FAITH
Friday, June 2, 2017
East Oregonian
Kentucky governor calls for
prayer groups to combat violence
By BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin
called on the “power of
prayer” to help combat
Louisville’s rising murder
rate as he urged people to
form prayer groups to walk
high-crime neighborhoods.
His plan, outlined at a
community meeting, was
met with a mix of support
and derision. Bevin urged
volunteers to form teams
of 3-10 people that pick the
same block to walk at the
same time of day, at least two
or three times a week. He
urged participants to make a
yearlong commitment.
“Go around the block,
pause on each corner, pray
for the people there, move
to the next corner,” Bevin
said later in describing his
plan to reporters at a city
park. “And over the course
of the year, here’s what’s
going to happen — they’re
going to get to know the
people on the block.”
Bevin, a socially conser-
vative Republican, said it’s
a chance for “people of faith
to put their faith to work.”
He hopes residents from the
neighborhoods walk with
people living elsewhere.
“Pretty unsophisticated.
Pretty
uncomplicated.
Pretty basic,” Bevin said.
“But I truly believe we’re
going to see a difference in
our city. I personally believe
in the power of prayer.”
Louisville Metro Police
investigated a record 118
criminal homicides last
year, but this year’s murder
rate — at 52 through May
— was on pace to surpass
Matt Stone /The Courier-Journal via AP
Gov. Matt Bevin told the audience of around 400 at Western Middle School
Thursday, that roaming prayer groups in the city’s West End could be a start
of helping curb the violence.
last year’s total.
Skeptics of Bevin’s
roving
prayer
group
plan included Micheshia
Norment, the mother of a
7-year-old boy killed by a
stray bullet last month. Her
son, Dequante Hobbs Jr., was
eating a bedtime snack at his
kitchen table when the bullet
smashed through a window
and struck him in the head.
Norment, who attended
the community meeting, said
later that Bevin’s “heart is in
the right place,” but predicted
many people would be
fearful to walk neighbor-
hoods plagued by crime.
She also doubted it will
be much of a deterrent for
those prone to violence.
“They can do walks
all day long but it doesn’t
mean it’s going to change
anything,” she said.
Bevin took to Facebook
to condemn the boy’s death,
and he paid his respects
to the family by meeting
with Norment at her son’s
visitation, a day before his
burial.
Asked Thursday if she
would join a prayer group,
she replied: “I’m trying to
get out of the neighborhood
that I’m in because I’ve still
got another child.”
What would help curb
violence, she said, is to
make it harder to get guns.
Earlier in the week,
Bevin downplayed the avail-
ability of guns as a problem
behind Louisville’s murder
rate. He called the homicide
spree a cultural, spiritual and
economic problem.
“If you honestly believe
it’s a gun problem, then
you’re missing the point,”
he said.
Gun-rights advocates
including the National
Rifle Association wield
considerable political clout
in Kentucky.
A ministerial group
from some Louisville
neighborhoods hardest hit
by the violence offered its
own plan to combat the
crime wave. The preachers
called for updating what
they see as lax gun laws
that make it “easier to buy a
gun in West Louisville than
a piece of fresh fruit.”
Other parts of their plan
call for protecting people
who cooperate with police,
updating school curriculum
to highlight contributions
of black culture and
creating more employment
and housing opportunities
in minority neighborhoods.
BRIEFLY
Christian church starts
summer schedule
Christian illusionist
to perform in Pendleton
MILTON-FREEWATER — With
the season changing, the Milton-
Freewater First Christian Church is
resuming its summer schedule.
Beginning June 4, regular
Sunday services and the junior
worship begins at 9:30 a.m. The
church is located at 518 S. Main St.,
Milton-Freewater. Other Sunday
activities, including Kids Klub,
breakfasts and Bible classes, are
suspended for the summer and will
resume in the fall.
Valet parking and entry via a ramp
are available on the west side of the
church. Also, there’s an elevator at
the north entrance.
For more information, call
541-938-3854 Monday through
Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
PENDLETON — The reality
of God’s love is presented during a
full-scale magic show by a Christian
illusionist.
Phil Dalton, who has spent 25
years as performer, offers a one-of-a-
kind experience with several tons of
equipment and a cast of seven. The
free event is Sunday at 5 p.m. at the
Pendleton First Christian Church,
215 N. Main St., Pendleton.
The Cincinnati-based performer
incorporates his faith during the
shows. People of all ages and faiths
are encouraged to attend.
Embarking on a tour that includes
all 50 states, the Pendleton show is
the only Oregon performance by
Dalton and his crew.
For more information about the
1911 SE Court Ave
541-276-6417
Assembly of
God Church
local performance, call 541-276-
5358. The magician’s website is
www.50magicshows.com.
Liberty Quartet stages
Hermiston show
HERMISTON — A familiar
Southern gospel quartet returns to the
region for a concert in Hermiston.
Liberty Quartet, a Boise-based
traveling ministry, will perform Friday,
June 9 at 7 p.m. at Hermiston Church
of the Nazarene, 1520 W. Orchard
Ave. There is no admission charge, but
a love offering will be taken.
Founded in 1995, the group began
a full-time ministry in 1997. They
perform at church services, nursing
homes, prisons and music festivals.
For more information, call the
church at 541-567-3677. The group’s
website is www.libertyquartet.com.
Come meet Jesus at
PENDLETON BAPTIST
CHURCH
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
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
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”
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
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
Community
Presbyterian Church
Weekly Adult
Life Groups
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
Family service 9am Sunday
First United
Methodist
Church
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
PENDLETON
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
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
Faith Center Church
Worshiping God
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
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
Sunday worship at
11:00 AM
LCMC
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
541-481-6132
Colin Brown, Pastor
1711 SW 44th St.
www.pendfmc.org
Coffee & Mingle Time: 9:15 am
Worship Gathering: 10:00 am
Children’s Church: 10:00 am
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship
10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
pendletonfaithcenter.org
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
401 Northgate,
Northgate, Pendleton
401
Pendleton
Celebration
of
Worship
Celebration of Worship
Sundays 10:00am
Sundays
10:00 am
Youth: 0-6th
Youth:
0-6th grade
grade
Midweek Service
Midweek
Sevice
Wednesdays
6:00 pm
Wednesdays 6:00pm
Youth: 0-6th
0-6th grade
grade
Youth:
Overcomer’s
Outreach
Overcomer’s Outreach
Tuesday’s
6:00 pm
Tuesday’s 6:00pm
In the
the Annex
In
Annex
Christ Centered,
A A Christ
Centered, 12
12 Step
Step
Recovery Support
Support Group
Recovery
Group
541-276-6015
To share your worship times
call Terri Briggs 541-278-2678
R
eporting for
any other unusual
duty! I’m
behavior.
back in the
The curious thing
saddle again, back
was that I did not feel
on the little hill in
any pain in my chest,
Boardman upon which
with the exception of
our church stands
coughing or sneezing,
overlooking the town.
for which I was given
I haven’t written for
a
heart-shaped cushion
Colin
a while. My brain is
to
brace against my
Brown
rattling in its skull
chest wall when the
Faith
as I work up some
urge came. Even
thoughts.
though my breast bone
This last Sunday, May 28,
had been cut in half, and then
I showed up again at Good
brought back together and
Shepherd Lutheran Church.
joined with steel wire, I did
My open heart surgery is
not feel discomfort. I turned
done. I am now equipped
down all offers of pain killers
with a new set of innards, four as I actually did not have any
new arteries, and a slightly
at all.
more svelte physique. It has
However, for the next
been two months since I had
week I lived in a strange
my surgery. Now I have a
in-between state, with unusual
zipper style scar in my chest,
hallucinations that I couldn’t
and exit wounds on my left
distinguish from reality. I
leg where the arteries were
thought that I was moved
extracted for the back-up
from room to room, on one
plumbing, and a strange
occasion being moved to
clarity caused by the influx
the hospital guard shack, on
of much larger amounts of
another two occasions being
oxygen than usual. I am
taken to a nurse’s meeting
reconstructed. I am Pastor 2.0. off-site, some kind of lodge
I have found that there are
meeting. In each place the
two types of people, those
same room number was on
who want to see the scar and
the wall. I still remember
those who don’t. A nurse
these artificial memories
told me that seeing scars was
vividly.
something they got into the
After a week of being
business for. I didn’t like
in the hospital I really did
seeing scars before, but now
move out of the hospital,
I must admit that it’s a lot
being transported by taxi to
cooler than I thought it would a rehabilitation facility in
be.
Mount Angel. I remember
I can remember a strange
the strange taxi ride I took. I
calm coming over me when I
didn’t recognize the roads I
was receiving the anesthetic
knew so well; it was as if my
at St. Vincent’s. I remember
memory had been partially
thinking how eerie it was, and
wiped. At the facility I began
how this moment could really
working with the rehab team. I
be it. This could be my last
was lucky in that my heart had
remembered moment of my
not been damaged by my two
lifetime. This was not a thought heart attacks, and so the new
I shared with anyone else, not
access to oxygen gave me a
my wife or my son. It was an
zesty energy that was amazing.
occasion of great moment. I
My reconnected
was ready to meet God, but I
breastbone was protected by
was equally happy to wait.
regulations that forbade me
My surgery had taken
lifting small weights, and did
seven hours. Twice as long
not allow me to hoist myself
as planned. My surgeon had
up to stand. I learned to rock
been drained by the effort
backwards and forwards until
as apparently my internal
I could roll forward onto
structures weren’t that
my legs in order to stand. I
cooperative. Initially finding
learned to think in a calcu-
places on my heart to hook
lating geometry, consciously
up the new arteries was not
and carefully.
so easy.
Everything was new and
I can’t remember waking
my Lord had guided me
up, but I did. The depth of the carefully back to new life. All
anesthesia had been profound, praise to him and thankful-
and the heart machine I was
ness for his care of all those
hooked up to had shaken my
who looked after me!
blood into a red froth which
I have returned home
had added to my brain’s
to my family, all members
confusion. When I woke I
accounted for including the
wanted to leave — to get
cats and the dogs. It’s good to
out of bed and drive home. I
be home. Thanks are due to
pulled the tubes in my chest
God for his amazing mercies!
out, which were there to
■
drain. This did not endear
Colin Brown is the pastor
me at all to the nurses who
of Boardman’s Good Shepherd
then wired me up to motion
Lutheran Church on Locust
detectors to warn them of
Road.
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
541-289-4535
Mid-Week
Children & Youth
Back in the saddle
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
(First United Methodist Church)
191 E. Gladys Ave. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Sunday Worship
10:30 a.m.
LIMEY PASTOR
Worship
Community
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
Page 7A
Pastor Sharon Miller
Pastor Sharon Miller
541-278-8082
541-278-8082
www.livingwordcc.com
www.livingwordcc.com
-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
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