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The Citizen, 1991-02-06, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1991. From the Minister’s Study God has the best answer to the fears around us BY REV. CAROLYN MCAVOY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN BRUSSELS AND BELGRAVE How many times in the past two and a half weeks have you heard newscasters or world leaders ask us to pray for peace? Isn’t it interest­ ing how instinctive it seems in the midst of human strife and ineffec­ tiveness, that in our desperation we quickly turn to god? When we take time away from the routine parts of our life, a little bit of time to think about things, most of us would conclude that we live in a complex world. In these days of war in the Middle East it is nearly impossible not to find our­ selves thinking about the complexi­ ties. We are in a world where a war is raging in the Persian Gulf region and in Israel, and yet we watch remotely on television ... some­ times even slightly miffed that our favourite television programmes have been interrupted by endless newscasts and up-to-the-second details on the war. We feel so insignificant, like the world is raging out of control and that there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. It is so complex. Sure, we gather together and share anxious conversations at the coffee shop or the arena or the post office, trying to put together the M. Coultes hosts Moderator’s visit Blyth 9:30a.m. facts we have heard and come up with some sort of conclusion. Maybe we even manage, for a- while, to give ourselves the feeling that we have a grip on it. Somehow, even though deep inside we feel a little bit prejudiced, we like it better when we can feel it’s ‘us’ against ‘them’ and things are black and white. But for all our conclusions, we really know that it is such a complicated situation. Anytime we start to hink we have got the picture clearly, a new fact or opinion forces us to look at it another way, and we sigh and realize that our world is so com­ plex. We look for answers from our leaders, listening attentively to what Bush or Gorbachev, Mitter- and or Mulroney say. We try to understand the tactics and person­ ality of Suddam Hussein and query the Iraqi news taped reports. We hear denials or affirmations from foreign ministers and defence secretaries, and we listen to the thoughtful debate of the democra­ tic legislatures in Canada and the US. We know that all the leaders make the best decisions they can, in good faith, and we shudder to think what it would be like for us to be in their position in these days. We even turn to newscasters for truth and understanding. And yet, most of us would acknowledge that our heads and hearts are swimm­ ing, we don’t know what to think ourselves, and we sure don’t know what to say to our young people. We have looked to the world for hope and truth, and we have come away disillusioned. It’s at times like this when we have to look beyond the world, and look to God for hope. And when we do that, we find the words of Christ ... and don't they speak powerfully today: “Peace 1 leave with you, my peace I give to you, NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES do I give to you .. let not your hearts be troubled, neithei let them be afriad.” Jesus Christ offers peace that the world cannot give. As we search for hope and meaning Christ says to all of us, come and see .. the Prince of Peace. There is a lot of humility in really turning from our hope and trust in the world, to really going to see Christ. It is not easy to leave the confidence we have in our own lives ... our possessions, and dreams to enter into a relationship with Christ that will clearly demand sacrifice. We may think, on some level, “I’ve really got the answers. I can make it on my own, I’ve got money, family, a good mind, friends, a sense of humour, what do I need with God?’’ And yet, we know we haven’t got it all, we know that in- the face of the real horrors and struggles of this world, we don’t really have any answers at all. It demands humility to admit that ... and to come and see where Christ is. God in Christ came to deal with harsh realities: greed, hatred, mis­ trust, prejudice, trickery ... You see, the world has always been pretty much the same. The selfish­ ness, powermongering, hate, greed, intolerance and prejudice that lie at the root of the present war, have always been here. The sin was there, in all the awfulness, then as now. Perhaps now it seems more vivid and close because it flashes across our TV screens, and the weaponry of our age puts us all in danger if there is severe conflict anywhere in the world. But it is not a different world from the world Christ entered two centuries ago. And he came, to take away the sins of the world. As we scratch our heads and as our hearts ache as we try to ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. February 10 understand the troubles of our personal lives, and the troubles of the world, let us really try to know and take hope. God has the best possible answer to the fears all around us. We can claim this hope in our own despair. We can see the face of Christ all around us and respond with love. When we look hard we see Christ in the face of Iraqi citizens, soldiers in the middle east, lonely people in our community, confused and depress­ ed friends and family around us .. and we can respond in love, caring for each other where we are. And deep inside, knowing of the grace and forgiveness God has offered through Jesus Christ, we look around us and say: Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace. The Transfiguration MORNING PRAYER Brussels 11:15a.m. Right Reverend Walter Farqu- harson the Moderator of the United Churches, will be visiting the southern Presbyteries of the Lon­ don Conference from February 15-20th. During his visit to Huron- Perth he will be hosted by the chairperson of this Presbytery, Muriel Coultes of RR 5, Brussels. The Presbytery meets four times a year and a chairperson is selected from a number of ministerial and lay delegates. Mrs. Coultes’ term will be finished in April when she will begin as President of the London Conference of UCW at the annual meeting. Rev. Farquharson will arrive in Goderich on Sunday, February 17 where he will attend a service conducted by Rev. Bob Ball at North Street United Church. A fellowship hour will follow then Mrs. Coultes and her husband, William, will be escorting him to Stratford for a special meeting. Mrs. Coultes says that Rev. Farqu­ harson has written several songs and those in attendance will have the opportunity to sing some of them before the worship service. Rev. Farquharson will make a speech at this time and a small reception will follow. After, he will assist Rev. John Moses, the minister at St. John's United in Stratford at the worship service. A big evening event will follow. The opportunity to host Rev. Farquharson’s visit to the Huron- Perth Presbytery is once-in-a-life- time one for the Coulteses. “It’s a real thrill for us,” said Mrs. Coultes. Council rejects truck tender Continued from page 11 the completion of the Public Ad­ ministration Course - Part 1. The tender received for the purchase of the 1975 dump truck was rejected due to the reserve bid council had set prior to advertising. The tender of Roger Somers of RR 2, Blyth for the purchase of the air compressor at the price of $250 was accepted. Reeve Fraser and Councillor Souch advised that they had a call from Barbara Ives of RR 2, Blyth. She was concerned that snow­ mobiles were travelling on the unopened roads, which she wants opened for travel. Council discuss­ ed the matter and did not feel the unopened roads should be main­ tained during the winter. A grant of $150 is being given to the Brussels Agricultural Society in September. Council discussed the proposed fire signs for the Wingham and Area Fire Board. The Morris representatives Bert Elliott and Mr. Riley said no decision had been made as the matter is only being investigated at this time. The board has mentioned they would like to see the signs in place by August 30. Mr. Riley and Mr. Elliott advised council they would keep them informed concerning this matter. Mrs. Michie has been authorized to prepare a house numbering for the Morris side of Walton then report back to council. Council was presented with a listing of fire costs for 1990. The total costs of fire protection was $46,502.44 with the budget being $48,643.00. Belgrave W.I. Hall notified council that they have increased the fire insurance on the hall since the recent renovations. A request from the Wingham Advance-Times under the Freedom of Information Act to the head (council) regarding employees wages has been submitted. Council instructed Mrs. Michie to prepare a range of wages and present these to council at its next meeting. Ramirez officiates at induction service The greeter for Blyth United Church on Sunday, February 3 was Vera Badley. Ushers were Stephen Webster. Fred De Boer, and John and Vera Hesselwood. Rev. Ramirez opened the service with call to worship followed by hymn No. 216, “Rejoice the Lord is King" and responsive reading No. 659. Psalm 119. Scripture reading was Mark 1; verses 21-28 and hymn No. 218 “Crown Him with many crowns” was sung. Rev. Ramirez officiated at the induction of new elders and install­ ation of new church offices assisted bv Harvey Snell. The choir favoured the congrega­ tion with "Burdens are Lifted” accompanied by Mrs. Phyllis Boak. Anyone wishing to subscribe to the United Church Observer is to get in touch with Harvey McDowell before February 20. Sunshine Unit will meet Febru­ ary 14 at 2 p.m. Next Sunday is Family Sunday and there will be no Sunday School. Rev. Ramirez’ sermon was “The Lordship of Jesus over us” and spoke to us on the authority of Jesus and how we look at the scripture today. Service closed with hymn No. 249 "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” followed by prayer, bene­ diction and choral response. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 10:00 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service 8:00 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study Friday, 7:30 - Youth 1 BLYTH CHRISTIAN ZjA REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4, BLYTH OR. W. H. LAMMERS Sunday at 10a.m. and 2:30p.m. Sunday School 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 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service A Sunday, “Christ the Light of the World” IkVj February 10 Church School - Nursery 9:30 a.m. Ethel Worship Service Come Holy Spirit, Renew 9 The Whole Creation Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us!