FAITH
Friday, September 1, 2017
East Oregonian
Page 7A
LIMEY PASTOR
Spike and Lance,
prayer warriors
M
AP Photo/Khalil Hamra
Muslim pilgrims pray on top of the Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, or the mountain of forgiveness, upon their
arrival to Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday.
Two million Muslims gather near
Mecca for peak of hajj pilgrimage
By OMAR AKOUR
and AHMED HATEM
Associated Press
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia
— With their palms facing the sky in
supplication, and many with tears in
their eyes, about 2 million people from
around the world gathered Thursday in
an effort to start anew, erase past sins and
beg God for forgiveness and guidance in
the peak day of the hajj pilgrimage.
From dawn until dusk, the massive
crowd of people will be gathered here
in Mount Arafat to spend the day in
supplication and contemplation. It is
here, on this mountain surrounded by
desert, where the Prophet Muhammad
delivered his final sermon more than
1,400 years ago.
“We hope that Allah will forgive our
sins, and we hope to have a new start
with our God,” said Khaled Ahmed, a
47-year-old pilgrim from Egypt.
In his sermon, the prophet called on
his followers to repay their debts, beware
of Satan, perform five daily prayers, fast
during the month of Ramadan and give
to charity. He also called on those with
the means to perform the hajj once in a
lifetime. He also reminded worshippers
of the rights that women have, and said
that no ethnic group or race has superi-
ority over another except in piety and
good action.
During the hajj, pilgrims are expected
to shed symbols of materialism, though
the trip itself can be quite expensive for
most. Male pilgrims are required to wear
seamless, white terrycloth garments for
the entirety of the hajj. Women wear
loose clothing, cover their hair and forgo
makeup and nail polish to achieve a state
of humility and spiritual purity.
The large crowds gathered from
more than 160 countries around the
world, dressed in nearly identical white
garments, are meant to symbolize
unity among Muslims, humility and
equality before God. The rich and poor
among men are to dress the same while
performing the rites of hajj.
The hajj is required of all Muslims
once in a lifetime. The physically
demanding journey tests pilgrims’
patience as they withstand long waits and
thick crowds on their path to achieving
spiritual purification and repentance.
Noura Sulieman, a pilgrim from the
Philippines, said she’d been to the hajj
many times before and was here again
to pray for her family.
“I came here to Arafat to pray for my
family, for my daughter, and my son,
and all my family, and all the Philip-
pines Muslims, and all Muslims in all
countries,” she said. “God willing, Allah
will accept our pilgrimage.”
Muslims believe the rites trace the
footsteps of the prophets Ibrahim and
Ismail — Abraham and Ishmael in the
Bible.
The movement of such a large and
diverse crowd of people in a short period
of time in limited spaces is a logistical
challenge for the Saudi government.
Authorities have deployed more than
100,000 security forces to secure the hajj
and assist pilgrims. Additional doctors,
nurses, ambulances and mobile health
centers are also deployed in the areas of
hajj.
Many begin their pilgrimage by
traveling to Medina, the site of both the
Prophet Muhammad’s first mosque and
where he is buried.
The rites of the hajj, however, begin
in Mecca, the site of Islam’s holiest place
of worship. There, pilgrims circulate
the cube-shaped Kaaba and kneel in
prayer facing it. The Kaaba represents
the metaphorical house of God and the
oneness of God in Islam.
y friend Spike died
member of his congregation.
and his memorial
He would put a photograph
service was held
of each member in front of
recently at his new church
him, bring their needs to
in Washington state, this
mind and also pray for those
very day of writing.
needs he did not
I write this for him,
know about — but
with thanks for his
God did. It drew
heart and soul, his
him closer to each
gift of prayer. Spike
member, and also
and his friend Lance
closer to God.
were instrumental in
Of course,
my life in the spirit.
praying is not just
Both congregation
for pastors. Far from
members of Christ
it. It should be part
Colin
Lutheran Church,
of the world for each
Brown
they invited me
Christian; it is the
Comment
to join the weekly
interface with God,
prayer group at the
and it is the rock face
church as a new
of the mountain of
member of the congregation. love.
Without them and their
What do you say when
weekly spiritual gift of
you pray? Why, anything
coming together for those
that comes to mind or the
we cared for, loved or were
heart. It isn’t so much what
concerned about, I wouldn’t
you say, but the direction that
have kept twitching forward
you are pointing in. Does the
in my walk.
direction include the person
Spike had been angry at
you are praying for and the
God for a long time before
God you are addressing?
he forgave God. His wife
Anything else is vain.
and child had been killed in a
God invites us in prayer to
tornado. It was years before,
be partners with him, sharing
and drove him away from
the love that he has given
the Father. Then something
birth to in our heart with
mysterious happened and
Jesus. We can raise up the
God and man were recon-
greatest load in prayer — we
ciled. He remarried. Spike
can raise up poor flooded
Texas and its people, we can
and his new wife came back
raise up the children traded
to the church in Aurora.
in slavery around the world,
Without this weekly
we can raise up ourselves
gift of practical prayer for
others, I wouldn’t have
because we must also tend to
learned much. Their spirit
ourselves to help us repent
of always coming to God,
of our sins and to grow more
giving thanks and asking
like the son of the carpenter.
for needed interventions
It is the heavy lifter.
planted roots in me. Later
Eastern Oregon, I
on, their spirit (as well as
challenge you to become a
Pastor Craig’s) encouraged
prayer leader of the West,
me to go to seminary, to
praying continually and
intern in churches as trainee
incessantly, like a flowing
pastor and at a hospital as a
mountain stream. Receive
chaplain. They provided a lot mercy and give your prayer
of wind under the wings.
up for the least of your
One of our congregation
people. Bless them with
members at the church had
mercy. Love wholly. Imitate
her father, a retired pastor,
Jesus in his passionate work.
come regularly to visit. I
Amen.
asked him what he did as a
■
spiritual practice. He told
Colin Brown is the pastor
me that every day he would
of Good Shepherd Lutheran
pray individually for each
Church in Boardman.
BRIEFLY
hermistonnaz@gmail.com,
541-567-3677 or visit www.
hermistonnazarene.org.
J.O.Y. Group hosts
special activity
HERMISTON — A J.O.Y. (Just
Older Youth) event is planned for
those ages 50-and-older.
The JOY Group invites “older
youths” to join them in a special
activity Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8-10
a.m. at Hermiston Church of the
Nazarene, 1520 W. Orchard Ave.
For more information, contact
Evangelist leads
Pendleton revival
PENDLETON — Rev. Preston
Plemons returns to Pendleton for
the Fires of Revival.
The special event kicks off
Sunday at 6 p.m. at Pendleton
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA
Join us Sundays
9:30 am Sunday Worship
9:30 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
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
Lighthouse Church, 417 N.W. 21st
St. The services continue Monday
through Wednesday at 7 p.m.
In addition, the church is hosting
a Labor Day Potluck Monday at
12:30 p.m. People are invited to
bring a dish to share with others and
enjoy a time of food, fellowship and
fun.
For more information, call
541-377-4252 or visit www.
pendletonlighthousechurch.
401 Northgate,
Northgate, Pendleton
401
Pendleton
Celebration of
Celebration
of Worship
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
Annex
In the 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
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
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”
To share your worship times
call 541-278-2678
HERMISTON — With school
back in session, the Hermiston
Assembly of God Church is
resuming its weekly children’s
program.
The Boys & Girls Clubs
Launch Night is Wednesday,
Sept. 6 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at
the church, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave.,
Hermiston. Open to kids through
fifth grade, participants don’t
have to be affiliated with the
church to attend.
The weekly event includes
games, crafts, snacks and much
more. Also, transportation can be
arranged.
For more information,
call 541-567-5831 or
visit www.facebook.com/
hermistonassembly.
BAHA’I FAITH
Worship
Community
Community
Presbyterian Church
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
First United
Methodist
Church
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
“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
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
Join
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
Center for Worship & Service
9:30 - Sunday School
Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616
Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am
10:30 - Worship Service
Worship Livestream at
www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study
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
Wednesday Bible Study
COME AS YOU ARE
150 SE Emigrant
(541) 276-3369
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
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
Worshiping God
Sunday Worship Service
Pendleton
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
Faith Center Church
The Salvation Army
352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
Hermiston church
launches kids clubs
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship
10:00 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
pendletonfaithcenter.org
LCMC
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
541-481-6132
Colin Brown, Pastor
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
Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-F, 8:30-12:30
www.fccpendleton.org
Sunday Worship
10:30 a.m.
Mid-Week
Children & Youth
Weekly Adult
Life Groups
1711 SW 44th St.
541-276-6015
www.pendfmc.org