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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2017)
Page 8A FAITH East Oregonian Friday, November 17, 2017 LIMEY PASTOR Christian players frustrated by Crimes of power criticism for anthem protest PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eric Reid and other Christian players who support Colin Kaepernick’s social justice movement want believers on the opposite side of the controversial anthem protest to ask themselves a simple but powerful question: What would Jesus do? Reid joined Kaepernick, his former San Francisco 49ers teammate, in kneeling for the “The Star-Spangled Banner” last year because he wants to be a “voice for the voiceless,” a lesson derived from a Bible verse found in Proverbs. The 25-year-old safe- ty-turned-linebacker said he has discussed faith with Kaepernick, who remains unsigned. “It’s the foundation of why we started doing this,” Reid told The Associated Press on Oct. 29. “We all have a love for people. The Bible tells us love your brother as yourself so that’s why we’re doing it. “We have to speak up for those who can’t do it for themselves. My faith is ultimately what led me to start protesting and it’s what continues to drive me. Faith without works is dead. I feel like the past year before we started protesting, the Lord has prepped me for this moment.” Reid made the decision to kneel following a meeting with Kaeper- nick and former Green Beret and Seahawks long snapper Nate Boyer. Kaepernick initially sat for the anthem before his conversation with Boyer. They chose to kneel because they felt it’s a “respectful gesture.” But the movement has drawn heavy criticism as it continues to envelop the NFL. President Donald Trump exacerbated the situation earlier this season when he suggested team owners should fire any players who knelt during the anthem. Kaepernick, who led San Fran- cisco to consecutive NFC champi- onship games and one Super Bowl, filed a complaint that team owners colluded against him because of the protests, which are aimed at raising awareness for police brutality against African-Americans and other issues. Reid said he’s “baffled” that O AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File In this Sept. 10 file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid kneels in front of teammates during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Carolina Pan- thers, in Santa Clara, Calif. Reid says his Christian faith is the rea- son why he joined former teammate Colin Kaepernick in kneel- ing for the anthem. some people misconstrue player demonstrations as being protests against the anthem itself, or the American flag, or the military or police. He’s especially frustrated by Christians who lash out against the players. “I do see some hypocrisy with the people that call themselves Christians,” Reid said. “If you know Jesus, he went into the house of God and turned over the tables and was angry and said they made the house of God into a marketplace so I would say this is something that He would do.” But the issue has been so divi- sive that Christians can’t agree. “This is not about black, white, brown, red or yellow; it’s about respect for the country and its flag, which symbolizes we are ‘one’ nation under God,” said Joseph Bruce Sofia, senior pastor at Gloucester County Community Church in Sewell, New Jersey. “The national anthem speaks of oneness and not division; it speaks of hope and unity, of poverty to wealth, from the ghetto to the Presidency. The Biblical principle of sowing and reaping is in effect here. Sow discord and we’ll reap discord. Oppression is a horrible thing, and needs to be taken on head-on, but take it to the town hall or courts or social media but, in my opinion, using the national anthem during a football game draws a line in the wrong sand.” Carl Lentz, the lead pastor at New York City’s Hillsong Church, said many people, including Chris- tians, are ignoring the real issues. “What we see right now in culture is what’s easier? To make this about a flag, which it’s never been about, or to actually say, Colin, what’s your beef? What’s your passion? What’s going on?” Lentz said. “Our country has a sad history of missing the mark, missing the moment, and deflecting issues. To judge this guy for putting his career on the line for something he’s passionate about, I do not understand. It’s sad.” Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson, a strong advocate for social reform, said he’s disappointed when Christians put “politics above the gospel, empathy and understanding.” “We talk about what Jesus would do. Let’s think about that,” said Watson, who has been standing for the anthem. “How should I Biblically look at this situation? Is my response as an American going against what my response should be as a Christian? If I’m a Christian, I want to delight in the things that (Christ) delights in and those things are blind. They’re not based on color, creed or money.” BRIEFLY Kids Klub hosts party MILTON-FREEWATER — Youths in fifth grade and under are invited to participate in games, prizes, holiday crafts and watch a movie during a Kids Klub event. The Fall Fun Party is Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 518 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. In addition, snacks will be served. The Kids Klub regularly meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for arts, crafts, music and more. For more information, call 541-938-3854. Heppner church announces Thanksgiving meal HEPPNER — A free Thanksgiving community dinner is being coordinated by the Community Presbyterian Church 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 P eace L utheran C hurch 210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Join us Sundays 9:30 am Sunday Worship 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class in Mission for Christ LCMC Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM Bible Study......10:00 AM ~Come and be at Peace ~ Red Lion Hotel ( Oregon Trail Room ) www.faithpendleton.org on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday Elohim Covenant Church in Heppner. The public is invited to the meal, which is Thursday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 140 Church St., Heppner. Those attending are asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. Also, volunteers are still needed to help serve and clean-up after the meal. For more information, call Melba at 541-626-1732. Worship Community FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Faith Center Church Worshiping God -Presbyterian Church (USA)- 201 SW Dorion Ave. Pendleton Loving People 108 S. Main • 276-9569 Service of Worship - 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School - 10:20 am Fellowship - 11:00 am www.pendletonpresbyterian.com Open Hearted... Open Minded 401 Northgate, Pendleton 401 Northgate, Celebration of Worship Pendleton Sundays 10:00am CELEBRATION Youth: 0-6th grade OF WORSHIP Midweek 10:00 Service am Sundays Youth: Wednesdays 6:00pm 0-6th grade Youth: 0-6th grade Overcomer’s Outreach MIDWEEK SEVICE Tuesday’s 6:00pm Wednesdays 6:00 pm In the Annex Youth: A Christ Centered, 12 Step 0-6th grade Recovery Support 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 First United Methodist 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” Pendleton Worship Livestream at www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/ Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor The Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service To share your worship times call 541-278-2678 Sunday worship at 11:00 AM 420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR 541-481-6132 Colin Brown, Pastor Come meet Jesus at PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH 9:30 - Sunday School We off er: Sunday School • Sign Language Interpreters • Nursery • Transportation • & more! Wednesday Bible Study 5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM 712 SW 27 TH ST. 541-276-1894 www.fcogpendleton.com PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm Sunday Worship Service 150 SE Emigrant (541) 276-3369 Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am LCMC Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616 Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am COME AS YOU ARE Sr. Pastor, Ray O’Grady Seventh-Day Adventist Church Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 10:30 - Worship Service Grace Baptist Church Worship Service: 10:30am Sunday School: 9:30am pendletonfaithcenter.org 352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR Redeemer Episcopal Church ne of my choicest his car. I moved away from sermons (that his attentions. I was about I wrote and 11 years old but got away liked) was entitled the from him. I have retained “Commandments of Jesus,” my suspicion ever since. and dealt with many of A priest I knew here in the commandments that the USA was accused of Jesus left us in the New having molested five young Testament and sayings men. Another priest I knew Colin thereof. was withdrawn from his Brown We study little of these work as a chaplain for a Faith as Christians, I discover. similar reason. The stories We should pay attention about each staggered me. to the Lord’s words and warnings. From what I knew of them it One of the most severe of these, of seemed so unlikely. his, was this: A journalist friend of mine in “But whoever shall offend one Europe in investigating matters of these little ones which believe from the Second World War in me, it were better for him that found a large archive, a cache, a millstone were hanged about his of birth records of babies born to neck, and that he were drowned young unmarried girls, fathered in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew upon them by the clergy and their 18:6, American King James upkeep paid for by the churches Version.) of that region. As you may know, As you may know, there is a the Boston Globe has unveiled currently a fellow who is angrily the shabby secrets of these lost denying allegations against him of children in a large way. abusing young girls and using his I do not think that sexuality is high office in law in luring them an enemy of prayer or virtue, but to his imaginative solitude. This I do firmly believe that people man, well-known for his faith, can get themselves into massive is known for hanging the Ten amounts of trouble in denying Commandments in his courtroom a relationship with God’s early to show the world his own virtue commandment to “Be fruitful and and “closeness” with the most high. multiply” — in an appropriate way. Unfortunately for him, he has not One cannot try and strangle one’s so much emphasized the text from own God-given propensity, but one Matthew quoted here. Jesus was must learn to take it. One cannot way on track with this and one can suppress humanity; one must guide sense his indignation and fury at it under the advisement of law and those who make prey of the little compassion for the other. ones. In my view we need to treat I do not believe that being a our own selves like dangerous member of the clergy or a member weapons and really understand our of the legal profession, or the own impulses while guarding the political profession or the cinematic persons of those in our charge. The position, makes it less likely for same types of people are included these crimes to occur today. I in all of these tales of criminal think it makes it more possible for conduct: teachers, pastors, doctors, people, parents and guardians to let trainers — people who share much their guard down. For some reason intimacy and blur boundaries. the wolves in sheep’s clothing still They should be examined most get past the shepherd. It is a modus carefully. operandi. The target of these One woman I knew had been wolves with darkened consciences molested by her karate coach in her is the little one who has no power, early teens and she never disclosed no voice. Children seldom sue. her pain to even her parents. She Where I studied at one church, has suffered ever since and she the current pastor told me that is still suffering now in her later the pastor before him had been years. accused of molesting young family So I don’t have much of a good members, and the pastor prior to outcome for this story. I just say to that one had also been accused you all: Be warned of all hidden of the same thing. He wanted enemies concealed behind the me to know the rocky history of sheepskin. The devil himself wears the church even though I never faces that look kind and trusting heard this from any of the existing yet are ready to pounce and bite. congregation members. These are dangerous territories. There are many churches Among the 12 of Jesus’ friends that have such a history. Also there was one truly bad apple. If schools — one of my son’s school that statistic holds, we are in a principals was accused by many world of hurt. parents of having fondled their I pray that while we are here on daughters. Nothing surfaced in the this troubled earth we will keep our news, but strangely enough this eyes open and defend the lambs youngish man developed a serious from the wolves. It takes a village cancer that felled him in the year to guard a child. after this had been uncovered. Amen. As a boy, I myself remembered ■ my scripture teacher’s offer to drive Colin Brown is the former me home and, when I accepted, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran made attempts to mess with me in Church in Boardman. Pastor Dan Satterwhite 541.377.4252 417 NW 21st St. • Pendleton, OR 97801 www.facebook.com/ PendletonLighthouseChurch 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 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! Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10:40am Fellowship to follow Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-F, 8:30-12:30 www.fccpendleton.org 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. 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