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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2019)
6A FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 H IGHLIGHTS The importance of scriptural knowledge NORTHEAST OREGON — The sermon at Faith Lutheran Church Sunday will focus on Jesus explain- ing the resurrection of the dead through scripture. Christians are also to pursue scriptural knowledge. The passage examined will be Luke 20:27-40. Services will be at 10 a.m. in La Grande and 2 p.m. in Enterprise. Sermon encourages being gracious LA GRANDE — The Church of the Nazarene in La Grande will begin its Swim.” He will share from Matthew 14:22-33, explor- ing Peter’s story and what it means to take a risk. Wor- ship will begin at 10 a.m. Submissions Churches and faith-based groups are encouraged to submit Highlights for the Spiritual Life page by 4 p.m. Tuesday for publication Friday. Submit by email to news@lagrandeobserver.com (with Highlights in the subject line), by fax to 541-963-7804, or by hand to the offi ce. Sunday events with Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. Worship will follow at 10:30 a.m. Pas- tor Kevin Goss will continue the “Upside Down Kingdom” sermon series with a mes- sage from Matthew 7:1-12, “Seeing Eye-to-Eye.” We live in a world of difference that can be diffi cult to make sense of. Jesus invites us to Children present program in Sacrament Service see our world through gra- cious eyes and consider how we treat one another. What does it mean to take a risk? LA GRANDE — Pastor Ray Smith’s message Sun- day at the La Grande First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be “Sink or ELGIN — The primary children at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin will present a special program during the Sacrament Service on Sunday. Members of the con- gregation will be the speakers in the other area wards. The second hour of service will be Relief Society and Priesthood meetings. Hebrews 7-13 will be the scripture studied in the “Come Follow Me” lessons for the week of Nov. 11-17, with a focus on the priesthood and having faith in God’s prom- ises. Congregation honored at potluck LA GRANDE — Pastors Keith and Laura Hudson will host a Congregation Appreciation Potluck after the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at La Grande’s First Presbyterian Church. The Hudsons are celebrating 10 years as co-pastors and want to thank the congregation for supporting and encourag- ing them. During the service, the sermon will be “Hope in the One Who Waits for Us,” based on Mark 10 and Hosea 11. St. Peter’s Book Club meets Sunday LA GRANDE — St. Pe- ter’s Episcopal Church in La Grande will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. Sun- day. Pastor Roberta Smythe will offi ciate. Coffee and fellowship will follow. St. Peter’s Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Sunday evening. — Observer staff The shrouded mountain: the sin of gossip A vast mountain towers thou- sands of feet above the village. It’s most often hidden in a mass of dark, raging storm clouds and only rarely does the misty shroud part to reveal the hulking monster of rock and ice. The sight is so terrible it makes people look away and hope for the quick closure of the covering clouds. This is like gossip. Most often the manipulative masters of the art keep their works shrouded in a cloud of smiles and pretense and seldom does their true face show. Yet when it does, the ugliness and the vastness of their evil makes decent people want to turn away — but what does it do to God? “There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies and one who spreads strife among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19). These sins describe each of the facets of gossip and they show us how deeply God hates this secretive sin. Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” JAN VARNEY (Matthew 25:40). Those who choose to practice the abomination of gossip have no hid- ing place from judgment for though they do their works in secret (the Greek word for gossip means “to whisper”), the result is the suffer- ing of countless innocent, often sincere and admirable, people. Grapes or thorns? Figs or thistles? Have you ever felt the reluctance in a handshake or a hug? Have you ever seen the cold stares from oth- ers? Have you felt the deep pain of suddenly being left out, uninvited or made unwelcome to places you once enjoyed by those who once called you “friend”? Have you ever been asked pointed and even rude questions by others about some- thing you had only shared with one other person? If you have, then you have seen the parting of the clouds upon the vast mountain and you have felt both the pain and the power of gossip. Gossip is loose talk about people who are not there to defend them- selves against what is being said. Gossipers form a kangaroo-court where they confi dently play judge, jury and executioner. They revel in painting their victims in the worst possible light and in passing a merciless sentence, as if they were sinless and would never stand be- fore a judge themselves. Yet Jesus said “in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you!” (Matthew 7:2). Gossipers seal their own fate with every evil plan and every merciless action. It is a terrify- ing thought to know they will be judged by the same cruel, unloving standard they have so long used against their victims. Far from their base behavior Jesus commands, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). No one would want to be treated the way gossipers treat people, but Christian practitioners of gossip boldly choose gossip over Christ’s command. Gossip is information that is not confi rmed as true with the person being gossiped about, but gossip- ers happily accept it as 100% true and spread it quickly to “the gossip network.” They want it to be true. They want to twist it into the worst possible reading. Then they can sell it more easily and more dramatical- ly to others. Then they can separate brothers and friends. Then they can feel truly powerful. They are the puppet masters behind the curtains and watch how they make everyone dance — but what a terrible price they will pay for practicing the abominations God hates. On the other hand, Jesus com- mands all Christians: “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private” (Matthew 18:15). This is how Jesus wants his people to treat troubling, secondhand information. Secondhand informa- tion cannot be trusted and if it troubles us we must obey Jesus’ wonderful command — it puts together the people who need to be talking, quickly and in private. Matters can be cleared up and relationships can be preserved us- ing Christ’s way of love, but gossip stirs up strife. It does an injustice to a brother or sister and it sepa- rates even the truest souls. Chris- tians who practice gossip have rejected Christ’s way of love in dealing with their brothers. They don’t want to fi nd out what really happened or what was really said, they love to fan the fl ames. Like the pyromaniac, the gossiper lives to start the fi re burning. Gossip is virtually always mali- cious, negative or sensational in nature and it is meant to hurt and isolate the person being targeted by the attacks of the gossipers. In fact, modern psychologists even call the victim “the gossip target.” How could sincere Christians treat others in this manner when God himself says, “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial … but you are to judge your neighbor fairly. You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people.… You shall not hate your fel- low countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:15-18). In order for professing Christians to engage in gossip and treat others in this manner, it has to be a deep desire of their hearts. Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor fi gs from thistles” (Matthew 7:16). The pathological gossiper has boldly embraced the seven abominations God hates. And, what is more, it is not enough for them to commit those abominations alone. Northeast Oregon Directory of Churches First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 901 Penn Avenue 963-2623 lgdisciples@gmail.com Worship 10:00 a.m. Services This Week ~Join us at The Lord’s Table~ I MBLER C HRISTIAN C HURCH 440 R UCKMAN , I MBLER 534-2201 www.imblerchristianchurch.org Sunday Services 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Worship Service C OVE U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH ROMAN CATHOLIC 1708 Jasper St., Cove, OR N ORTH P OWDER U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH 390 E. St., North Powder, OR JOIN US... Catch the Spirit! Worship: 9:00 a.m. Cove Worship: 10:00 a.m. N. Powder La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church A Place where hope is found in Jesus Join us in Fellowship & Worship Every Saturday 9:30 a.m. - Bible Study/Fellowship 10:45 a.m. - Worship Service 2702 Adams Avenue, La Grande • 963-4018 Pastor: Mike Armayor www.lagrande22adventistchurchconnect.org Learning for Today and Eternity Little Friends Christian Preschool/Childcare 963-6390 La Grande Adventist Christian School Christian Education K-8th Grade 963-6203 LA GRANDE UNITED GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICES METHODIST CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH La Grande - Our Lady of the Valley “OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS” 1002 L Avenue Saturday 5:30 pm Mass Sunday 10:00 am Mass Weekdays 8:00 am Mass Union - Sacred Heart 340 South 10th Avenue Sunday 8:00 am Mass No Weekdays Worship 10:00 am Sunday 12:30 pm Mass No Weekdays Fellowship Coffee Hour 11:00 am - Nursery provided - FIRST LANDMARK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Zion Lutheran Church 1812 1st St. La Grande Pastor Dave Tierce • 541-605-0215 We use the King James Version Bible Sunday School - 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Sunday Evening Bible Study - 3:00 pm (Effective June 10) Wednesday Evening - 6:30 pm “Where you can find TRUTH according to the scriptures” www.flmbclagrande.com (an ELCA church) 902 Fourth Street, La Grande, OR (541) 963-5998 9:00 am - Worship 10:00 am - Fellowship & Refreshments 10:30 am - Classes Pastor: Roberta Smythe www.zionlagrande.org “We are called to Serve” Sunday School for all ages - 9:00 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Pastor Carl Seelhoff Phone: 541-786-0447 963-5884 109 18th Street • 963-3402 Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. 1316 T St., La Grande, OR 541-568-4567 Sunday S Su u nday 1 10:30 a.m. 2 Cor r 12:9 1 My Grace is sufficient for you. suf ffi grace.lutherancove@gmail.com I 40:31 IS First Baptist Church 1531 S. Main Street, Union 541-562-5531 www.UnionBaptistOregon.org Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 am Thursday AWANA 6:30 pm Birthing, Building and Being the Body of Christ St. Katherine’s Catholic Church Contemporary Worship Expositional Teaching Tune in to Calvary Radio 88.1 CSN Pastor Taylor Gould lgumc@eoni.com www.lgumchurch.org Office Hours: Mon-Thur 9am-Noon Elgin - Saint Mary’s 12th and Alder CALVARY CHAPEL 1433 Jefferson Ave. Sunday Service - 10:30 a.m. Studying The Book of Second Corinthians Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m. Studying The Book of Joshua Wednesday Night Youth - 6:00 p.m. The Place 1612 4th Street – 963-2498 62848 Philynda Loop in Island City Amazing Grace Fellowship Fr. Thomas Puduppulliparamban (*DUÀHOG(QWHUSULVH Mass Schedule Sundays: 6W3LXV;:DOORZD²DP 6W.DWKHULQHRI6LHQD(QWHUSULVH²DP Saturdays 6W.DWKHULQHRI6LHQD(QWHUSULVH²SP Weekdays 6W.DWKHULQHRI6LHQD(QWHUSULVH²DP 0RQGD\²7KXUVGD\DQG)LUVW)ULGD\ All are welcome SIXTH & SPRING, LA GRANDE 541-963-3911 Sun. 10:00 AM - Worship Sun. 8:45 AM - Exploring the Bible Wed. 6:15 PM - AWANA SUMMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday Services: Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes 9:45AM Children's Church & Worship Service 11:00AM Family Worship Service 6:00PM Wednesday: Prayer Mtg, Children's Bible Club, Youth Group 7:00PM A church for your whole family Visit us at summervillebaptistchurch.org
