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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2002.
Kendra Falconer assists at Knox service
FROM LONDESBORO
One of the features of our home
most often mentioned by guests is
the view. Our vantage point gives an
overview of the village and sur-
rounding countryside. I find the
wonders of nature quite 'awe-ful' at
times.
Just at dusk on Boxing Day we
watched the snow squalls outside the
dining room window. Every now and
then as the air cleared we had the
Christmas lights of the village to
admire. Between the main course
and dessert one of those present
spotted more than lights of the sea-
son.
On the country road just east of the
village were the lights of police cars,
wreckers, etc.
An eastbound car, perhaps having
difficulty with visibility, was taking
its half of the road out of the middle.
Quick reaction by the operator of a
westbound transport trailer prevent-
ed a serious accident. The driver got
the truck stopped just off the road
short of the creek and the bridge
abutment.
There were no injuries and essen-
tially no damage to the truck.
Apparently the driver of the car was
oblivious to what had occurred for
he never stopped. However, the
wreckers were unable to pull the
truck back onto the road and a crane
had to be called in the next morning.
On Saturday, Dec. 22, relatives
and friends helped Mary East cele-
brate her 70th birthday at the
Londesboro Community Hall. The
surprise fete was organized by
Mary's children.
Guests came and went throughout
the evening to congratulate Mary,
recall memories, enjoy a bounteous
potluck supper and play a few hands
of euchre - one of Mary's favourite
pastimes.
She has a -huge card signed by
those who attended to remind her of
the celebration.
It was remarked how fortunate
Londesboro is to have a building for
such gatherings. Neighbours of the
hall can attest to the frequency of its
use.
A number of years ago a former
Hullett Twp. council questioned the
viability of keeping the hall. After
several years of minimal upkeep and
repair the council claimed the build-
ing was too costly to maintain.
Those who attended the public
meeting, called to determine the
future of the structure, made it clear
they wanted to preserve that piece of
their heritage.
The community can be grateful the
Continued on page 19
Kendra Falconer assisted Rev.
Paul Ross with the lighting of the
fourth Advent candle - the candle of
love - at Londesboro United Church
6n Sunday, Dec. 23. Receiving the
offering that Sunday were Bob Trick
and Elizabeth MacGregor.
The senior choir under the direc-
tion of Barb Bosman presented two
Christmas anthems. See Him Lying
on a Bed of Straw, a syncopated
tune, opened the service. Later the
choir sang A Christmas Gloria.
During 'the invitation to worship
the question, Who do you say that I
am? was asked. From the Bible
comes the answer, You are the
-Messiah, the Son of God.
From the children's storybag came
a teddy bear holding a red heart that
said, I Love You. Christmas is a time
of saying, I love you with presents.
The children learned that God loves
them and gave the greatest gift of all,
His son, Jesus.
King Ahaz was reassured- by God
through the prophet, Isaiah, that
Israel would be protected from their
enemies. However, as proof, Isaiah
delivered the prophesy about Mary
bearing a son, Emmanuel, in Isaiah
7: 10-17.
Joseph was reassured by an angel
of God not to be afraid to marry
Mary. In Matthew 1: 18-25, God told
Joseph Mary would bear a son,
Jesus, as proof of the Old Testament
prophesy.
Parents continually attempt to
prove their love to_their children to
validate their verbal expressions of
love. Christians are asked to have
faith and to love God unconditional-
ly.
What proof do Christians have to
validate their faith, to bear truth to
their beliefs? Proof for those who
need it, came with the birth of
Christ; in Bible stories and teach-
ings; and in the continuing presence
of the church. These things substan-
tiate the service's message of 'suffi-
cient proof'.
Several flower arrangements in the
church that morning were placed by
the family of Sandra Mayberry. The
community trusts God will comfort,
bless and strengthen her family in
this time of sorrow.
The sanctuary was filled with joy.
peace and music on Christmas Eve.
To the large number of worshippers
who braved the somewhat blustery
winter weather, Rev. Ross pro-
claimed that the Christ Child had
been born.
Kelly Stevenson and Rev. Ross lit
the Christ candle in the Advent
wreath.
In Isaiah 9: 2-6, the prophet stated
the world would one day witness the
birth of the Prince of Peace. Luke 1:
39-45 records a visit by Mary to her
cousin, Elizabeth, when both were
with child. Elizabeth and her unborn
son experienced great joy upon rec-
ognizing Mary as the mother of
Jesus.
In Luke 2: 1-20 Luke gives his
account of Jesus's birth and the
events of that night.
During the children's time, the
boys and girls found a partially com-
pleted jigsaw puzzle and pieces in
the storybag. The children complet-
ed the picture of a Nativity scene.
However, they discovered the piece
with the Baby Jesus was missing. As
he found the last piece, Rev. Ross
pointed out that we can't leave Jesus
out of Christmas as He is what
Christmas is all about.
Several familiar hymns were sung
that evening and accompanied by
Jenn Elliott at the piano, Barb
Bosman at the keyboard and Rev.
Ross playing flute. Duets by Jenn
and Barb were enjoyed before and
after the service.
The senior choir sang Away in a
Manger and Sheep Fast Asleep, an
interesting little hymn translated
from Japanese. Still, Still, Still, a
John Rutter hymn, was sung a cap-
pella by Gail and Harry Lear, Barb
Bosman and Brenda Radford.
A story, Frank Celebrates
Christmas, was told by Rev. Ross in
somewhat updated terms. It seems
that one Christmas an entire village
was experiencing sadness and
depression and not even decorating
their homes. No one was buying
Christmas food from the local gro-
cer. Sales were slow at the coffee
and donut shop. The local factory
had laid off workers.
In this depressed economy fewer
people were attending Father
Michael's church services.
Frank decided to change things.
He built a stable on his front lawn
and brought in a cow, a donkey and
a few sheep. Curious villagers
stopped by to see what Frank was
doing.
Shortly the creche was alive with a
) young family. as Jo-seph, Mary and
the Christ child. The grocer, Tim and
Father MiChael were wisemen, some
.teenagers became shepherds and
Frank was a carol singing angel.
For a short time that year Frank
eased the troubles of. the villagers
and they experienced the joy and
peace of the season.
Frank was actually St. Francis of
Assisi who created the idea of a
Nativity scene in a small Italian vil-
lage in 1223. The singing of carols
was initiated by St. Francis
also.
Making the grade
This group of Blyth Skating Club members all passed various levels of the Canskate program
on Saturday at the Blyth arena. Back from left; Connor Rodger, Tyan Bailey, Rachel Keunen,
Cassie Salverda, Wyatt_ Bearss. Front from left; Kelsey Kerr, Kelly Cooke and Sheree Uyl.
Absent from the photo but successful were Brooklyn Heubner, Adrianna deVries, Alex Raynard
and Jay Lyn Uyl. (David Blaney photo)