Rev. Lang Shares the Gift of Forgiveness by Kathy Harker Five years has past since Jason Lang was gunned down in the hallway of W.R. Meyers High School in Taber. Reverend Dale Lang, Jason’s father, spent an hour with stu­ dents and interested community members on Wednesday in the Tom Karren Gym to share his memories and message of faith and forgiveness. For Reverend Lang, April 28 will always be a memorable day - first, in 1977 his oldest son was bom while he was working at Resolute Bay and was the day he dedicated himself to a life centered around Jesus Christ. April 28,1999 was the day his life changed again when his son Jason was taken from this earth and he put into practice the teachings of love and forgiveness he had been studying and teaching. Reverend Lang’s memories of what began as an ordi­ nary day include a pleasant drive with Jason before school and as he stated, they were the “best of friends on the last day of his life.” Being a normal father/son he said they had moments of displeasure in their relationship but their last time together left no regrets. He referred to the Apostle Paul when he said, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Rev. Lang’s words of wisdom to us were, “Don’t Rev. Lang speaking to the Jr./Sr. High School at the Tom Karren Gym. leave home angry. Even when you argue, remember you healing, Reverend Lang chose forgiveness. If he had not, the also love. You can’t guarantee today will be a normal day. boy and the incident would have control over his life. We don’t have the luxury of time to stay angry with anyone.” The concluding message from Rev. Lang was that we Forgiveness is the opposite of revenge and Reverend have the privilege of impacting the lives of those around us - Lang has been an example of this right from the moment he was at the hospital and was told Jason had died. Anger came even those we don’t care for. Through a story example, he taught that even a kind that his son was gone, but not at the boy who did the shoot­ word for a less popular person can impact that person. If ing. His thoughts were that this must be a troubled person Jason’s killer had had a friend, Jason may still be here tod:,. to have done such a thing. He said God gave him the grace to forgive and kept As the Spirit of Alberta played Amazing Grace, we pc - dered truly amazing grace in ¡lie life of Reverend Lang. him from the prison of anger. On the road to freedom and MAGRATH UNITED CHURCH HAS A NEW MINISTER Experts say that children must have by Norma Owens Tender loving care. The Magrath Unitec I, for one, think this is Church, in partnership with St. Andrew’s United very true; Church in Cardston, But some folks need reminding make up the Every now and then, Cardston/Magrath That middle-aged and older folks Pastoral Charge of South Need it too! Alberta Presbytery, of the United Church of Canada. Following the resig­ nation and departure of Rev. David Moors, Mrs. Michelle Moors and Rev. George Ward and his wife, OUR rMCltfW infant daughter Molly, to Rev. Rose Ward Saskatoon the end of June 2002, the churches in Magrath DINNER THEATRE and Cardston were without a minister. During the next year prasMts Um MRSical toy Beta Kelsfey worship services in both churches were conducted each Music aad Lyrics fey Saaa Rariey Sunday morning by retired ministers and lay people of the area, and were very well served. In July, 2003 the Pastoral Charge was fortunate in "HOLY MOSES" obtaining Rev. George Ward and his wife, Rev. Rose Ward who took up residence in Cardston. FEBRUARY 12,13,14th Rev. George Ward had been a chaplain in the Canadian directed by Wes Mwghy, Bob Metterseli Armed Forces from 1974 to 1987 and was an ordained minister Scott Bogdan since 1969- Rev. Rose Ward was ordained in 1987. The Wards At Magrath Bolted Church Hall came to Cardston From Deloraine United Church in Manitoba Catered by male lenses where they had been for five years. They had previously minis­ tered to churches at Unity, Sask, and Forestburg, Alberta. TICKETS: 758-6630 The United Churches of Magrath and Cardston look Allyson Christensen or forward to a long and rewarding association with the Wards. ♦ Magrath Pharmacy $20.00 per person SpoRsaradhy ths Magrath Cultural Arts Society Published weekly on Wednesdays by Keyline Communications Box 179, Magrath, AB TOK 1J0 Ph: 758-6911 • Fx: 758-3661 email [email protected] Ad deadline is Friday at 5pm and may be dropped off at the Magrath PILLING FURNITURE DIRECT INC. Pharmacy or at Keyline Communications' office High End Furniture Wholesaled Directly to You! at 14 Centennial Place, Duane & Carma Thomson’s home. Lisa Haynes • Bedrooms • Dinning Rooms • Pool Tables 758-3068 • Leather Cell: 317-3812 • Matresses 153 E. lASt. North By Appointment Only Magrath, AB TtiAnk^ou (sfKatlïg ryffeck Thank you to all our friends for their many, many and / acts of kindness; for their thoughts and prayers; during ^flerrill and (^udig ¿ffwsen V and following the unexpected illness and death of our ate pleased to announce the Dad - Raymond Wakefield. Mum and Dad always loved their friends here, and so do we. You are appreciated. marriage o^ their children I QdJestl&y to (¿fricka @^/lae Vern & Jill Wakefield andfamily. which took place January 1, 200k in ^fkas Q)egas, (^Nevada. OU 'fjhe family ofi Q’Des and i^ricka and their children TREE of HOPE Ôs>than, ¿Parissa, ffage, On behalf of Magrath Hospital Auxiliary, I wish to (^Austin, (¿barker, (^taryden thank everyone; to all the willing Volunteers and to all the invite all who wish, to attend an open house\ people who donated money. With all of your kind help, we to celebrate their union at the collected $1784.07. Many Thanks. Sue Kado, President. home oh (¿JKalhy t^JJeck I 186 Q4J. Sth G§., (^Magrath ’ on (¿friday, ^^ebruamy 20 between 6 and 9 pm. CUSTOM WINDOWS & DOORS INC. Calvin & Michelle Heggie Box 40 Magrath, Alberta Ph: 758-3233 TOK 1J0 Fax: 758-6206 Magrath FCSS Reminder OUR STAY AND PLAY PROGRAM will commence on February 20, 930 am at the seniors center. This is an exciting new program derived from the Mary Gordon Parenting Center philosophy. It provides the valuable time to participate in play that will neurologically stimulate your toddlers. All those with children ages 1-4 are welcome. No Charge. Please call Ryan O’Neill at the town office and confirm your spot 758-3212. Panda Basketball This past weekend saw the Pandas at the Taber Tournament. They first played Milk River, winning by 21 points then played Foremost, winning by 30 points before advancing to the final game against Taber. The Pandas handily won 84 - 54 taking home the championship. Kim Miller was honoured with an All Star while Mandee Sabey received MVP for the tournament. Zenith Basketball Pandas Team with Taber Tournament trophy. Standing: Coach Tom Alston, Lindsey Wolsey, Nikki Smith, Becky The Zeniths also Regehr, Breanna Shaw, Kim Miller, Megan Scott. Kneeling: Mandee Sabey, Laura Wilde, Maren Alston, Camellia Hill, travelled to the Taber Kira Roberts. Front: Erin Wilde, Kassie Alston. Tournament this past Grade 7 Girls Basketball weekend. Their first game was against St. Francis of Calgary On Jan. 30th and 31st the girls placed 4th in the annual and Coach Ron Strate said, “St. Francis came out as hot a Birds of Prey grade 8 tournament held at Immanuel shooting team as he had seen.” They made 6 three pointers Christian School. Top players of the game were Jenna Perks, in the first 5 min. of play. The Zeniths just couldn’t catch up Jordan Hansen and Amelia Holt. MiKenlee Woolf had a to that deficit and lost 92 -76. strong showing as well. That placed the Zeniths on the consolation side where Feb. 5th saw the girls down Hillspring 32 -18 in regular they handily beat LCI 73 - 54. During this game Riley Sabey Westwind play. Amelia Holt scored 10 points with Jordan came down from a rebound, landed on someone's foot and Hansen pulling down 8 rebounds. ended up with a cracked ankle. Unfortunately, that means at Feb 7th the girls travelled to the Father Leonard Van least three weeks off the court for him and in a cast for now. Tighem School to their Basketball Jamboree and they took Game for consolation was against Vauxhall, winning the championship. The team also won the foul shot and lay 73 - 42. up contests. Bonnie Balderson took top spot in the Hot Shot This Friday the Zeniths will be battling with the Contest. Top scorer in the tournament was Sarah Balderson Comets on home ground. The Tom Karren Gym should be with Jordan Hansen and Jenna Perks top rebounders. packed! Marilyn & Reg Eyre Independent Representatives GID 1445516111 Funeral Home & Crematorium Since 1927 Are you looking for better EXCEL Powered by Long Distance Rates? VarTec Telecom Bus: (403) 329-1888 Phone: (403) 752-3723 327 - 10th Street South Lethbridge, AB TU 2M7 Chinook Health Region Reminds Travellers to Book Travel Consultation Early That dream vacation can quickly become a nightmare immunization are a series of three injections, so it’s best to if you become sick in a strange land. 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