HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-25, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018. PAGE 15.
From the Minister's Study
When God calls, be ready to run to him
By Rev. Charmila Ireland
Melville Presbyterian Church
"One thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is
ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ
Jesus." Philippians 3:13b-14
I'm a runner. I may not be
particularly fast. I may never win a
medal. But I run. Every single day
since Thanksgiving, 2016, I have
laced up my running shoes and run
for at least one mile. Google tells me
that I'm approaching 500 days.
OPP
preaches
s -mobile
safety
The Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP) responded to 27 snowmobile
deaths during the winter of
2016/2017, marking the highest
number of fatalities since the winter
of 2003/2004.
Last season was also the worst on
record for snowmobilers whose ride
took a tragic turn while travelling on
frozen waterways. One third (nine)
of last season's victims died as a
result of their snowmobiles going
through the ice.
As the OPP kicks off Safe
Snowmobile Week with the Ontario
Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
(OFSC), they are urging
snowmobilers to leave all forms of
risky behaviour behind when
heading out for a ride, especially
when riding on frozen waterways.
"The spike in snowmobile
fatalities and all-time record high in
ice -related deaths last season are
unacceptable," OPP Deputy -
Commissioner Brad Blair,
Provincial Commander, Traffic
Safety and Operational Support said.
"The vast majority of the 27
snowmobilers who died took
unnecessary risks instead of making
it a safe, enjoyable ride that got them
home safely to their families.
"With very few exceptions,
speeding, driving too fast for the
conditions, consuming alcohol,
riding on unsafe ice and other risky
behaviours are what lead to
snowmobile deaths every year," he
said.
OFSC Participation and
Partnership Development Manager
Lisa Stackhouse urged
Continued on page 16
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'HURONCHAPEL.COM
There is a certain inevitability about
it. There is no question of whether I
will or won't run. I will.
Whenever I read this passage from
Philippians, I am reminded of the
simple act of running. During a race,
the miles that have passed behind no
longer matter. Only the miles ahead.
You press on toward the goal. It's
single-minded. It's simple. But that
is not to say that it is easy.
Paul wrote the letter to the church
in Philippi during his imprisonment
in Rome. Even while in chains, Paul
wrote to them, "Rejoice in the Lord
always, I will say it again: Rejoice!"
(Phil. 4:4) What faith it must have
taken to fix his mind so steadfastly
on Christ and the future. Though
bars prevented him from going
anywhere, Paul still pressed on
towards the goal. His eyes were on
the prize. His mind was on the finish
line. I'm sure it was not easy.
Paul had more reason than most to
focus on the miles ahead and forget
what was behind. Before God called
him on the road to Damascus, Paul,
then called Saul, was present at the
stoning of Stephen, "giving approval
to his death" (Acts 8:1). Paul does
not hide from what he did. He tells
the Philippians about his persecution
of the Church (Phil. 3:6).
Paul did not shy away from his
past, but he focused on the future. By
putting his hope in Christ, he let go
of the guilt of his prior actions and
committed to growing his
relationship with God. He accepted
that, through the actions of Christ on
the cross, he was forgiven and
moved on to a life of faith and
obedience.
This is an example for every one
of us. A lesson that no matter how
terrible our sin, or how hurtful our
actions, God still loves us. There is
always time to repent; to change
course. There is another day ahead.
A day that you can use to love God
and your neighbour to the fullest. A
day that you can use to make
amends. God calls us to a new life in
God's loving embrace. It is up to us
to lift our eyes and run towards it.
The Regional Ministry of Hope
Thank you
The staff of Huron East organized a special fundraising
barbecue late last year to help raise funds for the United
Way and Ryan Erb, executive director of the United Way of
Perth/Huron was on hand recently to accept their donation
of over $800. From left: Erb, Huron East Executive Director
Janice Andrews and Mayor Bernie MacLellan. (Shawn
Loughlin photo)
"You're ignrited Je (1n Hs S'n 1.Corsit1I)
SUNDAYS
Morning Service
Evening Service
10:00 am
7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
• Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen
L (J�. Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
We invite you to join our church fami,y in:
Worship & Sunday School - 11 am
Coffee & Snacks following the service
Come out and meet our new minister, Rev. Charmila Ireland
Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2
- a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and
made possible by the Brussels churches working together.
Nursery care available
519-887-6687
Blyth United Church
Est. 1875
Sunday, January 28
Worship at 9:30 am
The
Great Teacher
Everyone Welcome
Hillary MacDonald
OFFICE: 519-523-4224
Everyone Welcome!
Trinity Anglican Church St. John's Anglican Church
BLYTH BRUSSELS
9:15 am 11:15am
MINISTRY OFFICE
519-357-4883
Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector
- email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca
▪ The Regional Ministry of Hope
COME WORSHIP WITH US!
BRUSSELS
United Church
Welcome to Sunday morning worship
& Sunday School
at 11:00 am
Hillary MacDonald (905) 246-7386
Macdonald.hillary@gmail.com
Everyone welcome
You're 'nvitec[
to come worshp
with us
Sunday, January 28
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School)
Sunday School for children
4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers
during the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service.
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS.
OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Brussels:
St. Ambrose
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
17 Flora Street
Winaham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph's
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.