The Citizen, 2015-09-03, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015.
Remembrance
Hope Chapel Cemetery held its annual memorial service on Sunday under sunny, warm skies.
Dozens were in attendance for the annual service, which aims to keep those memorialized
there in the minds of their loved ones. The service’s speaker was Pastor Mark Royall of
Auburn’s Huron Chapel. (Jim Brown photo)
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth and Brussels
United Churches
I recently read a Maclean’s article
that claimed that more of the science
community is coming to believe in
the afterlife. The article quotes Dr.
Eben Alexander, a neurosurgeon
who had an illness which put him in
death-like coma for seven days.
Though he was in a coma he reports
that he was aware (can remember) a
beautiful young woman showing
him around the “invisible, spiritual
side of existence.”
Usually neuroscientists claim that
near death experiences are a result of
the brain firing off random electric
pulses which are experienced as
dream-like episodes. Dr. Alexander
claims the problem with this theory
is that the part of the brain which has
been blamed for these dream-like
episodes was the very part of the
brain his illness had attacked and it
had ceased to function.
For him, the scientific theory had
been destroyed and what was left
was a real experience of the life
after.
His colleagues don’t agree and
have attacked his newfound faith in
life after death as unscientific and
even anti-scientific. The article also
shares other stories of people who
have experienced life after death.
Specifically mention is Colton
Burbo who’s father, Todd is coming
to Blyth Memorial Hall on Saturday,
Oct. 3. In those episodes people
receive some new knowledge which
would be highly improbable for
them to get in any logical way other
than an out-of-body experience.
I find these stories interesting in
that they push our society to deal
with the reality that we don’t know
everything and haven’t figured
everything out. As Shakespeare
wrote, “There are more things in
heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are
dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Personally, I like the idea and look
forward to the opportunity to be with
my beloved ones who have died over
the years. And yes, I am sure being
in God’s presence will be
indescribable. However, I don’t see
all this as a reward or a prize that is
mine to win or lose. I also don’t
think it is for Christians only. After
all, if God created us all, then every
gift including Heaven must be
for all God’s children and not just
some.
But when I think of Heaven the
overwhelming thought is, “Heaven
after death will be great but what
about the here and now?”
My children and now
grandchildren are here with billions
of others. How can I think of an
afterlife for me without considering
what I am leaving behind? The goal
of life cannot be a Heaven after life
if we have done nothing to leave a
heaven behind for those who live. I
am less concerned about what my
heavenly home will be like,
particularly since I’ll have no hand
in the decorating, than what an
earthly heaven might look like
and that I can have a hand in
decorating.
To imagine this requires no loss of
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
Wingham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph’s
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.
CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS
MINISTER
Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
All Welcome
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224
Sunday, September 6
We Celebrate Our First Responders!
Sunday, September 13
When BBQ Isn’t Enough
Worship Service & Sunday School at 10 a.m.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.
Children
Welcome
getlivingwater.org
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God)
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Sept. 6: 2 Cor. 4
Evangelical Missionary Church
“Purpose for Living in the Face of Death”
Appreciation for EMS Workers
Service of Infant Dedication
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, Sept. 6
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and at various homes
at 6:30 p.m. from July 5 to Sept. 6
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
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Nursery care available
519-887-9017
Worship & Sunday School - 10 am
Coffee & Snacks - 11 am
We invite you to join our church family in:
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.
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
BRUSSELS
WORSHIP SERVICE
AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00 am
All Welcome
United Church
Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div.
Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224
blythunited@tcc.on.ca
Church bookings: 519-887-6377
Other concerns: 226-963-1175
From the Minister’s Study
Focus on decorating your earthly heaven
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