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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2000-04-05, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000. PAGE 15. From the Ministers Study, Rightness of life, the miracle of spring By Rev. Dave Wood Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church It happens every year just like clockwork! It never seems to fail! First the little green head peeks out of the burrow and as the climate changes and the snow recedes, they get braver and more of them stick out their little heads for a peek. Soon, before you know it, they are out all the way and once again the miracle of spring seems to explode and the panoramic colours dot the once barren landscape. Don’t you just love spring? The daffodils, the crocuses, the snow drops, they just seem to show up and bring a sense of “rightness” to life again. Let me tell you, after a long winter, they are a welcome sight because once again they herald the coming of sunny days, warmer climate, and nature’s beauty.And the birds! We can’t forget the birds as they return in force and fill the air with their early morning song and empty the feeders with their appetite. What a wonderful time of year! It is bustling with life and alive with the wonders of creation and even the hibernation of man has ceased as they more willingly venture outdoors to enjoy the fresh air of the season. You can even catch a glimpse of a neighbour now and then. Lawns to rake, trees to trim, ground to plow, seeds to plant, fertilizer to spread all have people venturing out of the den. Life! This is what spring proclaims as the course of nature shifts gears and out of the dead of winter new life erupts. And the analogy is obvious. The picture this time of year presents is perfect for just as newness of life springs forth from the earth, so does the life that God the Father gives through Jesus Christ the Lord spring up within the heart of those who believe and accept His life. As we approach Holy Week, as we draw closer to the celebration of His death and resurrection, let the miracle of spring speak to your heart. For just as new life comes out of what seems dead, new life is offered to what is dead through Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” And His words sum up the miracle of God’s spring”, the gospel story. And you know it. You have hear<^ it time and time again but do you know this new life of which He speaks? The life that is a spring of living water that satisfies the thirst and leads the weary home? The story remains the same: God building a bridge, God becoming the bridge that spans the gaps between man and God and provides the way home. The gospel message, the good news is that Jesus is the bridge. His life and death, they fill the gap for all who would believe and just as He died upon that cross and entered into death's domain. He also rose again and out of death brought new life and arose the victor. The age old story, the story of love that is seen so perfectly through the miracle of spring, offers to you and me a new chance, a fresh start, a new beginning, a new life! A “rightness” to life. Such is the miracle of spring. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Hakkers, Uyls greeters at Blyth United Church It was the fourth Sunday of Lent on April 2 at Blyth United Church. Greeters were Fred and Deb Hakkers, and John, Ruth, Hannah and Emily Uyl. Ushers were Paul, Nicole, Colton and Kelsey Kerr. Guest organist was Linda Lentz. St. Anne’s students to get Josie MacDonald was in charge of the nursery. The opening hymn was All People that on Earth do Dwell. Deb Hakkers read the Gospel lesson John 12: 20-33. Keith, Allison and Meredith Dow led the children’s hymn, Awesome God. Rev. Ernest Dow used sunflower seeds in the children’s story to illus trate that people should share their life with others. The Epistle Lesson was 2 Corinthians 8: 1-9, 13-15. Ralph deVries was the guest speaker. He recently participated in a Canadian Foodgrains Bank tour of India and Bangladesh. He shared the experience of what he observed and how projects like last summer’s Blyth and Londesboro project bene fits the countries where they end up. Paul and Nicole Kerr, Brenda Brooks and Karen Giousher took up the offering. The service closed with the final hymn Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life and the choral response. uniforms As of September, St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School students will have uniforms. At a March 27 meeting, trustees of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board voted three to two in favour of the new uniforms. The board gave school administrators the ability to figure out how and in what form the uniforms will come about. People from the Clinton-based school, as well as the principal and vice-principal presented the uniform to trustees at the February meeting. They also reported the results of the vote by St. Anne’s staff, students and parents. There was a narrow margin between students in the poll. Trustee Vincent Mclnnes, who voted in favour, said the uniforms would remove stresses caused by fashion and style, making it easier for students to concentrate on learn ing. However North and West Huron Trustee Louise Martin, who was opposed, felt the uniform was more like a very strict dress code. According to a story in The Clinton News-Record, she said, “From what I believe we saw in the presentation at last month’s meeting, you could have six different (students) walking down the street, and they might all be wearing something different.” 2:59 AM You’re still unconscious. Medic Alert SPEAKS FOR Y OU 1-BOD-668-15D7 www.medicalert.ca l/uu cate ute£ccme tfiib Sunday APRIL 9 - LENT 5 MORNING PRAYER Trinity, Blyth St. John s, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 join ha uiAiAfup tHU Sunday Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. ” Philippian 4:6 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 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. Ernest Dow ALL ARE WELCOME 523-4224 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Supply Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca April 9, 2000 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. April 21, 2000 Good Friday Service at 9:30 a.m. 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 Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 Sunday 8:45 a.m.• Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m.• Family Bible Hour 11 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m.• Evening Service Wednesday 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.- Family Night (Kids' Club) Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth 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 Brussels Mennonitet, Brussels Mennc <L T Fellowship 9-’3O a.m. Worship Se Give thanks for God's continuing presence and unending mercy. Service 10:45 a.m. Christian Education Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388 Everyone Welcome