The Citizen, 2005-02-17, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2005.
From the Minister’s Study
Go beyond reasoned argument to find faith
Rev. Ethel Miner Clare, Knox
United Church, Belgrave
The conversation between
Nicodemus and Jesus is familiar.
Nicodemus is a devout Pharisee, a
member of the Sanhedrin, the
official Jewish court. He comes to
see Jesus one night, not because of
some secret motive; but, because his
day is spent in study and teaching.
Evening is the time when he can
consult other teachers.
In their conversation, these two
teachers discuss rebirth. When
Nicodemus asks, “How can a man
be born when he is old? Surely he
cannot enter a second time into his
mother’s womb to be born!” he is
not showing ignorance. He is simply
trying to get a further response from
Jesus by posing a question which he
hopes will bring an explanation of
how the idea of rebirth is being
applied.
Nicodemus already understood the
concept of being born anew. This
was a figure of speech that was used
in relation to a number of life
circumstances. Gentiles converting
to Judaism were considered newly
born (reborn); so, too, the
bridegroom in his marriage; the king
on his enthronement.
Rebirth, being born anew,
happened whenever there was a new
beginning, an important
circumstance of life, when a person
took a new role as a beginner and
a child started to learn a role in life
all over again. In fact, Nicademus
would have been “re-born” a number
of times, including when he became
a member of the Sanhedrin.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that in order
to enter the Kingdom of God one
must be born of water, the water of
baptism, and Spirit. The Spirit
“blows where it chooses, you hear
the sound of it, but you do not know
where it comes from or where it
goes.” Like a breeze blowing
through your hair, Nicodemus. You
have felt the wind on your face and
in you hair. You know that it is the
wind, but you cannot see where it
comes from. So it is with the Spirit.
New life in the kingdom is
surprising.
Nicodemus wants a new theology,
a new teaching, but Jesus invites
Nicodemus to move beyond his
current faith understanding. Jesus
wants him to let go of the
comfortable teachings and be swept
up by the Spirit.
Is Nicodemus able to go beyond
the reasoned argument and reach out
in faith? We are not told.
The story concludes with what
Martin Luther called “the Gospel in
miniature.”
For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone
who believes in Him may not perish
but may have eternal life.
To live in God’s realm is to accept
in faith that Jesus is God’s Son, to be
open to the uncontrollable wind of
God, to embrace the mysterious
newness of God and the gift of life
Jesus offers. May God empower
each one of us to go beyond
reasoned argument and reach out in
faith.
Suderman to perforin in Brussels
Suderman
Christian musician Bryan
Moyer Suderman is making a
return concert appearance in
Brussels, Feb. 25. (Courtesyphoto)
Christian musician Bryan Moyer
Superman is coming back to
Brus ;els.
Suderman combines his love of
God, passion for the church, and
delight in singing with a fascination
with folk music traditions from
around the world.
He sets Biblical stories and themes
to music and plays a variety of
instruments.
On Friday, Feb. 25, Suderman is at
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship for a
concert called. You Can Shine!
A kid-friendly supper launches the
event at 5 p.m.; the concert begins at
5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Brussels and
Area Ministerial, the evening is for
all ages and will include puppets
brought to life by Jonathan and
Theresa McDonald-Lee. Theresa is
pastor of Knox Presbyterian
Churches in Cranbrook
Monkton.
There is no admission charge for
the event; donations will be accepted
toward costs.
You Can Shine!
from Suderman’s
CD.
His recording credits
CD, God’s Love is for
albums with Latin
and
is a title
upcoming
include the
Everybody,
American
folkloric music groups, Huellas and
Licanantay, contributions to
recordings of worship music, and
two Mennonite Central Committee
fundraising
impacted
Africa.
Born in
lived in six countries and three
Canadian provinces, Suderman has a
keen sense of being part of the
worldwide family of God,
CDs to benefit those
by H1V/A1DS in
Winnipeg and having
fast M fat
Lodge
meets
The regular meeting of Morning
Star Rebekah Lodge took place on
Feb. 8 with Noble Grand Sister Elva
Brown presiding.
Plans were finalized for the
casserole supper and card party to be
held on Feb. 21. Members were
informed of a new vocational
scholarship as instituted by the
Educational Foundation of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. This is to be
made available to the students of
area schools.
Sister Joyce Jacklin celebrated her
birthday.
27:1 Thess. 4:13ff
“The Comfort \
of Jesus’
Coming” ?
Friday - Family "T V
Fun Night at
FE Madill, 7 p.m. "
Evangelical Missionary Church
10:30 a.m. ~ Contemporary Worship
& Sunday School
at Blyth Public School, f
corner of King & Mill
Pastor- Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848sior trnesi uow ~ //
www.getlivingwater.org
Sunday, February 20
Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
A Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
/ I \ Wheelchair accessible
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
Sunday
Tuesday
JjjU, Wednesday
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
participating together in what he
likes to call “God’s great big global
sing-along.”
Suderman lives with his
wife and son in a 150-
year-old farmhouse near Stouff-
ville.
Friday,
February 25
y~o.it can ifiine!
Bryan Moyer Suderman
in concert at Brussels
Mennonite Fellowship
Puppets with Jonathan &
Theresa McDonald-Lee.
5:00 pm - Kid-friendly supper;
5:30 pm - Concert
No admission charge;
donations accepted toward costs.
For all ages.
Sponsored by Brussels & Area
churches.
For more information, phone 887-6388
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
'Mdcwtu cpuc to come,
wd ccd
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20
&Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
11:15a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Family Bible Hour
Morning Worship Service
Evening Worship Service
Youth Bible Study
Crusaders for grades JK-6
Adult Bible Study
Church
"The Church is not a
Building,
wA £ ™ ^eoP^e Touching
x « *
Sunday 9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
People"
- Prayer Meeting
- Sunday School
- Worship Service
Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. - Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
BRUSSELS
Sunday, February 20
11:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Sunday 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
Sunday, February 20
Ethel United Church
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Brussels United Church
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Continuing our Pilgrimage Journey in the Season of Lent
Blyth United Church
Comer of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, February 20
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Lent II
Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman
Office: 523-4224
Blytli United Church is a welcoming community of faith.
We celebrate God's presence through worship and study, and through
responding to the needs and gifts of each other.
Sanctuary