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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-04-27, Page 29CHURCH PAGE A life and death issue BY THE REV. RONALD ASHTON FREE METHODIST ' CHURCH Easter has come and gone. The Christian, church has celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ once again. Death comes regularly to the members of the Goderich community. It always cat- ches us unawares and unable to cope very well with it. We find it difficult if not im- possible to conceive of our own death even when death comes close to us through the loss of a loved one. Ours seems so far away. Birth and death - two very natural parts of our existence and yet they are looked upon as two extremes of joys vs. sadness, hope vs. fear, an- ticipation vs. dread. Death raises a lot of questions. If a man dies shall he live again? How can I cope with overwhelming grief? What is dying like? How can I explain death to my child? Is there any comfort to be found at death? How can I face death now so that living can be faced and enjoyed? These are questions people ask whether consciously or un- consciously. To begin, in order to face death,, perhaps your own, let us attempt to look death right in the eye. It is coming. It is a predictable event. We may postpone it, tame its violence but it is still there waiting for us. The door of the hearse is never closed. Obituaries California woman dies Mrs. Violet Alvira (Black) Martin died at Lancaster, California on Wednesday, April 19. She is survived by two sons, Bill and Bob; one daughter, Barbara; and one sister, Mrs. Herman (Margaret) Chamney of Windsor. Mister' study I haye noticed our society goes to great lengths to cover up the stark reality of death. We hide it from children. We fail to adequately plan ahead for it. We make sure we do not talk about it in the hospital room unless forced to talk' about it. We take the—dead out of the home and place them in impersonal places like the morgue or funeral home. We try to make the dead look lifelike. And on and on we could go. How do you face death? Well it helps to go to the funeral home when a friend or relative has died. It helps to talk to the funeral director. It helps to actually arrange your funeral ahead of time. It's a good idea to see the coffin room. There's value in reading a good book on the subject. But let's look closer at death than even these suggestions. Let us admit that death is always distasteful. Death is ugly and grotesque. A dead animal or flower has lost its beauty, its vibrancy. The bird no longer sings or flies. The fish no longer glides through the water. And death is often violent and distasteful such as when an ounce of metal explodes in Robert F. Kennedy's brain or in Martin Luther King's neck. Death is never beautiful. But let's take a step closer to death. We have heard the expression, "He looks like death warmed over", or, "He walks around like a dead man." Death, therefore, is not always simply a cessation of bodily functions. It can be much more subtle than that. In fact, it is possible to be alive and yet in another sense dead. The Bible talks about a type of death that is not physical but spiritual. The apostle Paul said we are, "dead in trespasses and sins". Death can be described as alienation or separation from God. If you have had that ex- perience of being a long way from God, you have a sense of dread or fear, even of death. Whenever you refuse to admit that you are a creature responsible to the Creator for all you do, then death in a spiritual sense comes over you. Luke said when Christ was born that the world was "in darkness and in the shadow of death". Jesus said, "I am come that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly." Towards the end of his life he made another greatuclaim. "I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." That is the life and death issue we need to face. All of us must face the ugliness of death. Many face it all alone with bottle in hand, without friends. Alone in a hospital bed or tenement house. But on the other hand, Jesus says, "I have come that you might have LIFE and that more abundantly." Only when you have faced LIFE with capital letters, including Christ as your LIFE can you then face death. My life is short. I want to live it to its fullest. I want the LIFE, that Jesus offers. In fact, do you know something, I have that LIFE. Christ is m ' Saviour and Lord. Life is now worth living for me. Try Him! You will see He works! The Goderich Section of the Women's Missionary Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada held a rally at the Kinlough Pentecostal Church recently. Attending the day were left to right, Donna Taylour, RR 1 Tiverton, W.M.C. president for Goderich Section; Edna Lynn, of Kenya, East Africa, the rally's missionary guest who spoke about her work in Africa; Eileen Richardson, Sarnia, District Director of W.M.C., the special guest speaker; Barbara Day, Goderich, Goderich Section Leader for W.M.C.;, and Margo Van Sligtenhorst, wife of the Kinlough Pentecostal Pastor and hostess for the rally. The day's program included a workshop entitled, "Leadership Training" conducted by Mrs. Richardson. (Sentinel staff photo) Christian school PTA..... • from, page 10A our own selfish wishes, rather than our faith, often dictate our actions_ ,. 'The primary reason for our misunderstandings with' each other and our children is our lack of faithfulness. It is important to try to un- derstand the consequences of our lack of closeness to God as they show themselves in our relationships with each other. "The speaker," he said, "would discuss these consequences as they related to those unhealthy situations which sometimes develop among/children at school and between parents and their children." Mr. Struik discussed the SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ESTABLISHED OVER 50 YEARS Goderich Area Representative ROBERT McCALLUM 11 Cambria Road Goderich 524-7345 Clinton - Seaforth Area Representative MICHAEL FALCONER 153 High Street Clinton 482-9441 importance of parents and teachers" to be good living examples of the Christian life. Practice what you preach if you want results. The had affects of „peer pressure could be somewhat alleviated if children's work especially in school could be made somewhat more meaningful, if students in their activities could be less shut out from the everyday business of adult life, if their work could he incorpora'r:s°i with that of grown-ups. Mr. Struik gave some suggestions and concluded by urging everyone to be aware ar of the pressures upon our- selvesand our children. He suggested that . we begin to conquer these pressures by trying first of all to eradicate their root cause in ourselves and in our children and then to deal wisely with the problems that remain. • After 2 lively question periods, Mr. Struik was thanked. Coffee and cake were served, and a short business meeting took place. Minutes of the previous meeting were read ,by Mrs. Margorie Ridder and the treasurer Mrs. Lena Haverkamp presented the financial statement. Wo J. Denomme FLOWER SHOP Phone 524-8132 DAY OR NIGH11 Agent for 24 -hr. FILM DEVELOPING Speaker: . REV. BOB RUMBALL Minister of The Evangelical Church of the Deaf, Toronto - Former Pro Football Player Blyth Community CRUSADE Blyth Memorial Hall Sunday -Tuesday APRIL 30. MAY 1, 2 HYMN SING beginning at 7:45 p.m. MASS CHOIR plus SPECIAL MUSIC HARBOURAIRES will sing Tuesday, May 2nd COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS Arranged by Blyth Inter -Church Fellowship • Trees contribute... • from page 1A earliest tree crusaders responsible for the thousands of apple orchards which dot the midwest). So, go ahead, as individuals you can plant a tree, find out how to look after it and stop for a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature. An inscription at the en- tranceway to a park in Portugal perhaps sums up this article best by having a tree remind us: "I am the heat of the hearth on the cold winter ni1*hte • the friendly GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 14978—PAGE-114, shade screening you from the summer sun; and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on. I am the beam that holds your house; the board of your table; the bed on which you lie and the timber which builds your boat. I atn the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle and the shell of your coffin. I am the gift of God and friend of man." MEMORIALS MARKERS - Bronze Plaques - Cemetery Lettering For expert counsel and a fair price rely on a firm you can trust. T. PRYDE & SON LTD. Serving Huron and surrounding area since 1920 DISTRICT SHOWROOM 75 Hamilton St. Goderich District Representative - D.A. DENOMME Appointments arranged daytime or evening by phoning ahead. Phone Goderich 524-2373 or 524-6621 Member of the Monument Builders Association of North America ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH Rector: The Reverend Robert J. Crocker Organist -Choirmaster: Joseph B. Herdman Rogation Sunday April 30th 1978 ? C 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion 1 1 - 11:00 a.m. Church School and Nursery i 11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, I Sermon: "Sin and Grace" - Romans 6:1 7:30 p.m. Parish Council •, Monday, May 1st, 7:00 p.m., Confirmation Classes begin. i - You are always welcome at St. George's - I Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Corner of Elgin and Waterloo Streets • Pastor: C. Fred Day WE WELCOME YOU TO HEAR: "THE SINGING DEWEYS" • of Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. WEDNESDAY - MAY 3 - 7:30 P.M. '¢Attend this Musical Concert' SUNDAY Christian Education Hour MORNING WORSHIP Evening Service -10 A.M. -11 A.M. - 7 P.M. • Choir Singing • Pastor Day Preaching COME AND BRING THE FAMILY Sunday, April 30 at 8 p.m. Make Plans Now To Hear 60 Minutes of Fantastic Gospel Music Presented by: Ed Naylor Toronto's Singing Fireman nd "The Ed Naaylor Family" Evil Prevails when Good Men Do Nothing. Huron Men's Chapel AUBURN North Street United Church The Rev. Ralph King, B.A., B.D., Minister Miss Clare McGowan, Visiting Assistant Mr. Robert Blackwell, A. Mus., M. Mus. Director of Music 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for ages 10 and over (Grades 5 up) Sunday School for age 3 only at 11:00 a.m. Other 11:00 a.m. Sunday School classes remain in church. SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1978 Worship 11:00 a.m. "THE STORY - TELLIN' MAN" A Musical Sermon based on the Parables of Jesus, with the Junior Choir, The Teen Tones, and young actors and in- strumentalists under the direction of Ida Stewart, with Paul Howe at:the piano. ,Maitland Manor Service - 6:00 p.m. Nursery facilities yI .S� (77 Come and Worship With Us i Victoria Street United Church 1878-1978 % f! Minister: Rev. John D.M. Wood, B.A.B.D. Organist and Choir Director: Mrs. J. Snider %% c 10:00.A.M. WORSHIP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL. 11:15 A.M. BENMILLER WORSHIP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL W -E -L -C -O -M -E 1 ; • CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH BAYFIELD ROAD AT BLAKE STREET EVANGELISTIC — FUNDAMENTAL REV. R. BRUBACHER Pastor 10:00 A.M. FAMILY BIBLE SCHOOL BRING YOUR BIBLE BRING A FRIEND 11:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE THE PASTOR PREACHES 7:30 P.M. EVENING SERVICE GOOD FELLOWSHIP - GREAT SINGING MESSAGE FROM THE "WORD" 6 P.M. Y.P.S' MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:30 P.M. MID WEEK SERVICE WELCOME TO THE FRIENDLY CHURCH FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1. (Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec) Montreal Street (near the Square) Organist Mr. Frank Bissett 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - MORNING WORSHIP Guest Speaker: REV. NORMAN BROOKS, LONDON HOLINESS BIBLE MISSIONARY CHURCH Sunday school 9:50 a.m. Classes for all ages Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Prayer 6:30-7:00 p.m. ` evangelistic Service 7:00 Wednesday Night Prayer and Praise Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Matthew 5:8 Huron St. & Walnut St. G. Clair Sams , Pastor . - 5242785 (Christian 3Aeftlrllltl L!TUrcli Services held each Sunday at Robertson Memorial School 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. iSunday School 11:00 a.m. Everyone Welcome • •.._.._.�_ft* •••••• knox Presbyterian Church .._ THE REV. G. LOCKHART ROYAL, B.A., M. DIV.Minister 1 ` THE REV. RONALD"C. McCALLUM, Assistant • LORNE H. DOTTERER, Director of Praise % SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1978 10:00 a.m. Communicant's Class 11:00 a.m. Divine Worship Listen to CKNI( Radio Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for the "Back to God Hour" BEREA-BY-THE-WATER LUTHERAN CHURCI—b Gibbons St. at Suncoast Drive SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1978 9:15 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL 10:30 A.M. WORSHIP / SERMON: "NO ORPHANS" I ? I i . Sermon: "A CONTROVERSY WITH GOD" % (Nursery Facilities) 1 ' (Sunday School Retires From The Service) / 1 1 .A 1I Enter to Worship Depart to Serve i ( ..1••1•.-•••.y,.•••••r. •.-•..r. •••,-.•,.rr1.••1..+v.•>r. err i•. •••.•r+•••.•V.•.•••.9r>rrt.,, Marvin L. Barz, Pastor 524-2235 "Preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all" Acts 10:36 i r THE SALVATION ARMY 71 18 WATERLOO ST. S. 524-9341 ages 1 9:45 a.m. Christian Education for all 11:00 a.m. Family Worship (Holiness Mtg.) 7:00 p.m. Testimony & Praise (Salvation Mtg.) YOUTH SUNDAY SPECIAL GUESTS: MAJOR & MRS. R. BOWLES A.M. — ENROLLMENT SERVICE P.M. — MINI -CONCERT BY YOUNG PEOPLE — FILM • "BIG SPLASH" (THE HAND OF GOD IN.THE I-IEARTOF GODERICH) OFFICERS LIEUTENANT & MRS. NEIL WATT All Are Cordially Invited To Join Our Fellowship ••••••••••••••••.........• ••_••'. .ry r0,16.••r-•• _ r•••>••1•r.v••• r>••1••1/. 41r••••.. \. A