Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 2017)
Page A-6 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Church News Easter - We need it really bad: by Dr. Glenn Mollette Easter is almost here and we need it bad. People throughout the world celebrate Easter differently just like people celebrate Christmas differently. When I was a little boy I remember Easter egg hunts at my Grandma and Grandpa Hinkle’s place. They had lots of yard and egg hiding places and a lot of grandchildren to look for them. I was lucky if I found one or two eggs with all the competition. People still hunt for Easter eggs and look forward to an Easter basket. There are a couple of chocolate factories in our town and it’s a home run week for them filling up Easter baskets. Most Christians around the world will celebrate Easter in Church. Easter is the prime time Sunday of the year for the church. If a church cannot get a crowd on Easter then there will not be any crowds the rest of the year. Easter is the Sunday when most churches have to bring out the folding chairs and park on the side of the road, the grass or down the way. By and large more Christians will dress up a bit more for church on Easter. Some people will have a new dress or suit or kids will have a new Easter outfit to wear. Or, if they don’t always dress up for church some will make an effort to dress just a bit better than usual because it’s Easter. Please do remember though if it’s a good church they are glad you are there regardless of how you can afford to dress! I served a number of congregations over the years and I loved Easter but was always really glad when it was over. The average minister has about 20 -25 minutes to hit a home run and round the bases before the average attendee totally zones out or starts eyeing the exit door. The message is much the same year after year - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christmas is about the birth of Jesus for the Church, Easter focuses on Christ’s resur- rection from the grave. In reality it shouldn’t take an ingenious sermon to stir church people about a man who the Bible says overcame the grave and appeared to a number of people. Yet, every year it seems that clergy find a way to bore people with how they present the greatest story ever told by how they tell the story. Christian people around the planet stake their lives and eter- nal destinies on the message of Easter - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament time and time again reiterates this part of the Bible story, “He is risen!” A dead Jesus takes all the air out of Christianity. If Jesus never arose from the grave then Christianity is just another orga- nization meeting together every week and doing some nice things along the way. The church with a dead Jesus would still be a reli- gious not for profit 501©3 but it would be a very dead religion. There is so much sadness already in the world today. The world is hurting all over. From another horrible school shoot- ing just this week at San Bernardino to a multiple number of murdered Christians reportedly bombed by Islamic State in Egypt. There is horror in Syria and growing tensions between Russia, Iran, North Korea and the United States. Fifty million plus Americans struggle every day in poverty. The hospitals and nursing homes are filled with people battling for their health and a little more life. The world is filled with worry. We worry about tomorrow. We worry how will we exist and we worry about our families and loved ones. We fret over a lot of stuff and often it is stuff we can’t change or never fix. We carry too much baggage with us and often we cannot remember what is in the baggage. One of the richest people in the United States is in the storage unit business. Everywhere I travel today I see more and more storage units popping up because we prize our junk so much. We store it up and someone else will often have to throw it away when we die. Easter is about hope. Easter is about peace. Easter is about a new life and a second chance. Easter is about bringing focus and meaning to this life and this world. The Bible in John chapter 20 reports that Mary Magda- lene saw Jesus on the first day of the week after his resurrection outside the entrance to the garden tomb. She ran to the disciples reporting, “I have seen the Lord!” Later that evening Jesus ap- peared to his disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” He then showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were over- joyed when they saw the Lord. For the second time Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” Later the disciples would report to one of the doubting disciples by the name of Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas didn’t believe it but later would see Jesus with his own eyes and touched the nail prints in his hands exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” The early followers of Jesus were filled with such peace and internal strength that their lives would never be the same again. They were so convicted internally about Jesus they would literally suffer and in many cases die for their faith. America and really our world truly need a song to sing, a bell to ring and a hero to follow. Great people stand and fall and we all come and go. The message of Easter and a living Jesus continues to give hope, peace and strength to people around the world. This year not much has changed as once again, we need it really bad. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of 11 books. He is read in all 50 states. Visit www.glennmollette.com or contact him at GMollette@aol.com. Seventh-day Adventist Church Are you telling yourself the truth? Angie is a 31-year-old housewife who has been repeating negative things about herself most of her life. As an adult this negative self-talk has increased. “They are harmless words,” she said, like “What a dumb thing to do; I can’t do anything right; or I’m really a nothing person.” The words we tell ourselves are more important than we realize. If you tell yourself something enough times, you will believe those words whether true or not. Angie believed she was an inept person with no skills of any kind. She didn’t see herself as attractive, and believed she was not worthy of being loved. After many years of this self-talk her mar- riage of eight years is hanging in shreds, her children are disturbed and maladjusted, her friends few and her family helpless to assist. Angie, by the way is a Christian. Rarely, if ever, did she count her personal blessings. What sentences are you telling yourself? •“I am dumb,” or “Thank you, Lord, for giving me intelligence.” •“I am unattractive,” or “Thank you, Lord, for making me attractive.” •“People don’t like me,” or “Thank you, Lord, for making me likeable.” •“I have no talents,” or “Thank you, Lord, for the talents you’ve given me.” When we tell ourselves negative things we create unrest within ourselves. There is a real need for something more in life, some meaning and fulfillment beyond the external layers. We all have a real need for a spiritual relationship with God who created us, and His son Jesus who redeemed us. Release from putting ourselves down and hope and happiness are available through faith in Him. When my brother and I would do negative talking, our Dad would hold up the mental health guide lines for us. They are found in Phil 4:8, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think about these things.” You are very special to God. He gave His Son Jesus to die for you. You are very valu- able and beautiful and handsome in His eyes. He loves you very much. From now on let’s ask God to help us break the negative habit and say positive things instead, and He will! Community Bible Church He Rose Again the Third Day 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. This Sunday, April 16, is the day we celebrate the fact that we have a risen Savior. The resurrection is the single most impor- tant element in the Christian faith. The apostle Paul said it well in I Corinthians 15:12-15 where, he was dealing with a teaching that declared there was no resurrection from the dead. “12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise.” It is the hope of every born again (John 3) believer in Jesus the Christ that they too will rise from death. In fact the very term gospel means “good news” and is often used as a kind of cover word for Christian truths. Paul uses this term at the beginning of I Corinthians 15, as we saw in our opening verse of Scripture, to relate to the resurrection of Jesus. Paul then lists those who saw the risen Christ after His crucifixion and burial (verses 5-8). Did Jesus ever say anything about His death or more sig- nificantly about His resurrection? In John 10:17-18, He said, “17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” What do you believe in enough to give your life for? Jesus’ apostles, with the exception of John, all gave their lives in service to their risen Savior and spent their lives preaching the res- urrection. May the Lord bless you as you seek Him. Come worship with us this coming Resurrection Sunday. In Christ, Pastor Dave Ministry at CBC Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Praise and Prayer 6 p.m. Wednesday: AWANA 6:15-8 p.m. Preschool – Grade 6 Community Christian Academy Preschool – High School April 14, 6:30-8 p.m. Gospel Jam (Enter at Lister Street) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Managing Expectations We’re used to seeing Palm Sunday as a day of great celebration, and indeed it was and is, but not for the reasons we usually think. We associate the day with Jesus being King and riding into Jeru- salem with children waving palm branches in his honor. The Gospel story in fact tells a slightly dif- ferent story. It tells a tale of great expectations and Hosannas on Sunday, and the jeers of ‘crucify him’ on Friday from some of the very same people! It’s a sobering reminder about what happens to a group of people when you raise their expecta- tions of triumph through the roof at the beginning of the week, and dash those hopes so thoroughly by the end of it. The crowds turned ugly and they willingly handed Jesus over to the Roman authori- ties for execution by crucifixion. So, what accounts for this rapid turn of events? Expectations. When people are disap- pointed, especially when they are disappointed over something they have held dear for a very long time, they tend to lash out. The problem was, and is, that Jesus did not come to meet either our expectations or those of the Jewish people. He came to meet our needs. And that isn’t nearly the same thing. He didn’t come to slay our foes and lift us high as a champion. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for sin. That’s because the real root of the human predicament isn’t our political problems but our sin sickness. The problem is our hearts. As Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23, from out of the human heart comes war, adultery, murder, slander, and all manner of human misbehavior. No one was looking for a crucified Messiah in Jesus’ day. But Jesus never intended to come as the kind of king that would run the Romans out of town. Jesus came to die on a cross for sin: even the sins of the enemies of Israel. Places of Worship BRIDGEVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH 5181 Holland Loop Rd., CJ 541-592-3923 “Come Join the Worship!” Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sonny Moore www.bridgeviewcc.org * * * 7th DAY ADVENTIST 265 S. Old Stage Rd., CJ Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m. Saturday Worship 11 a.m. Pastor Christian Martin Church (541) 592-3218 Madrone Adventist School 541-592-3330 * * * IMMANUEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 200 Watkins St., CJ Phone 541-592-3876 Pastor Charles Chase Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship - 9:15 a.m. Child-care for small children *** Illinois Valley Praise Center 28569 Redwood Hwy. CJ Non-denominational Bible-believing Church Sunday school - 9:30 a..m. Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. Thursday Seekers 7 p.m. Youth group Thursday - 7 p.m. www.ivpraisecenter.com COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH Pastor Dave Gordon 113 S. Caves Ave., CJ Office: 541-592-3896 Email: cbccca@gmail.com Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m. Christian Academy Pre-K to 12th grade Awana - Wednesdays - 6 p.m. * * * ST. PATRICK OF THE FOREST CATHOLIC CHURCH 407 W. River St., CJ 541-592-3658 Fr. William Holtzinger, Pastor Mass - Sunday 11 a.m.. Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday - 10:30 a.m. Holy Days TBA * * * TAKILMA BIBLE CHURCH 10343 Takilma Road, Takilma Pastor Dan Robinson Bible Study / Prayer Time 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m * * * First Baptist Church of Selma 18285 Redwood Hwy., Selma 541-597-4169 Pastor Monty Pope Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Worship - 11 a.m. GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH East River Street & Lewis Court, CJ Annemarie Richardson Lay Pastor. Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship - 10 a.m. Church Phone: 541-592-2290 www.goodshepherdlutheraniv.net * * * VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 498 Laurel Road, CJ P.O. Box 1248 Pastor Marvin Porter Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Worship Service - 11 a.m. evfree@frontiernet.net 541-592-6160 * * * FOUNTAIN OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 451 S. Junction Ave., CJ 541-592-3956 Pastor Mark McLean Morning Worship 9:30 & 11 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m. Adult Bible Study * * * ST. MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 25904 Redwood Hwy., CJ 541-592-2006 Rev. Bryant Bechtold Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 209 S. Junction Ave., CJ Sacrament Meet - 10 a.m. Sunday School - 11:20 a.m. Priesthood, Relief Soc. - 12:10 p.m. Bishop Larry Hammersmith 541-592-3919 Even today we have a tough time under- standing this. We tend to think force will be the final solution to our problems, but the last week of Jesus’ life tells us this isn’t so. We could win each and every battle with our political foes and still lose our souls. Today, when we hear the loud Hosannas, and sing with joy about the coming of our true King, the Prince of Peace, we need to remember his words when he said: “if anyone would come after me, let them take up their cross and follow me”. And that means away from the cheering crowds, all the way to Golgotha. Members Don’t Worry About Emergency Ambulance Expenses! A $55 yearly membership to Paramed covers all family members in the home. Illness and injury can strike without warning; but, it’s comforting to know that your cost is covered for emergencies and medically necessary transports. “Serving The Northwest Since 1913” * * * Illinois Valley Baptist Church 541-592-6149 102 S. Redwood Hwy. (in the County Building) Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Bible Study, Prayer & Youth Program 7:00 PM Friday Ladies Bible Study 11:00 AM * * * Wonder Bible Chapel 11911 Redwood Hwy. Wonder, Ore. Sunday worship 10 a.m. Non-denominational Bible believing Church Sunday School Nursery Youth group meets Sunday 6:30 p.m. 24 Hours • 7 Days A Week Absolute peace of mind with expert critical care just a phone call away. FOR EMERGENCY CALL 911 FOR NON-EMERGENCY DIAL 1-877-504-8075 For Paramed Information Phone 1 (800) 228-7601
