HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-05-26, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005. PAGE 15.
From the Minister’s Study
Jesus a master community-builder
By Pastor Brent Kipfer
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
When I was a young teenager, my
father injured his knee and was
unable to do the fall plowing on our
farm. One afternoon, 17 tractors
turned into our lane, spread out into
different fields and finished the job
in two hours.
Our family received this gift with
awe. We knew that we were part of a
community.
Jesus is the master community
builder. Jesus reaches across
boundaries that separate people from
each other and from God. In love.
Jesus surprises us with a gift that is
free but not cheap.
Tony Campolo tells the story of a
Bulgarian church leader named
Metropolitan Kyril. During the
Second World War, he was deeply
troubled by the persecution of Jews.
One day, the Nazis rounded up
Jewish people in his city and herded
them into a barbed-wire enclosure. A
train arrived in town, ready to take
these people to the Auschwitz
concentration camp.
This Bulgarian church leader
decided to act. SS guards were ready
to load the Jews into boxcars that
11 members attend
would take them to the gas
chambers.
Suddenly. Metropolitan Kyril
appeared out of the darkness. He
was a tall man to begin with, and as
a Christian Orthodox priest, he wore
a mitre on his head. He must have
seemed like a giant as he emerged
out of the darkness.
He wore black robes and his white
beard hung over them. Marching
behind him were many townspeople.
Kyril went to the entrance of the
barbed-wire enclosure. By then, it
was surrounded by his supporters.
When the Nazi guards tried to stop
Melville Guild meeting
The May meeting of the Melville
Guild was held in the church parlour
on Monday evening. May 16 with 11
members present.
The theme of the meeting was
Gardens and Gardening.
The meeting was opened with the
call to worship. The Gentle
Gardener, read by Eluned McNair.
For the Beauty of the Earth was sung
and Jeanne Kirkby read the
meditation. Mayonnaise Jar and
Coffee. The scripture Matthew 13:
3-30 was read by all and Mrs.
McNair led in prayer.
Mrs. Kirkby gave the topic The
Good, The Bad and the Bugly.
God, who Touches Earth With
Beauty was sung and everyone
repeated the Mizpah Benediction.
Leona Armstrong presided over
the business. She gave a reading. My
Mother Kept a Garden.
The minutes of the April meeting
were read and approved. A thank
you note from Jeanne Ireland was
read.
Mrs. Armstrong thanked everyone
for helping with the springtime
supper.
Mrs. Kirkby gave the treasurer’s
report.
Plans were made for the minister’s
dinner to be held on May 25. The
spring rally *is in Lucknow on May
30.
It was decided to make squares for
the Pietenpol Fly-In on June 18 as a
fundraiser.
The roll call was answered with
everyone naming their favourite
flower.
Marg Work invited the Guild to
home for the June meeting. Mrs.
Work and Kathleen Semple will be
in charge of the devotions.
A contest on gardening was
enjoyed by all and a delicious lunch
was served by Mrs. McNair and
Mrs. Kirkby.
him. he laughed at them and pushed
aside their guns. He went in among
the Jews.
They gathered around him, crying,
and he raised his hands. Quoting
from the Book of Ruth, he declared
to his Jewish friends: “Where you
go, I will gp; Where you lodge, I will
lodge; your people shaU be my
people, and your God my God!”
The Jews cheered. The Christians
joined them.
Because of the witness of Kyril
and others, not a single Bulgarian
Jew died in a Nazi concentration
camp - despite the fact that Bulgaria
was one of the Nazi powers. In fact,
there were more Jews in that nation
when the war ended than when it had
begun.
This follows the pattern of Jesus
Christ, who identifies with those
who are in trouble, those who are
oppressed, those who are isolated.
Jesus even identifies with us -
coming to us in our sin and
brokenness, saying, “Come, follow
me.”
Jesus does not stay comfortable in
heaven. The second chapter of
Hebrews describes what he did
instead - becoming flesh and blood
in order to free us from slavery to
sin, to fear and to death:
Therefore he had to become like
his brothers and sisters in every
respect, so that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in
the service of God, to make a
sacrifice of atonement for the sins of
the people. Because he/himself was
tested by what he suffered, he is able
to help those who are being tested.
Jesus takes our place on the cross -
and wears the marks of our
rebellion, the scars of our suffering.
Jesus stands with us so that we can
be saved. Walking alongside us, he
takes us on the road to freedom - out
of sin into the presence of God.
Jesus identifies with us - and he calls
us to identify with others - others
who are oppressed, others who are
pushed down by sin, others who
need mercy, others who need justice.
Jesus gives us a gift that is free but
not cheap - and in doing so, he
creates a divine community.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
"Wetctwied, y&o to
SUNDAY, MAY 29
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
The War Amps
is spreading the
PLAYSAFE/
DRIVESAFE
messages.
To order a Spot the Danger! video or
the PLAYSAFE Interactive CD-ROM,
visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca
or call 1-800-250-3030.
lining.
(firitlian fellciuiui!
Spotting Zaccheus
ik Highlights from
EMCCED
Conference
This Saturday - 6:00 p.m.
BASEBALL at park!
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship
& Sunday School
at Blyth Public School, r
corner of King & Mill
Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848
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getlivingwqter.org
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Sunday, May 29
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
/ \ Wheelchair accessible
MELVILLE
)H PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
SINGASONtpOF Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
Sunday 9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
Family Bible Hour
Morning Worship Service
- Evening Worship Service
Adult Bible Study
— Adult & Youth Bible Study
BRUSSELS
Sunday, May 29
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
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Blyth United Church S.S.
Family Fun Night
Saturday, May 28
Games & more from 7 pm - 10 pm
bring a pillow/blanket for your comfort
Sunday, May 29
Pancake Breakfast 8 am - 11 am
Blyth United Church
For more information call Lorna at 523-9687
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"The Church is not a
> Building,
h It is People Touching
> People"
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Joan Golden - Diaconal Minister
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, May 29
There will be no worship services held at
Brussels United Church of Ethel United Church
We are gathering for the Celebration of Ministry Service
for Commissioning, Ordination and Recognition
at the Hellenic Community Centre,
133 Southdale Road West, London, Ontario
We hope to see you June 5 in Brussels or Ethe!
As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the
United Church of Canada
Sunday 9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
- Prayer Meeting
- Sunday School
- Worship Service
Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, May 29
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
London Conference Sunday
Guest speaker: Tom Dunbar
,r4tC
Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman
Office: 523-4224
Blyth 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