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The Citizen, 1999-09-22, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1999. From the Minister's Study Where is God when the fire burns, pastor asks By Pastor Ben Wiebe Brussels Mennonite Fellowship How does the puzzle of life fit together? There are the courageous actions of people like the woman this week who donated one 'of her kidneys. To a young man the gift holds the promise of a normal life. This is a gift of gratitude and compassion. (The woman said, T have been blessed with good health, the need is there, it is something I can do'). The gift is received with anticipation and joy by the young man. Then there is the appalling disaster in Turkey, the homes destroyed, people injured and killed. We are almost numbed by the horror of this event. These are real people, mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren. We stare at the graphic TV images and hear the terrible statistics. How can we take it in'? Can we make any sense of it? It is tragic when humans build on land they know suffers frequent earthquakes. What adds to it is people building with inferior materials, bribed officials, ignoring building codes and shnoddy workmanship. I do not know any people who suffered in this earthquake, their loves or hopes, the dreams for their children. I do know that those who Public speaking sessions begin Those with the desire or need to speak in public and communicate effectively are being offered a training course. The Huron-Perth Chapter of Christopher Leadership Courses of Canada is holding weekly sessions this fall to leach participants how to speak with confidence. The course in effective commu­ nication is designed to build self­ confidence and enthusiasm. Attendees will learn to talk while thinking on their feet, how to speak off-the-cuff and control nervous­ ness while speaking to a group. It also teaches effective listening. Taught by four volunteers, gradu­ ates of the course classes begin Sept. 27 at the OM/XFRA office in Clinton or Sept. 29 at the St. Willi- bord Credit Union, Stratford. They run one-night per week for I 1 weeks at a cost of $125 per person or $1 15 for seniors and students over 16. The fee is tax deductible. Enrollment is limited to the first 25 people. For more information or to regis­ ter, call 519-345-2152 or visit http://home.ican.net/~paradigm/chr istophers/21 .html. lost homes and loved ones with the destruction of their communities experienced all the pain and grief of anyone anywhere. In suffering we humans are one. We can say the problem is disaster, suffering and death. Is it simply this or is it the moral collapse in the face of these things? Jesus anticipated that there would be “earthquakes and famines” to the end time. His word is do not be ruled by alarm or be propelled by fear (Mark 13: 1-8). The problem, in a word, is less these things than the failure to see what is to be done, the ruthless act of running over life’s challenges in desire for gain or power. The core of the problem is moral evil: collapse under the pressures and the enticements of the “deadly sins". To specify still further, the problem includes death, just as it includes suffering and especially unmerited or innocent suffering. Most qf all it is the failure to determine and even more pursue a life of truth, justice, courage in relation to God. So where is God when the fire burns? At this time out west great forest fires are burning, some endangering whole communities. Some are set by human arsonists, others by lightning. Either way couid not God stop the fire? Or at least from burning as far as my street? It is worth nothing that while fire can be very destructive fire is also very useful. The flame of a great forest fire is terrible, but it is also fascinating. The universe is not possible without fire, the sun that gives light and warmth, the earth formed over a crust of molten lava. Fire is part of God’s good creation. In the dry areas out west organic matter does not rot. Tons of dry underbrush grows up in a year. We are told that earlier fires every 30 years or so returned this organic matter as fertilizer to earth making possible new growth. When we build a house-in an area like this, God does not alter the rules of the universe. They are the very thing that makes nature work. He does not change the temperature at which wood begins to bum. God keeps nature being nature. If God changed the facts every time we ignored them, the universe would be a crazy place; fire would not always provide heat; water not always quench thirst. Life would be impossible. More than this, what is to come? There is brokeness and evil ... there is also enduring goodness (if evil is reason for complaint against God what about the good?) We are part of the mystery of life and death, of creation and decay. It is God’s creation and his purpose includes the whole. In the words of the apostle, “we ourselves groan . inwardly” along with the whole creation as we “wait for redemption” (Romans 8: 22, 23). We shall be set free from the frustrations, the weight of decay, to share in the freedom and glory of God. If the core of the problem is human - our relations to one another, our response to the true and the good - any solution must address this need. In line with some solutions, humans simply end up being oppressed or destroyed (as in Marxism). The gospel calls for renewal of humans as they exist, in response to the creative act of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The . need is a new heart (Jer. 17:9; Ezek 36:26) with new purposes lived in faith, hope and love. you arc ‘Welcome at the BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson ■ Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 September 26, 1999 9:30 a.m. - Worship Ethel United Church THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA you are welcome this Sunday SEPTEMBER 26 - PENTECOST 18 MORNING PRAYER 11:00 a.m. - Worship Brussels United Church Sunday School has begun. Come and be a part of it! Sunday, Oct. 3 is Worldwide Communion Sunday Trinity, Blyth St.John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday 8:45 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 11 a.m.- Morning Worship Service 8 p.m.- Evening Service Wednesday 7:30 p.m.- Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m.- Youth Mea&e join [a* uLM&Hip tftU Sunday Morning Worship Service ~ 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service ~ 7:30 p.m. "The word of God is living and powerful." Hebrews 4:12 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible Whether it’s in family life, career, or spirituality, sometimes Sharing a Healthier Future , wit'1 PdRTicipacrion we need to start a clean page. Not necessarily through quitting, divorce, or running away, but through the forgive­ ness possible in Christ That’s not easy. Whether you're single, married, young or old, at our church you’ll find people who are trying to care, reach out. and love. Like Christ taught. Start a clean page this week: join us for worship and in our search to care for each other. Brussels Mennonite Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Christian Education (for all ages) Everyone Welcome! Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388 Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With Us Sundays - 11:00 a.m. Worship Servicer~~--------_-------- --------------- -------.---------------- S-f> Covenanting Service for Rev. Dow Minister ~ Rev. Ernest Dow ALL ARE WELCOME 523-4224 Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study Tuesday 8 p.m. John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Everyone Welcome For more information call 887-6665 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service October 3, 1999 Anniversary Celebration 5-7 p.m. Beef Barbeque 7:30 p.m. Church Service with the Reverend George Vais former moderator of the Presbyterian Church ~ Special Music Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831