HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-08-11, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2005. PAGE 11.
From the Minister's Study
Wrestling with one’s views on Jesus
By Pastor Brent Kipfer,
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
At least one person in our
community is disillusioned with the
Christian faith.
If you have been to the Brussels
swimming pool this summer, you
may have noticed some graffiti like
this: “God is not real”, “sin =
pleasure”, “Life: Don’t waste it to
get to heaven”.
Few are so honest about rejecting
the claims of Jesus.
I have come to different
conclusions about the reality of God,
the nature of sin and the meaning of
life. In fact, I have staked my life on
Jesus Christ because I am convinced
that 1) he is alive and God is real, 2)
true pleasure is found not in sin but
in a love relationship with God, and
3) we can taste the joy of heaven in
daily life as we put our trust in Jesus.
I also believe that God’s love for the
writer of those graffiti messages is
strong and tender and true.
When Jesus walked the roads of
Palestine, his presence evoked
strong reactions from those who met
him. Some were attracted to his
message and manner; they dropped
everything to follow him. Others
were curious; they were drawn to
him but put off making a life
changing decision. Still others -
including many of the religious
leaders - reacted against Jesus. They
knew that if they accepted him, they
could no longer remain the same.
What about you? If you share the
beliefs of the graffiti writer, what led
you to your convictions? Have you
been hurt by the church? Turned off
by inconsistencies in the lives of
Christians you know? Disgusted by
stories of the Crusades - or the style
of some TV evangelists? Shaken by
an experience of suffering? Simply
unconvinced by the message of
Jesus? Is it mainly an intellectual
issue for you or more of a gut-level
response?
If you would like to explore these
questions further, I encourage you to
find someone you trust (maybe even
a Christian!) and be honest about
your questions and objections. Face-
to-face conversation can be far more
satisfying than graffiti - or even a
newspaper article!
Back in the days of the Soviet
Union, an atheist university
professor asked a Russian farmer if
he believed in God. “Yes, I do,” the
farmer answered.
“But why? Why should you
believe in him? Did you see him?”
“No,” said the farmer. “But neither
have 1 seen a Japanese person. Just
the same, I believe that the Japanese
exist. Our army fought against them
in the last war. This is proof enough
for me. If there is no God, why do
you fight against him?”
WI sponsors big quilt show in Mississauga
The Federated Women’s Institutes
of Ontario (FWIO) are holding a
quilt show and sale called “Quilts,
Quills and Bears” to be held Sept.
16, 17 and 18 at Hall 1 of the
International Centre, 6900 Airport
Rd., Mississauga.
Over 600 new and heritage quilts
and wall hangings from all over
Ontario will be displayed and many
will be for sale. Included in the sale
will be a trillium pattern queen-sized
quilt made by the Majestic Women’s
Institute of Brussels and a maple leaf
pattern queen-sized quilt made by a
Majestic Women’s Institute member,
Lucy Hesse.
Renowned quilters and workshop
leaders, Nancy Bergman, Cheryl
Wray and Kathleen Bissett will give
hands-on workshops. Viewers will
have as chance to vote for their
favourite quilt, and will enjoy live
demonstrations, a merchant mall,
and a variety of door prizes.
All show-goers are invited to
bring a teddy bear to donate to Good
Bears of the World - Canada. WI’s
goal is to completely fill an
emergency vehicle with thousands
of teddy bears. They will be
distributed to police, fire
departments, hospitals, etc. to
comfort anyone experiencing an
emergency or distressful situation.
All kinds of bears are welcome -
purchased or handmade.
Show co-ordinator, Arthena
Hecker says this is a show not to be
missed. “We are excited by the
beautiful quilts and various
techniques being offered for both
show and sale-. The workshops will
be of interest to all levels of
quilters.”
Show times are Friday, Sept. 16 -
noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 17 -
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept.
18 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is
$15 at the door for adults, $12 for
seniors and WI members and $10 for
children under 12.
Advance tickets are available for
$10. To order call the FWIO
provincial office at 1-519-836-3078.
This project is funded in part by
the Government of Canada.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Community Living hosts
TVetcMied cpw, to cwce
information night, Aug. 18
Wingham & District Community
Living Association (WDCLA) will
be hosting an information night, on
Thursday, Aug. 18 from 7:30 p.m. to
9 p.m. on services available to those
facing intellectual challenges. The
event will take place at the Jack
Reavie Centre, 153 John St.,
Wingham.
The night is being held in co
operation with over a dozen
agencies and groups including the
Huron Respite Network, Partners in
Employment, Special Olympics,
Family Home Program, Thames
Valley Children’s Centre,
Foundations and the Ontario
Disability Support Program.
Literature will be available from
several agencies unable to send
representatives.
The information provided will be
of particular interest to those with
intellectual challenges, their family
and friends.
The WDCLA has supported those
with intellectual disabilities for over
40 years in north Huron and south
Bruce Counties. They currently
provide supported independent
living, group homes and family
residence support for over 60
individuals. In addition the
association runs a summer youth
program.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
11:15a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
ON $4.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$4.00 + GST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen
foot, fa, cwndAift
Sunday, August 14
Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service ■- 7:30 p.m.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
4 Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
August 14: Matt. 5:1-12
"The Church is not a
% Building,
9. It is People Touching
B People"
Sunday 9:15 a.m. - Prayer Meeting
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
SING ASONCjiOF Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
10:30 am
Blyth Public School
Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848
http://getlivingwater.org
Donation-based N.
PASTORAL COUNSELLING
• Marriage
• Family
\ • Budgeting
Down-
and-Out
For the month of August
Brussels & Ethel Congregations
are worshipping with their friends at
Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels
Worship in Brussels & Ethel United Churches
resumes September 4, 2005.
Sunday 10:30 a.m.Morning Worship Service
For the month of August
there will be special guest
speakers
nn WednesdayTV
7:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
NO Sunday School in August
Evening Worship Service
Adult Bible Study
Aduit & Youth Bible Study
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
We welcome our friends from Brussels United who will
worship with us for the month of August.
August 20th Doors Open and Royal Tea from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
August 21st Guest Minister the Reverend Eva Schury from
Wheelchair accessible
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, August 14
Worship Service
11:00 a.m.
Minister: Rev. Robin McGauley
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