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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2000-08-30, Page 21The Minister’s Study The importance of prayer By Rev. Lynn Nichol Knox Presbyterian, Cranbrook What qualities do you most appre ciate in a good friend? Many things are important to us, and each of us will have a slightly different list. But I suspect that somewhere on that list will be the qualities of honesty and reliability. For me. the list would not be com plete without saying that one of the things I appreciate most is being able to talk freely with a friend. With a really good friend we can trust the friendship enough that we don't worry about letting them know our inner thoughts. Having a friend like that is an incredible privilege. We enjoy the time spent with the person; we look forward to it; we carry the memories witf) us. If we don't make time to spend with a good friend, we rob ourselves. In my work, one thing I hear very often is “I just don’t know how to pray.” People are worried that it won't come out right. When you’re talking to your best friend, what do you do if it just does n't come out right? You try again! You say, “That didn't come out right. What I really mean is ...” And a good friend will hear you out. So will God. You wouldn’t believe how many times in my prayers I say, "That didn't come out right. What I really mean is ...” Sometimes in our lives, prayer is difficult for a time because of some thing that happens to us. A tragedy, a real struggle, a serious illness or grief can, for a time, make it seem like God is distant, and make it very hard to pray. These are times when we need to try to persevere, and when we need our friends, family and church pray ing for us. But if you are someone who has trouble praying at any time, think about this. We don’t need to be afraid of prayer, because we're talking to someone who iS the best friend we’ll ever have. Prayer is a duty of a Christian, yes, but first and foremost prayer is an incredible privilege. There is no need to be afraid of prayer, any more than you need to be afraid of chatting on the phone to your best friend. Christians believe that we are called into a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Like any relationship, it grows when we spend time talking together. In our prayer with God, I believe God values our honesty, our reliabil ity, and our willingness to share the deepest part of ourselves. Jesus Christ is the best friend we’ll ever have (worth getting to know if you haven't yet!). More so than any other person you can think of, he is honest, he is reliable and we can trust the relationship enough to let him know our inner thoughts. - Like I said before; having a friend like that is an incredible privilege. We enjoy the time spent with the person; we look forward to it; we carry the memories with us. If we don’t make time to spend with a good friend, we rob ourselves. May your prayers be the best con versations you’ll ever have. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2000. PAGE 21. Taking a recreational break 17 WMS members gather in Armstrongs ’ pilot lodge Brussels WMS of Melville Presbyterian Church met at Jim and Leona Armstrong’s Pilot Lodge with 17 in attendance including guests from Ashfield WMS and some Brussels United Church ladies on Monday, Aug. 14 for a very inform ative and interesting meeting at 2 p.m. President Helen Elliott welcomed everyone, then led in a short pro gram. W7?ar a Friend We Have in Jesus and Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling. Mrs. Elliott read a story entitled The Lord is My Shepherd About to be Sheared. It had similarities to the story of The Little Engine that Could. Work is drudgery but the sheep did get sheared and put into the sheep paddocks. Shearing allows the farmers to receive money from the wool and also they can sell the meat. Isobel Gibson read the 23rd Psalm. Mrs. Elliott introduced Jenny Jones of Ethel who became a volun teer and spent some time recently working at Covenant House in Toronto; a home for street kids of any denomination or colour. Father Ritter, a Catholic priest, out of the goodness of his heart provided shel ter and food in his apartment for many street kids. The project, how ever, became impossible for one man. Feb. 19, 1982 was the birth of Covenant House in Toronto. It is the largest place in America for home less kids. The homeless students and street kids had much input in getting it organized and going. Often 75 live there at night and do contribute some money if able. Some are middle and upper class families. Many have been sexually abused. Mary Huether on behalf of every one present thanked Mrs. Jones for her wonderful message and present ed her with a gift. Sept. 25 the group is invited to Molesworth Presbytenan Church for the fall rally. The meal is at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. The next meeting is Sept. 11 at the home of Helen Elliott at 2 p.m. Morgan Armstrong favoured with a lovely solo. Mrs. Armstrong played two of Phil Main’s religious solos that she had on tape and he had written. Leona Armstrong also con ducted a short contest. The. ladies of Kinloss thanked the Brussels ladies for their hospitality. Mrs. Elliott gave a humorous read ing. Rev. Cathrine Campbell closed the meeting with prayer and said the blessing. Brussels Mennonite Fellowship SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Everyone Welcome Elder Don Procter 357-3557 Sunday School begins September 10 10:45 a.m. Regular Service resumes Sunday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. ****** Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With Us 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 September 3 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church 11 :OO a.m. All are welcome to come and worship with us MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS SEPTEMBER 10TH Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 Youngsters at last week’s Belgrave Knox United Church summer Bible school took a little time away from crafts, songs and story time to exercise their legs. The youngest group played a a little soccer while the older classes partic ipated in activities associated with the Son Zone theme. Approximately 61 young people attended. 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 308 Blyth Rd., Blyth HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 Sunday 9:30 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m.- Evening Worship Service Wednesday 7:30 p.m.- Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA 1/ou cute utelcame this Sunday SEPTEMBER 3 - PENTECOST 12 HOLY EUCHARIST Trinity, Blyth St.John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 frleaM, join ua [m, Sunday Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ” 2 Timothy 2:22 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH i Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest A 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