The Citizen, 1994-03-02, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2,1994. PAGE 17.
From the Minister’s Study
Search for life’s meaning
By Rev. E. Paul Acton
St. John’s & Trinity Anglican
One of the main aspects of this
new holistic approach to health is
stress management. When I picked
up Dean Ornish's "Program For
Reversing Heart Disease" I
discovered that what he refers to as
stress management amounts to little
more than relaxation techniques
that one would find in any of the
mainline world religions. The
techniques themselves are not
religious but from ancient times
where those who focused their life
on the search for the 'divine' have
found them useful in their quest.
From a Christian point of view
the stress management craze that
has been dominating the attention
of the aging baby boomer
generation is not that much of a
surprise. Our present fascination
with deep breathing exercises and
relaxation techniques often reflects’
a search for deeper meaning in life,
a meaning that would take us
beyond the quest for gold that has
preoccupied us for so long.
Interestingly enough, it ends up
being the same search that every
maturing person has embarked on
since man first felt separated from
the One who gives life its deepest
fulfillment.
While the methods of quieting
the mind, body and spirit are not
unique to Christianity, the content
of the contemplation certainly is. In
one sense, our search for God is
made easier by the fact that God
has come searching for us in Jesus
Christ and through the Holy Spirit.
For those baptized into the death,
burial and resurrection of Christ,
there already exists a certain union
with God that gives the believer
immediate access into the presence
of the Almighty.
However, the knowledge of God
is a great deep. The contemplative
that seeks union with the One who
is eternal must learn by degrees
how to be still. The openness that
comes with clearing and cleansing
our whole person of those pre
occupying pressures of daily life
provides a wonderful opportunity
for the sovereign God to move in
his own way upon the heart of the
waiting soul.
It is the Christian belief that the
Triune God loves his creation so
much that he is constantly prepared
to lead the seeking soul into a
deeper understanding of himself.
We come to learn that it is his
property always to have mercy.
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord,
to communion with you in such a
way that our bodies may be made
clean through the body of your
Son, and our souls washed through
his most precious blood.
‘God’s Promise’, sermon topic
Fred and Rose deBoer greeted
those who worshipped at Blyth
United Church on Feb. 27. Ushers
were Maridale Bromley, Angela
Hunking, Marilyn and David Craig.
Rev. Tolmay's time with the
children emphasized that each must
take themselves seriously.
Whatever you do you must
remember that you are important,
he said. You are part of God's plan,
Rev. Tolmay told them. Do
whatever you do well. Look after
all the choices that are given to
you. We know that God wants to
lead us every day of our life.
Bonnie Shannon was in charge of
Junior Congregation.
The choir sang, "When Love
Was Bom" accompanied by choir
director, Phyllis Boak on the piano.
Hymn, "Beneath the Cross of
Jesus" was sung.
David Craig read from the
scripture, Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16;
Leanne Haggitt from Mark 8: 31-
38.
Rev. Tolmay's sermon was titled
"God's Promise for the Future".
Abraham and Sarah made difficult
choices throughout their lives yet
they remained faithful to God and
God was always with them.
God calls on us to make many
choices in our lives, Rev. Tolmay
said. Let this time of Lent and
preparation be a time for our own
self examination, to sort out our
priorities. Acknowledge our need
to begin over again; to live
faithfully and test our choices.
Prayer is a comfortable and
personal conversation with God.
Prayer is an important part of Lent,
he said.
"Minute for Missions" was given
by Erica Clark. Offertory followed
with congregational prayer and the
singing of The Lord's Prayer.
The closing hymn "Great is Thy
Faithfulness" was followed by
Commissioning, Benediction and
Choral Response.
Anyone interested in
confirmation classes should contact
Rev. Tolmay.
Congregational meeting has been
changed to 2 p.m. on Sunday,
March 6 in the Sunday School
auditorium. The meeting is to
present the name of a member of
the Order of Ministry to whom they
recommend issuing a call. The
Presbytery Advisor will be present.
After the meeting those interested
will be invited to tour the manse.
Anyone wishing to subscribe to
the United Church "Observer"
should contact Harvey McDowell
by March 14.
Staff application forms are
available for Camp Menesetung or
Camp Bimini. Contact Joan Clark
or Bonnie Shannon.
Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. is
"World Day of Prayer" in the
United Church.
In hospital is Mollie Grant,
Goderich and Irene Ament,
Clinton.
Wesselinks, greeters at CRC
Greeters Feb. 27 at Blyth
Christian Reformed Church were
Mr. and Mrs. David Wesselink.
Guests were ushered by Kendra
Shortreed and Angela Verburg.
Rob Datema led the worship.
Scripture reading was from Mark 8:
27-35. The sermon "The Road less
Travelled."
Mr. Datema said, people agree at
times that life is hard or difficult to
bear. Maybe some would say it
more than others. It's easy to
complain and find wrong in
everything that happens to us, he
said. Unfortunately this is the road
most travelled.
Mr. Datema said Jesus wants us
to take up our cross and follow
him, although it will be difficult
and costly to us. We must deny
ourselves all the worldly things that
look so wonderful. Our lives
should not be based on worldly
things because when the world
comes to an end only our lives have
meaning. Mr. Datema said Jesus
walked on earth and lived a perfect
life, but to fulfill scripture Jesus
had to suffer, be rejected and killed
for his teaching. Jesus wants us to
take up our cross, deny ourselves
and lose our lives for Jesus to gain
eternal life, he said.
The road less travelled leads to
the resurrection, but you have to go
through the cross first.
Next Sunday Rev. Koopmans of
Orangeville will lead both services.
Missionaries hear guest pastor
The special music at Auburn
Missionary Church on Sunday,
Feb. 27 was provided by Mr. and
Mrs. Clare Smith, who sang "I Sing
Praises to You, O Lord".
The special speaker was Rev.
Reik, a representative of the
Chosen People. His scripture was
from Ezekiel 36: 22, 23. In the old
Testament, he said, we read of the
ark of the covenant. It was the most
holy item, in a most holy place.
Where does God meet with His
people today, he asked? It is in our
heart. There will be no permanent
peace until Jesus comes and it is
only in knowing Jesus that we can
know the power of Jesus.
Rev. Reik told the congregation
that since the state of Israel was
established in 1948 there are 4.5
million people living in Israel. By
the end of the decade more people
will be living in Israel than in the
U.S. Many Soviet Jews are
returning to Israel and they are very
open to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The missionary conference is
from March 6 to March 9.
DALTON DICKISON
Dalton Dickison of Wroxeter
passed away on Wednesday, Feb.
23, 1994. He was in his 85th year.
Mr. Dickison was the beloved
husband of Florence Campbell. He
was the loving father of Dan and
Kathy of Gorrie and Jim and Karen
of Wroxeter. Grandchildren Jamie
Angela, Stephanie, Danielle and
Dustin will mourn the loss of their
grandfather. Mr. Dickison will be
On Sunday, March 6, Dorothy
Reid, who is going to Russia, will
speak in the morning service while
Donna and Cheryl Pridham, who
have served in Nigeria will be
speaking in the evening service.
remembered by his sister Pauline
Smith of Wingham.
Five brothers and five sisters pre
deceased him.
Rev. Jeff Hawkins officiated at
the funeral service held at 2 p.m.,
Friday at Betts Visitation Centre,
Gorrie. Pallbearers were Brian, Ron
and Jim Douglas, Jim Hutton,
Bruce Jacklin and Gordon Dicki
son.
In remembrance donations to the
Wroxeter United Church or the
Heart & Stroke Foundation of
Ontario would be appreciated.
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
March 6 - Lent 3
Holy Eucharist
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887-9273
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233
Sunday 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker - Rev. Koopmans of Orangeville
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20"
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday
Faith 20 5:30 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V.
All Visitors Welcome Wheelchair accessible
you are ‘Welcome at
the
BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD
9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults
11 -12:15 - Morning Worship
Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
9:30 a.m.
- “Taking Firm Action"
- Church School - Nursery
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship
If you feel like you need a fresh start in your relationships;
If you have gotten out of the habit of going to church and
know you should go back...
We Warmly Invite You To Worship With Us
BRUSSELS MENNONITE__
FELLOWSHIP
/<
Friday, March 4 - World Day of Prayer
held at Brussels at 7:30 p.m. All are invited!
Saturday, March 5 - COMMUNITY PRAISE at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 6-9:15 a.m. - Singing Tune-Up Time
9:30 a.m. - WORSHIP HOUR with Mark & Heidi Hallman
10:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages
Pastor Tom Warner
887-6388
Elder Linda Campbell
357-1648