HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-29, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2000.
From the Minister’s Study
Minister says that peace
not an unattainable ideal
By Rev. Cathrine Campbell
Melville, Brussels, Knox,
Belgrave, Presbyterian Churches
When I was quite a young child I
used to include in my prayers a
prayer for world peace. In my world
view of the time if you prayed hard
enough, mentioned things to God
often enough they would get done. I
must confess disappointment that
that particular prayer never seemed
to get a definitive answer, even
though others did.
Well, I have grown up and I still
pray for world peace as do many oth
ers. It is a wish that is shared by all
who find that there is no wonder, no
joy and certainly no peace in the
state of affairs current in many parts
of the world. In a world that you care
for you can only have a desire for
deep and lasting peace.
Peace is more than the absence of
war and on a personal scale I hope
that we have ail experienced peace,
at some point, or often, in our lives.
Peace is as simple as a walk through
the conservation area after a snow
fall when there is only yourself, your
dog and your thoughts. This is some
thing that money can not buy.
Peace is as warming as having all
your chores done, the animals fed
and watered and settled for the night
and you are heading to a warm bed
in a warm house.
Peace is as enveloping as knowing
that you are at one with the world
and though there may be storms
ahead you have a safe haven of home
and family.
The scoffer may say that this is too
pat, too idealistic, something for oth
ers but not for the ordinary Joe or
Jane. Life is real, life is earnest or
life is a bummer.
Well, if you let the scoffer rule
your life you will find what they say
is true because you will know no bet
ter but ... if you place your trust in
the one who came to bring peace you
will find that peace is not an ideal
but a reality to be embraced and
enjoyed.
And the peace of this world is a
foretaste of the peace of the king
dom. In Romans 14:17-19 we are
reminded that “For the kingdom of
God is not a matter of eating and
drinking, but of righteousness, peace ,
and joy in the Holy Spirit, because ‘
anyone who serves Christ in this way
is pleasing to God and approved by
people.
Let us therefore make every effort
to do what leads to peace and to
mutual edification.”
Peace is not an unobtainable ideal
but it is a matter of many working
together, putting thought, effort and
prayer toward the goal of giving that
peace which is so precious to all.
We can do no better than remem
ber the words of the song that begins
“Let there be peace on earth, and let
it begin with me”.
We don’t blame God for not
answering our prayers, we thank
God that we are given the tools to do
what God wants work for Peace, for
all. We know this because he sent his
Son, the Prince of Peace whose com
ing we celebrate in the months and
years to come.
Uyls greet at Blyth United
John and Ruth Uyl, plus helpers,
were greeters at Blyth United
Church on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Ushering were Sharon Whitfield,
Barb and Terry Richmond. Barb
Bosman was the organist. Frances
Bearss was in charge of the nursery.
The hymn of praise was To God
be the Glory. The New Testament
lesson was Hebrews 8: 6-13, 9: 11-
15, A New Covenant, read by Bruce
Howson.
The theme of the sermon was
What Does It Mean to be a
Covenanting Congregation? Rev.
Ernest Dow explained in the reli
gious world, “covenants are key
agreements relating us to God and
other followers of Jesus.”
He also gave the history of how
the United Church of Canada came
into being. Rev. Dow explained that
the Bible is organized around the
idea of a covenant. “It’s a book of
covenants, based on God’s promises
to us, his dealings or arrangements
with people.”
Rev. Dow then explained about
being a covenanting congregation,
through the National Alliance of
Covenanting Congregations or
NACC. The purpose of the NACC is
to “hold its people together within
the United Church.”
Rev. Dow talked about the
NACC, what is required to join and
what it means to be a member.
Following the sermon there was a
time for questions and answers.
John Uyl, Sharon Whitfield, Barb
and Terry Richmond collected the
offering.
The closing hymn was Stand by a
Purpose True (Dare to be a Daniel).
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 - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca
December 3
Ethel United Church
9:30 am
Worship Service and Sunday School
Brussels United Church
11:00 am
Worship Service and Sunday School
AU are welcome to come and worship with us
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Come Worship The Lord With Us
Sundays -11:00 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Dec. 3 "Hope for the Desolate, Strength to Stand"
Dec. 10 White Gift Sunday; Sunday School
Christmas Concert
Minister ~ Rev. Ernest Dow
ALL ARE WELCOME
523-4224
THE WAR AMPS
Child amputees
say
Cornerstone
Bible
Fellowship
Ethel
For more information call:
1-800-250-3030
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
Communion - 9:45 - 10:30
Family Bible Hour and Sunday School
11:00 - 12:00
Prayer & Bible Study
Tuesday 8 p.m.
Qdu are ‘Wefc.ome at the
BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD
9:45 a.m. - Sunday School - for.ages 3 to adult
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship
Bible Studies - Wednesday morning 10 a.m.
Wednesday evening 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.- Family Night
Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth
(Lduetit ftAeme:
Elder: Don Procter 357-3557
You are welcome at
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:45 a m.Christian Education
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
l/au axe welcome tfuA Sunday
DECEMBER 3 - ADVENT I
HOLY EUCHARIST
Trinity, Blyth St. John's,
9:30 a.m. Brussels
Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273
Sttcfd&tf ut'OJi&fb'i'P’ tAiA S’titidciU'
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?"
Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
John 1:46
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
6
Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
CAa&ttnaA
CAo^tal Cc-ttced
(sponsored by the Brussels Ministerial)
Sunday, December 10
I 7:30 p.m. J
Brussels United Church
Come and enjoy our church choirs
Everyone Welcome!
A?
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