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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 2019)
FAITH Friday, January 11, 2019 East Oregonian A7 Crowd of Filipino Catholics gathers amid fears Cross volunteers for minor injuries, exhaustion and high blood pressure. A tourist from Denmark, Jens Mikhelsen, said the intense religious outpour- ing was important because it drew Filipino Catho- lics closer to their faith and sparked hope. “It’s very, very impres- sive ... It’s a bit away from my way of thinking but I respect the people,” said the 75-year-old engineer, who is a Protestant. Such religious passion was under the spotlight amid President Rodrigo Duter- te’s stepped up attacks on the Catholic church, faith and bishops, who have crit- icized the thousands of kill- ings under his anti-drug crackdown. In June, Dute- rte sparked outrage among many Catholics when he called God “stupid” and later questioned the basic tenets of the Catholic faith. He offered to immediately resign if any- body can prove that God exists. Crowned with thorns and bearing a cross, the Naz- arene statue is believed to have been brought from Mexico to Manila on a gal- leon in 1606 by Spanish missionaries. The ship that carried it caught fire, but the charred statue survived. Some believe the statue’s endurance, from fires and earthquakes through the centuries and intense bomb- ings during World War II, is a testament to its powers. More than 800,000 follow statue of Christ barefoot By JIM GOMEZ Associated Press MANILA, Philippines — A mammoth crowd of mostly barefoot Filipino Catho- lics joined a raucous proces- sion Wednesday of a centu- ries-old black statue of Jesus Christ despite terrorism fears and amid the president’s attacks on the Catholic faith. Police said they have not monitored any specific threat but that they deployed more than 9,000 police and troops, including bomb squads backed by a surveil- lance helicopter, to secure the annual procession of the wooden Black Nazarene along Manila’s streets. Police were expecting up to 5 mil- lion people to join the dawn- to-midnight procession. More than 800,000 devo- tees attended a Mass and the first few hours of the proces- sion, national police Direc- tor General Oscar Albay- alde said. Tens of thousands of others joined in and went as one of Asia’s biggest reli- gious events unfolded. Authorities imposed a gun and liquor ban and cell- phone signals were jammed in the vicinity of the proces- sion. Flights over the area were prohibited along with sailing in nearby Manila Bay and along a key river where special police and coast AP Photo/Bullit Marquez Coast Guard vessels keep a close watch as thousands of Roman Catholic devotees cross the bridge in a raucous procession of the Black Nazarene to celebrate its feast day Wednesday in Manila, Philippines. guard forces guarded bridges that the mass of devotees passed through. Despite the threats and the tropical heat, mobs of devotees in maroon shirts dangerously squeezed their way into the tight pack of humanity around a carriage carrying the life-size statue of Christ. They threw small towels at volunteers on the carriage, which was being pulled by ropes, to wipe parts of the cross and the statue in the belief that the Naza- rene’s powers cure ailments and ensure good health and a better life. “I’m praying so I can walk again and be cured of depression,” said Pochi Maximo, who held on to a wheeled walking device as she waited along a road with her daughter for the proces- sion to pass. The 58-year-old house- wife said she has joined the religious gathering since childhood as part of a fam- ily tradition and persisted to be at Wednesday’s proces- sion despite debilitating knee and spine ailments that were diagnosed last year, along with diabetes, that drove her into pits of depression. Another devotee, Ryan de Vera, a 29-year-old for- mer finance officer at a local bank, said he squeezed his way through the crowd to touch the hand of the Black Nazarene, which he credited for the recovery of his father from prostate cancer. After the dangerous feat, he was pushed uncontrollably aside by the mass of humanity to a roadside, where his left foot sustained a deep wound caused by a sharp metal piece of debris. After getting treatment at a first-aid station, he limped back to the crowd, still bare- foot and smiling. By night- fall, more than 1,000 devo- tees had been treated by Red Conference urges personal encounters with God By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian A faith-based conference with the theme of “Cover the Earth” features live music, inspirational speakers and top-notch performances. “It talks about the idea to cover the earth with the presence of God,” said Rev. Terry Haight of the Herm- iston Assembly of God Church. “Pursuit is the idea of going after God.” In its seventh year, Pur- suit kicks off Friday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church, 730 E. Hurl- burt Ave., Hermiston. There is no admission charge. It continues with sessions Sat- urday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Also, the church is hosting Pursuit Redeemer Episcopal Church 241 SE Second St. Pendleton (541)276-3809 www.pendletonepiscopal.org Contributed photo Audience members raise their hands in praise during Pursuit 2018. This year’s faith-based conference is Jan. 18-20 at the Hermiston Assembly of God Church. Sunday during its regular worship time Sunday, Jan. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Haight invites every- one to attend, regardless of their level of faith or reli- gious affiliation. In addi- tion, he challenges people to pursue God. “There’s more to it than just checking into a church,” Haight said. “There’s a real Worship COMMUNITY All Are Welcome -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 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” FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH in Mission for Christ LCMC Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM ......10:00 AM Bible Study......10:00 Red Lion Hotel ( Oregon Trail Room ) www.faithpendleton.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. PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH SUNDAYS Morning Celebration - 10am Morning Kids Place - 10am Evening - 6pm Adult - Study Youth - Small Group Kids - Rangers & Girl’s Ministries THURSDAYS Celebrate Recovery - 6pm Celebration Place - Kids - 6pm The Landing - Teens - 6pm 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 Worshipping God Loving People Overcomer’s Outreach Tuesday’s 6:00 pm Celebration of Worship Sundays 10:00 am Youth: 0-6th grade In the Annex Christ Centered, Celebration of A Worship 12 Step Recovery Support Group Midweek Service Wednesdays 6:00 pm Youth: 0-6th grade Pastor Sharon Miller 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com Midweek Service Seventh-Day Overcomer’s Adventist Church ’ Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am First United Methodist Church Outreach 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 P eace Miller L utheran C hurch Pastor Sharon The Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service 1909 SW Athens Ave., Pendleton Come join us for Worship at 10:45am on Sunday 541-966-8912 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 Community Presbyterian Church Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday worship at 11:00 AM Pastor Michael Smith Groups For All Ages 108 S. Main • 541-276-9569 Pastor Jeff Geesey 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 AN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 1911 SE Court Ave. 541.276.6417 • pendletonfi rst.com Worship Service: 10:30am pendletonfaithcenter.church Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 WEEKLY 401 Northgate, Pendleton To share your worship times call 541-278-2678 Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Holy Communion Noon Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH tial focus of the conference was geared for the youths and young adults, its open to everyone. “It’s for ages 0 to 99,” Haight said. “The music is going to be more contempo- rary but the speaking is kind of middle of the road — it will speak to all ages.” Also, there are still vol- unteer opportunities avail- able to help with the confer- ence. People are needed to do everything from hospital- ity and greeting to cleanup, food preparation and secu- rity. Those interested are invited to a volunteer’s meeting Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at the church. For more information, visit www.pursuitconf.com, www.facebook.com/pursuit- conf or call 541-567-5831. encounter we can have with God.” The special guests include Jeremy Johnson of Fearless Church LA, Becky Johnson of the Jesus Cul- ture Church in Sacramento and Matt Molt, lead pas- tor of New Vintage Church in the Tri-Cities. Each of the speakers, Haight said, address challenges that people are facing. In addi- tion, they will share about the importance of a per- sonal connection with Jesus Christ. “We talk about salvation and eternity because every- one will live for eternity — it’s just a matter of where,” Haight said. “It’s more than just going to church. It’s a relationship with God.” Haight said while the ini- LCMC 210 NW 9th, Pendleton Sunday Worship Service ELCA Join us Sundays 9:30 - Sunday School 10:00 am Sunday Worship www.livingwordcc.com 11am Fellowship & Adult Class Wednesday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 - Worship Service 5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study 9am Sunday School COME AS YOU ARE ~Come and be at Peace ~ 150 SE Emigrant (541) 276-3369 on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday 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! 420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10:40am 541-481-6132 Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-Thr, 8:30-12:30 www.fccpendleton.org