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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-05, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2003. PAGE 19. From the Minister’s Study Seeing the future with clarity impossible By Rev. Dave Wood Huron Chapel EMC Life is often unpredictable. As much as we might like to think, we are not always in control of the situation. We do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not have the ability to see into the future. The twists, the turns, and the bends in the road that lie in our paths remain a mystery and can only be discovered when they are reached. To see ahead with clarity is impossible. We can surmise and we can guess and we can make an intelligent presumption of what the next day might entail but at best, it is only presumptuous. There is much in our world that is unpredictable. There is much on our planet that is outside of our control. Should we be concerned? Is it necessary to live in dread and fear of what “could” happen? Should I drive the car? Should I take a plane? Should I go away and leave the house vulnerable to the deviant behavior of Fran and Anne? What if this should happen or what if that should take place? Who will take care of me when I am old or what if disease should strike? What if! All are genuine cause for alarm (especially where I live) yet what can we do about them? Worry comes in many shapes and sizes and with worry there is a sense of fear that too Family greets at Melville often cripples and steals the joy ot life. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, spoke to a people who knew full well the unpredictability of life. They lived under the oppression of an invading army. They were taxed and oppressed and lived in uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring. They worried about the future yet Jesus tells them to look at life from a different vantage point, to see that which truly is important. I think the point He makes is very applicable today and simply put, God loves us and He values us and if we would just seek Him in the way that we seek the fading things of life, the rest, that which we need, would be given to us as well. We could very well be on the brink of war. The possibility is very real. Our lives as we know it could take a drastic turn and yet should we stay awake at night brooding over the prospect? Absolutely not. God is still on the throne. No matter what should happen, no matter what situation life throws our way, God is faithful. As we look to Him, as, we expend the effort to seek His kingdom, His heart, His righteousness, we can rest secure that the One who feeds the birds of air values us even more! Despite stormy weather, Sunday morning attendance was good at Melville Presbyterian Church on March 2. Greeting at the door were Bill and Peggy Aitchison and their daughters. As members of the congregation welcomed each other, all enjoyed an anthem No Mountain High Enough by the senior choir. The church music was provided by organist Crystal McLellan. Before the children went down to Sunday school, the congregation sang Jesus Bids Us Shine and heard the special story about the prophet Elijah. Scripture reading was 2 Kings 2: 11-12, 2 Corinthians 4: 1-16, and Mark 9: 2-12. Assisting Rev. Cathrine Campbell the scripture reader was Cliff Coultes. After the hymn Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken the sermon entitled Prophet? What Prophet? told of Jesus and his disciples meeting the prophet Elijah and Moses on the mountain top, and then touched upon religious values such as those promoted by TV personality Mr. Rogers in his work with children. Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian minister whose congregation was the children that he influenced for many years on his television show. These neighbourhood values are: Love your neighbour. Respect others. There is only one like you. I’ll do anything I can to keep you safe. Be honest with me. We are all loveable. We are capable of loving. Be gentle. Some things are not your fault. Be angry for a good reason. The offering was collected by Maurice Douma, Jeff Cardiff and Bill Aitchison. Members were reminded about events taking place this week in the church. The sign-up continues for the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? to be held on March 7 and 8 - a fun and social event in which one may volunteer as a host or be hosted at a fabulous meal to raise funds for the cause. Phone Jeff Cardiff 887-6162 for more information. Bible study is to be held on Tuesday night, and on Thursday afternoon. All are invited to participate in The World Day of Prayer to be held at Duff’s United Church, Walton on March 7 with the topic of Lebanon Holy Spirit fill us, with guest speaker Jean Bennett speaking on food grains. J-L lining tfimtian Tdlmfiip £March 9 - Jn.l5:9f; 17:20f Beyond 'Despite' Love to 'Delight' Love Holy Communion * * Emily Dow's Lebanon Mission Photos after Potbless 3 3 3 3 3 3B.... .................. iS 10:30 a.m. - Worship & Sunday School § if’ at Bly th Public School, comer of King & Mill j Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848 | www.tcc.on.ca/~dowfam BOEHMS ESP 3 3 Check out The Citizen's WEBSITE at www.northhuron.on.ca St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church t 254 Drummond St. E., Blyth Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m. Father Lance Magdziak, Pastor 519-527-0142 email: stjames@rcec.london.on.ca HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL , MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn-526-1131 f ' <f^eact pastor dave wood - 523-4941 Sunday Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.- Crusaders & Youth 7:15 p.m. - Adult Bible Study Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, March 9 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. First Sunday in Lent Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 Moving forward with God - Coffee Break ad, fair at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 9:30 a.m. - Worship Service 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - Sunday School (for all ages) Everyone Welcome Pastor Brent Kipfer 887-6388 'PCeO&C fauf C4& fat Sunday, March 9 Morning Worship Service -10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, und goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. -James 1:22-24 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH A Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ‘TVefetwcea tfuc ta etwee tuecC ewvtd&efe Uf-ctfi Sunday, March 9 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT HOLY EUCHARIST rym Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels |O- 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 MELVILLE■ PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca March 9 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Come and join us as we journey in the Season of Lent ^t»romuni‘y Chnrc4 or G W "The Church is not a Building, $ A h % *s ?eGPle Touching | | People" Sunday - 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. - Bible Studies Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. Pastor Les Cook 523-4590 Cornerstone Fellowship pSBlSL Ethel nr, Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School ~ 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study ~ Tuesday 8 p.m. Ladies' firne Out - The last Thursday of each month 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. - starting again February 27 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 Call Pastor Andrew Thursdays or Fridays at 887-6123