Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2016)
Page 8A FAITH East Oregonian Friday, December 9, 2016 Ministry feeds spiritual, physical needs Community House of Hope reaches out to homeless The Salvation Army By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian A couple of years ago Mark Leslie found himself homeless and hungry. Hearing about Tacos and Testimonies, Leslie headed to Desert Rose Ministries where he was met by people that fed him — both physi- cally and spiritually. Grateful for people reaching out to him and knowing he has a unique ability to touch others that are homeless, Leslie now gives back through House of Hope. The organization, which is in the process of getting its nonprofit status, is separate from the ministry at Desert Rose. Recently, House of Hope received a boost from The Shift Church in Albany. With a mission of “We exist to live with one hand to the gutter and one hand to the sky,” the idea of helping House of Hope came about when parishioner Eric Jefferson heard the Hermiston ministry was serving the homeless. The Shift, Jefferson said, chooses charities and tries to help them out. Erecting a tent in the church’s gymnasium, he said people filled it with sleeping bags, hoodies, gloves, personal hygiene supplies and other miscella- neous items. Center for Worship & Service Sunday Worship Service 9:30 - Sunday School 10:30 - Worship Service Wednesday Bible Study 5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study COME AS YOU ARE 150 SE Emigrant • (541) 276-3369 Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Linda Durant, vice chairwoman of House of Hope, helps Eric Jefferson of The Shift Church of Albany unload donations for the group’s ministry to the homeless in Hermiston. Jefferson was thrilled to be a part of the project — especially getting to make the five-hour drive to deliver the supplies. “I have a love for Jesus and a truck,” he said with a laugh. Linda Durant, vice chairmen of the House of Hope board of directors, was ecstatic with the donation. “They rounded up a lot of things we can use,” she said. “They were very generous to help meet the needs of people in this area.” The ministry, Durant said, has gained steam in the past year. In addition to the all-volunteer executive board, there are about a dozen liaisons — who are affiliated with local churches or nonprofit organizations. House of Hope has been operating in the space with Desert Rose at 512 E. Main St., Hermiston — providing outreach to the hungry and homeless. Monday through Saturday mornings, people can drop in from 7-11 a.m. for coffee, tea and cereal. In the afternoons, they can return between 3-6 p.m. for soup and bread or sandwiches. Durant said there is a tremendous need in the area to serve the homeless. And, even though they don’t have their own ministry space, the group has been doing what they can to reach out to those in need. “If you wait until you have all your ducks in the row, you may never get into the water,” Durant said. Leslie is excited about the possibilities. Providing BOARDMAN’S LIMEY PASTOR t is the season of Advent; to find a palace, a wondrous the coming of the Christ construction, of jewels and Child. The church breathes marble. Instead, they find a in the air of this new sacred stable, a place where beasts time. The advent wreath of burden are housed, in the honors the light of its candles, straw nest of a manger. They four of them, one candle lit trust the wisdom. each week for the season. In the place where the Four families of our animals feed will be laid a Colin church, each family chosen small, scrawny baby. The Brown to light each candle, one per baby Jesus will lie peacefully Faith Sunday prior to Christmas looking at the animals and the Day. Light entering animals will look the world increment back. Jesus will look by increment, a up in the gaps of the light that comes stable and will see from beyond the the Star above. The firmament. After this animals’ cries soften Sunday there will be as they gaze on this one more candle to little human and feel light, one more week a marvelous peace. of waiting before The baby’s heaven meets earth. mother is equally There was a scrawny, having time when the world had no Christ, traveled a long way. Joseph’s eyes are when the world was dark. The world dark with fear and wonder. Does this of Joseph and Mary was a world child look like him? His heart flickers immersed in the shadow of Rome, the with doubt. Why are these strange great foreign occupier and oppressor. men here with them? Why do they To be small, poor people in that world bear precious things with them? What was terrifying does this mean? Mary was very young, the scholars This moment in the life of a poor think. Maybe she was fourteen or so, family is a lever of history. Without or round about that age. Joseph, the it our world would be sloth-eyed and young man, was probably quite a bit mired in selfishness. The exemplar older. The star above them, a new star, of love has changed every moment very bright and slowly wandering. thereafter. This baby has rocked the In the mind’s eye you can see cradle of the world. it — on the other side of the hills and The Birth of our Lord is a mountains, wise men have seen it and recurring wonder. Every year we are hastening to meet its arrival. The relive this coming in our seasonal coming of the light into the world is stories. It is a new birth of innocence being met by those guided by wisdom and holiness. A fountain of compas- and prophecy; they are carrying sion pouring up out of the bedrock portable gifts, myrrh, frankincense of time to re-green the world and to and gold — gifts of great honor. I bring new life to a mystery beyond don’t think that knew where they our understanding. were heading. They knew that they ■ were going to meet a very important Colin Brown is the pastor somebody who was about to be born. of Boardman’s Good Shepherd Perhaps the wise men are hoping Lutheran Church on Locust Road. This moment in the life of a poor family is a lever of history. Christian center presents ‘wonderful’ concert HERMISTON — A musical extravaganza is planned during an upcoming special service at the Hermiston Christian Center. Christmas is Wonderful will feature a full hour of music — from holiday classics to new Christmas songs. People won’t want to miss a rap version of “Jingle Bells’ performed by Helen McAfee. The septuagenarian will even don an elf costume for the performance. The free event is Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. at 1825 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston. There is no admission charge. The program also includes McAfee performing a duet with her brother, Brad Rozema, who plays trombone with Brass Fire. Other highlights include an original version of “Mary, Did You Know?” by Jacob Looper, one of the church’s worship music leaders. Looper said a variety of soloists, duets and trios will perform — along with a larger ensemble and a brass band. For a sneak preview, stop by Hermiston’s Winter Festival Thursday, Dec. 15 at 4:30 p.m.. Part of the group will be singing carols as part of the featured entertainment in the festival area by the city Christmas tree, 180 N.E. Second St. For more information, call 541-567- 3480. Kid’s Christmas drama set at Nazarene church HERMISTON — The public is invited to a Christmas drama presented at the Hermiston Church of the Nazarene. Bethlehem is crowded, but there’s room for people to enjoy seeing the story portrayed through “Sheep in Heavenly Peace.” Appropriate for all ages, the free kid’s drama is Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at 1520 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. For more information, call 541-567- 3677 or visit www.hermistonnazarene. org. A biblical heroine’s legend, told through ballet By FRANCESCA FONTANA (Eugene) Register-Guard Mother-daughter duo Donna and Hannah Bontrager are bringing the biblical story of Esther to life with Ballet Fantastique’s latest produc- tion at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene. The Bontragers produced and choreographed the dance adaptation of “The Book of Esther,” from the third section of the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old Testament, for their dance company in 2014. The story follows a Hebrew girl who becomes queen of Persia and stops a genocide of her people. “We are always looking for compelling stories, for ones that have never been told through ballet,” Hannah Bontrager said. Both women said they grew up with the story from the Old Testament and loved the strength of the female protagonist, so they are bringing the production back this season. Donna Bontrager said that the original choreography is a combination of classical ballet and contemporary dance, drawing inspiration from her previous work dancing at the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem. “Dance is one of the highest art forms to use to worship God,” she said. “(The Old Testament) is filled with dances of celebration and that kind of thing.” Hannah Bontrager said the dancers do a lot of characteri- zation and acting in their work for the show. For instance, she said that Esther’s movement is “very strong and beautiful but restrained,” unlike other female leads in productions such as “Cinderella” and “Romeo and Juliet.” (D ISCIPLES OF C HRIST ) 215 N MAIN • PENDLETON Sunday Worship: 10:40a Bible Class: 9:30a Offi ce 276-5358 M-F, 8:30-12:30 WWW.FCCPENDLETON.ORG Community Presbyterian Church 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 For “Esther,” Ballet Fantastique is collaborating again with the University of Oregon Gospel Singers for this year’s production. The group sings live onstage for each performance, and the choir’s music director, Andiel Brown, also plays Mordecai, Ruth’s guardian who encour- ages her throughout the story. “Just seeing the dancers work out the choreography to the song we will be singing is so inspiring,” Brown said. “People should be excited to see this marriage of gospel music, story and ballet as it has never been done before.” Donna Bontrager said it has been interesting to find ways of putting together scenes from the story to spiritual pieces of music such as “Now Let Me Fly to Zion, Lord,” a traditional African-American slave spiritual about the Underground Railroad. “As storytellers, there’s something so powerful about the history of the music itself,” Hannah Bontrager added. “To me, dancing onstage with this music that has so much power to tell the story of Esther.” In addition to the live choir, there will be recorded narration to help the audience understand the plot. “It’s a bit of a complicated story, and we wanted to bring the audience along with us,” Hannah Bontrager said. The Bontragers said the production has a great message for the holiday season. “(A story about) coming together and believing in a miracle and overcoming a seemingly insurmountable obstacle is one that feels very timely,” Hannah Bontrager said. “We love the power of the story of a woman whose bravery and faith saves an entire people.” Worshiping God Loving People 108 S. Main • 276-9569 Sunday Worship 10:30 am Sr. Pastor, Ray O’Grady pendletonfaithcenter.org Seventh-Day Adventist Church Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am Grace Baptist Church 585 SW Birch, Pilot Rock, OR 97868 (541) 443-2500 prbconline.blogspot.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship Service: 10:45 am Kids’ Club: 6:00 pm Wednesday Services: Youth Group: 7:00 pm BRIEFLY The coming of the Light I support and an opportunity for people to get back on their feet, Leslie said, helps them in becoming productive members of the community. Leslie knows this from personal experi- ence. “They showed me I was worth more than I thought of myself,” he said. For more information, call Leslie at 541-391-6435 or Durant at 541-449-5038. In addition, the public is invited to board meetings the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Assembly of God Church, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 F IRST C HRISTIAN C HURCH Faith Center Church OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR www.graceandmercylutheran.org Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School Check Out our Facebook Page or Website for More Information 555 SW 11th, Hermiston 567-9497 Nursery provided for all services Sunday School - 9:30 AM Worship - 10:45 AM 6:00 pm Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM “Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace” St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. Scripture, Tradition and Reason 541-289-4535 Family service 9am Sunday Tom Inch, Pastor Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA 164 E. Main St. / P.O. Box 1108 Hermiston, Oregon 97838 N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -Presbyterian Church (USA)- 201 SW Dorion Ave. Pendleton Service of Worship - 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School - 10:20 am Fellowship - 11:00 am www.pendletonpresbyterian.com Open Hearted... Open Minded 241 SE Second St. Pendleton (541)276-3809 www.pendletonepiscopal.org Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Holy Communion Noon Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group All Are Welcome P eace L utheran C hurch 210 NW 9th, Pendleton Redeemer Episcopal Church ELCA Come meet Jesus at PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday 3202 SW Nye Ave Pendleton, OR 541-276-7590 Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM Mon. Community Women’s Study 9:30 AM & 6 PM Awana Kids Club (K-6th grade) Wed Men’s Study 6 PM MOPS meeting the 1st Thur of the Month 6 PM FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH First United Methodist Church Join us Sundays 9:30 Sunday Worship 9:30 am am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class ~Come and be at Peace ~ in Mission for Christ LCMC Bible Study.........9:00 AM Sunday Worship......10:30 AM Red Lion Hotel ( Oregon Trail Room ) www.faithpendleton.org FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM 712 SW 27 TH ST. 541-276-1894 www.fcogpendleton.com Pendleton/Hermiston 352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton Sunday Worship 9am 541-276-2616 Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am 191 E. Gladys Ave,Hermiston Sunday Worship 11am 541-567-3002 Worship Livestream at herfumc.com Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor Sunday Worship 10:00am Wednesday Bible Study 6:00pm Youth Classes: Nursery - 6th grade Sun & Wed Jr & Sr High Discipleship Program Wed Overcomer’s Outreach Tuesday at 6:00pm - Annex A Christ-centered, 12-Step Recovery Support Group Pastor Sharon Miller 401 Northgate, Pendleton 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com To share your worship times call Terri Briggs 541-278-2678