HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-28, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1999.
From the Minister’s Study
Reverend reminds all need forgiveness
By Rev. Lynn Nichol
Knox Cranbrook
On Sunday night on the news I
saw a story about Trinity Anglican
Church in Toronto. Their church
building was burned to the ground
by an arsonist about a year ago,
around the same time as several
churches in the United States were
also torched.
I remember the public reaction
when it first happened. Even
though a relatively small number of
people actively participate in
church life these days, there was a
general outrage. It seemed that
even some people who have little
or no connection to a congregation
still feel threatened when the
church is attacked.
The story on the news the other
night, though, was a follow-up
story of what is happening a year
later. A very special service took
place, in a local school, in which
the young offender who committed
the arson came and spoke to the
congregation, apologized and asked
for forgiveness.
I would have loved to have been
at that service. As we look around
us, we see so many situations
where there is no confession or
apology, no forgiveness or
reconciliation.
Sure, maybe I'm dreaming, but
wouldn't it be amazing if this could
happen in the Balkans? Or in
Littleton, Colorado?
But we can start on a smaller
scale. Among neighbours and
among families, I know there are
many grudges that are still being
held years after an offense is
committed. A grudge is a heavy
thing to carry. It brings a bitter taste
to your mouth each time you think
of it.
Does it accomplish anything?
The offense remains, and hatred
and ill-feeling are built upon it.
Jesus offered us another way to
live: a way that forgives, and builds
feelings of reconciliation and love
instead. When his disciples tried to
get him to place a limit on
forgiveness, asking, "Lord, if my
brother keeps on sinning against
me, how many times do I have to
forgive him? Seven times?"
Jesus answered, "No, not seven
times, but 70 times seven."
Forgiveness beyond countable
limits. (See Matthew 18: 21-22)
If the people of Trinity Anglican
chose not to forgive, but to hold a
grudge, their new building would
become a monument to
stubbornness and hatred. They
would cease to be a witness to the
forgiving love of Jesus Christ.
Their forgiveness of the one who
burned their building shows that
the love of Jesus Christ is stronger
and more lasting than any building.
They have given a young person a
chance at a life free of this guilt,
and a glimpse of a better way to
live. How could that young person
be unaffected and unchanged by
this forgiveness?
How can we be unchanged by the
forgiveness and love of God? If
you are carrying a grudge against
someone. Jesus invites you to lay
down that load. Allow forgiveness
and love to win over stubbornness
and hatred. If you are carrying a
load of guilt, you are invited to lay
down that load as well. God will
forgive you, for the sake of the love
of Jesus Christ.
We can only imagine what it
would mean if our whole world
started to do this. But we can
experience first-hand what it would
mean if we forgive and are
forgiven. Every one of us needs it.
Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:45 a.m. Christian Education
Everyone Welcome
Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388
The Kiwanis Golden Oldies Singers, a Stratford men's
choir comprised of senior citizens, entertained Sunday
afternoon at St. John's Anglican Church, Brussels. In
addition to singing old favourites and reciting poetry, the
group dazzled with some magic tricks. (Mark Nonkes photo)
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
Q'ou 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
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
you are welcome this Sunday
MAY 2 - EASTER 5
HOLY EUCHARIST
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
Wheelchair accessible
St. John's,
Brussels
11:15 a.m.
Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
Auburn - 526-7555
PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017
ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
7:30 p.m. - Tuesday - Bible Study - Faith and Life of Jesus
2:00 p.m. - Wednesday - Bible Study - Old Testament
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
Wheelchair accessible
Nursery care available
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831
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
SOUTH HURON YOUTH FOR CHRIST
50th ANNIVERSARY
MAY 1,1999 @ 8 PM
Guest Speaker WES AARUM
PAST PRESIDENT YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF CANADA
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF CIRCLE ‘C’ RANCH
DELEVAN, NEW YORK
SPECIAL MUSIC FROM THEN & NOW J’
Renew old and make new acquaintances at our celebration at
HURON CENTENNIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, BRUCEFIELD
join tLb ufM&Hip tfii& Sunday
Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m.
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him
who hear say, "Come!" whoever is thirsty, let him
come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift
of the water of life.
Revelations 22:17
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
May 2, 1999
Huron-Perth Presbytery Pulpit Exchange
Rev. Dave Jagger from Fordwich United Church
will be leading the services
9:30 a.m. - Worship
Ethel United Church
11:00 a.m. - Worship
Brussels United Church
Rev. Johnson will be away this Sunday leading the services at
Fordwich United Church
Friday. April 30 - 9 a.m. - Possibility Day - all registered children
meet at Brussels United Church
Sunday. May 2 - 4-7 p.m. - May Supper - Ethel
6:45 p.m. - Youth Group
Monday. May 3 - 7 p.m. - Session