FAITH
Friday, April 21, 2017
Members of
Jehovah’s
Witnesses wait
in a court room
in Moscow,
Russia, on
Thursday.
Russia’s
Supreme Court
has banned
the Jehovah’s
Witnesses from
operating in
the country,
accepting a
request from
the justice
ministry that
the religious
organization
be considered
an extremist
group.
East Oregonian
Page 7A
President Carter,
am I a Christian?
C
AP photo by
Ivan Sekretarev
Jehovah’s Witnesses banned in Russia
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s
Supreme Court on Thursday
banned Jehovah’s Witnesses
from operating anywhere in
the country, accepting a request
from the justice ministry that
the religious organization be
considered an extremist group.
The court ordered the closure
of the group’s Russian headquar-
ters and its 395 local chapters, as
well as the seizure of its property.
The Interfax news agency
on Thursday quoted Justice
Ministry attorney Svetlana
Borisova in court as saying that
Jehovah’s Witnesses pose a
threat to Russians.
“They pose a threat to the
rights of citizens, public order
and public security,” she told
the court.
Borisova also said Jehovah’s
Witnesses’ opposition to blood
transfusions violates Russian
health care laws.
Yaroslav
Sivulsky,
a
spokesman
for
Jehovah’s
Witnesses in Russia, said in
a statement they are “greatly
disappointed by this develop-
ment and deeply concerned
about how this will affect our
religious activity.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses said
they would appeal the ruling.
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim
more than 170,000 adherents
in Russia. The group has come
under increasing pressure over
the past year, including a ban on
distributing literature deemed to
violate Russia’s anti-extremism
laws.
Human
Rights
Watch
criticized Thursday’s decision
as an impediment to religious
freedom in Russia.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling
to shut down the Jehovah’s
Witnesses in Russia is a terrible
blow to freedom of religion
and association in Russia,” said
Rachel Denber, deputy Europe
and Central Asia director at
Human Rights Watch.
The rights group also
expressed concern that if the
ruling takes effect, Jehovah’s
Witnesses could face criminal
prosecution and punishment
ranging from fines to prison
time.
Church pastor where 9 were killed blasts political ad
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) —
The pastor of a South Carolina
church where nine black
members were killed in a racist
attack said Thursday that a
political ad calling politicians
weak and panicked for taking
down the Confederate flag after
the massacre was distasteful.
“The events of a racist
committing murder is some-
thing that never should be
utilized to advance someone’s
political career,” Emanuel
AME Pastor Eric Manning
said.
Sheri Few, a Republican
running for an open U.S. house
seat in the northern part of
South Carolina, released the
ad on the internet Wednesday.
In it, she stands in front of an
American flag with a semi-au-
tomatic assault weapon.
“Weak politicians are too
quick to blame a horrible
tragedy on a flag, or a gun or
even free speech. And that’s
how bad laws are made,” Few
said in the ad.
Manning said Few needs to
remove the ad immediately.
“We lived the events of June
17, 2015, and now someone
wants to utilize our pain for
their political gain. There’s
just no call for that. I think it
is distasteful, to be very candid
and direct,” Manning said.
Few is one of seven
candidates running for the
GOP nomination to replace
Republican Mick Mulvaney,
who left the U.S. House earlier
this year to become director of
the Office of Management and
Budget.
Few said the ad will start
running this weekend on cable
channels in the district centered
south of Charlotte, North Caro-
lina.
Dylann
Roof
entered
Emanuel AME and sat through
Wednesday night Bible study
for 45 minutes before opening
fire during the closing prayer.
He has been sentenced to death
by a jury who found him guilty
of federal hate crimes.
Few pointed out she never
mentions the church specifi-
cally in her ad.
“I am a Christian. I love
those people,” Few said.
“That’s why I support the death
penalty for that sick, deranged
man. And I hope a liberal judge
doesn’t get in the way.”
Presbyterian Preschool in Pendleton sets open house, registration
PENDLETON
—
Registration for the 2017-18
school year at the Presbyterian
Preschool is coming up.
Families interested in finding
out more about the preschool are
invited to attend an open house
Tuesday, April 25 from 3-5 p.m.
or Thursday, April 27 from 5-7
p.m. at the First Presbyterian
Church, 201 S.W. Dorion Ave.,
Pendleton.
Preschool classes for 3-year-
olds are held Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 9-11:30 a.m.,
and kids 4 and 5 meet Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from
9 a.m. to noon. To be eligible,
children must be 3 or 4 by Sept.
1, 2017.
Registration is Monday, May 1
at 6:30 p.m. at the church. There is
a $50 non-refundable fee.
The curriculum is based on
social development and creative
skills with a foundation in
reading and writing readiness.
Children are encouraged to make
discoveries about themselves,
new friends and to participate in
muscle development.
For more information, call
541-276-7681.
hristians celebrated
A: Yes, but eventually I
Easter last Sunday. But
decide what I believe, as an
wait — do we really
integral part of my existence
think Jesus literally rose from
and a guide for my life. This
the dead?
is based on what I consider
I asked questions like
to be the perfect life and
that in a Christmas Day
example of Jesus.
column, interviewing the
Q: I think of you
Rev. Tim Keller, a prominent
as
an
evangelical, but
Nicholas
evangelical pastor. In this,
Kristof evangelicalism implies belief
the second of an occasional
in inerrancy of Scripture.
Comment
series, I decided to quiz
Do you share that, and if
former President Jimmy
so, how do you account for
Carter. He’s a longtime Sunday
contradictions within the Gospels?
school teacher and born-again
A: I look on the contradictions
evangelical but of a more liberal
among the Gospel writers as a sign of
bent than Keller. Here’s our email
authenticity, based on their different
conversation, edited for clarity.
life experiences, contacts with Jesus
ME: How literally do you take
and each other. If the earlier authors
the Bible, including miracles like the
of the Bible had been creating an
Resurrection?
artificial document, they would have
CARTER: Having a scientific
eliminated disparities. I try to absorb
background, I do not believe in a
the essence and meaning of the
six-day creation of the world that
teachings of Jesus Christ, primarily
occurred in 4004 B.C., stars falling
as explained in the letters written
on the earth, that kind of thing.
by Paul to the early churches. When
I accept the overall message of
there are apparent discrepancies, I
the Bible as true, and also accept
make a decision on what to believe,
miracles described in the New
respecting the equal status and rights
Testament, including the virgin birth
of all people.
and the Resurrection.
Q: One of my problems with
Q: With Easter having arrived,
evangelicalism is that it normally
let me push you on the Resurrection.
argues that one can be saved only
If you heard a report today from the
through a personal relationship
Middle East of a man brought back
with Jesus, which seems to consign
to life after an execution, I doubt
Gandhi to hell. Do you believe that?
you’d believe it even if there were
A: I do not feel qualified to make
eyewitnesses. So why believe ancient a judgment. I am inclined to give him
accounts written years after the
(or others) the benefit of any doubt.
events?
Q: Do you pray daily, and if so,
A: I would be skeptical of a report do you believe in the efficacy of
like you describe. My belief in the
prayer in a miracle kind of way, or in
resurrection of Jesus comes from my
a psychologically-this-helps-me-deal-
Christian faith, and not from any need with-the-world kind of way?
for scientific proof. I derive a great
A: I pray often during each day,
personal benefit from the totality of
and believe in the efficacy of prayer
this belief, which comes naturally to
in both ways. In my weekly Bible
me.
lessons, I teach that our Creator God
Q: What about someone like
is available at any moment to any of
me whose faith is in the Sermon on
us, for guidance, solace, forgiveness
the Mount, who aspires to follow
or to meet our other needs. My
Jesus’ teachings, but is skeptical that
general attitude is of thanksgiving
he was born of a virgin, walked on
and joy.
water, multiplied loaves and fishes or
Q: Skeptics have noted that when
had a physical resurrection? Am I a
prayers are “answered,” there is
Christian, President Carter?
usually an alternative explanation.
A: I do not judge whether
But an amputee can pray for a new
someone else is a Christian. Jesus
leg, and a new leg never grows back.
said, “Judge not ...” I try to apply the
Isn’t that a reason to believe that
teachings of Jesus in my own life,
prayer helps internally, but doesn’t
often without success.
access miracles?
Q: How can I reconcile my
A: It is usually impossible to
admiration for the message of Jesus,
convince skeptics. For me, prayer
all about inclusion, with a church
helps internally, as a private
history that is often about exclusion?
conversation with my creator,
A: As St. Paul said to the
who knows everything and can do
Galatians in 3:28, “There is neither
anything. If I were an amputee, my
Jew nor Greek, there is neither
prayer would be to help me make the
bond nor free, there is neither male
best of my condition, to be a good
nor female, for ye are all one in
follower of the perfect example set
Christ Jesus.” In His day, Jesus
by Jesus Christ and to be thankful for
broke down walls of separation
life, freedom and opportunities to be a
and superiority among people.
blessing to others. We are monitoring
Those (mostly men) who practice
the status of cancer in my liver and
superiority and exclusion contradict
brain, and my prayers are similar to
my interpretations of the life and
this.
teachings of Jesus, which exemplified
■
peace, love, compassion, humility,
Nicholas Kristof grew up on a
forgiveness and sacrificial love.
sheep and cherry farm in Yamhill. He
Q: Do you sometimes struggle
won the Pulitzer Prize in 1990 and
with doubts about faith?
2006.
Worship Community
Worshiping God
pendletonfaithcenter.org
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
All Are Welcome
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton
ELCA
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 ~
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study.........9:00 AM
Sunday Worship......10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
Grace Baptist Church
Sunday Worship
10:00am
Wednesday Healing School
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
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”
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
Pendleton
352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR
Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616
Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am
Worship Livestream at
www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
Faith Center Church
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship 10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
First United
Methodist
Church
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School
Check Out our Facebook Page or
Website for More Information
541-289-4535
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
(First United Methodist Church)
191 E. Gladys Ave. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Community
Presbyterian Church
LCMC
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Sunday worship at
11:00 AM
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
541-481-6132
Colin Brown, Pastor
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm
Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm
Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm
We off er: Sunday School • Sign Language
Interpreters • Nursery • Transportation • & more!
Pastor Dan Satterwhite
541.377.4252
417 NW 21st St. • Pendleton, OR 97801
www.facebook.com/
PendletonLighthouseChurch
Come meet Jesus at
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
PENDLETON
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
PENDLETON BAPTIST
CHURCH
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
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
BAHA’I FAITH
“The Unity of All Mankind”
Pendleton Baha’i Center at
1015 SE Court Place
Devotions Sundays @
11:00am; Everyone invited!
(541) 276-9360 visit us at
www.pendletonbahais.org