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.
Holland Jr., who
writes the “Living
on Purpose”
faith column,
released his new
book, “Receiving
Our Healing,” in
January 2022.
He believes that
healing and
miracles continue
to be the will of
God for us today.
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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)
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