The Epilogue

We recognize some stories immediately by their opening lines. Fairy tales, for examples, start with, "Once upon a time" and we recognize "In the beginning..." as the opening line of the Bible. But even at the end of a good book, we often look for the epilogue to tie up any loose ends. Revelation 22:10-20 is the Bible's epilogue. Here we find the assurance that we can enter 2009 with confidence, whether the year brings us "the best of times" or "the worst of times." Jesus is coming soon! Join us on New Year's Eve at 7:30 to end the year in worship and thanksgiving.

Love that's not blind

I had a penpal once. But I wasn't much of a penpal. I never took the time to share anything of myself, nor did I care a lot about my penpal. The relationship lacked knowledge and therefore, lacked love. Paul's prayer for the church in Philippi is that their love may abound in knowledge and depth of insight. Paul knew that love that is blind is no love at all. This Sunday we'll read Paul's prayer as God's prayer for us for 2009.

Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m.

"The shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...'" This thing! Join us on Christmas morning as we join the shepherds in watching, wondering, worshiping, and witnessing to "this thing."

Tonight's candlelight service - postponed

Due to the extreme weather conditions, tonight's candlelight service has been rescheduled for tomorrow evening (Monday, Dec 22) at 7:30 p.m.

And Mary Pondered All These Things

"And Mary Pondered All These Things in Her Heart" is the title of the candlelight service which will be held this Sunday, Dec 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church. Join us for a beautiful evening of music and narration and then stay for some hot apple cider and Christmas treats after the service.

Just say it!

Sometimes just saying the word makes it seem more real. So at times, we prefer to NOT talk about whatever it is that is bothering us. The high priest who was interrogating Peter and the other disciples seemed to have a little trouble saying the name "Jesus" (see Acts 5:28). But Peter and the others knew of whom they were teaching: Jesus, Prince and Saviour. Join us this Sunday, 10 a.m., on the fourth Sunday of Advent, as we anticipate the coming of the Prince of Peace.

All I Want for Christmas...

Shirley and Brenda, along with a veritable host of volunteers, have been sorting and organizing the donations of food and gifts that have been pouring in for the Wingham Christmas Bureau. We can praise and thank God for working in people's hearts to help make a child's Christmas wish come true. We all have wishes at Christmas time, but often we ask with hesitancy, only half believing that we can trust God to answer our prayers. In John 14:14 we read that Jesus says, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." Anything! Do we dare to ask that extravagantly? Join us this Sunday as we think about our Christmas wish lists.

Mary, Did You Know

The carol, Mary, Did You Know, reminds us that the Christmas Story plays out within another story - the passion of Christ. The manger rests in the shadow of the cross. This Sunday's message places the Luke 2 story within the context of the Luke 22 story. If you have a few moments, I invite you to watch the youtube video, Mary Did You Know. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfpK6cNPF7Y&feature=related or click on the title of this blog entry.

A little bit of country

A few of us got into the mood on Sunday (that's Alicia & Henry with me)as our worship service took on a country flavour yesterday morning. Special thanks to the Chalmers Country Gospel Band and to all our guests. Ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

We're Goin' Country

Invite your friends to join us for a good ol' Country Gospel Service this Sunday, Nov 30 at 10:00 a.m. We welcome the Chalmers Country Gospel Band to the service. So polish up those buckles and boots, and we'll see ya there!

...a game of world domination

The Group of 20 world economic powers gathered in Washington last weekend. "The world is on the cusp of the most profound shift in global power and influence in a century," reads an article in the KW Record. Sounds like the board game, Risk - a game of world domination. Judah played that same game in the 7th century BC. Their strategy was flawed because they failed to consult the greatest strategist of all time: God. God has a strategy for world domination, it's wonderful counsel, wonderful strategy. Join us this Sunday for our first advent message (yes, a week early) as we celebrate the wonderful counsel (Is 28:29) of our Wonderful Counsellor (Is 9:6).

Everything Changes

When a child is adopted into a new family, he/she is almost always leaving behind a life of sadness. When you become a child of God, you too, leave behind a life of hopelessness, despair, sadness, uncertainty. Everything changes. The spiritual blessings that are now ours are like adoptive blessings. Yes, everything changes. Join us this Sunday, 10 a.m., as we hear this message from Ephesians 1:1-14. The message concludes with Stephen Curtis Chapman's song, "When Love Takes You In."

Books I've recently read

"Leisure reading" -- it's the kind of reading you do when you want to relax, the books you read simply because you enjoy reading. I read "Lullabies for Little Criminals" (Heather O'Neill) and "Atonement" (Ian McEwan)for leisure, but neither of these novels would classify as bedtime stories. "Lullabies" tells the story of 13 year-old Baby, living in the red-light district of Montreal. Still a child playing with dolls, her young life is enmeshed in the harsh realities of the drug culture. The story is the more poignant because at the end of the novel we find a profile of the author - and we suspect that this is ultimately not a novel, but the story of hundreds of young children who are born into a world we cannot imagine. Baby's salvation, her rescue, comes only when she is extracted from the world she knows. She receives grace - total, unexpected, undeserved, unimagined.

The back cover of "Atonement" says this: "the book has at its centre a profound exploration of shame and forgiveness, of atonement and the difficulty of absolution." I found myself incensed at the injustice of Robbie's conviction -- and I wondered: are we enraged in the same way when we reflect on another trial, another conviction, another injustice- that of Jesus Christ? Atonement, in the novel, is sought after, pursued for a lifetime, yet is unattainable. If you read the book, or see the movie, allow yourself to explore the concept of atonement and the difficulty of absolution.

Foolishness or the Power of God?

"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age?" Good questions. In this age of uncertainty, where do we turn? Join us this Sunday, Nov 9 for "Foolish, Offensive, or the Power of God," a message from I Corinthians 1:23,24. Bob Damsma leads the service while I am in Guelph.

Addison's baptism

Last Sunday we celebrated the baptism of Addison Alyssa Drost, baby daughter of Jeff & Stephanie. In the sacrament, God put his mark on Addison as his covenant child - he promises to be her God and she will be his child. We praise and thank God for his gift of life - the life of a new baby and eternal life through Jesus' blood. [Addison handled it all rather calmly - she is sooo beautiful!]

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Close your eyes and blow out the candles. What did you wish for? Some of us know exactly what we want; many of us aren't so sure. In Mark 10:51 Jesus asks that very question: What do you want me to do for you? Give it some thought, and be ready to let Jesus change your life. Join us this Sunday, Nov 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Lucknow Community Church.

Hymn Fest - Nov 2, 7:30 p.m.

You're invited to join us for an old-time hymn sing, "A Closer Walk," this Sunday, 7:30 p.m. at the Lucknow Community CRC, Place St.

In memory of Ralph Koskamp

I've only known Ralph Koskamp for a few months. I visited him occasionally in the nursing home and a week and a half ago one of our elders and I served him communion. Ralph's eyesight is gone so I placed the cup in his hands, a gentle reminder of how the sacrament is a picture of God's grace to us in our weakness. Ralph was to celebrate his 90th birthday with a party on Oct 26. Instead, the family gathered to plan his funeral. Ralph died that morning, a day short of his 90th birthday. The funeral takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct 29, at 1:00 p.m. in the Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church.

Blue-Collar Blues

Lucknow and Thyatira -- both blue collar towns. Practical and pragmatic, us folk, you do what ya gotta do to get by, and that includes playing by the rules of our trade unions and trade guilds, right? Wrong, says Jesus. When certain practices go against our Christian beliefs, we must abandon the notion that we survive based on our own smarts. To look to anything or anyone for our survival, other than Jesus, is idolatry. Join us this Sunday, Oct 26 at 10:30 for "Blue-Collar Blues; Yes, We SHALL Overcome."

Faith -- Publicly Professed!

Yesterday was a time of celebration for the Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church as we witnessed Jeanette deBoer's public profession of faith. Before God's people Jeanette expressed her faith in Jesus as her Saviour, her belief that the Bible is the Word of God, her acceptance of the promises God made to her in her baptism, and her commitment to the church and its teachings. In turn, the congregation pledged to give Jeanette our love, encouragement and prayers. Yes, a real celebration -- Praise be to God!

goats, toolboxes, vbs, the fall fair...

If you missed any of the slide shows which have been posted over the last 6 months, you can always access them at http://picasaweb.google.com/rita.kleingeltink/

Can you see the resemblance?

Yes, that's Pete, eating an ice cream cone on a Thursday afternoon in October. Pictures don't lie. For the last few Sundays we've been looking at the churches listed in the first two chapters of Revelation. Christ commends these churches but he also has complaints against them. As these churches are presented, a picture of our own church emerges -- sometimes lacking in love like the Ephesian church, sometimes enduring persecution like the church in Smyrna, and sometimes slipping into deadly compromises like the church in Pergamum. Despite the less-than-flattering portrayal, we SHALL overcome in the power of Jesus blood. This Sunday's service includes the public profession of faith by Jeanette deBoer and celebration of the Lord's Supper-- both pictures of what it looks like to overcome in Jesus' name.

The Boys' Club

Fifteen boys, aged 8-13, gathered these last three weeks to build their own tool boxes. Raph Koskamp and Ken DeVries headed up the project, assisted by a number of other men from Lucknow Church. In this picture, Erik shows-off his handiwork. This week the boys get together on Saturday for a street hockey tournament on the church parking lot.

Nike Christians-- Do not be afraid!

To the church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11), undergoing persecution, and to the church in Lucknow, no matter what we might suffer, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid." To those who overcome, that is, to "Nike Christians", Jesus promises that the second death will not hurt us. Things may get worse before they get better, but they WILL get better. So, don't fear! Join us this Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:00 a.m. You are also invited to our Thanksgiving Service on Monday at 10 a.m.

It's a deal

God knows that sometimes we have trouble taking God at his word. Abraham had those same issues, so God assured him that his promises were a done-deal-- God wrote up a contract, a covenant with Abraham. That covenant is also for us. Join us this Sunday, Oct 5 at 10 a.m. as Ken deBoer delivers the message, "A Sure Sign."

Nike Christians

We all recognize the symbol; the Nike check is prominently displayed on your ice skates or subtly graces the pocket of your golf shirt. Nike comes from the Greek word nikao, "to conquer"-- a fitting name for anyone in the sporting industry. But before manufacturing made the name popular, the apostle John grabbed the winning formula and used it 7 times in his 7 messages to the churches in Asia during the first century AD. "To him who overcomes...", that is, to the one who is a Nike Christian, the glory of victory is assured. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at each of these 7 messages, with credit to Calvin Seminary Professor Jeffrey Weima for providing the background material for the series. Join us this Sunday, Sept 28, as we look at the first church of the list and heed a warning for those of us who would preserve truth at all cost.

Church at the Fair

This Sunday (Sept 21) we will be worshiping with the other Lucknow churches at the Lucknow Fall Fair. The service will be held in the arena, beginning at 10:00 a.m. See you there!

Boys' Club - come build a toolbox!

Boys age 8-13 are invited to a 3-week project to build their own toolbox. Qualified carpenters will instruct and guide them. Sept 25, Oct 2 and 9, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Lucknow Community Church, 293 Place Street. To ensure we have enough materials, boys MUST pre-register by calling Shirley at 519-357-1915.

Not for the queasy...

Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, tells the tragic story of Quasimodo, the misshapen bellringer of the Notre Dame cathedral. Few are willing to touch him, to see beyond his ugliness. And those who do, are taken from him in death. Jesus sees beyond our ugliness; he willingly touches us in order to cleanse us, making himself unclean in the process. Jesus too, dies a tragic death. But Christ's death is only the beginning of the story. Jesus rose from the dead -- he is alive! and his love is offered freely, willingly, to all. Join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as we read of Jesus' response to the pitiful leprous man who begged Jesus to cleanse him (Mark 1:40-45).

If the shoe fits...

This Sunday we'll be commissioning our leaders and teachers as we begin a new season of programming. We also give our blessing to Sarah Brink as she prepares to leave for her training with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). We put on different shoes as we take up the variety of tasks before us. When Jesus taught, he stomped on a lot of toes. We can teach with the same boldness because, like Jesus, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us, having anointed us to preach good news. This Sunday, Sept 7, 10:00 a.m.

All New Sunday School

Welcome to Kid Connection, Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church’s Sunday School program for 3-10 year olds. Kid Connection connects kids with God in a fun and exciting way. This year we look at Bible stories from the New Testament, beginning with the story of Jesus’ birth. Next year we’ll cover Old Testament stories. Children and their teachers leave the service at about 10:20 to gather downstairs (an announcement is made). Guests are always welcome. *Lucknow Community Church is a safe church; all church staff/volunteers are required to provide a current police check report.

Meet my grandson!

On Sunday, August 31, the arrival of Nolan Kevin Klein-Geltink made Gerald and me grandparents for the first time. He weighed in at 9 lb 9 oz and in our opinion, he's the cutest baby in the world. Kevin & Meghan and baby Nolan are home and doing well. We thank God for this beautiful gift.

Life isn't a picnic... or is it?

The prophet Zechariah paints a picture of shalom: old people visiting in the streets, children happily playing. It almost sounds too good to be true. But this is what we can expect when we are God's people and he is our God. Ten people will take hold of each of us and say, "Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you" (Zech 8:23). Join us this Sunday morning and get in on a bright future!

Soccer Tournament

The Lucknow Community Church Soccer Team took home a 4th place finish at the season concluding tournament on the weekend. In this picture Anthony heads a ball despite some determined opposition from a Clinton player. Congratulations team; we're proud of you!

The End?

"Never before in history has one date, one moment in time, been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, so many scientists, so many governments and to so many people all around the world." This is the claim made on a You Tube clip regarding December 21, 2012. "Will we experience a renewed enlightenment or a new beginning or will we be witness to THE END?" Scripture says that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5) so be alert, says Paul. This Sunday we'll talk about that impending event -- The Day of the Lord-- cutting through the hype and the hysteria to discover the good news which those in Christ find in anticipation of that day. This Sunday, Aug 24, 10:00 a.m.

SERVE 2008

Yesterday our SERVE team, Fran, Meghan, Christine and Marina, shared with us some of their experiences from their week in Howard City, Michigan. They participated in a wide range of community projects, all in the name of Jesus. Check out the slide show for a sampling of their testimony.

Go ahead and get dirty!

A few years ago Wisk laundry detergent launched an ad campaign challenging us to "go ahead and get dirty." A few weeks ago we sent off a team of SERVE-ants with the same challenge. They spent a week in Michigan getting their hands dirty in the name of Jesus. This Sunday we'll be looking at Isaiah 1:15, 16 where God instructs his people to wash their hands so that they can go ahead and get dirty. After the message we'll hear from Fran, Marina, Meghan and Christine as they describe for us what it meant for them to get their hands dirty as they took up the challenge to "right the wrongs."

PROPping up the government

Should public schools allow prayer and bible reading? Should our taxes support every legitimate sort of education, including Christian education? Should Christians try to get stores to close on the Lord’s Day and porno theatres to close permanently? Should Christians try to get Henry Morgentaler’s Order of Canada revoked?
The relationship between the church and the state has been a topic of discussion since the church was instituted in the first century. Paul jumps right in with his insistence that we PROP-up our governing authorities. We do so by Paying our taxes, Respecting those in authority, Obeying them, and Praying for them. This Sunday we look at Romans 13 and what it means to be a Christian in society.
[cartoon caption: Man waiting at bus stop is joined by the grim reaper bearing an IRS briefcase and says, "I have a feeling this isn't going to be a good day..."]

If it quacks like a duck...

One of the confessions of our church says that the true church is easily distinguished from the false church. The marks of the true church include pure preaching, pure administration of the sacraments, and being mutually responsible for one another. Jesus builds the true church, but we have a role to play as well. How we work that out will quickly reveal whether or not we are building the true church, 'cause after all, if it quacks like a duck and swims like a duck, it's a duck. Join us this Sunday, 10:00 a.m. at 293 Place Street in Lucknow.

3 Grandmothers

Last Sunday my family got together for my dad's 80th birthday. From this picture, you can see that the family continues to grow: that's me and my daughter-in-law in the middle along with my two sisters with their daughters. All three of us sisters will be blessed with a grandchild in September -- the first for me. God is good!

Limpkins, Lilies, and Linda

This Sunday Bob Damsma leads the service at Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church. Limpkins, so Bob tells me, are some sort of nocturnal bird. The message will have something to do with Limpkins, Lilies, and someone named Lily. Wish I could be there! But I'll be in Woodstock, preaching at Maranatha Church and celebrating my dad's 80th birthday.

VBS Slide Show

Our vacation bible school pictures are running as a slide show to the right. It was a great week, and the pictures capture that. By clicking on any picture in the slide show, you can access the web album. Enjoy!

UNSINKABLE

The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. But 1,517 lives were lost when she struck an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage. Paul and 275 other passengers were also on a sinking ship, but none of them died. We heard that story on our final day of Vacation Bible School and on Sunday morning the message will look at that same passage. When all hope is gone, look to Jesus to save you. Join us this Sunday as we celebrate VBS; we'll see slides from the week, hear some of the songs, and enjoy the great stage for one last time. 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Stay for lunch after the service!

AHOY! VBS has set sail!

It's Vacation Bible School week at Lucknow Community Church and the place is overrun with pirates, shipmates, and lots of heroes! Bumpo and Bones, our two bumbling pirates, keep us laughing as they wander the halls. On Thursday evening at 7:00 we'll share some of our adventures with family and friends, and then on Sunday morning we'll wrap things up at our 10:00 a.m. service. You won't want to miss it!

A Masquerade

Things aren't always what they appear to be, especially when it comes to evil. In Scripture we read that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." It can all become rather confusing, but the best defence is still a good offense, and that offense is the person, Jesus Christ (the real Jesus, that is!) Join us this Sunday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Lucknow Community CRC, 293 Place Street.

Calling All Heroes!

Vacation Bible School starts on Monday, July 14 at 9:00 a.m. If you have not registered your child(ren) yet, call Alice now, at 519-529-3110. VBS runs all next week from Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 11:50 a.m. at the Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church, 293 Place Street. There will also be an evening program on Thursday, the 17th, and a wrap-up on Sunday morning, the 20th, at 10:00 a.m.

Picture Books without Words

Have you read the "Where's Waldo" books? That's a trick question, of course. The Waldo books don't have words; just pictures. When the Holy Spirit is within us, we will do amazing things. But these signs and wonders only communicate the story when, filled with the Holy Spirit, we speak boldly and with courage. It's like adding the words to a great picture book. We want to make sure we get the story right, a story that points to Jesus Christ. This Sunday we'll look at the ways in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives -- in pictures and in words. The service begins at 10:00. See you there!

One Big Family!

The churches of Lucknow - Anglican, Christian Reformed, Presbyterian and United- celebrated Strawberry Summerfest with a worship service in the Presbyterian Church. We had planned to sit out on the lawn, but the rain chased us inside. And what's Strawberryfest without the strawberries! In this picture Henny and Dixie prepare to serve up the strawberry shortcake after the service. (See the slideshow to the right for more pics.) Another ecumenical service is being planned for September 21, during the Lucknow fall fair.

STRAWBERRY SUMMERFEST SERVICE

This Sunday, June 29, our service will be held on the lawn of the Lucknow Presbyterian Church on Havelock Street (bring a lawn chair!). All the local churches - United, Anglican, Presbyterian, and Lucknow Community - will be participating in the service. I will be preaching from Mark 10 where Jesus says, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age ... and in the age to come, eternal life." Lucknow celebrates homecoming this summer and the message will look at leaving home/coming home. The service begins at 10:00 a.m. and will feature members of our praise team. A strawberry social follows the service and you are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch. Invite your friends for what promises to be a great morning.

From Divorce Court to Courtship

The divorce court is one of the saddest places in the world; it represents shattered dreams, crushed hope, and abandoned love. Irreconcilable differences pull our marriages apart. The prophet Hosea leads us into the divorce court where God confronts his unfaithful people. But instead of demanding a divorce, God courts his people with a stubborn love - a love that defies human explanation. This Sunday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. Guests are always welcome.

Vacation Bible School July 14-18

Calling All Heroes! Vacation Bible School will be held the week of July 14-18, 9 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. We have an action-packed week planned - songs, bible stories, games, crafts, snacks. So climb aboard with "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." Ages 4-11. Parents: register your children now by calling Alice at 519-529-3110.

The Almost Famous People Players

Last night I attended "The Almost Famous People Players"' annual production, "We Will Rock You." Such fun; and so moving. They performed to a packed house and the audience clapped and stamped through the show with the performers. Charles made a great Elvis; Nelly was an enthusiastic cheerleader; hoppin' Scott brought cheers from the fans; and Adam, well Adam has ALL the moves! But the most memorable number of the evening was "Dancing Queen"; Jayme danced right into our hearts when she glided her wheelchair onto the floor, did a few pirouettes with the grace of an accomplished dancer, and simply shone as the princess that she is. In the prophecy of Jeremiah (31:13) God promises that when he restores his people, "then maidens will dance and be glad, young men as well as old. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." Last night we saw a maiden dance -- it was a little peek beyond the veil into what awaits us when Jesus returns in all his glory. A huge "thank-you" to Julie Kuik for a great evening!