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The Citizen, 1988-04-06, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988. Frorn the Ministers Study^ There are many ways to be faithful to God BY REV. DOUGLAS J. ZEHR BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP There have been some very encouraging signs. News reports indicate that a major grocery store chain will discontinue the use of styrofoam egg cartons and trays for meat products. (Another chain is giving consideration). They indi­ cate that it is not problematic to their suppliers. Hurrah! The best news we’ve heard for the ozone layer in years. Then just last week there was another announcement ... this from the DuPont Company. Du­ Pont, the world’s largest produ­ cers of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has said it will phase out production of chemicals that en­ danger the ozone layer in the earth’s stratosphere. Special services at Biyth United Two very meaningful services were held in Biyth United Church. The Good Friday service was well attended. The large cross at the front of the sanctuary was draped in black below a crown of thorns. Red poinsettia petals were scatter­ ed on the crown of thorns, the black drape and the cross representing drops of blood. The communion table, also draped in black, held seven white candles - Jesus’ seven last words from the cross were read by Fred Howson, Harvey Snell, Evalena Webster, Melda McElroy, Herb Shannon, RickHowson and Lenora Davidson. The candles were extin­ guished at appropriate times during the service. There was a litany of forgiveness, a litany in Jesus’ mother, brother and sisters and a litany of commitment which were shared by the congregation. The choir sang, “Must Jesus hear the cross alone?” and Jim Lawrie sang a beautiful solo, “The touch of Jesus’ hand”. In his homily Rev. Ramirez spoke on the meaning of the last words of Jesus. The closing hymn was “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” Easter Sunday service was held as family Sunday. The church was filled to capacity with several chairs in the narthex. A white shroud was drapedon the cross and a white cloth on the communion table which held candles. There were many beautiful plants and lilies - these were donated in memory of Wes, Jim and Lyle Tamin, George Gillespie, Florence Hussey, Sadie and George Hamm, Amanda Wilson, Mary and Mur­ ray Gillispie, Doreen McCallum, Ray Madill, Wesley Burkholder, Lena Hulley and others. There were also two beautiful baskets of flowers in memory of Norman Garrett. The Senior, Intermediate and Junior choirs sang “Allelua”, led by Margaret Kai with Donna Walsh at the piano. Margaret and Donna beautifully provided the music for the whole service. The senior choir sang, “Let the Trum­ pet sound.” Rev. Ramirez chose as his sermon’s title, “A New Beginn­ ing.” He said that Easter is really the beginning of the year for Christians. Spring time in our part of the world is always a time of hope and inspiration after the cold dull days of winter. He stated that there never is a sunset - but only sunrise in some other parts of the world. He compared our appreciation of beautiful days with his experience in the Philippines where every day is warm and therefore one never It was as it an answer to prayer was happening as I read The Citizen’s report of the Grey Township decision to purchase a bin for the landfill site tocollect materials which can be recycled. This is fantastic and I believe that every person should be involved in preserving our environment. I believe that the Creator of this world gave the human race the responsibility to care for and nurture the good earth. Someone undoubtedly will say, “Doesn’t it say somewhere that mankind is to subdue the earth and rule over it?” They will say that because they know some individuals have gone to the extreme, maintaining that the religious teaching about sub­ duing the earth and ruling nature is the equivalent of inviting mankind to misuse the earth and exploit nature. talks about the weather. During Mr. Ramirez’s conversa­ tion with the children he talked about the meaning of Easter eggs and seeds. A basket of chocolate Easter eggs was passed and every child received one. The grade one Sunday School class gave each family a packet of marigold seeds to plant. Ruth Sauve was in the nursery. Ernie, Emily, Leslie and Karen Phillips were ushers. John and Vera Hesselwood were greeters. It was announced that next Sunday evening, Rev. Kathi Urbasik from Goderich North Street United Church will be the speaker at the U.C.W. Thank Offering at 8 p.m. It's Colossal, It's Stupendous, It's Fantastic, It's Unbelievable, It's Great...It's Happening 'till April 30™, 1988 WEEKS Yes, you can now enjoy 2 weeks of classified advertising at one low price. Your "For Sale" ad of 20 words or less is now only $4.00 for 2 weeks *A savings of $1.50 It's spring clean up time - Don't throw it away - Sell it today with a classified ad... p O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. nom 1H° ._q0 Phone 523-4792 Such an interpretation has been rampant for ages. Out of it grows the idea that might makes right. I ’ m stronger than you, so you listen tome. Moneybagscontrol. And that is exactly what happens politically, economically, socially and in religious communities too. The morality, injustice or long­ term implications don’t seem to matter. I’m in control here, right now and I want to do it this way. This could be illustrated in a multitude of ways. Trace, for instance, the roots of male domi­ nance in most cultures. Consider what happens to a woman in our own culture when she marries and adopts her husband’s name. In effect, she becomes a nobody. Her identity can be destroyed. Her credit rating disappears and her birth record may evaporate. Or trace the roots of power in the world today. Consider how world nations keep third-world nations eternally in debt. Look at what power nations expect in return for assistance to poor nations of this world. Someone has said that power corrupts and absolute power cor­ rupts absolutely. Power and auth­ ority tend to manipulate, control, distort, and abuse to maintain control. i Biyth Christian HIGHW„ 4^ Reformed Church 4 blyth Rev. Dirk Miedema of Acton SundaySchool 11:00a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20” Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith20 5:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME But a religious interpretation in support of such an understanding must be far from the original intent. Obviously, God’s control is not aimed at raping, devastating and perverting the nature He created. I believe His control or intent is to enhance, enrich and direct that creation toward the end for which it was made in the first place. This has many implications for our lives. It affects our individual endeavours and our family lives. It speaks to our social relationships and our church communities. It affectsourfriendsand our work colleagues. When our emphasis is on subordination, authority and rul­ ing, we tend to allow our spirits to become corrupted. That is when we rape, devastate and pervert nature as well as relationships, leadership roles and confidences. Just as I may destroy nature and environment, so too, I can poison, pollute and destroy relationships with my spouse, child, aging parent, employer, church com­ munity or supporters. But there is another direction. 1 can enhance the gifts and abilities of my spouse and child. I can attempt to enrich the life experi­ ence of my aging parent and p O. Box 152A . BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 phone 887-91 ‘Copy may change weekly - personal ads only employer. I may be able to give directionFor growth and maturity to my church community or party supporters. Then weallbecome winners. That is ruling by privilege rather than by right. It is gaining trust and earning the right to speak rather than demanding respect and the right to decide. It means being in there for the long haul. It attempts then to meet others where they are. I applaud the Grey Township council for their leadership in our community. I hope all municipali­ ties will follow suit and do all we can to recycle. But more than that, I hope it will be a model for our relationships as well. Rather than use and discard and demand more precious resources, we will en­ hance, enrich and give direction towards growth and maturity in nature, lives and relationships. WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE PAPER MONEY with a classified ad. Call The Citizen at 523-4792 or 887-9114 before 4 p.m. Mondays. We’re opening soon i 1 THEIR NEW ATWOOD STORE Main St. Atwood APRIL7,8&9«1 Save IfMK Onal1 1V/O $pring Arrivals at both locations Special Sale Racks in Both Stores e FREE DRAWS FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES!! MERCHANDISE FREECOFFEE&COOK^s IN ATWOOD STORI 3 ___ _____ _________I I Ladies'Wear&Shoes Tumberry St. S. Main St. Brussels Atwood 887-9811 358-9050 OPEN FRIDAY, APRIL8 TILL9P.M.INATW00D _