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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2020)
Spiritual Life 6A Thursday, October 15, 2020 HIGHLIGHTS FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Submissions LA GRANDE — The sermon at Faith Lutheran Church will consider the crafty approach that Jesus’ opponents used to try to “entangle” him in Matthew 22. They thought they were patron- izing him but actually were describing Jesus properly as they said, “Teacher, we know that You are true and teach the way of God truthfully” (vs. 16). May human- kind continue to seek Jesus and his truth. Following the Divine Ser- vice will be the monthly church council meeting at which the Nominating Committee and Budget Committee 2021 plans Churches and faith-based groups are encouraged to submit Highlights for the Spiritual Life page by 4 p.m. Tuesday for publication Thursday. Submit by email to news@lagrandeobserver.com (with Highlights in the subject line). will be established. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS LA GRANDE — The “Come, Follow Me” lesson for the week of Oct. 19 is based on 3 Nephi 27330 and 4 Nephi 1, which are found in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This lesson covers the fi nal teachings of Christ to the people who wit- nessed his visit to the Western Hemisphere and the subsequent 200 years of peace when “there could not be a happier people” (4 Nephi 1:16). In a recent letter to all mem- bers, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints declared the polit- ical neutrality of the church and encouraged all members to exer- cise their right to vote and par- ticipate in the local and national political process. Members were asked to become informed about the issues and candidates. Mem- bers also were encouraged to strive to live the gospel in their own lives by demonstrating Christ-like love and civility in political discourse. Visit the “newsroom” on the church’s web- site to read a copy of the First Presidency’s letter. distancing. There will not be Sunday school nor a coffee hour. People who are planning to attend should RSVP by noon Saturday at 541-963-5998 or offi ce@zion- lagrande.org. A link to an online worship service for those who are unable or not ready to worship in person will be posted Saturday on Zion’s website and Facebook page. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH LA GRANDE — An in-person worship service will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church with COVID-19 precautions in place, including wearing face masks and social LA GRANDE — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will not be wor- shipping in person until 2021. Links to an online worship for Sunday will be posted on St. Peter’s Facebook page on Saturday. Giving in to fear is the opposite of living with faith e’ve all had our share of battles this year with the virus and the devasta- tion it has caused, and now as the election is just a few weeks away many are expe- riencing stress and anxiety about the future. Each day I hear from people on both sides of the political spectrum about how afraid they are of what is going to happen if the other side wins. Indeed, this elec- tion is one of the most important in the history of our nation, but we need to take a deep breath and know that whoever wins, it is not the end of the world. No matter what is going on around us, we are still who we are, and we still have a very crit- ical mission to accom- plish for God. Whatever our world- view, let us not allow pol- itics to make us calloused and remove us from the hope and comfort of God’s peace. The Chris- tian is called to avoid wallowing in the mud of strife. After we do all that he tells us to do, we are to lay everything down at his feet. We under- stand that many are blind to the truth. and there is so much deception that it’s nearly impossible to know who is telling the truth. The Bible reveals the world will continue to fall away from divine truth, but rebellion will never defeat us and should not discourage us from pressing forward in the confi dence that God is in control. W BILLY HOLLAND LIVING ON PURPOSE “As an old saying goes, we cannot stop the birds of worry from fl ying over our head but we don’t have to build them a nest.” Since the garden of Eden, humankind has been facing spiritual war- fare and at the heart of this negative resistance is the presence of fear. It’s important to know that we were originally cre- ated without this emo- tion and it was only after Adam and Eve sinned that the spiritual, physical and mental curses came upon the human race. It’s true that fear involves a universal biochem- ical response as well as a highly sensitive emotional response and alerts us to the presence of danger or the threat of harm. This is a benefi cial alarm system if we are being chased by a hungry bear, but on the other hand, fear can also be used as a destructive weapon against us by the enemy of our soul who is trying to prevent us from enjoying the peace that God desires for us to live in. You see, it’s true there is much to be concerned about, but God does not intend for his people to live in a state of gloom and doom. Jesus wanted us to know that we have an enemy but we are not done. Nonetheless, if we are serious about renewing our mind, it’s wise to con- sider that optimism is a learned behavior. Under- standing our emotional responses is a wonderful step toward not allowing negativity to control us. If we choose not to see everything through the lens of God’s love, we cannot blame anyone else for our misery. — — — Ordained minister and chaplain William “Billy” F. Holland Jr. is the founder of an indepen- dent ministry in central Kentucky. For more writings and original music, visit www. billyhollandministries.com. at the enemy’s mercy. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abun- dantly” (John 10:10). We can forget everything and run, or face everything and rise. Since we live in a physical body fi lled with an array of natural responses, it’s easy to be led by our own feel- ings instead of looking to the spiritual realm and depending on the Lord. As an old saying goes, we cannot stop the birds of worry from fl ying over our head but we don’t have to build them a nest. Have you noticed that when something unpleasant presents itself, the enemy rushes to the scene to remind us of what might happen in order to fi ll our mind with panic and uncertainty? We know giving in to the temptation to be afraid is the opposite of faith and how critical it is to stay focused on God’s love and faithfulness, but dealing with our human nature is much easier said than Northeast Oregon Directory of Churches Services This Week Amazing Grace Fellowship 1316 T St., La Grande, OR 541-568-4567 Sunday 10:30 a.m. 2 Cor 12:9 My Grace is sufficient for you. IS 40:31 First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) GRACE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Place 901 Penn Avenue 963-2623 62848 Philynda Loop in Island City “We are called to Serve” lgdisciples@gmail.com Worship 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages - 9:00 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Phone: 541-568-4230 ~Join us at The Lord’s Table~ SUMMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH grace.lutherancove@gmail.com LA GRANDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Imbler Christian Church 390 E. St., North Powder, OR JOIN US... Catch the Spirit! Worship: 9:00 a.m. Cove Worship: 10:00 a.m. N. Powder First Baptist Church SIXTH & SPRING, LA GRANDE All services have been temporarily cancelled. Live-streaming Sunday mornings at Sunday School 10:00 am. People can watch at: Worship Service lagrandefbc.org 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1531 S. Main St. Union 541-562-5531 www.UnionBaptistOregon.org 1612 4th Street – 963-2498 Sunday Morning Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. A church for your whole family For service information go to www.lagrandeumc.org North Powder United Methodist Church Sunday Services “OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS” Visit us at summervillebaptistchurch.org 1708 Jasper St., Cove, OR 440 Ruckman, Imbler 534-2201 541-963-3911 www.imblerchristianchurch.org 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 Pastor Taylor Gould Cove United Methodist Church Birthing, Building and Being the Body of Christ Zion Lutheran Church (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 La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church A Place where hope is found in Jesus Join us in Fellowship & Worship Saturday 11am 2702 Adams Avenue, La Grande 963-4018 lagrandeor.adventistchurch.org Learning for Today and Eternity Little Friends Christian Preschool/Childcare 963-6390 La Grande Adventist Christian School K-8th Grade 963-6203 109 18th Street • 963-3402 Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.