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The Citizen, 2003-02-26, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2003. From the Minister’s Study An invitation to take part in God’s drama By Brent Kipfer, Pastor of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship A few years ago, my wife Sarah wrote a Christmas pageant for children. She crafted the script to include the children in our church. About the time that rehearsals were beginning, two young girls began attending worship services. When Sarah learned that they wanted to be part of the play, she added new characters to the story. The girls were written into the script. Jesus does something similar with us; he invites us to take our part within the unfolding drama of God. If we say “yes” to his invitation, Jesus writes us into the story - not scripting all of our lines and movements - but giving us freedom to improvise within the scope of the big storyline. Jesus brings us into the wide sweep of God’s mission in the world - the story of a Creator who is desperately in love with a broken, rebellious and hurting world. Jesus writes us into the story of Israel and into the story of his own life, death and resurrection. The Bible is our essential text because it tells the story and cues us for our part of the action. We need to know th©' story in order to play our part well. If we ignore the big story, we end up disoriented, we lose ourselves in mundane ambitions, we end up playing in scenes that rob us of life, we get disconnected from the whole point of our lives. The Bible connects us to the big adventure story - love story that God is writing and lays out the contours, for our roles. Our culture conditions us to think that the real story, the real action is taking place in Washington, London or Ottawa. These places are important - but God’s drama is not an exotic production reserved for a faraway stage. It is being played out in our own communities - in Brussels, Ethel, Blyth or Morris Twp. Where do you see it? Whom do you notice taking cues from a heavenly director? The Spirit of Jesus gives us prompting: to help us work out our lines, develop our characters, and choreograph our actions. What new scenes might the Holy Spirit work with you to write? A number of scriptures speak about God’s book of life; the names of those who belong to Jesus are written in the book - “the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). There are still others whom Jesus wants to write into the book and incorporate into the drama. Like Fanny Crosby’s song, Blessed Assurance, we have the opportunity to declare exuberantly: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long! Area churches invite Christians to World Day of Prayer service Local residents are invited to participate in the World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 7, which will draw Christians from around the world together to focus on Leban on. Several local churches will host events. All the Blyth congregations will join together in prayer at Blyth Community Church of God at 7:30 p.m. Brussels and area residents are invited to gather at Duff’s United Church, Walton, in the evening as well. Londesboro United Church will welcome participants at 1:30 p.m. A lunch will follow. The Belgrave service will be held at Knox United at 2 p.m. This year’s service, written by the women of Lebanon, reflects on the theme “Holy Spirit: Fill Us”. Lebanon still suffers from political and economic problems and unrest following 17 years of civil war. The country is now trying to rebuild its economy and find peace and stability despite ongoing Middle East conflicts. The women of Lebanon are asking all groups around the world who are celebrating World Day of Prayer to plant a tree in solidarity with the Lebanese people who are trying to replant areas devastated by war. When attending the World Day of Prayer, participants will not only learn more about this beautiful country and its unique culture and heritage, but will also be joining Christians in more than 170 countries and 2,000 communities across Canada who will gather to pray and take action in solidarity with the people of Lebanon. The World Day of Prayer has its roots in an ecumenical day of prayer organized by women in Canada and the United States in 1920. This event became the International World Day of Prayer in 1922 and Christians around the world began celebrating this event on the first Friday in Prayer is co-ordinated by the March. Women’s Inter-Church Council of In Canada, the World Day of Canada. Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, March 2 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 tSt. Michael’s jl, Roman Catholic Church y 254 Drummond St. E., Blyth Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m. Father Lance Magdziak, Pastor 519-527-0142 email: stjames@rcec.london.on.ca HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL , MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-4941 Sunday Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.- Crusaders & Youth 7:15 p.m. - Adult Efible Study 'Pteaae joitt cc& faw cww&fafi Sunday, March 2 Morning Worship Service -10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. - Matthew 5:8-9 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:OO a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 ^Co^munity of . "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" Sunday - 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. - Bible Studies Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. Pastor Les Cook 523-4590 Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 "Water Malian Tdlwiafiip March 2-Mark 2: Iff 3 3 3 3 3 ___________3 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School § 6 at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill I Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848 www.tcc.on.ca/~dowfam "FOLLOW ME #5: WONDER - \\Authority to J k’ Do the Impossible" "Church Beyond the Box" 3 3 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible 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 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca March 2 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School We will be celebrating Transfiguration Sunday with the Sacrament of Communion THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ‘KfetoMtet cpuc to (wt&Affz cuctd, Sunday, March 2 Holy Eucharist - Transfiguration of our Lord Shrove Tuesday March 4 - Pancake Suppers Trinity, Blyth at the Memorial Hall 5-7 pm St. John's in the Church 5-7 pm Ash Wednesday Services Tuesday, March 4 - 7 pm Blyth Memorial Hall Wednesday, March 5 - 5-7 pm St. John's, Brussels Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273