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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2021)
Spiritual Life 6A Thursday, March 18, 2021 HIGHLIGHTS Jehovah’s Witnesses NORTHEAST OREGON — On Sunday, March 21, a spe- cial talk will be given around the world entitled “Have You Found a Pearl of High Value?” This presentation about Jesus Christ’s parable will be given at local congregations of Jeho- vah’s Witnesses including La Grande, Pendleton, Baker City, Halfway and Enterprise. It pre- ludes another event the Witnesses are inviting people to attend: the annual observance of the memo- rial of Christ’s death on March 27. Sunday’s talk and the memorial of Christ’s death will show how we can obtain something priceless that will make our lives better, now, in the future, even forever. Due to the pandemic, congre- gations around the world will host events by video conference and phone connections. There are no fees to attend, and no registration is required. To learn more about how to attend locally, contact a Submissions 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). Jehovah’s Witnesses church or visit www.jw.org. will be a church council meeting with discussion on prioritizing projects. Wednesday’s midweek Lenten Service sermon for March 24 is entitled “Worldly Eyes.” Faith Lutheran Church LA GRANDE — The sermon at Faith Lutheran this Sunday, March 21, will be drawn from Mark 10:35-45 in which Jesus teaches a lesson on humility. He was responding to his disciples who desired to have a favored status of sitting at his right and left hand. Jesus said, “...to sit at My right hand or left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared” (vs. 40). His lesson continued with instruction to serve as he served. Following the Divine Service Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LA GRANDE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints welcomes all to search #startingtoday on the web and view a series of videos about fi nding hope and joy in the world. Visit www.chur- chofjesuschrist.org to learn about ways to make Easter and the week leading up to it an uplifting spiritual experience. Hope is a grace that inspires us bubble? A tempo- rary helium bal- LAURA loon feeling, easily punctured by the HUDSON threat of future BELIEVING AND BECOMING adversity? My faith tra- s warmer tempera- dition suggests that hope is tures return, the not a temporary high but green blades of cro- the substance of endurance. cuses peek through thawed Hope is not a feeling we earth. Those fi rst green generate for ourselves, but shoots give me the spring- an inner response we expe- time hope I need to keep rience when we are grasped on steady through the by a vision of future possi- rainy days or late-season bilities. In Christian faith, snowfall. our hope in the future is At the same time, after grounded in the past, in the a full year plugging away life, death and resurrection at social distancing, mask of Jesus Christ. We believe mandates and quarantine God’s ultimate future, the since COVID-19 rearranged reconciliation and renewal our lives, I’m watching of all Creation, has already people getting their vac- broken into the present. cines and perking up with Hope is a grace that the hope that a more expan- grasps us and inspires us to sive lifestyle may soon be act upon our vision of new available. life in the here and now. A friend who recently Hope gives us the courage to completed her two-shot vac- dwell in the tension between cination was nearly dancing the now and the not yet, the as she described her plans to wisdom to make changes in get her hair done. Soon after alignment with the vision, her new hairdo, she was also and the perseverance to see planning to fi nally visit her the vision through. family — and give them I once heard it said that hugs. “Who knew such little hope helps us to hop. Hop- things could make me feel ping takes muscles, and we euphoric!” she exclaimed. develop muscles with prac- I was both moved and tice. Start by getting clear troubled by my friend’s about what your hope is. excitement. I wanted to cau- Practicing small hopes is tion her to hold her hopes how we gain the strength to in one hand and keep her leap into even greater hopes. mask handy in the other, but Next, let your hope fi ll I didn’t want to burst her you up. Let it make you bubble. dance, like my friend did. But is that all hope is — a This step can feel scary, if A you fear disappointment. Notice your fear, and choose to hop into hope anyway. Finally, take action toward your hope. Small actions count. Enough small actions make big ones, and before you know it, that new dawn, that new life, has become the new reality. So, keep on hopping into hope, as long as it takes! ——— The Rev. Laura Elly Hudson is co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in La Grande and founder of Story Journey. You can fi nd her at fpclagrande.org or at lauraellyhudson.com. La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR For the week of March 22, the “Come, Follow Me” lesson will be on Doctrine and Covenants section 29. This doctrinally rich revelation provides insights into the fall of Adam, the Lord’s plan for each of us, and the gathering to take place before his second coming, affi rming the imminent advent of the Millennium. Sunday worship services con- tinue to be held with smaller groups and condensed sched- ules. Face masks and social dis- tancing are required at these meetings. Contact your local ward leaders for additional meeting information. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church LA GRANDE — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will not wor- ship in person Sunday, March 21, due to COVID-19. A link to the livestream of Zion Lutheran Church’s service will be posted to St. Peter’s Facebook page on Saturday. On Wednesday, March 24, there will be a Zoom Lenten ser- vice at 6:30 p.m. The link for that virtual service will be emailed on Tuesday. Zion Lutheran Church LA GRANDE — Zion Lutheran Church’s congregation will worship in person Sunday, March 21, at 9 a.m. COVID-19 precautions will be in place, including masks and social dis- tancing, and there will not be a coff ee hour. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the offi ce via email or phone by noon Saturday. The wor- ship service also will be lives- treamed on Facebook. A link will be emailed out and posted on Saturday. A midweek Lenten service Wednesday, March 24, will be held via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. The link for that virtual service will be emailed Tuesday. Online Find more spiritual life news online at lagrandeobserver.com, including a story about what Pope Francis says about same-sex unions. March into Spring!!! The Union County Chamber and La Grande Main Street Throughout NAME HERE the entire month of March shopping, supporting and saving local can EARN YOU BIG PRIZES have teamed up with local COLUMN TITLE businesses to encourage you • Shoppers collect punches by making purchases at participating to safely shop and support locations (EACH DOLLAR spent earns a punch). Fill as many cards as you wish. • Up to 50 punches per purchase! local businesses as we • Turn in punch cards by 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 for weekly drawings March into Spring!! • All punch cards must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on March 31st for a chance to win the Grand Prize Drawing! Turn cards in at Chamber (207 Depot), La Grande Main Street (102 Depot St.) or any participating location. March is about Honoring our Ag Producers. 975-2000 www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS THANK YOU! To each of our Ag Producers. “Real Food for the People” Open Fri-Sun Take-out Menu 5pm-8pm Updated Weekly www.tendepotstreet.com 541-963-8766 tendepotstreet@gmail.com Thanks to each of you who contributes to our local Ag Industry and keeps our Rural Communities Strong. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR WORK AND DEDICATION. Bank of Eastern Oregon’s Mission has always been to provide Financial Support for the Ag Industry. YOUR LOCAL AG LENDERS are just down the road. Union County will begin their roadside spraying program to control vegeta- tion and noxious weeds that are encroaching on county road shoulders and right-of-ways. In most locations, spraying will extend four to eight feet from pavement edges. Property owners who do not want herbicides applied near their property must sign an “Owner Will Maintain” agreement with the county which must be updated annually. The county will provide signs for the own- ers participating. Property owners wishing to participate can sign up for the “Owner Will Maintain” program at the Union County Public Works Department located at 10513 N. McAlister Road in Island City. Any questions, please call Brian Clapp 541-805-5399 or email bclapp@union-county.org. Kristy Nelson / David Stirewalt 2514 COVE AVENUE, LA GRANDE / 541-624-5040 We have a NEW BEO WEBSITE coming. Keep checking in March! MEMBER FDIC Northeast Oregon Directory of Churches Cove United Methodist Church 1708 Jasper St., Cove, OR North Powder United Methodist Church 390 E. St., North Powder, OR JOIN US... Catch the Spirit! First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 901 Penn Avenue 963-2623 lgdisciples@gmail.com Worship 10:00 a.m. Worship: 9:00 a.m. Cove Worship: 10:00 a.m. N. Powder ~Join us at The Lord’s Table~ SUMMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH LA GRANDE UNITED METHODIST 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 “OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS” 1612 4th Street – 963-2498 Pastor Taylor Gould For service information go to www.lagrandeumc.org GRACE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Place 62848 Philynda Loop in Island City “We are called to Serve” Sunday School for all ages - 9:00 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Phone: 541-568-4230 grace.lutherancove@gmail.com 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 Imbler Christian Church 440 Ruckman, Imbler 534-2201 www.imblercc@gmail.com Sunday Services 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Worship Service Services This Week La Grande Seventh-day FIRST LANDMARK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Adventist Church A Place where hope is found in Jesus Join us in Fellowship & Worship Saturday all age classes 9:30 am Saturday Worship 11:00 am 1812 1st St. La Grande Pastor Dave Tierce • 541-605-0215 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 We use the King James Version Bible 109 18th Street • 963-3402 Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. 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