The Citizen, 1995-10-25, Page 20By Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden,
Knox United Church, Belgrave
and Calvin-Brick United Church
As the wind howls around our
home once again I am reminded of
how the breath or spirit of God is
often spoken of as being in the
wind.
God works within, or with, a
wind many times. Both the Old and
New Testaments have times when
God is found in the wind, whether
as a howling wind, as we have been
experiencing around our area
lately, or as a soft breeze.
We know that the strength of the
present winds is a signal that the
snows of winter are not far off. As
these strong winds blow the final
leaves from the trees we begin to
prepare for winter.
Many of God's children
experience the effects of wind. We
know it to be both a good and a
harsh thing. Only this summer we
experienced a harsh wind in our
own area. We saw first hand what a
terrible power wind can be. It can
be terrifying, destructive and dark.
But wind can also be gentle,
creative and light. It is wind which
helps to pollinate, to dry the land
and to cool us in the heat of
summer. The "kiss" of wind on
your cheek can be a relief on a
scorching summer day. How the
wind affects us at the time brings
about different views of whether it
is good or not.
The winds of hurricane and
winter's wind blowing snow into
dangerous whiteouts are times
when we see wind as bad, and
wonder how something we really
cannot see can be so destructive
and dangerous. The gentle breeze
which carries a feather, or a leaf, or
creates a ripple on a field of grain
has us wondering at the beauty in
creation.
God, too, can seem at times to
have two faces, just as wind does.
We can see both power and
gentleness in God. The Bible tells
us of times when God has been
acting as both harsh wind and
gentle breeze.
Even in the face of strong winds
we need to remember that it is the
wind of God which acts upon us.
The Hebrew word ruach is
translated in many different ways.
For us that word has been
translated to mean breath, spirit and
wind. All of these things come to
us from God.
It was God's breath which gave
life to Adam. It was God's spirit
Remembering the fallen
Royal Candian Legion members from across the region
gathered at Branch 218, in Brussels, on Oct. 22, to lay a
wreath for senior veterans.
Missionaries hear
inspirational music
John Baumbach was soloist at
Auburn Missionary Church on
Sunday, Oct. 22. His singing of
Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
was inspiring.
Diane Baechler, who is home
from the Philippines, spoke briefly.
She is planning on taking more
training and will be returning to the
Philippines sometime in 1996.
John Walden read the scripture
from Matthew 7: 7-12.
Pastor Carne's message was
entitled, "The Giving God." Blind
Bartimaeus called out to Jesus.
Jesus answered him saying, "What
would you have me to do for you?"
Bartimaeus could have asked for
anything and everything.
The scripture reads that Jesus
said 'Ask and you will receive'.
Some people emphasize the gifts
and forget the giver, Pastor Came
said. Instead of giving to God, God
gives.
The giving God is a gracious
God, Pastor Came said. Grace has
been explained as undeserved
favour. Sins killed the Son of God,
yet He says "What can I do for
you."
The giving god is a generous
God. When the paralytic was
brought to Jesus the ones who
brought him interrupted the
meeting, yet Jesus gave the greater
gift when He said to the paralytic
"Your sins are forgiven."
The giving God is a gregarious
God. He enjoys people. God likes
people. l'What a friend we have in
Jesus and there is never a friend
like Jesus," said Pastor Came.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259
11:00 a.m.
Ethel Morning Worship
Church School
God is our refuge and our strength
A Welcome To All
9:30 a.m.
Manse 887-9313
Morning Worship
"Who Are The Saints?"
Church School - Nursery
Blyth United Church
ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
October 29 - 11 a.m.
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Roger McCombe
Lunch to follow
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Cathrine Campbell
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
887-9831 Wheelchair Accessible
ft\
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH--523-9233
Sunday 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
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.
Ail Visitors Welcome
Wheelchair accessible
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1995.
From the Minister's Study
Wind, God's way of touching us, says pastor
which brought the tongues of fire to
the early Christians on that first
Pentecost. It is the winds of God
which we continue to feel today.
In an age when so often we feel
that God is distant, that we can no
longer reach out and touch God, it
is reassuring to know that God is
still reaching out to touch us. That
"kiss" on your cheek despite the
summer sun is God.
God is still reaching out to us
today. God is still reminding us of
the love God has for each one of
us. Yes, the power of God can still
be seen and experienced in ways
that are frightening, but more often,
it is experienced as a refreshing and
renewing wind across the fields and
yards of our lives.
On these, too soon to be ending,
glorious fall days, take some time
to enjoy both the sun and the wind
which they bring. If even you open
your window for a brief moment,
let the breath of God breathe on
you. If even you venture outside to
fly a kite, take a walk with your
loved ones or simply to take a
breath of fresh air, remember it is
God's breath upon you.
We cannot see it, but we can feel
it. God is with us always. Thanks
be to God!
Wassons greet
at Blyth UC
Blyth United Church was well
attended, Oct. 22, the 20th Sunday
after Pentecost. Greeters were
Albert and Nancy Wasson while
ushers were Catherine and Gary
Caldwell and Bill Howson. Phyllis
Boak, director of music was
organist.
Rev. Ian Diamond opened with
Call to Worship, words of welcome
and announcements, thanking the
organizers, preparation and clean
up crew for a successful rummage
sale last week.
Susan Howson explained the
purpose of the rummage sale. The
money goes to youth work and
other projects in the community.
Also clothing is going to Velise,
South America, via Rev. and Mrs.
Aubrey Bell, retired minister from
Bayfield and to the Salvation Army
and St. Vincent de Paul, Goderich.
There was over $1,000 raised,
plus around $900 from the Variety
Concert!
The reading was from Timothy,
Chapter 3, read by Joan Clark,
while the Gospel lesson was from
Luke, chapter 18, verses 1-8.
Rev. Ian Diamond's sermon was
entitled, "Standing in the Need of
Prayer".
The choir rendered an anthem
titled, Where No One Stands Alone
with Garth Walden taking solo,
accompanied by Phyllis Boak on
the piano.
"Go Now In Peace", choral
response concluded.
Sunday, Oct. 29 is the 135th
church anniversary service (32nd
anniversary of the present
building). Service is at 11 a.m. with
guest preacher, Rev. Roger
McCombe of Ingersoll. He is an
Anglican priest, who works full-
time as a high school teacher. A
fellowship luncheon hour will
follow the service.
Friday, Nov. 3 is the church fall
supper at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are now
on sale.
Sunday, Nov. 5, the Blyth
Branch of the Royal Canadian
Legion will be attending the
service.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
October 29 - Pentecost 21
HOLY EUCHARIST - BAS
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
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
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 Studie-s= Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth