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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2017)
Page 8A FAITH East Oregonian LIMEY PASTOR Lights in the darkness I give thanks to God for his saving grace, that this week two young people of our church survived a very difficult road accident. I pray for their continued recovery and for the well-being of their families, and the families of our congrega- tion. I give thanks for the rescue personnel who extricated them with the Jaws of Life. We live in a world where things can change suddenly and terribly. This world is a bridge and you cannot build a house on a bridge. This is an apocryphal saying of Colin Jesus recorded on the side Brown of a bridge in Pakistan. Faith This day of writing, a senseless shooting at a congressional baseball practice spilled ugliness and fear into the body politic. The news headlines were goggle-eyed all day long. God’s promise is that he will be with us, whatever happens, not that we can always be rescued from danger — only the danger of us being blind to the spirit — our immortal and indestructible spirit. Driving home this evening I saw a dead dog, stiff with rigor mortis on the side of the road. A little puppy I think. It saddened me. When I drove into my driveway 20 minutes later I noticed a little puppy loose and alone on the other side of my own street. I jumped out of my car and crossed the road. I beckoned to him and he wagged his tail. I invited him to come to me. He wagged some more and he came towards me and I scooped him into my arms. On the adorable scale he was a ten! I brought him back to the house and my wife read his address off his collar. It appeared he lived at the end of our street. My wife leashed him up and I took him home. The two ladies in the house hadn’t noticed his absence and were thrilled to see him. He wagged his tail much, much faster. If I hadn’t noticed the body of the little dog earlier I don’t think my attention would have been amplified to keep my eyes open and on the lookout so much. I was more awake. This world contains parables that can be read with eyes that are open. It tells us stories with God’s instruction within them. A holy man who has now passed on told me that I should pay attention to Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, about the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins who took their lamps out to meet the bridegroom. The wise virgins had sufficient oil in their lamps, but the foolish virgins had squandered their oil and had none. So the foolish virgins went to go and buy more oil, but while they were gone the bridegroom came. We must ponder this parable and ask ourselves what does this mean. We are immortal beings in a contingent world. We must be awake and keep the oil in our lamps lit, and then we can see clearly in the dark. We must be ready for when our Lord comes. ■ Colin Brown is pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is located on Locust Road in Boardman. Mass is at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Southern Baptists condemn ‘alt-right’ movement PHOENIX (AP) — Southern Baptists on Wednesday formally condemned the political move- ment known as the “alt-right,” in a national meeting that was thrown into turmoil after leaders initially refused to take up the issue. The denomination’s annual convention in Phoenix voted to “decry every form of racism, including alt-right white supremacy as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and “denounce and repudiate white supremacy and every form of racial and ethnic hatred as a scheme of the devil.” Tuesday night, Southern Baptist officials who oversaw the resolutions had refused to introduce a different repudiation of the “alt-right,” which emerged dramatically during the U.S. presidential election, mixing racism, white nationalism and populism. Barrett Duke, who leads the resolutions committee, had said the original document contained inflammatory and broad language “potentially implicating” conser- vatives who do not support the “alt-right” movement. Introducing the new statement Wednesday, Duke apologized “for the pain and confusion that we created,” but said the committee had been concerned about potentially giving the appearance of hating their enemies. Duke said the committee members “share your abhorrence of racism” and were grateful for the chance to “speak on ‘alt-right’ racism in particular and all racism in general.” The resolution was adopted after a short but emotional discussion. “We are saying that white supremacy and racist ideologies AP Photo/Matt York Dr. Steve Gaines gives the president’s address during the Southern Baptist Convention annu- al meeting, Tuesday in Phoenix. “We are saying that white supremacy and racist ideologies are dangerous because they oppress our brothers and sisters in Christ.” — Rev. Russell Moore, leader of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the Southern Baptist public policy arm are dangerous because they oppress our brothers and sisters in Christ,” said the Rev. Russell Moore, who leads the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the Southern Baptist public policy arm. “If we’re a Jesus people, let’s stand where Jesus stands.” Charles Hedman of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana, said far-right groups had been distributing racist material outside the convention hall Tuesday night. He said some pastors had told him they would have to leave the denomination if the conven- tion failed to denounce white supremacy Wednesday. Christian Center offers Redeemer to add Peace Lutheran sets children’s activities second Sunday service vacation Bible school HERMISTON — Amazing games, crazy activities, minute to win it challenges, prizes, puppets, music, skits, sports, crafts and snacks are all featured in the 4th Watch Kids Club. Children ages 5-12 are invited to participate in the team building and fun activity with friends. The event is held Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Hermiston Christian Center, 1825 W. Highland Ave. Transportation can be arranged. In addition, there’s a special monthly Kids Night Out. For more information, call Joanna Hayden, Kids Club leader, at 541-561-5573. PENDLETON — A second Sunday service will be added during the summer at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. The Pendleton church will have its regular Choral Eucharist at 9 a.m., and beginning Sunday, June 25, a Spoken Eucharist will be added at 11:45 a.m. There is a coffee hour between the two services, providing an opportunity for people attending either service to mingle. The church is located at 241 S.E. Second St., Pendleton. For more information, contact 541-276-3809 or redeemerchurch1897@gmail. com. PENDLETON — With a theme of Paul and the Underground Church, children will travel back to Biblical times during an upcoming vacation Bible school in Pendleton. The event is June 26-29 from 8:45 a.m. to noon at Peace Lutheran Church, 210 N.W. Ninth St., Pendleton. In addition, parents and family members are invited to a Wednesday, June 28 program at 6:30 p.m. Those planning to attend the vacation Bible school are asked to pre-register at the church Monday through Friday mornings. T-shirts will be provided. For more information, contact 541-276-7592 or visit www.peaceinpendleton.org. Boardman First Baptist Church plans teen Bible study BOARDMAN — Teenagers in grades nine through 12 are invited to a special Bible study in Boardman. The gatherings will begin Tuesday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Boardman First Baptist Church, 200 S.W. Willow Fork Drive. The group will meet weekly through Aug. 15. For more information, call 541-481-9437 or visit the church’s page on Facebook. SUBMIT FAITH NEWS Friday’s faith page features local, national and international faith-related news. Send information about local faith-related news and events, including concerts, special speakers and activities to community@eastoregonian.com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564- 4539 or 541-966-0818 with questions. 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 Come meet Jesus at 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 “We must stand strong,” Hedman said. “We must all issue an apology that we didn’t not act on this yesterday.” The initial proposal that Southern Baptists originally rejected came from a prominent black Southern Baptist pastor, the Rev. William McKissic of Arlington, Texas. His resolution repudiated “retrograde ideologies, xenophobic biases and racial bigotries of the ‘alt-right’ that seek to subvert our government.” After McKissic made an unsuccessful plea for reconsider- ation from the floor of the Phoenix meeting late Tuesday, pressure began building online and at the convention for the Southern Baptists to say something. Several Southern Baptists were panicked, contending that silence would be misinterpreted as support for white supremacy. The denomination was formed in the 19th century in defense of slaveholders and has been trying to overcome its racist history. A late-night call went out for convention participants to return to the assembly hall, where Steve Gaines, the president of the Southern Baptist Conven- tion, won approval to consider a new resolution on the topic Wednesday. “It shows we’re willing to bring issues to the floor, real issues,” said Mark Croston, national director of black church partnerships for the Southern Baptist-affiliated Lifeway Christian Resources. “We’re not intimidated or afraid to speak out, even though it brings up dirty laundry from the past.” BRIEFLY Redeemer Episcopal Church PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH Friday, June 16, 2017 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 Worship Community Community Presbyterian Church 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 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 Scripture, Tradition and Reason 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. 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 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 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 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 ~Come and be at Peace ~ To share your worship times call Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH Faith Center Church 9:30 Sunday Worship 9:30 am am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday St. Johns Episcopal Church Behind These Stone Walls Beat the Hearts of Some of the Warmest Most Sincere, Most Caring People in Pendleton. We Invite You to Come Get Acquainted! Summer Worship 9:40 am Fellowship to follow Loving People 108 S. Main • 276-9569 Sunday Worship 10:30 am Sr. Pastor, Ray O’Grady pendletonfaithcenter.org First United Methodist 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 Pastor Sharon Miller Pastor Sharon Miller 541-278-8082 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com www.livingwordcc.com 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 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