The Citizen, 2003-01-08, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003.
From the Minister's Study
Take time for spiritual care for yourself
By Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee
Knox Presbyterian Church,
Cranbrook
I wonder how many people
reading this have made New Year's
resolutions. “I will lose 20 pounds
this year. I will quit smoking. I will
spend more time with my parents. I
Recognition
Jean Mathers of the Bluevale
Women’s Institute was
recently presented with a
lifetime membership and
certificate of merit. (Photo
submitted)
will work fewer hours. I will try to
keep my temper under control.”
1 also wonder how many people
have already given up on their
resolutions. “It is the second week of
January and I have already given
into finishing up all the Christmas
goodies. I will just finish my pack. I
will see my parents next week. I will
work less once this project rs
finished. The kids were being crazy
and I just snapped.”
1 wonder how many of us have
given up on making New Year’s
resolutions at all. Given our past
experience, we know that they do
not work and that we have not
changed our outlook or bad habits.
It is easy to get upset at ourselves,
and our lack of willpower when our
resolutions get quickly broken. The
whole idea of resolutions can add
stress into an already stressful life.
Stress is not a new phenomenon
but it is one that is causing many
people to feel overworked, under
appreciated, and worn out. How can
we begin to think of changing an
aspect of our lifestyle when we are
already stretched to the limit?
When we get stressed out it will be
impossible to change the things in
our life that may really need some
attention.
A Biblical concept that helps to
address this stress and overwork that
is so prevalent in our society is
Sabbath. When God was creating the
world, on the seventh day God rested
and did nothing but enjoy the new
creation.
When the Ten Commandments
were given, God again included
keeping the Sabbath day holy as one
of the most important instructions
that could be given.
Sabbath is a day off, a day to enjoy
the world and God’s good creation.
Sabbath is a day to praise And
worship God for all the gifts we have
been given.
This is time that is vital and
necessary. When we run around
without taking time off or relaxing,
we are ignoring our need for
relaxation, worship, and space. God,
in creating the world and the Law,
insisted on taking a break. Each one
of us needs Sabbath lime in our
lives. When was the last time you
took a whole day off for yourself and
your family?
Consider taking time for Sabbath.
Consider spiritual care for yourself.
Consider taking one hour to attend
the church community of your
choice.
We all need time apart or stress
can get the belter of us and change
us into people we did not intend on
becoming. When we take time off
for ourselves and for God, we then
may have the ability to consider our
resolutions.
Have a joyous and Sabbath filled
New Year!
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, January 12
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Topic: Jesus and Healing
"Wetcoote
Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman
Office: 523-4224
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
'WeCcruned tyocc to crwtf rzttcC cwtdAifz cuft/r
Sunday, January 12
HOLY EUCHARIST - BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
ll:!5a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
Woman
gets
special
honour
On Dec. 11 Jean Mathers of the
Bluevale Women’s Institute was
presented with a lifetime
memoership pin and a certificate of
merit for 65 years of service to the
organization.
Mrs. Mathers joined the WI in
1937 at the age of 16 and
throughout that time she held all
offices in the local WI, being
president twice. She was president
of the Huron East District twice and
was a provincial board director of
Federated Women's Institute of
Ontario from 1983 to 1986.
She has attended FWl
conferences in British Columbia,
Fredericton, and the U.S.
Mrs. Mathers is the only member
of the Bluevale Women’s Institute
to have received this award.
£
£
£
£
£
£___________
2 10:30 a.m. - Worship & Sunday School §
f at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
| Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848 |
www.tcc.on.ca/~dowfam J
January 12 - Acts 19
W "Baptism:
>\ Believing,
Beginning,
~ ■ • - ' - Belonging”
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
3
3
St. Michael's
Roman Catholic Church
254 Drummond St. E., Blyth
Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m.
Father Lance Magdziak, Pastor
519-527-0142
email: stjames@rcec.london.on.ca
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
Wheelchair accessible
Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL^
MISSIONARY CHURCH
1 START
<iTHE YEAR Jhn church
• 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship
Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.- Crusaders & Youth
7:15 p.m. - Adult Bible Study
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-4941
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.
Ladies' Time Out - The last Thursday of each month
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. - starting again February 27
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
Call Pastor Andrew Thursdays or Fridays at 887-6123
fou are. nZefcome at the
BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship
(Junior Church during service)
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship
Bible Studies - Wednesday morping 10 a.m.
Wednesday evening 7:30 p.m.
Phone 523-4590 308 Blyth Rd., Blyth
foca cca fat
. Sunday, January 12
Morning Worship Service -10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he
knoweth them that trust in him.
~ Nahum 1:7
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
A Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
/ \ Wheelchair accessible
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca
January 12
Ethel United Church
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Brussels United Church
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Come to celebrate with us the starlight and wonder
in this Season of Epiphany
Sing praises to God,
Sing praises;
of all the earth.
Christmas is over but
we are still celebrating
Jesus!
887-6388
Sing praises to our
King, sing praises:
For God is the King
Psalm 47:6, 7
Welcome to
Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship
Worship Service 9.30
Coffee Break 10:45 a
Sunday School 11.00
(for all ages)
Pastor Brent Kipfer