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The Citizen, 2019-01-31, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019. PAGE 13. By Pastor Andrew Versteeg Brussels Community Bible Study Yesterday it was Sunday and it was cold and snowy. Our family is blessed to live close enough to where our church meets that we can walk. As I headed to church I was wondering how many would come out for the service, given the weather conditions. As we walked up to the building where we meet I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of cars already in the parking lot. A family, which I thought would certainly not be there since they drive in from a distance, was just pulling in. For some it is legitimately difficult to get out in the winter, but I was encouraged to see so many making the effort. For myself, I was finding it hard to be joyful to be heading out in the cold. I was not really feeling well, I was cranky, getting the kids bundled up and out in the winter is a task in itself, we were running a bit late and I was just in kind of a bad mood. At the same time I was fighting my bad attitude, I was praying about it, knowing that it was not right and that there was really so much that I should be thankful for instead of complaining. We arrived at church and I was a bit cold, not just on the outside, but also on the inside. This is sometimes the way it is with a Christian. We know many glorious truths about our Savior and Lord that should cause us to be joyful and warm and loving and full of worship. But sometimes these things seems distant to us and we find it hard to grasp the reality of God’s wonderful love and grace to us and a spiritual coldness settles in. John Newton, the author of the well-known song, “Amazing Grace,” also had a large letter-writing ministry. Some of his letters have been preserved in books and they are encouraging to read. On Jan. 27, 1778, he wrote this to a friend: “At present it is January with me – both within and without. The outward sun shines and looks pleasant – but its beams are faint, and too feeble to dissolve the frost. So it is in my heart! I have many bright and pleasant beams of truth in my view – but cold predominates in my frost- bound spirit, and they have little power to warm me.” A number of things happened at church on Sunday, mostly ordinary things that usually take place on a Sunday at church. We arrived and different people were scurrying about getting things ready for Sunday School, and for the church service, and for the church fellowship meal after the service. We gathered together for prayer, for singing, and for hearing a sermon. We had lunch together and we fellowshipped together and talked with each other about various things happening in our lives. In the evening we gathered together again and took some time to remember through communion, our Savior’s death on the cross to pay for our sin. When the day was done, I realized that something wonderful had happened in my soul. My attitude and my thoughts were completely different than what I had experienced on the way to church in the morning. The Lord had used all that had transpired at church that day to restore my soul. At home we often begin the day by asking the Lord to “shepherd” us throughout that day. If we know the Lord as our Savior then He is our Shepherd and He will “shepherd” us. Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” My experience has been that there have been many times when the Lord, has “restored my soul” and most often this has taken place in fellowship with other Christians, especially at church. In Romans 15:4-5 God describes Himself as a God of perseverance and encouragement. He loves to give these things to His people. We can ask Him for these things regularly. He has also told us how He gives us perseverance and encouragement. It is through His word (Romans 15:4) and through His people (Hebrews 10:25). That is why it is so important for Christians to regularly meet together, especially on Sundays at church. It is there that we open God’s word together, it is there that we worship together, it is there that we have fellowship together, and it is there that God restores the soul. 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. huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn Follow our PNG Missions Team BLOG! huronchapel.com/missions Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. HEIRBORN (JK-Gr. 6), Jr. & Sr. YOUTH (Gr. 7-12) Sat. Feb. 2, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast February 3 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. Worship Pastor Phil Delsaut “The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father’s Love and Adoption” (Luke 15:11ff) Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, February 3 at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) 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 OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca Special Speaker: Angie Lannin Accessible Sunday, February 3 Worship Service at 11:00 am Blyth United Church Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Nursery care available 519-887-6687 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. Worship & Sunday School - 9:30 am (*New time) Coffee & Snacks following the service We invite you to join our church family in: The Regional Ministry of Hope BLYTH BRUSSELS Trinity St. John’s 9:15 am 11:15 am COME WORSHIP WITH US! Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope St. Paul’s Trinity WINGHAM 11:15 am These Anglican Churches Welcome You Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship BRUSSELS United Church Worship and Sunday School Sunday, February 3 at 9:30 am Worship leader, Angie Lannin All are Welcome From the Minister’s Study With one another, God restores the soul Local Coverage Where You Work, Play & Live 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 www.northhuron.on.ca Catch up on sports, shopping deals, restaurants, events, new businesses, politics, job openings, homes for sale, cars for sale and more with your local newspaper! Subscribe Today! In Print & Online The Citizen See histories and historic photographs on the Huron History section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca