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GREETINGS September 8th, 2016
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| "Train up children in the way they should go. When they are old, they will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 "Parents do not provoke your children to anger; but raise them up in the nurture and advice of God." - Ephesians 6:4
Education, discipline, discipling, guidance has been around for a long time. And it continues to evolve. Often it can be about responding to curiosity and wonder. Was it a child's question like "Why is there air?" that inspired Bill Cosby to create some of his best comic routines for both children and adults? That led him to compose shcticks like his famous "Noah" routine? That would compel him to put out a book on Fatherhood? The truth may be that that book was actually ghost-written by another humorist, Ralph Schoenstein. It wasn't much more than a collection of bits from Cosby's stand-up gigs like: "Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit." And then, as it turned out, that book lost a lot of its shine because of Cosby's more recent public disgrace, and even before that, the murder of his own son. Maybe if we just highlight the silver linings in what has become another sad and clouded life, we can still find much that is of worth. Raising children is always a challenge, but it can be great fun and offer huge joy.
Hopefully, most of us who are now adults have had the benefit of some sound advice, wise counsel, or just good role modelling from a parent or grandparent or two. Or, if that wasn't so great for us, hopefully an aunt or uncle, a surrogate parent like a good neighbour, a memorable teacher, or yes, even someone we met through some connection at a church gave us the good co-ordinates by which we could chart a healthful and relatively fulfilling course in life. And maybe there was help there for us if and when it came to raising our own children. As for those who haven't had that joy and challenge, I suspect you are still an aunt or an uncle, a neighbour, a friend to others who have children. For some there is the option to take up teaching as a vocation, or to offer faith formation in congregations, or to be a leader in the Scout and Guiding movement, or to volunteer with Big Brothers or Big Sisters. For indeed, while parents may have prime responsibility, it truly does take a community effort, a "village" of people to raise a child. God has a lot of helpful advice to offer in that regard, and even more support and love and encouragement for those who take that challenge on and for those dear and precious ones who are the recipients of their efforts.
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In our thoughts and prayers is Norm McGugan and Judy Vanduzer.
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| This Sunday 2 services will resume at 9 and 10:30 with communion at both services. |
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"What About Prayer?" -- David Putnam, Patty Cheshire, and Rev. Disher invite you to join in open-ended conversation about prayer between worship services for the next three Sundays: September 11, 18, and 25 (10-10:30 a.m.) in the parlour. Bring your experiences, questions, hopes as we consider the place of prayer in congregational life and consider creating a Prayer Team at Marshall Memorial.
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Name tags are a good way to introduce yourself to visitors, and a great way to jog your memory when it comes to the names of those around you. Wearing your name tag may even help our minister get to know you by name. Please wear your name tag each Sunday. If your name tag is missing complete the form on the table in the foyer and it will be ready for you by next Sunday.
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The September/October Upper Room booklet is now available.
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Have you signed up for a House yet?
Marshall has a House system, broken into months (ie: September House, October House...) Members of the House take turns greeting and setting up coffee & tea as well as some goodies for the second service primarily. Even if you normally attend the first service, the church still needs you to assist once a year to help with the second service. Please consider adding your name to our roster with our thanks. Call the office at
905-648-4631 or e-mail
[email protected]. Your volunteerism is truly needed.
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Remember your groceries today to donate to Living Rock Ministries!!
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The Ancaster Fair is hosting worship at the Fair Grounds on Sunday, September 25th at 9:30 am. The service will be under canvas - rain or shine. Free parking and free admission to the fair grounds are offered for the day. Enter via Gate # 3. (This does not replace our service here at Marshall.)
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Check your mailboxes beside the minister's office for any mail that has accumulated over the summer months.
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