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The Citizen, 1999-10-13, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13,1999. PAGE 13. From the Minister's Study, Wedding invitation nothing to sneeze at By Rev. Cathrine Campbell Melville Presbyterian, Brussels Knox, Belgrave 1949 must have been a vintage year - for this year I was fortunate to attend three celebrations of golden wedding anniversaries. And celebrate is the operative word for these were milestones achieved by people who gave their commitment to God and their witnesses that they would be faithful and honour each other. On that day, 50 years ago, they made a covenant and in the years that followed, honoured it. A covenant is a serious thing - a pledge, a promise, a hope and it is something not entered into lightly. We know this particularly because we, as Christians, are covenant people - we have been told by God that He cares for us and we are to respond in kind. We are not asked to negotiate or forget ue are just asked to accept that we are part of God’s marvellous world and that we are to share the Good News with others. This past Sunday we were reminded of this covenant life in the parable of the wedding feast. The host asks the folk he thinks should come, however, sadly, they do not. Then he asks some surprising folk and they do come. However, this second lot are a motley bunch and they do seem at times to be ill at ease or worse, ill prepared, to accept this gracious invitation. A wedding invitation is nothing to sneeze at - it promises a time of happiness, a time of being with friends and family and a time to just celebrate as another covenant is pledged. (And, of course, what is dear to me, great food!) Presbytery holds rally You cannot imagine not attending such an occasion, but I guess there might be some who find it all too, too, much and decide to stay home. And who would be the poorer - the bride and groom who wanted their happiness shared or the stay at home who missed a time of happiness? The latter will always be the loser, for he or she has deliberately set out to deprive him or herself of a time of joy. Just like the parable guests there are many excuses but the end result is the same. The feast will go on with the attendant celebrations with or without them. Why be concerned? Because if this becomes the pattern of your life - if you find yourself looking for ways to avoid being with those who have joy, whether at home, school, work or church you will quickly become “joyless” and in that you are denying the life that is wanted for you in and by £hrist. We are called to be His People, to be part of the present and part of the future with him, to share in that joyous heavenly feast and at all times we should - no, we must, say, "Yes I will come to the joy of life lived in You”. God’s promise is for all time and we celebrate that fact daily. The women of Kinlough WMS served about 80 members and guests a delightful salad supper on Sept. 27 at the Kinloss Community Centre for the Presbyterial fall rally. Erlma Haldenby welcomed all and opened with prayer. The theme of the rally was Mission First Hand. The Bushell family and Joan Bann sang musical selections during the evening and were enjoyed by all. A sing-song was led by Wilma Clarke and Margaret deBoer. Marilyn MacIntyre of South Kinloss welcomed all and opened with the prayer and constitution. The worship was led by Ripley with scripture reading from Matthew 25: 31-46 telling of Jesus’ vision of the last judgement. Eileen Chambers asked, “How does our nation fare and how do we respond?” Welfare and school programs are cut, there are health care cutbacks and more privatizing in the system. Refugees are sent back to where they belong or to another country. There is no welcome, too much prejudice, she said. Cuba is one country that does offer help. They provide food, clothes, jobs and shelter for all their people. They just keep political prisoners. “We can help by lobbying our nations, by sending petitions and treating all people with dignity and respect,” she said. The reports for the summer were shared and announcements were made. The offering was received and dedicated. Shirley McCall introduced the guest speaker. Annette Vickers is the director for PAN (Presbyterians Aiding Nicaragua). PAN is a lay ministry which provides the church the opportunity to send teams to Nicaragua. People can help by contributing financially and through prayer. There are many projects that can be addressed. For example there are feeding centres which feed thousands of children all over the country. They need sewing schools and schools for the children, churches and motorbikes for the pastors. Nicaragua is very poor and needs so much especially for their children. Secretary Erin Crisfield introduced the Mission Study for the new year. you are. ‘Wetcome 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 WIs meet in Clinton Huron South, Huron East and Huron West held the 48th fall rally of the WI in the OMAFRA boardrooms, Clinton Oct. 4. Huron South will host the rally in the year 2000. Reports were given by Historical and Curators, 4-H, Children’s Aid and Education workshops. The Huron County scholarships went to a young woman from Huron East who completed over 30 clubs and is now a junior leader. The Children’s Aid Bursary went to a permanent resident of the Society, a young man striving to complete his higher education. Melissa Whitmore was the guest speaker. I am loveable and capable was her topic highlighting the worth of the older person. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA you are welcome this Sunday OCTOBER 17 - PENTECOST 21 HOLY EUCHARIST Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. Wheelchair accessible St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Christian Education Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With Us Sundays - 11:00 a.m. Worship Service October 17 - 7 p.m. "The Way" Service, contempory praise & worship Minister ~ Rev. Ernest Dow 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 No early service this week 10:00 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 11 a.m.- Dedication of new property on John Street. Outdoor tent service. Everyone Welcome. 8 p.m.- Evening Service Wednesday 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.- Family Night (Kids' Club) Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study Tuesday 8 p.m. Cornerstone Bible Fellowship < Ethel 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 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 jaitt ila fat UMMAllip thi& Sunday, Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. "In you, 0 Lord, I put my trust...Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, for I am in trouble." Psalm 31:1, 9 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 E-mail: bepc@wcl.on.ca October 17, 1999 9:30 a.m. - Worship Ethel United Church 11:00 a.m. - Worship, Brussels United Church Wednesday, Oct. 13 - 7 p.m. -Special Stewards meeting to plan Silent Auction Monday, Oct. 18-7 p.m. - Stewards Friday, Oct. 22 - 7-9 p.m. - Silent Auction - Pre-showing and Bidding Saturday, Oct. 23 - 10-3 p.m.-Silent Auction COME AND HELP US THANK GOD FOR THE HARVEST!