The Citizen, 1991-08-28, Page 19From the Minister’s Study
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28,1991. PAGE 19.
We must be open to the ways we may serve
BY REV. BONNIE COLE
ARNAL
WALTON-BLUEVALE
PASTORAL CHARGE
One of my children is a bit of a
perfectionist. She wants to do
everything perfectly the very first
time.
When she gets a new piece to
learn on the piano she gets very
frustrated when playing it through
for the first time because she makes
mistakes. I have to remind her that
the reason for practicing the piano
is to leam the correct notes and that
of course mistakes will happen in
the process of learning. But if she
practices enough, eventually she
will be able to master the piece and
play it without mistakes.
We may smile at that illustration
but in the church we find people
that are unwilling to "practice"
their faith. If they can't do
something perfectly the first time,
then they don't want to try. "Well I
am not a very good Christian so I
couldn't serve on the board." "I
couldn't go visiting in the hospital
on behalf of the church because I
wouldn't know what to say." "I
can't come to Bible study because I
don't know my Bible well enough."
Well these excuses don't hold up
well beside the biblical record.
Jesus did not choose as his
followers the most highly qualified
rabbis of the time. He chose
ordinary people — fishermen, tax
collectors, political activists, etc.
He expected them to go out and do
the work of preaching, teaching and
healing. He expected them to do
that because he knew that
something had happened inside
them. They had experienced the
divine in their lives. Having
known God through Jesus was all
they needed in terms of
qualifications. Perhaps the first
time they had to do some preaching
they may have been a bit shaky and
fumbled around but they were
willing to serve and to grow in their
faith. And they could do that
because they were talking about
something that was real to them —
their experience of God as shown
them through Jesus.
We are invited to be open to the
ways in which we may be called to
serve today. Sure it may be
something that we have never done
before. And perhaps we might not
do it perfectly the first time we try.
But we are called to serve now, just
as we are.
* * * *
P.S. This will be the last time I
take my turn in writing for "The
Minister's Study." I will soon be
taking up responsibilities in the
Belwood-Metz Pastoral Charge in
the Fergus area. I thank the Citizen
for providing this space for
expression of faith. I also wish to
thank those who read this column
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Lorenzo Ramirez
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
Junior Church - Nursery
What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits toward me?
Psalm 116: 12
Church Office 523-4224
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. -Youth
for your interest and for the time
you have offered comments and
feedback. May God's blessing be
with you all!
C. Johnson named WI Fed, Pres,
To become Canadian President
of an organization during its
centenary year is an honour few
obtain; when that organization was
founded in Ontario and then spread
throughout the world the honour is
even more important, an honour
even fewer obtain.
Such an honour and
responsibility was bestowed on
Charlotte Johnson, a Women's
Institute member from Cochrane
Ontario. At the recent Trienium
Conference of Federated Women's
Institutes of Canada (FWIC),
Charlotte Johnson was elected
President-Elect, with Jenny Linde
from British Columbia as
President. The culmination of
Charlotte's term as President will
occur with the 100th Anniversary
Celebrations and FWIC
Convention to be held in Toronto
on June 21 to 30, 1997.
Charlotte is a partner in the
family business in Cochrane. She
is a member of the Clute Branch of
Women's Institute, where she has
held most offices there as well as at
District and Area. In 1983-86 she
was President of Federated
Women's Institutes of Ontario,
where she was instrumental in
getting the major changes to the
structure and out look of FWIO
started. She was a Council
Member of Associated Country
Women of the World 1983 - 86 and
led the Ontario delegation to the
ACWW Conference in Ireland in
1986.
She has been a former 4-H
member and leader for many years,
as well as being very active in her
community. In 1988 she was
elected to her local Board of
Education.
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
....Join with Brussels United for
Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Sept. 1 - 11a.m.
(Belgrave Presbyterian Church joins with the
United congregations of Belgrave and Calvin Brick
for same Sundays}
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength"
Sermon sends praise to God A BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Greeters at Blyth United Church
on Sunday August 25 were Lloyd
and Donna Sippel. Ushers were
Bonnie, Darryl, Cory and Nathan
Shannon.
Rev. Ramirez opened service
with Call to Worship and hymn
"All Creatures of our God and
King."
The responsive reading was
Psalm 95 and the scripture was
from Romans 11 verses 25 - 36.
The hymn "Love Divine, all loves
excelling" was sung. The
children's story was about being
held together by God's Love.
Rev. Ramirez's sermon was "A
Doxology to God" — giving glory
and praise to God.
The service closed with "Joyful,
Joyful We Adore Thee" followed
by the benediction and choral
response.
The Secretary will be in
the office on Fridays only. Sunday
School starts September 8.
LILLIAN WALKER
Lillian Walker of Gorrie, passed
away on Saturday, August 17, 1991
at Stratford General Hospital. She
was in her 89th year.
Mrs. Walker was the wife of the
Lome Walker, who predeceased
her in 1963. She was the loving
mother of Jim and Carol Walker of
Brampton and Edythe and Stan
Giousher of Blyth and a loving
grandmother of her five grandchil
dren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Walker was the dear sister of
Nellie Taylor of Gorrie, Evelyn
Wilson of Fordwich, Margaret
Dane of Gorrie, Kay Dane of
Hythe, Alberta and the late George
Dane. She was predeceased by a
grandson, David Giousher.
Mrs. Walker rested at Betts
Funeral Home in Gorrie, from 2-4
and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday. Funeral
services were held at the funeral
home at 2 p.m. Monday. Carrying
Mrs. Walker to her final resting
place at Gorrie Cemetery were
William Taylor, Duff Bell, Brian
Walker, Michael Giousher, George
Merkley and Albert Stryker.
Donations to the Ontario Heart
and Stroke Foundation or the Red
Cross would be appreciated as
expressions of sympathy.
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
GUEST SPEAKER- MR. ROBERT DATEMA
From Ottawa
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20"
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday
Faith 20 5:00 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V.
/Z Visitors ’Welcome
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
Fredrick Perry
Former Football Quarterback
Y)u can lose a lot
more than your licence
drinking and driving.
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
Welcome to
Rev. E. Paul Acton
Brussels 887-9273
SEPTEMBER 1 - MORNING PRAYER
9:30 A.M.
BRUSSELS
11:30 A.M.
BLYTH
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Sunday, Sept. 1
(S)'
9:30 a.m. Ethel Worship Service W '
Work, for the night is coming, when man's work is done
We have FELLOWSHIP MEALS and ACTIVITIES for
all ages. So to have FUN you know where to come,
HERE!!
Pastor - Tom Warner Elder - Sharon Freeman
887-6388 887-6564
On Sunday, Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. new classes for all ages
will start the Fall Quarter of the Christian Education Hour.
FELLOWSHIP
9:30 a.m. - Worship Service
10:30 a.m . - Christian Education Hour
RALLY
SUNDAY
SEPT. 8/91 - 9:45 A.M.
AT BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Kids - 3 years to 14 years welcome
Come and meet your new teachers,
classmates and staff
For more Information call:
LORNA FRASER
523-9687