Sunday
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
8:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
10:00 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
7:30 p.m. - New Hope Support Group
7:30 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
7:30 p.m. - Youth
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister
Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540
Anniversary Sunday, June 1
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Special 120th Anniversary Service
Ethel United Church
Guest Speaker. Bob Heywood, Clinton
*****
Special music featuring a quartet from Atwood United Church. Lunch to follow.
This is the 80th anniversary of the relocation of the church building to its present site.
This is a joint service of the Brussels-Ethel Pastoral Charge.
There will be no church service In Brussels.
YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED TO ATTEND.
Please join us for worship this Sunday
Sunday Morning Service -10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Adrian A. VanGeest will lead both services
Sing to the Jfjrd a new song; sing to the J&rd, all the earth
Sing to the J&rd, praise his name;
Proclaim his salvation day after day.
declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds
among all peoples.
Jor great is the J&rd and most worthy of praise;
Jde is to be feared above all Gods.
‘Psalm 96:1-4
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
June 1, Service at Camp Klntall
at 11:00 a.m.
Call 887-9831 for directions
June 6, Celebration of Music
at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring the Melville Junior Choir with Phil Main
and the McQuaid Sisters
Proceeds to Musical Instrument Fund
Wheelchair Accessible
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
Rev. Cathrlne Campbell 887-9831