The Citizen, 2006-03-02, Page 15March 5:Gen.9:8ff
"Promising
Signs"
Lent 1 Communion
Christ-centred, Bible-belie% ing,
Fellowship-friend!, Grow th-geared
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Cfiridtiait Telleaup
10:30 a.m. - Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Lau La: Yudels nowt at ere
Mondays 6:45 pm Junior Girls
Mondays & Tuesdays 7:00 pm Small Group
Fridays 7:00 pm Youth Group
6v1
What is the point of life?
Is forgiveness possible?
What happens when you die?
What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today?
The ALPHA course
an opportunity for znyone to explore the Christian faith in a
relaxed, non-threatening manner
more than 2,million people worldwide have already found it to be a
worthwhile experience
Alpha is for everyone, especially: those wanting to investigate Christianity, new
Christians, newcomers to the church, those who want to brush up on the basics
r
YOU ARE INVITED to an
ALPHA Celebration Dinner & Video
Saturday, March 4, 2006 6:00 -8:30 p.m.
at Blyth Public School Auditorium
corner of King & Mill Streets, Blyth
L J
Meal Is FREE but reserve your spot
by calling 523-4711 or 523-4848
Dinner' Group teaching • Small-group discussion • Weekend retreat option'
"An Opportunity to Explore the Meaning of Life"
Sunday 9:45 a.m. - Power Hour Circus
(Ring of Relationships)
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
Mid-week Bible Studies
Phone 440-8379 308 Blyth Rd. E. - Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
op, A N!),Eks,
04 " 04, Building,
It is People Touching
People"
couunUnitY Church of
01401 0Oct
"The Church is not a
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Sunday, sita*cli 5
11:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Sunday Belgrave Service
Wheelchair accessible
Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Veer-dated y,da ea come
clad aanditeA wit% ad
SUNDAY, MARCH 5
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A.,-MDiv. 887-9273
Reade lag ea Oft 401440
Sunday, March 5
Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, March 5
Ethel United Church
9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
- Family Bible Hour
- Morning Worship Service
- Evening Worship Service
- Jr. & Sr. Youth Bible Study
- Olympians
- Adult Bible Study
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
SING A SONG OF
aiSe
fe°1110-9
Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, March 5
Worship Service, Sunday School & Nursery
11:00 a.m.
1st Sunday of Lent. Celebration of Communion,
This Sunday please bring non-perishable food items for the Food
Bank and come early to church for a hymn sing.
Minister: Rev. Robin McGauley
;fel '744-/c.....e
Office: 523-4224
Sanctuary
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2006. PAGE 15.
From the Minister's Study
Going for the gold, silver or... stubble?
By Pastor Ernest Dow
Living Water Christian
Fellowship, Blyth
During the recently-concluded
Olympic games, we cheered on our
country's athletes.
One of the most laudable was
Cindy Klassen, a Winnipeg native
who won a total of five medals (one
gold, two silver, and two bronze) in
speed-skating. She was honoured by
being chosen to carry the flag for our
country in the closing ceremonies.
Yet other athletes have observed
that she stays humble, despite her
achievements. Last year she set four
world records and won eight World
Cup medals, and was awarded the
Bobbie Rosenfeld Award for
Canada's Female Athlete of the Year.
What spurs this world-class athlete
on, while allowing her to stay
humble and flash a carefree, friendly
smile
A CBC TV mini-featurette noted
that before each race, Cindy pauses
to pray; then she can focus totally on
the race without distraction. Her
devotion to Jesus Christ prevents the
medals and publicity from going to
her head.
She says, "I see a lot of people in
sports who think when they reach a
certain level they've got it made, but
really, you can only find happiness in
the Lord."
She says it's because of Him that
she has the gift of speed, and it's for
Him that she skates.
We might be happy if we could
show off five Olympic medals, but
Cindy's belief reminds us there are
things more lasting than gold or
silver. The Psalmist declares God's
law is more precious "than thousands
of pieces of silver and gold"
(119:72).
The Bible reminds us that godly
wisdom "is more profitable than
silver and yields better returns than
gold." (Proverbs 3:14)
In fact, such material things perish
and pass away; far more valuable is
"the precious blood of Christ" by
which we can be redeemed from
empty ways of life -- futile pursuit of
goals that won't last. (1Peter 1:18)
For years, athletes such as Klassen
have been undergoing gruelling
training, endless discipline in order
to compete in international contests.
A few are rewarded with prizes;
many are not.
Scripture reminds us to be careful
about the goals we're pursuing in our
own lives, and to discipline ourselves
so that we qualify for eternal
rewards.
The Apostle Paul writes, "Do you
not know that in a race all the runners
run, but only one gets the prize? Run
in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the
games goes into strict training. They
do it to get a crown that will not last;
but we do it to get a crown that will
last forever." (I Cor.9:24f)
We all have opportunity to mount a
podium at the last for an award -- but
what we are striving for in this life
determines whether God will deem
our works to be of the calibre of
gold, silver, or - not bronze, but
stubble.
Paul says each one builds "using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay
or straw; his work will be shown for
what it is, because the Day will bring
it to light. It will be revealed with
fire, and the fire will test the quality
of each man's work. If what he has
built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will
suffer loss; he himself will be saved,
but only as one escaping through the
flames."
The consumer society
unfortunately grooms us to live for
passing pleasures; for fleeting fun, to
climb the precarious corporate
ladder, or to hoard up material wealth
which we will one day have to
abandon to others. But God has
designed people to be capable of
much more: to be co-workers with
Him, pursuing His goals, enjoying
obedient relationship with Him that's
truly rewarding.
Cindy Klassen's predecessor in the
Canadian speed-skating limelight
was Catriona Le May Doan. She won
gold medals in the 1998 and 2002
Olympics, received the Canadian
Female Athlete of the Year Award
three times, and just last November
was inducted into the Canadian
Sports Hall of Fame.
But Catriona's faith in Christ as
Saviour, like Cindy's, helps her keep
such earthly honours in perspective.
The Lord gives her a purpose in life
that goes beyond merely filling
trophy cabinets.
Retired from the sport since 2003,
she explained in an interview with
100 Huntley Street, "I can't fulfill
my life with speed skating and a gold
medal. That's just not enough. You
might be 50 per cent without Christ - She adds, "Being a Christian, I
- you become 100 percent with Him. know God's love personally. That
[He] makes my sport more fulfilling brings joy to my life... I can't ask for
...my life more fulfilling, and ... my more." (quotes courtesy Living Light
marriage more fulfilling." News)
Wliat is Qad doing
in egvpt?
You are welcome to hear
guest speaker Maher Tawadrose,
an Egyptian Christian
at
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
Sunday, March 5 9:30 a.m.
10:45 am Coffee Break
11:00 am Sunday School
Pastor kirent,Kipfer 887-6388