HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-04, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018.
God ignores the naughty, nice list; Fletcher
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
Rev. Terry Fletcher lit the fourth
Advent candle, the candle of Love,
at Londesborough United Church on
Sunday, Dec. 24.
A poinsettia on the communion
table was placed in memory of
Tom Duizer by his family. The
Christmas arrangement was in
memory of Eric and Marjorie
Anderson and placed by their family.
The senior choir sang two anthems
that morning — an arrangement of
the Mariah Carey song, "One
Child", and an adaptation of "The
First Noel".
Terry's time with the children was
shared with all the children in the
sanctuary. He posed two questions:
Do you have your chimney swept?
and have you been naughty or nice?
The story goes that Santa brings
gifts to only those who have been
nice. God hopes we are all nice and
is sad when we are naughty.
However, He gives everyone His gift
of love regardless of their behaviour.
This forgiving God loves us for who
we are.
"Going to Bethlehem", Rev.
Fletcher's Christmas message, was
supported by Luke 2: 8 to 20 and the
responsive psalm, Psalm 95. This
Sunday was also Christmas Eve and
Terry remarked that, like Mary and
Joseph who were travelling to
Bethlehem, many folk would also be
travelling at this time to spend
Christmas with family. He always
looks forward to the Christmas Eve
service as the church seems that
evening to be filled with a special
glow as families and the community
worship together.
He suggested that it is all too easy
to get caught up in the social and
celebratory things of Christmas and
miss the real reason for the season.
Amidst the crowds and busyness of
the season, it is not easy to put the
reason for the festivities in their
proper perspective. What if the
Start fresh in the new year
The Blyth Brussels Novice Local League Black Crusaders squad will be looking to the new
year as a new start after a particularly rough ending to 2017. The squad faced off against the
BCH Ice Dogs on Dec. 30 and were handed a difficult 8-1 loss. Due to a snow storm that
slammed Huron County that resulted in some treacherous road conditions that day, several
other games were cancelled after the Novice game. (Quinn Talbot photo)
Suggestions for the new year
As we leave 2017 behind and look
forward to a brand new year, a clean
slate on which to make our own
mark, I thought I would leave you
with a "Checklist for a Better Year"
which I found in a publication titled,
The Christmas Inspirational
Almanac. So pick out the
suggestions that work for your own
situation and good luck! Some will
be easy enough to do if we pay
attention each day.
Others will require some
concerted effort. They might
be considered New Year's
resolutions.
"Read through the Bible. Be an
encourager. Play with the kids at
least three times each week.
Exercise 25 minutes or more four
days each week. Rekindle the
romance. Eat more veggies. Spend
less. Save more. Take the initiative
to build, or rebuild, a relationship.
Listen, don't lecture. Look for the
blessings. Pray more. Laugh more.
Trust God more. Relax more"
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shepherds had just enjoyed the show
put on by the angels and not rushed
off to see the Baby? What if the
angels had not sung, would we have
all the beautiful Christmas music?
What if the Wise Men had not
realized they should follow the star
and bring gifts to the Christ Child,
would we be exchanging gifts at this
season? These events are the basis
for the Nativity and set the tone for
Christmas.
If we travel with Mary and Joseph
to Bethlehem, see the shepherds,
hear the angels and await the Wise
Men, God will unfold His plan for
each of us.
The Nativity is there for us to learn
from, to reflect upon and to
influence our travels as we put our
faith in action.
FROM LONDESBORO
Christmas service
rich in music, colour
Held at Londesborough United
Church, the Christmas Eve service is
a joint service with Knox United of
Auburn, and again this year it was a
full house for what is always a
meaningful service. A coloured
picture of the beautiful Nativity
scene which Auburn United has at
its church every December was
featured on the evening's order of
service. The service itself was a
festival of readings, carols and
prayers. The Nativity story unfolded
through scripture passages and
congregational singing of carols.
Music in many forms added
meaning to the service. Two
anthems by the senior choir directed
by director of music, Barb Bosman,
enhanced the story, "In a Manger"
and "How Quietly". "In a Manger"
featured percussion by various choir
members.
Barb Bosman at the organ and
Marsha Szusz at the piano played
preludes and postludes for the
listening pleasure of the
congregants. These two women also
accompanied the carol singing. Also
adding a beautiful element to the
service was Marjorie Duizer with
her harp. During the receiving of the
offering Marjorie accompanied
herself for the singing of Christmas
verses from Leonard Cohen's
"Hallellujah".
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