HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-12-06, Page 21I believe when we. are at -
to God's pntle nudging
do His work best, sometimes
out even
obstacles and ing it. When
put up
heed to the signals, He is
ie move smoothly and ef-
ktively
year ago, during a stay in a
hospital, I struck up a
ival acquaintance with
Jeanne, another patient, who
just. moved to that ..place
her husband and two
ng boys. We whiled away
oral hours talking about
'ldren, travel, books and
igloo but when we said good-
' neither of us expected to
the other again.
Yet, two months later; I
ked up my telephone one
'ght to hear < Rejeanne's
pirate voice on 'the other
of the line. Her young
band had died suddenly a
days previously and there
e was, left, in a strange city
' htened and heartbroken,
knowing where to turn.
I listened as she poured out
bitterness and anger. -She
eke of suicide and although I
to tell her God still loved
and that she had an
ligation to Him, . to her
band and children, my
rds sounded empty and
Ily inadequate.
Next morning I spoke of her
rpt to my friend Pearl and
her to pray for her. She
but she also felt a strong
to phone her niece Bar-,
a who lived in the same city
tell her about Rejeanne.
Now Barbara, a committed
} istian, was sympathetic but
peasy about contacting this
ect stranger who might
sieconstrue her interest. She
hided to think about it for a
maple of days. • Howver, that
tight as she was preparing for
lid she was seized with an over
ering compulsion to phone
iejeanne. -
That phone call may well
been the one°•that saved
one's life and sanity.
Barbara, a competent
mitered nurse, had just the
iijtt words, both from a
laical and spiritual stand
it, to- get through to
'ne at the moment she
at her lowest ebb.
Not only that, but in the
offing days, weeks and mon-
that were riddled with
lems and legal red tape, it
Barbara endowed with an
ense amount of common
a huge, loving heart --and,,
a living, shining faith who led
Rejeanne through many dark
times.
It was she who sat a quaking
Rejeanne behind the wheel of
her car and ihsitlted she learn
how to drive in the city so she
cotat escape from the'onlinesr; .
of her uburban home and gain
more independence.
Space does not permit telling
all the seemingly 'strange'
things that happened between
these two women. Such as the
time Rejeanne, urgently
needing Barbara, was trying
desperately but unsuccessfully
to reach her on the telephone
when the door bell rang, and
who was standing on her door-
step. Barbara of course! Surely
if anyone ever had a guardian
angel it was Rejeanne, in the
form of Barbara, during those
dark days.
How wonderfully God moves
if we let him and if we are
tuned in to His messages. I
could have messed up the
whole thing by rushing in to
help Rejeanne. Actually, I
couldn't as I was just getting
over the flu (probably, God's
way of holding me back).
Besides, He is always 80 prac-
tical...Barbara was a - lot han-
dier and better equipped to
meet Rejeanne's need.
He did give me one little link
to forge in the, resuce
chain...having Rejeanne phone
me (she still can't explain why
she did), and then having me Fl
speak to Pearl.
Pearl put in the next link by
responding .to the nudge to
phone Barbara; Barbara stret-
ched out her hand, and God got
His work done.
And did it matter to Him,
from what denominations the
links came? Apparently not.
I'm Presbyterian, Pearl is
United Church, Barbara is a
Baptist and Rejeanne is
Roman Catholic.
How easy it is to push aside
the little signals from God.
Who can tell how many lives
might be saved, what hearts
could be mended, or broken
spirits healed if we were always
on the alert and sensitive to
God's gentle nudgings? -
Last Sunday afternoon at
1.30 p.m. a very impressive
"White Gift Family Service"
was held in the Benmiller
United Church. Mrs. Ben
'Straughan's and Mrs. D.
Willis' classes ably presented
the readings of the Christmas
Lesson and the White Gift
Play.
In the play Russell Kerte
nighan portrayed. the father
and Mrs. R. Kernighan the
mother. The rest of the cast in-
cluded Heather Jewell, Darlene
Jewell, Marie and Danny
Willis. Readers of the Christ-
mas lesson were Gail
McMichael, Brenda Feagan
and Connie Baer.
Together with the props the
White Gift Play gave a very
meaningful lesson on "love
lived." 'It was during the play
that the children came forward
and placed their white gifts un-
der the Christmas tree. The
Children's Aid Society will
receive them.
The Junior and Senior
Choirs under the leadership of
arr contributed to the
enjoy nt Zf all. Cindy
McCli hey and Sandra Rowe
play the "Carol Of The
,MISS ROXIE PALMA
Miss Rosie Palmer of
Goderich passed away Novem-
ber 27 in Alexandra Marine
and General Hospital after a
lengthy illness.
Miss Palmer was born in
Marlette, Michigan to William
and Mary Pals4ser. She came to
Goderich as a child then moved
to Hamilton and Toronto,
returning to Goderich in 1972.
Miss Palmer was a social
worker with the Canadian
National Institute for the Blind,
in Hamilton and Toronto. She
was an adherent of North
Street United Church.
She is survived by one sister,
Miss Adelene Palmer of
Goderich and was predeceased
by one brother, William who
was killed overseas.
Funeral services were held
November 29 at Stiles Funeral
Holme and were officiated by
Rev. Robert L. Rayrnont. Inter=
mint - was at t!M ltllayfietd
Pallbearers were Charlie
Adams, Ernie Durnin, Harold
Stanbury, and Stanley, Daryk'
and Daryl Ball.
Flowerbearers were Larry
and Kevin Adams and David
Durnin.,
MRS. GEORGE REIS
Funeral services for Mrs.
Georg Reis, who passed away
in the Kitchener Waterloo
Hospital, Kitchener on Novem-
ber 20, were conducted at St.
Paul's Lutheran Church,
Moserville on Friday, Novem-
ber 23.
Rev. Norris Heubner of-
ficiated and the interment was
held in the Church cemetery.
Pallbearers were. Douglas
Reis and Donald Reis, Brun-
ner; Bill Reis, Belleville;
Harold Warren, London; Lloyd'
Debus, Moserville; and Jack
Reis, Listowel
MR. W.L. BUTLER, C.A.
While many will be opening presents left by Santa Claus on December 25, there are others
like this woman who live In a refugee camp in Vietnam receiving nothing except the boards
they must sleep on. The `USC of Canada have forwarded $10,000 for rehabilitation purposes,
but it will never be enough to give them a Christmas like we know. Contributions can be
given to the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada, 56 Sparks St., Ottawa, K1P 581.
WILLIAMS
CEMETERY
MEMORIALS
And Inscriptions
Stratford - Ontario
Trustee In Bankruptcy
Bob McCallum
Representative
11 Cambria Rd., Goderich
Phone 524-7345
305 King Street West, Suite 400
The Canada Trust Building
Kitchener, Ontario
Says church must
be open handed
Rev. Fred Faist, President of
London Conference for 1973/74,
and Minister of St. John's
United Church, Stratford,
asked the members of Huron -
Perth Presbytery, at a meeting
held . in Kirkton, Tuesday,
November 27, to think of the
Ch ch as an "Open Hand".
This is the symbol he has
chosen for his term as Con-
ference President. In explaining
his choice of this symbol he
said, "How you use the word
Church has fel- reaching. im-
plications fpr the shape and
direction-of_-You.r__life."_ -,
He then further outlined the
three reasons why he chose the
open hand as his Theme. "The
open hand explains something
about _ the church; that people
are important; that we must be
flexible, adaptable, and open,
and approachable. The open
hand suggests, in the second
place, that we hold something
very precious in our hand that
the world needs; that is, moral
excellence. But the greatest
treasure we hold is Jesus Christ
and his inexhaustible
magnificence. In the third
place, the open hand takes hold
of something. We as a church
are to be involved, we' are to
take hold of the needs of the
world and of the community,
and of our own church. If we
cannot do the big things, at
least we can start on the little
things. And motit important, we
are to take hold of the hand of
the hand of God and discover
that here is the kind of con-
fidence which allows you to
walk with your head up, ready
to face anything as it comes."
NO TWO DIAMONDS ARE
THE SAME ... DISCOVER THESE
FACTS AT:
Walkerton
Presiding for the day long
meeting, was Rev. Doug
Warren of Crediton, Chairman.
One of his first privileges was -
to introduce the new minister
for the Clinton, Wesley -Willis
Pastoral, Charge, Rev. John
Oestroicher, B.A., B.R.E. Also
present for the day was one of
two intended candidates for the
Ministry, Mr. William
Richards of Fordwich.
During the rest of the day,
members received many
reports, voted on.. matters of
local and national Church
policy, and debated issues af-
fecting the `life of the Church.
For one hour before lunch
members divided up into five
Division meetings.. Each of
these reported in the afternoon
session.
In the Division of Com-
munication report, it was lear-
ned that the Resource Centre
has been set up in Main St.
United Church, Mitchell. Rev.
Ray Lindsay, of Monkton, the
convener, noted that the Centre
has film -strips all the "Faith
Alive" cassettes, some of the
"Thesis Theological" cassettes,
and most of the printed
"Resource Kits" for Christian
Education work. These are all
available for loan, free, to chur-
ches in Presbytery.
Singtime, the United
Church's weekly religious
program shown Sundays on
CKNX-TV, should be in color
sometime in February, announ-
ced Rev. Barry Passmore ' -of
Wingham, the program director
for the show. In answer to a
question he said that the
program. costs about $10,000 a
year.
Rev. Ross Crosby, of St.
Marys, reporting for the
Division of World Outreach,
was pleased to say that 15 new
missionaries had been appoin-
ted to overseas posts for 1974.
This requires, however, in-
creased monies from the
Mission & Service Fund. Mem-
bers were encouraged though,
when Rev. Don Deas, from Mit-
chell, in presenting the Division
of Stewardship report, showed
that 1973 givinp to the M & S
Fund were up 4.6 per cent over
last year. The Church still has
to raise 40 per cent of the
national Budget for 1973 of
$11,500,000.
Camping is a major summer
activity of Presbytery, and Rev.
Glenn Wright, of Exeter, was
again able to say that this sum-
mer's camps had been a suc-
cess. 537 children attended the
two Presbytery camps:
Menesetung, near Goderich,
and Bimini, near Stratford.
One report was referred back
to a committee for further
study. This was the report of
the Salary, Policy Committee,
which had been set up at the
last meeting to recommend a
ministerialsalary scale for
Prreebyttery: .._.
SUNDAY SCHOOL — 9:45 A.M.
FAMILY WORSHIP —11:00 A.M.-
EVANGELISTIC SERVICE —7:00 P.M.
WEEKDAY Home League (ladies) Wed., 8:00 p.m.
Prayer & Bible Studies Thurs. 7:30 p.m.
OFFICERS - CAPTAIN G. HERBER - CAPTAIN M. McKENZIE
"All Are Cordially Invited to Attend"
(BLAKE AND ELDON STREETS, GODERICH)
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:30 A.M.
WORSHIP SERVICE .- 11 A.M.
Pastor: Bruce Bjorkquist
333 Eldon Street, 524-6081
7'lir return• stir r rrnr lur1r. Ihrrl (1 :man is justifir cl by faith
0)4 _414'4 rd 4if. 4144/ J .,—,_-43.c+ru*abrti +4.44,
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
(Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec)
MONTREAL STREET near The Square
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1973
Advent 2
Holy" Communion at 8:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer at 11 a.m. _
Sermon by Canon Geoffrey Parke -Taylor -
Dean of Divinity,
Huron College, London.
Nursery 8 Sunday School at 11 a.m.
Rector: Canon G.G. Russell, B.A., B.D.
Choirmaster -Organist: Joseph B. Herdman
Organist: Mr. Frank Bissett
9:45- a.m.—Sunday School
Sunday 11 a.m.
Pastor Preaching
Special Music
_ COME TO A GROWING SUNDAY SCHOOL.
-IF YOU NEED A RIDE, WE HAVE A BUS.
Bethel Pentecostal TObernacle
This Church accepts the
authority of God's Word
ALL ARE WELCOME
The free Methodist Church
Park SI. at Victoria Pastor: H. Ross Nicholls
10:00 a.m. Be part of a growing Sunday School
11:00 a.m. "Profit and Loss"
6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Outreach
Anyone needing bus transportation phone 524-9903
Everyone Welcome
Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
.REV PETE.$ G ST DON. Pastor
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1973
10:00 a.m.—SUNDAY SCHOOL
11:00 a.m.-MORNING WORSHIP
'•00 p.m. EVENING SERVICE
Tues. 8:00 p.m: BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER
Friday 7:30 p.m.—Youth Service
"Worrying 1s taking on a responsibility that God never Intended
you to!"
For further information about church services call 524-8508
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
BA'SIELD ROAD AT BLAKE STREET
EVANGELISTIC — FUNDAMENTAL
REV R BRUBACHER, Pastor
10:00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL COME AND BRING A FRIEND
11:00 A.M. REV. MEL CUTHBERT
VETERAN MISSIONARY
FROM BRAZIL WILL BE PREACHING
7:30 P.M.- REV. CUTHBERT, WILL TELL ABOUT THEIR WORK
AND SHOW SOME SLIDES.
8:30 P.M. WORD OF LIFE CLUB
WED. 8 P.M. PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY
WELCOME TO THE FRIENDLY CHURCH
Knox Presbyterian Church
HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP - REV. LEONARD WARR
10 A.M r-81ble School For All Grades
11 P.M.—Worship Service
Sermon: "WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME"
BENMILLER UNITED CHURCH
1:30 P.M. Worship Service .and Bible School
—W --E— L— C--O—M---E—
Fri. Dec. 7 - 8.S. Pot -Luck Supper and
Christmas Flim Entertainment 0:30 P.M.
Fri. Dec. 14 - BenmlNer S.S. Pot -Luck
Supper and Concert 6:90 P.M.
THE REV G LOCKHART ROYAL'S A , Minister
THE REV RONALD C 'McCALLUM. Assistant
WILLIAM M CAMERON. Director of Praise
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1973
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Dhrine 'Worship
Sermon: "CHRISTMAS AND THE CHRISTIAN"
REV. ROBERT L. RAYMONT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1973
10:00 EA. - 10-14 year aids
11:00 a.m. -Sables to 9 year olds
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship