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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1999-02-03, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1999. From the Minister's Study, Being a disciple, a joyful thing, says minister By Rev. Cathrine Campbell Melville Presbyterian, Brussels Knox, Belgrave How would you like it if your nice ordinary life was suddenly turned upside down and things were never the same? I am not talking about the amazing amount of snow we have had and how even the saintliest of us can say, "Enough already, give the snow to someone who needs it", or "My that sump pump has a nice hum". What prompted my question was the readings that I have been doing in regard to the call of Jesus' disciples. The first thing that strikes you about Andrew, James, John, Peter and all the others is how ordinary they were. They were fishermen, they were government employees, they were ... just ordinary folk. What they were not is men trained for ministry, but Jesus chose them none the less. If you stop at the 12 as your understanding of Jesus disciples, you would miss the richness and variety of the early disciples and who they were. There was, just to name a few, Paul, and Eunice, Nathaniel and Los, Priscilla and Aquilla. Tryphena and Tryphosa, Andronicus and Junias. Again, ordinary folk who heard a quiet message couched in quiet words and acted on it in such a way that others then followed their examples. They had been searching for the truth and they found it - God their Creator, cared about them to the point of sending his only Son to die for their sins so that they might have eternal life. In our modern phraseology what the previous paragraph says is that God was "life giving and life affirming" but no matter how you phrase it the reality is that God cares and he acts in our lives - whether we respond is a different story. In an interesting article in Maclean's Magazine I learned that many people, "Baby Boomers" were singled out, are searching for a higher level of spirituality. To do this they are following a myriad number of gurus, books, philoso phies and pundits. All those leaders have the same promise "follow me and I will give you the ultimate insight and you will find out all that will make you a perfect and complete person". There is only one problem - they can't promise any such thing. The reality is that God has already given us the knowledge we need to find the truth in Him. It is through thoughtful reading, discussion and prayer that we can know, in thankfulness, that God, alone, is our guide, our strength and our redeemer. When we let this knowledge come to the fore we will have our lives turned upside down for we will no longer be the centre of our universe but God will be. And this will be the most amazing transformation for it is a free gift for all. Jesus said to Nathaniel, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." (John l :48) And this message is for us today, for, if Jesus knows you in any and all times it is a given that he knows all about you and yet the call to be his follower is still to you. The words are simple, they are compassionate and they give such peace. "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30) To be a disciple of Christ is not a burden it is a "joy full" thing that everyone can share at home, at work, at play and at prayer. Welcome to Brussels Mennonite « Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Christian Education Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388 I God Is Love 3 s £ £ £ £ £ £ 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Maitland Presbyterian meets The annual meeting of the Maitland Presbyterial was held on Jan. 18 at St. Andrews Church in Wingham. The theme was "Celebrate". President Shirley McCall opened with a poem called "Celebrate". Rev. John Vaudry welcomed all to St. Andrews. The morning session began with a worship service. Those present were led on a journey through the life of Christ from birth to death. The devotions brought to mind that the life of Christ is meant to be shared with everyone. Erin Crisfield led a discussion about women in prayer. Joan Laird and Marjorie Deyell took part in each part. Prayer traditions were discussed. The study reminded all that God is always near. Trish Heidebrecht gave a book review on many new books available from the Resource Centre The nominating committee reported that a second vice- president is still needed. The morning session came to a close for lunch. The afternoon was taken up by business. Lauralee Cayley told of her work at CGIT and that donations are needed up to the national level. Rev. Alice Wilson of Hanover brought greetings from Grey-Bruce Presbytery. The president read a letter about the new Museum of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. John Johnston will do the dedication. There will be a section devoted to the work of the WMS. Donations are needed. The reports of the past year from the treasurer and the various secretaries were received and adopted. Members discussed the twinning from last year. It was a success and agreed that it continue for another year. An invitation was given for Synodical, April 20 and 21 that will be held in Walkerton. The theme is "Serve the Lord with Gladness". All are welcome to attend. Shirley McCall said there will not be a Spring Rally because of the Spring Mission Festival being held on May 1 and 2 at Knox Church in Kincardine. Erin Crisfield commissioned the new officers and made welcome. The president gave her thanks for all help given to her in the past year by the WMS. The courtesy remarks were given by Brussels. The meeting was closed in prayer by Kincardine. Officers for 1999 are: Hon. President Mildred Dupont, Belmore; Past President Erlma Haldenby, Kinlough; President Shirley McCall, Kincardine; 1st Vice, Marilyn MacIntyre, South Kinloss; treasurer Eileen Chambers, Ripley; historian, Norma Hartwick, Kincardine; secretaries - recording, Mary Wray, Ripley; corresponding, Ethel Baker, Molesworth; Adult West, Margaret de Boer, South Kinloss; Adult East, Marjorie Deyell, Molesworth; youth and children, Marilyn MacPherson, Teeswater; friendship and service, Marguerite Beirnes, Molesworth; Glad Tidings, Joan Laird, Kincardine; publicity Joanne Lennips, Luck now; literature, Norma Raynard; member without portfolio, Linda Fitch, Belmore; auditors, Judy McKenzie and Edith Simpson, Ashfield. Stuck with a spare tire around the middle? Leave the car at home and walk. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Jbu are welcome this Sunday FEBRUARY 7 - EPIPHANY 6 MORNING PRAYER Trinity, Blyth St. John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 February 7, 1999 9:30 a.m. - Worship - Ethel United Church 11:00 a.m. - Worship - Brussels United Church Fellowship time to follow Wednesday, February 3 - 8 p.m - UCW Evening Unit Thursday, February 4 - 7 p.m. - Stewards Sunday, February 7 - 7:15 p.m. - Youth Group Tuesday, February 9 - 7 p.m - Adult Study 11:00 a.m. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS - Morning Service - Sunday School - Belgrave Service9:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. - Tuesday - Bible Study - Faith and Life Jesus 2:00 p.m. - Wednesday - Bible Study - Old Testament Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 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 Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With Us Sundays - 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Minister ~ Rev. Cecil Wittich ALL ARE WELCOME 523-4224 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday 8:45 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 11 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 8 p.m.- Evening Service Wednesday 7:30 p.m.- Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth M&a&e fain us fai uwL&fiip tHi& Sunday Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy ■ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Jude vs. 24 & 25 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School 11:00- 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study Tuesday 8 p.m. John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Everyone Welcome For more information call 887-6665