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The Citizen, 1997-09-24, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1997. From the Minister's Study Love comes in many ways By Les Cook Blyth Community Church of God A few weeks ago I read a column in this paper on the teen page written by Erin Roulston. She asked some challenging questions about "love". It was well done and I recommend you read it. Few people really take the time to analyze this "Greatest of all commands", to love. Erin points out that teen magazines, movies and what she observes are very little help. Teens and adults have been asking this same question for centuries. In my studies, a few years ago I came across an interesting fact on the topic of love that helps to clear up the confusion. No wonder we get so perplexed! We are using one word that has at least eight different meanings. In the Hebrew language there were at least six different words that we now know as love and in Greek there were two. I am no theologian but with my trusty Bible concordance I discovered the following. All the words except one were based on feelings, emotions, instinct or circumstances. Number One - boy meets girl, and if the boy's preconceived ideas of what a beautiful girl looks like are met, Wow! Love at first sight. Impossible you say? If you have ever experienced the rush of heart palpitations, sweaty hands, maybe even some dizziness, you know it's real, and I must admit very romantic. However, these feelings could change as the relationship continues. Number Two - a movie star on our TV shows us pictures of a famine in a far off land with heart wrenching details and close up pictures of starving children. Our eyes start to leak and we experience emotions that move us to send money ... or turn the channel. Number Three - a mother looks at her newborn child that through the birth process has caused her incredible pain, not to mention the morning sickness, swollen ankles, etc. Yet her natural instincts come into play and the bond begins. Number Four - A forty-year-old man goes to the kitchen to make a sandwich. He grabs the mustard, corned beef, rye bread and a dill pickle, Ahhh don't you love it! But 33 years ago all it took was peanut butter. The circumstances have changed. These are all different kinds of love, they can be good or bad, but they can all change. There is one kind of love that is different "AGAPA", the word that Christ used as a command "love your enemies", "love your neighbour", "Men love your wives". This word agapa means to decide to love regardless of the circumstances, emotions or feelings and beyond any instincts. It is all encompassing and mature beyond any pettiness, old habits, or preconceived ideas. It's the love that God has for us and that he calls us to have for each other. So when someone says "I love you" we need to ask ourselves or perhaps them what they mean before we jump to conclusions. It also means that each one of us, no matter what we look like, or smell like, act like or interact like, are totally 100 per cent unchangingly lovable to someone who has followed the example of the love our Father in Heaven has for us. Just in case no one has told you this yet, let me be the first, I agapa you! Mennonites welcome new pastor position. He will be in the commu­ nity Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as for the Sunday services. "The parish has a good, strong youth fellowship and I will work with them and support them," Wiebe says. He adds he will help strengthen the variety of service activities and will be teaching some adult classes. Wiebe will remain living in Hamilton as his wife works at McMaster University as an admin­ istrative secretary and his son< Stephen, is attending classes there. He also has a daughter, Karrie, who is married and teaching in an inter­ national school in Malaysia and a son, Paul, who is married, with one child, and living in Ancaster. United Leading the congregation Pastor Ben Wiebe comes to Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Hall after the parish had gone several months with no permanent minister. By Janice Becker Citizen staff A pastor with worldly experience will lead Brussels Mennonite Fel­ lowship in their worship. Pastor Ben Wiebe of Hamilton, who began ministering at the Brus­ sels church about a month ago, brings with him experiences of teaching and preaching in India. The Union Biblical Seminary in the Bombay area of India is one of the main seminaries in Asia, says Wiebe, who has been spending three to four months in the country for the last three years. "There are as many Mennonites in India as there are in North America," he says. "There are about 10,000 Men­ nonite children in the schools." While living in India, he also takes time out to travel to many churches as well as the usual tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal and the caves with ancient etchings. He also had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa, with whom his daughter worked for a few days. Wiebe was bom in Mexico, then moved to southern Manitoba at the age of 10. "My parents are from Canada but moved to Mexico with other Mennonites." He attended college in Texas, where he met his wife, Patti. Wiebe has ministered in Hamil­ ton, Toronto and Thunder Bay. "In the last few years, I have become interested in teaching, so I obtained my PhD. I spend part of my time teaching and part minister­ ing," he says. He comes to Brussels for a 2/3 Way Continued from page 14 the future of the Huron United Way and look forward to the next year with eager anticipation. Those who came before us created a good foundation and we now have a core of good people who have commit­ ted to see it through. The important work being done by the member agencies must continue to be supported." HELPING THE WORLD WRITE NOW CODE Self-sufficiency through literacy in the developing world For information, call 1-800-661-2633 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 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 MEETINGS BEGIN WITH EVANGEUST ALF REES Sunday services are at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Week-night services, Monday through Friday are at 7:30 p.m. ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA you are welcome this Sunday SEPTEMBER 28 - ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS HOLY EUCHARIST Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity, Blyth St.John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. You are invited to worship at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Sun^y.Septenibei (c,ass®s for aw ages) pastor Ben w/ebe ^7-6388 -------access/^ MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School Sept. 28 7:30 p.m. - Melville Anniversary Service, Rev. Carolyn McAvoy - Guest Minister Barbecue 5-7 - Tickets now available Wheelchair accessible We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 Hease join us for worship this Sunday Sunday Morning Service -10 a.m. Evening Service - 7:30 p.m. I will praise you, O JCgrd, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will rejoice and be glad in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most Jdigh. Psalm 9: 7 2 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 Sunday, September 28, 1997 Morning Worship Ethel ***** Morning Worship Brussels Tuesday, Sept. 30 - 4 p.m. - Confirmation Class in Ethel Thursday, Oct 2- 7:15 p.m. - Brussels Stewards Monday, Oct. 6 - 7 p.m. - Brussels Session WORLDWIDE COMMUNION SUNDAY IS OCTOBER 5. Please join us!