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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 2022)
Spiritual Life A6 Thursday, February 24, 2022 SPIRITUAL LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Season of Lent begins with service March 2 for Ash Wednesday urday, Feb. 26. The same link can be used to watch the service at a later time. 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@lagrandeob- server.com (with Highlights in the subject line). LA GRANDE — This Sunday, Feb. 27, the sermon at the 10 a.m. service at Faith Lutheran Church will use Luke 9:28-36. In these verses Jesus and three of his dis- ciples (Peter, James, and John) went onto a mountain to pray. As Jesus was praying, “the appear- ance of His face altered, and His clothing became dazzling white” (v. 29), and two Old Testament personalities — Moses and Elijah — appeared there with him and spoke of Jesus’ departure that would be in Jerusalem. Wednesday, March 2, is the beginning of the season of Lent, which is the 40 refl ective and penitential days before Easter. This season begins with Ash Wednesday and the reminder that “you are dust and to dust you Family history virtual conference begins next week shall return” (Genesis 3:19). An Ash Wednesday service, with the imposition of ashes, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran, with a soup supper at 5:30 p.m. lives, we invite positive change and transformation. Bible study is off ered at 9:30 a.m. Pastor speaks on ‘New Reality’ in Enterprise LA GRANDE — The Zion Lutheran Church congregation will join St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for worship this Sunday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. A time of fel- lowship time will follow the ser- vice. Masks and social distancing are required. The service will be streamed live, and the link will be posted on both churches’ Facebook pages and on Zion’s website on Sat- ENTERPRISE — The 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb.27, service at the Enterprise Community Congre- gational Church, also known as the “big brown church,” will fea- ture the message “New Reality,” based on Mark 9:2-13. The con- gregation’s interim pastor, Rev. Dr. Craig Pesti-Strobel, will show how, when we invite God into our Congregations worship together Sunday, Feb. 27 NORTHEASTERN OREGON — On Sunday, Feb. 27, the Union and Elgin wards, along with the Pine Valley Branch, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold ward conferences under the direction of the Stake Presidency. In the other area wards, members of the congrega- tions will speak during the fi rst hour, and Relief Society, Priest- hood and youth group meetings will be held during the second hour. The “Come, Follow Me” lesson for the week of Feb. 28 is based on Genesis 28-33 and looks at what we can learn from the lives of Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac, about the rewards of faithfulness. RootsTech 2022 takes place virtually March 3-5 and presents an opportunity to learn about family history. Visit the church’s website or rootstech.org to learn more. We want to know: What does spirituality mean to you? LA GRANDE — The Observer welcomes thoughts and comments from community mem- bers on spiritual matters. If you would like to share how you expe- rience spirituality, email news@ lagrandeobserver.com or call 541- 963-3161. Ongoing monthly col- umns and one-time submissions will be considered. Columns are generally 500-600 words and include a photo of the writer. — The Observer Forgiveness is the heart of true love LAURA ELLY HUDSON BELIEVING AND BECOMING “T rue love?” My friend scoff ed. “It just comes down to whether or not you are willing to take on another person’s baggage.” “You’re such a pessimist!” I protested. I was an idealistic 20-something with romantic dreams of happily-ever-after with my still-unknown soul mate. “If you can’t believe in the possibility of true love,” I argued, “of course you’re never going to fi nd it!” My older, wiser and somewhat world-weary friend just gave me an amused smirk and stood by his realism. Years later, as another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, I am grateful to have found true love, but I’ve also learned that my friend wasn’t wrong. Over our 19 years of learning to love one another, my partner has often helped me carry my baggage, and I’ve helped him carry his. Sometimes it feels like a lightweight carry-on (his), and sometimes it feels like a two-ton truckload (mine). When human beings meet, fall in love and make a lifelong commitment, we bring the whole history of our previous lives, with suitcases full of hurts and coping strategies. Sometimes it will be diffi cult and even frightening to trust each other. To continually rediscover trusting intimacy, lovers must labor to fi nd a common lan- guage and healthy habits to share their bur- dens. This heavy luggage lifting requires relinquishing false pride and venturing vul- nerability, again and again. Whenever I have the pastoral privilege of off ering premarital counseling, I always share my friend’s wry comment about bag- gage. Then, I add my encouragement to learn what I am sure is the heart of true love: forgiveness. “As soon as possible,” I tell younger and older couples alike, “fi gure out how you will practice forgiveness together.” Get good at saying, “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” Find your own unique shorthand that speaks those words in action, like off ering to do the dishes — more practical than buying chocolate or roses, and probably more eff ective. Forgiveness has the word “give” in it, because you will have to give something up: perhaps an old grudge, a false idea about yourself or your partner, or a habit that no longer meets your partner’s needs. It may cost your time and your compas- sion to listen to your partner’s hurt, anger or grief. Forgiveness is costly. The cross is the ultimate symbol of forgiveness and rec- onciliation for that reason. Jesus’ cross is where God’s love meets human sin with forgiveness to bring new life. So, perhaps it’s fi tting that our day to celebrate love is named for St. Valen- tine. Legend says he was a Roman priest in the third century, martyred for defying the emperor by marrying couples to spare the husbands from war. We can’t know his whole story, but St. Valentine surely knew something about bearing true love’s burdens. When we approach our loved ones with readiness to carry their baggage — and for- give one another when we fail — we may fi nally begin to touch the divine heart of true love. ——— Laura Elly Hudson is co-pastor of the La Grande First Presbyterian Church. You can fi nd her at www.lauraellyhudson.com. Faith columnist releases new book about healing and miracles The Observer NICHOLASVILLE, Kentucky — Dr. William “Billy” Holland, whose faith column appears from time to time on The Observer’s Spiritual Life page, in Jan- uary 2022 Holland released a new book, “Receiving Our Healing – Going to War on our Knees.” Described in a press release as an “inspira- tional and encouraging resource that focuses on divine healing and mira- cles,” Dr. Holland’s book has at its foundation two scriptures: Matthew 8:30, in which Jesus declares, “I am willing, be healed,” and Hebrews 13:8, which promises that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Holland, who writes the “Living on Purpose” faith column among other ministries, believes that healing and miracles con- tinue to be the will of God for us today. In the book he presents biblical commentaries, in-depth spiritual insights, explanations of mysteries and faith- building true accounts of modern-day miracles. “It’s important for everyone to know that whatever you are facing, your situation is not larger or more devas- tating than God’s ability and authority. Our Lord Jesus is Yahweh Rapha the God that heals!” he writes. “The Bible declares that nothing is impossible with Him, but in order for His authority to be demon- strated, we must believe that He is who He says He is.” Dr. William F. Holland Jr. is a Kentucky-based ordained independent minister and chaplain. He is also the author of “A Lifestyle of Worship – Living in the Awareness of God’s Presence” and “Convictions and Consid- erations – Encouragement for the Soul.” For more information about his books, articles, original music and out- reach ministry, visit billyhollandministries. com or email him at psalmz103@gmail.com. Contributed Photo Dr. William F. 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First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Worship 10:00 a.m. ~Join us at The Lord’s Table~ SUMMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH LA GRANDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH A church for your whole family Visit us at summervillebaptistchurch.org The Place 62848 Philynda Loop in Island City 901 Penn Avenue 963-2623 “We are called to Serve” lgdisciples@gmail.com Worship: 9:00 a.m. Cove Worship: 10:00 a.m. N. Powder 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 GRACE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday School for all ages - 9:00 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Phone: 541-568-4230 grace.lutherancove@gmail.com www.lagrandeumc.org www.imblercc@gmail.com Sunday Services 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Worship Service La Grande Seventh-day 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 1612 4th Street – 963-2498 For service information go to 440 Ruckman, Imbler 534-2201 Adventist Church “OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS” Pastor Taylor Gould Imbler Christian Church 2702 Adams Avenue, La Grande 963-4018 109 18th Street • 963-3402 Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. 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 FIRST LANDMARK MISSIONARY BAPTIST 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 Services This Week