Loading...
The Citizen, 1990-04-18, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1990. From the Minister's Study ‘Let’s not be like the bear.’ BY BOB BARNHART BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD Leroy Erms told of an event which he and his son, Randy witnessed in Istanbul, Turkey. They were sitting in a restaurant and looked out the window in surprise and disbelief at a huge brown bear, muzzled and on a leash. When a crowd of people gather­ ed, the bear’s owner shook a tambourine and immediately the bear stood up on its hind legs and began to dance around. Then on command the bear lay on its back and rolled from side to side. As the crowd applauded in appreciation, the tambourine became a collection plate. Suddenly a small mangy, mongrel dog came leaping out from behind the bushes and began barking at the bear. But the mighty bear, which should have been able to dispatch the dog with one swipe of its powerful paw, was both helpless and terrified and bounded around trying to dart away to find a place to hide. What was the problem? Why was the magnificent wild beast afraid of a scruffy little dog? There were two reasons: the bear was both muzzled and declawed. It was a pathetic sight, but what made it more sad was that it was a picture of so many Christians: muzzled, for they felt unable to speak, and weaponless for they are unable to use the sword of the Spirit. As a result, we like that bear often find ourselves helpless and fearful, as if under seige, whenever we attempt to share our faith. As I read that story I could relate to the fear and helplessness of trying to share my faith. But I am also encouraged because it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus was on earth for over 40 days after his resurrection. In Act 1.8 he said this: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” From the verse there are three ‘Ps’ I want to point out. The first is the Power. The power is the Holy Spirit, which gives us the strength to do witnessing. That’s important because it is the Holy Spirit that convinces, converts people, not us. Too often people share because they think they have to have all the answers or they have to convince the person. But they don’t. A Pastor told that witnessing is simply sharing Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. I like that. The second P is Purpose. The purpose was to be his witnesses. Some people say I witness by my life; I don’t say anything. When people tell that to Howard Hendrix he always asks which is more important on an airplane the right wing or the left? The answer is they both are important. So it is in witnessing. Your life should back up your words and your words should explain your life. The third P is Place. Notice one thing as you go through: everyone didn’t witness in each of those places. They witnessed in the place where they were at. We each have our own sphere of influence. You will see people I will never see and I will see people that you will never see. We may not witness every­ where but we can witness in our own place. Power, Purpose, Place, all three apply to each of us, let’s not be like the bear. Special visitors attend UCW The United Church Ladies met in the parlour with 15 ladies present as well as four visitors. The vice-president opened the meeting with a welcome and a story of the Easter Lily, followed by prayer. The hymn “Crown Him, Crown Him” was sung. Scripture was read by Rene Richmond from John 11, verses 13 to 27, followed by prayer. Upon this Easter time Barb McMillan gave the introduction to guest speaker Lorraine Main from Ethel and friends Brad, Sheila and Terry from the group home. Lor­ raine looks after a a foster home. Brad works at the car wash in Listowel, Terry works filling shelves at Valu Mart in Listowel. Rene thanked the guest with a bouquet of flowers and gave each guest a flower. The hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” was sung. Gertie Kellington conducted the business part of the meeting. Ladies are going to look after flowers for Easter. The Thankoffer­ ing is April 29 at 11 a.m. The Ladies are taking part in the service. Minutes of the last meeting were read by Secretary Joan Bernard and were approved. Calendars for April have been given out to raise money for the new kitchen improvements. The London Conference meeting will be held in Centralia College for all Presidents of Huron and Perth. U.C.W.s on May 3 to 6. Eight ladies offered to make cookies for this, to be dropped off at Joan Bernard’s on May 1 and 2. The ladies are going to start a new Archives book for the U.C.W. for 1990 with pictures and writing. Betty Graber and Gertie Kellington attended the London Conference held in Woodstock, April 2 and 3. A report was given. The May meeting will be held as a Mother and Daughter banquet May 9 at 6:30 p.m. Cathy Workman and Audrey Cardiff will look after the worship. Ida Evans and Audrey Cardiff are on the lunch committee. Offering was received. The meeting was closed with the bene­ diction. Sunday School sends get well card Several Easter lilies along with blue, pink and mauve hydrangeas graced the sanctuary of Blyth United Church for Easter Sunday April 15. It was Family Sunday and a large congregation attended greeted by Bonnie and Herb Shannon. A musical prelude to the service entitled “Alleluiah” was played by Mrs. Phyllis Boak at the organ and John Ramirez on piano. Other special music was provided by Mrs. Cheryl Cronin who sang a lovely solo entitled “The Holy City”. “He’s still the King of Kings” was sung by the senior choir. The children’s story centered on the topic of Easter eggs, how eggs symbolize new life as does the cocoon in the cycle of the butterfly. New life begins with Christ and Rev. Ramirez said that hopefully we can break the shell of inhibition, worship Christ and start life anew. Traditional Easter hymns “Christ, the Lord is Risen Today” and “Thine be the Glory” were sung. Scripture reading was Matthew 28 (1-15). Seeds of life were presented by Candice McNichol and Amanda Howson on behalf of the Sunday School and were distributed follow­ ing the service. Passing the offer­ tory plates were Daniel Sauve, Angela Walden, Shawn Stryker and LeAnne Haggitt, all members of the Sunday School. The U.C.W. is invited to Walton United Church for a daffodil tea and bake sale on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. A reminder was given that there will be a music recital for Shirley Vincent’s students on April 23 at 7:45 p.m. An evening unit meeting will be held April 25 at 8 p.m. Diane Ferguson has planned a History walk through Blyth. Next Sunday there will be a sing song prior to the service. A large “Get Well” card to Lorna Fraser made by Sunday School members was signed by many of the members of the congregation following the service. Thoughts and prayers are extended to Lorna on her unfortunate acci­ dent. The topic for the sermon was “Resurrection - Our Renewed Hope”. The resurrection is histori­ cally the foundation of our church - it signifies renewed hope. Al­ though the details of the event differ somewhat in the different Bible chapters, they all relate the one common element - that the Lord Has Risen. As Mary and Martha approached the tomb on the first day of the week, they were filled with sadness and sorrow, no doubt still hearing the sound of the hammer being pounded through the hands of Jesus. The angel, knowing how they felt spoke, with understanding and tenderness. Verse 6: “He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.” Verse 8, “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy and ran to tell his disciples”. For the women, their’s was a renewed hope. Jesus was risen and would continue to be with them. Rev. Ramirez pointed out that today this world gives lots of promises but nothing can compare to that new hope that only comes from knowing Christ as Lord and Saviour of our life. The service closed with benedic­ tion, choral response “God Loves You” and a musical duet entitled “The Easter Song” played by John Ramirez and Phyllis Boak. HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ‘ ‘ Establ ished over 60 years ’ ’ Serving Blyth, Brussels and all of Huron County Neil Elliott 153 High Street, Clinton Bus. 482-9441 Res. 482-1748 “Evening appointments available” BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH King Street 887-9313 Rev. Cameron McMillan 11 a.m. Morning Worship Sunday, Church School April 22 Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. April 22,1990 Easter 2 MORNING PRAYER Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00-Morning Service SundaySchool 9:30 a.m.-Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us! BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at10a.m.and7:30o.m. Sunday School 11:00 a. m. The Church of the ‘‘ Back to God Hour” and ‘ ‘ Faith 20” Back toGod Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10:00 a.m.-Sunday School 11:00 a.m.-Morning Service 8:00 p.m.-Evening Service Wed.-Discipleship Training Fri. 7:30-Youth Sat. 10:30 a.m.-Kids Klub Let us help make your picture clearer Many people have a myriad of unanswered questions about funerals. It is not a subject that most of us know much about. We would like to help correct this problem. We are available to answer any of your questions about funerals, including costs, details of the service, pre-arrangements and pre-payments. If you would like more information,‘just pay us a visit at the address below,'or pick up the telephone and call us. We’ll help to make the picture clearer! Betts (3CA ONt&RiO f';NtBAiI SERVICE ASSOCIATION Funeral Home Q BRUSSELS GORRIE 887-6336 335-3571