The Citizen, 2017-02-02, Page 3Getting back
The mud and dark weather of last week limited the fun that
could be had at recess at Hullett Central Public School. This
week, however, brisk temperatures, a bright sun and snow
to cover the mud made for perfect snow soccer conditions,
just ask Carleigh Dale, left, and Mia Greydanus. (Denny Scott
photo)
to basics
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017. PAGE 3.
Clark's destination: Kitchener
Gary Clark, Blyth and Brussels
United Church minister, will be
moving on to Forest Hill United
Church in Kitchener at the end of
April.
Late last year Clark announced
that he would be moving on from
Blyth, a community he called home
for nearly 10 years. In recent years
his charge was expanded to
also include Brussels United Church
when Sandra Cable retired.
At the time, Clark said he didn't
yet know his next destination. Now,
however, he knows he will be
heading to Kitchener — a decision
he feels perhaps has roots in a life
event several years ago.
Forest Hill United Church is one
of the many churches that
participates in the Holy Currencies
program, Clark said, a program he
and former local Anglican Minister
Perry Chuipka attempted to bring to
Huron County.
Two years ago Clark said he and
Chuipka attended a Holy Currencies
event in Toronto and felt the
program would be a good fit for
Huron County. It seeks to reach out
into the community, find its needs
and serve residents through the
church.
Forest Hill's commitment to the
program, Clark said, is the big
reason why he felt it would be a
good fit for him.
Once Clark declared that he would
be looking for a new mission in his
professional life, he consulted the
list of churches looking for ministers
and the name Forest Hill United
Church rang a bell because of its
involvement with the Holy
Currencies program.
He then thought back to that time
in Toronto with Chuipka and felt
that maybe God was sowing the
seeds for this life change then.
"What other people might think is
a coincidence I think was maybe the
hand of God," Clark said.
The Holy Currencies program is
important to Clark he said.
Especially with all that's going on in
the world, a church in a community
like Kitchener that reaches out to its
residents is a great spot for him to
be.
Clark said that he first felt the call
to leave the local churches and then,
once he had made that declaration,
found that the new Kitchener church
would be a good fit for him.
He said the church is very close to
a low-income housing area that's
home to many Muslim refugees and
immigrants and the church has been
active in reaching out to that
community — not necessarily for
evangelical reasons, but to simply be
good neighbours. Clark feels that
kind of work is important, especially
in a diverse community like
Kitchener.
His final service in Blyth and
Brussels will be on Sunday, April
30. While he says he doesn't have
Shoot playing Feb. 14
Sympathy is extended
family of Bill Souch who passed
away last Saturday.
Happy birthday to Vera
Hesselwood, London who
celebrates Feb. 4; Mac Brooks,
Feb. 5 and Evelyn Caldwell,
Feb. 6.
Results of the Shoot party for
Tuesday, Jan. 24 were: first, Joann
MacDonald; second, Mae Ritchie;
third, Janis Vodden and most shoots,
Frank Hammon. The next shoot
party will be on Feb. 14, Valentine's
Day. Shoot is played the second and
fourth Tuesday of the month. Come
to the out and enjoy the fun and
fellowship. If you have never played
shoot there are plenty of people
willing to help you learn.
Don't forget the Legion Lunch
next Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Legion
Hall from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Come
out and enjoy the delicious food.
The lift is available for your
convenience.
Meat pies for sale at church
From Marilyn's Desk
By Marilyn
Craig
Call
523-9318
Greeting worshippers at Blyth
United Church on Sunday, Jan. 29
were Deb Hakkers and Marilyn
Craig. Ushering were Arletta
Hallahan and Emily Phillips.
Marilyn Scott was organist and
Katie Dockstader, choir director.
Fred Hakkers ran the power point.
Emily Phillips welcomed
everyone to church and drew
attention to the announcements
printed in the bulletin. Special
mention that the ladies are back to
making meat pies. If you wish to
order call Donna Moore at 519-523-
9855. The UCW meeting is on Feb.
9 at 1 p.m. We watched a message
from the moderator of the United
Church asking us to treat people
with love and not hatred.
The opening hymn "Behold,
Behold" was sung. The prayer of
approach was said responsively with
the sign language in the response.
Rev. Gary Clark invited everyone to
greet one another. The choir sang the
anthem "Hear Us 0' Father" along
with a medley of other hymns. The
scripture reading was from John 3:1-
21.
The children were asked to come
to the front for their story time. Rev.
Clark had his cell phone in his hand
and asked the children what it could
do. There were many suggestions:
phone someone, text someone and
you can play games on it. He also
showed them the flashlight that
could be used to find things and see
where you are going.
Jesus tells us to consider other
people as our brothers and sisters
even if they are mean towards us.
Jesus taught us to love one another.
The children along with the
congregation said a prayer with Rev.
Clark and they went downstairs for
their time of fellowship. The next
hymn was new to the congregation,
the choir sang the first verse and the
congregation joined in on the second
and third verses. Rev. Clark's
message to the congregation was
"There is more to the birth than the
baby."
The moderator gives us a
challenge to love people, not to hate
them. The scriptures tell us that
Jesus will help us. The most quoted
scripture in the Bible is John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten son." Jesus
comes to the world to teach us love
and forgiveness. He gives us a super
abundance of forgiveness and grace.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that he has
missed the message. He tells him
that he has to be born again. He tells
Nicodemus that God loves us. He
gives us eyes to see the message in
the miracles. Jesus turns the tables
on the money exchangers because
He is angry with them for cheating
the people. Jesus tells us not to judge
or we will be judged. Jesus also tells
us that God still loves us even
though we have messed up. The
moderator is reminding us the same
as Jesus taught us to love one
another and love can change the
world. We want to see the world
with new eyes.
The next hymn "Take My Life and
Let It Be" was sung. The offering
was received followed by the
offertory response "In Gratitude and
Humble Trust," the offertory prayer,
prayers for the people, silent prayers
and the singing of the Lord's Prayer.
The last hymn "Jesus Bids the
Shine" was followed by the
benediction and the singing of the
response "Amen, Hallelujah."
Everyone was invited for coffee
and treats and fellowship before
going home.
anything overly special planned,
he's hoping that the two
congregations can come together for
a service full of fellowship and
plenty of music.
After April 30, however, Clark
says he plans not to be a stranger
from Huron County.
While he will be serving a new
community, he says that he and his
partner Kathy Douglas have already
purchased their season passes to the
Blyth Festival and he hopes to fulfill
his obligations as the head of the
worship committee for the 2017
International Plowing Match in
Walton.
Both he and Kathy have plenty of
friends in Huron County and plan on
coming back whenever they can.
FROM BLYTH
Wool Coats
Bainton's
Old Mill
Downtown Blyth
519-523-4740
Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening!
("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)
"Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening!" 1 Samuel 3:9
Lord, I may not expect to hear You speak to me with an audible voice, as
You spoke to Samuel; but by Your Word and by Your Spirit --You still speak
to the hearts of Your people.
Oh Lord, but speak thus unto me. Speak to my mind, my conscience, and
my heart...
words of instruction,
words of warning,
words of reproof,
words of counsel,
words of comfort --
according as You, in Your infinite wisdom, see fit.
Speak to me as my Saviour --tell me of Your redeeming mercy.
Speak to me as my Friend --draw near and commune with my heart.
Speak to me as my Father --and tell me of Your care and constant love.
When burdened with sin, say unto me, "I, even I, am He who blots out
your sins as a cloud, and your transgressions as a thick cloud!"
When struggling with inward corruption, say unto my soul, "I am your
salvation!"
When distressed in the hour of trial, say unto me, "Do not fear, for I am
with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you
and help you --I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"
In every time of need, say to my heart, "My grace is sufficient for you."
A Grace Gem
Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church,
Listowel, ON 519-291-1956