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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 2020)
Spiritual Life 6A Thursday, October 29, 2020 HIGHLIGHTS ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Submissions LA GRANDE — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will not wor- ship in person until 2021, due to COVID-19. As this is the fi rst Sunday of the month, a recorded service of Morning Prayer will be posted on St. Peter’s Facebook page Saturday, Oct. 31. Links to a recording of Zion Lutheran’s Sunday in-person worship will be available to congregants on St. Peter’s Facebook page late Sunday or Monday. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH LA GRANDE — An in-person worship service will begin at 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). 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Zion Lutheran Church with COVID-19 precautions in place, including wearing face masks and social distancing. There will not be Sunday school nor a coffee hour. Those planning to attend should RSVP by noon Saturday at 541- 963-5998 or offi ce@zionlagrande. org. The service will be recorded and uploaded late Sunday or Monday to Zion’s Facebook and website for viewing by those not able to attend. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH LA GRANDE — Faith Lutheran Church this Sunday will observe All Saints Day. This is a special day established in history to honor those who were believers in Jesus Christ during their lives. Hebrews 11 recounts many of the faithfully departed. It is healthy for us to take time to remember Who does God want to be president? his year has passed by quickly, and now the election is just a few days away. For those who read this column, I’m sure you have noticed that from what we have been told, and one of the dangers of developing an opinion is not being sure if what we have heard is true. If our information is incorrect, our views are in error. The popular term “uninformed voters” is a BILLY reality and sadly we are all HOLLAND in the same boat when it LIVING ON PURPOSE comes to only having bits and pieces of the big pic- I rarely talk about politics ture. Only God can help or social issues. Of course, us discern who is telling I have my thoughts like the truth and who is being everyone else, but to be deceptive. Spiritual rebel- honest I avoid these con- lion opposes divine wisdom troversial areas intention- and human arrogance has ally. My focus is more created a world of distorted about the Lord and the interpretations. Psalm Christian life. Nonethe- 118:8 cuts to the chase and less, I believe we can agree gives us this blunt piece of that America needs leaders advice: “It is better to trust who are honest and who in the Lord than to put con- demonstrate the nature and fi dence in man.” character of God. We also With a dysfunctional realize the Almighty has political system, the dis- given us a free will to have honestly of many leaders, elections even if the win- and voters fi lled with con- ners are not his choice. tempt, we have a slim I’m sincerely grateful chance for peace. As long to live in a country that as there are opinions there allows anyone to believe will always be strife and and express whatever they confl ict. Even the early fol- want, but it’s important to lowers of Jesus argued over remember that, for the most who he was and why he had part, what we hear and read come. Today we see that are only someone else’s political stress has lured ideas and perceptions. many believers into anger Amid so many voices, and a subtle hatred that has it’s obvious that no human caused a distance in their is wise enough to untangle personal relationship with the mess our world is in. God. So, what can we do? II With so much chaos and Chronicles 7 reminds us of confl ict, who could even the critical need for repen- understand it? The argu- tance: “If my people, which ments give me a head- are called by my name, ache, and the resentment shall humble themselves, and hostility are beyond and pray, and seek my face, anything I have ever seen. and turn from their wicked Many are convinced they ways; then will I hear from know what is right and heaven, and will forgive wrong about everything, their sin, and will heal their but what are they basing land.” their views on? Much of Instead of trying to what we believe comes change everyone else, let’s T ask God to help us become the person he has called us to be. It’s a good possibility that a portion of what we think is being interpreted through a lens that is dusty and out of focus. Have we considered embracing humility, setting aside our party bias and sincerely praying that God would reveal the individual he wants us to vote for? Can we agree that God knows who would be the best person for the job? And what about unity? Well, with God being abso- lute truth, the solution to seeing eye to eye would be for everyone to listen and follow our creator. This would allow us to be on his page with every subject, and we would all be cor- rect. Opinions are relative to the individual, but truth is God’s universal standard of right and wrong. Jesus prayed in John 17 that all who believe in him would be one with God the same as he is one with his father. You see, spiritual unity is established on our love for God and all people, and the less love we have for others, the less unity we will experience. I Tim- othy 2:1-2 encourages us, “I exhort therefore, that, fi rst of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” ——— Ordained minister and chaplain William “Billy” F. Holland Jr. is the founder of an independent ministry in central Kentucky. For more, visit www.billyhol- landministries.com. dear saints who have preceded us. The sermon will be based on Mat- thew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A pure heart is one cleansed by Jesus Christ. Following the service will be the elders’ meeting and then a Budget Committee meeting. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS LA GRANDE — The warn- ings and counsel of the ancient prophets Mormon and Moroni for our times are the subject of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints’ “Come, Follow Me” lesson for the week of Nov. 2. This lesson is based on Mormon chapters 7-9 (found in the Book of Mormon) in which Moroni coun- sels us to “search the prophecies of Isaiah” (Mormon 8:23) and writes, “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present” (Mormon 8:35). The faithfulness of the prophets, as they found them- selves alone in a world fi lled with wickedness, is a great and ever- lasting testimony to all who study their writings. Members are reminded to check with their local leaders for current meeting times and pos- sible opportunities to remotely attend Sunday worship services and lessons. — Observer straff Another write-in candidate possibility Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian A sign on the Wesley United Methodist Church in Milton-Freewater reads “Holy Spirit for President” as a parade of Trump supporters drive down Highway 11 through the city on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Words of the Buddha There is no more worldly existence for the wise one who, like the earth, resents nothing, who is fi rm as a high pillar and as pure as a deep pool free from mud. (Dham- mapada 7.95) Diffi cult to detect and very subtle, the mind seizes whatever it wants; so let a wise one guard one’s mind, for a guarded mind brings happiness. (Dhammapada 3.36) If one going down into a river, swollen and swiftly fl owing, is carried away by the current — how can one help others across? (Sutta Nipata 2.321) No mother nor father nor any other kin can do greater good for oneself than a mind directed well. (Dhammapada 3.43) Think not lightly of good, saying, “It will not come to me.” Drop by drop is the water pot fi lled. Likewise, the wise one, gath- ering it little by little, fi lls oneself with good. (Dhammapada 9.122) Source: www.pariyatti.org shop safe-shop local The Union County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone for shopping safe, supporting local and doing your part to keep Union County open. www.VisitUnionCounty.org 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.
