Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 15, 1992 • THREE
Special Easter messages
He
Easter is Hope. Gone is death, darkness, defeat and hopelessness.
Easter announces life, joy, peace, and hope for the people of God.
A new hope with God and in fellowship with other people. A new
hope rooted and grounded in the Risen Christ Jesus.
is Risen......
First Christian Church
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Pastor Roger Scharen
There is one item in the account of the crucifixion and resurrec
tion of the Lord Jesus Christ that is seldom, if ever, referred to in
any depth, namely, His seamless robe. In John’s gospel it says, “ ...the
coat was without seam, woven from top throughout” (John 19:23).
In the Bible, garments speak of conduct or of a display of character.
A good example is “ ..be clothed with humility...“ (1 Peter 5:5).
What precious truths about Jesus can we learn as seen in His seamless
robe?
Our Lord was flawless and absolutely beyond reproach in His
character. He is ‘‘holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,
and made higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26). There is no seam
dividing His meekness from His anger, His gentleness from His firm
ness, His authority from His winsomeness, or His mercy from His
sincerity. He is uniquely beautiful in His character. The robe is all
one piece.
We see Him compassionate, but inflexible; full of truth, yet full
of grace; come to save, yet come for judgement; eating in the upper
room, yet sitting at the table with publicans and sinners.
All is done with uniform consistency. Nothing is ever out of
perspective. Power is without pride, knowledge is without superiority,
and authority is without arrogance. Yes, His robe is woven on the
loom of eternity.
John last saw that seamless robe in the hands of gamblers near
the cross. How he must have stirred when he was in the Spirit on
the Lord’s Day and saw Jesus “ clothed with a garment down to the
foot” with the name upon it “ King of Kings and Lord of Lords”
(Rev. 1:13, 19:16).
As we, His redeemed, are ’’clothed...with the garments of salva
tion’ and covered ’’with the robe of righteousness...” (Isa. 61:10),
let us fall at His feet during this time of resurrection remembrance
to worship, praise and cry out to God for an experience of “ the
power of His resurrection” in order that we might be genuine reflec
tors of the wondrous character of our Lord Jesus Christ.
lone United Church of Christ
The Rev. Lea Mathieu
The gifts of God are the products of courage.
We shout praise, sing alleluias, and pray thanksgivings because
we are a people of audacious faith.
How dare we love when the forces of hate in the world are so
strong? How dare we work for justice when greed and comfort are
so enticing? What gives us the right to sing of God’s mercy when
millions suffer and die from disease, hunger, war, and so-called
“ natural disasters?”
What has given believers through the millenia the vision—no mat
ter what — of God’s promise of abundant life?
The barren woman singing God’s praise for a living child. Our
crucified Revelation’s mother trusting in the kingdom come. The saint
praying for love in the place of hate, and where there is despair, hope.
Like them, we also dare to and rightfully believe in the triumphal
power of God by the rebellious seed of faith planted in our souls
by our creator, watered by a grat cloud of witnesses, tended by the
Spirit and the Word.
We love, do justice, and practice mercy simply because walking
closely with our God leaves us no choice.
And for this unadorned, unpretentious, unsentimental, rock-hard
assurance of grace revealed and received we should forever rejoice,
and again I say, rejoice.
We shout praise, sing alleluias, and pray thanksgivings because
we are a people of audacious faith.
The gifts of God are the products of courage.
Hope-Valby Lutheran Church
The Rev. Stan Hoobing
Easter is Resurrection. Jesus Christ who was crucified has been
raised to life. He who was dead is now alive. He lives now and forever
more. He is resurrected.
Easter is Life. “ Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here. He has risen.” (Luke 24:5) Job said, “ I know that
my Redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25). These are facts of life. Life has
moved in where death once reigned. Easter is the reign of the ever-
living Christ.
Easter is Light. It was the faint glint of dawn in the first Easter
morning that heralded the great Light of Christ, who once was dead,
now lives. It will always be His light that will move people out of
darkness to his abiding presence.
Easter is Joy. Death and darkness set the mood for despair and
sadness. Light and life chase the gloom away. When the first Easter
dawned His followers could not wait to spread the good news of great
joy.
Easter is Beauty- Easter announces that spring has come and new
found beauty adorns the earth. The sun shines brightly, fresh green
verdure drapes the hillsides and flowers in soft and riotous hue like
a spark of heaven appear. All this is but a sign of the beauty and
splendor of God.
Easter is Victory. Rejection, death and the grave have been soundly
defeated. Christ Jesus once dead is now alive and reigns forever and
ever as our Lord and Savior.
_________
Easter Lillies
And Easter Arrangements
Rev. G. Condon
The joy or Easter fills the earth. This is the joy of Easter - that
death has been conquered. Easter is the victory. Easter is the “ good
news” which the apostles were sent to preach to the ends of the earth
Christ overcame death, not only for himself, but for all of us.
We all experience moments of dying in our lives. We get a foretaste
of death when we live in bitterness, when prejudice blinds us, when
loneliness enfolds us, when fears oppress us, when sadness over
whelms us, and when we give in to despair. In those moments the
world is closing in on us, and it seems as if we have one foot in the
grave already.
We also experience moments of resurrection in our lives: when
we know true love, when we are accepted, when we are forgiven,
when we open our hearts to our neighbor, and when hope returns
to us. In those moments, our horizen is widening, and we are emerging
from the tomb.
Early on Easter Sunday morning some of the disciples discovered
that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was empty. The truth that
the Scriptures had foretold began to dawn on them-that Jesus would
rise from the dead.
As we celebrate Easter, let the truth become a conviction for us.
Heppner United Methodist Church
Rev. Gerry Etchison
In our four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we hear about
the empty tomb. The stone that had sealed the entrance to the tomb
was rolled away, and Jesus Christ’s body was gone.
The empty tomb tells us that Christ was resurrected, and in this
resurrection we human beings receive salvation. This great gift from
God and Christ tells us how much we are loved, and cared for. God
sends us God’s son so we can have a way to overcome those moments
when we fall short of God’s glory.
The empty tomb is testimony to the mighty power of God, and
it is also testimony to God’s concern for creation. God created all
of us, and we are important to God. As we experience Easter, I believe
it is a time to think about the many ways we receive God’s blessing.
The empty tomb (Christ’s Resurrection is one), in addition to this
let’s count our other many blessings.
4-H’ers take part in Speakeasy
O ver 40 4-H m em bers,
leaders, parents and agents took
an active part in the annual
presentation
field-day
“ Speakeasy,” a non-competitive
workshop to increase public
speaking skills. The workshop
took place Monday March 23 at
the Gilliam County Fairgrounds
in Condon.
Participants began with single
sentence public speaking ac
tivities and concluded with “ On
the Spot” team demonstrations
using kits prepared by agents and
volunteers. At the end of the
field-day, participants agreed that
they felt more confident about
giving presentations within their
clubs and at county fair.
“ 4-H alums often tell us that
learning to speak in front of a
group was the most valuable and
long lasting benefit they derived
from 4-H ,” said Carol Bennett,
Morrow County 4-H agent. We
know that making time for
“ Speakeasy” will benefit youth
for years to come. Leaders learn
new techniques to encourage
speaking in the project meetings,
while youth learn how to organize
a presentation, prepare visual
aids, and the benefits of practice,
practice, practice.
Morrow County participants
included: Jared and Brandi
Purcell, Heather Ennis, Lynsi
Garcia, Abby and Melanie
Beltane, Jessie Bray, Sybil and
Jessica Krebs, Mildred Baker and
Carol Bennett.
Gilliam County participants
were: Drew and Trevor Yoder,
Paige and Jean Mikkalo, Kalista
Schuster, Becky and Donna
Hansford, Megan and Katie
Riney, Shannon and Molly
D urfey, Tracey and Anne
Osterlund, Ashlee Weimar,
Elizabeth Farrar, Randi McCall,
Alice Irby, Leif and Glen Nesse,
Margaret Schott, Rose Rietmann,
Holly W eimar and Cindy
Osterland.
Wheeler County participants
were: Gabe, Josh, Trista and
Kim W illiams and Franz
Rulofson.
Study group discusses fats
By Delpha Jones
The Rhea Creek study group
met at the home of Norma Craber
on Wednesday with Beverly
Wright as co-hostess. The topic
of Fats and Foods was well given
by the hostesses to the 13
members present. Fat is an im
portant part of our diets as a
source of energy and has vitamins
A and D and enhances the flavor
of foods. An over amount of fat
can create health problems. Some
suggestions were to use a less fat
ty meat cut, use buttermilk in
stead of sour cream, use a non
stick pan and no butter to cook,
and prepare gravy with butter
milk instaed of butter.
Following the lessons the
meeting was called to order by
president Judy Stevens. The main
business was the upcoming trip
on May 6 to the home of Donna
Hack of North Powder, a former
study group member. The group
voted to give $35 to the 4-H
council for a summer school
scholarship.
An election of officers was held
with the following elected: Judy
Stevens president; Verna Brinda,
vice president; and Delpha Jones,
secretary-treasurer. Suggestions
for lessons for the following year
were presented after which the
meeting adjourned.
Singles group plan railway trip
The South Morrow County
Singles/Widowed persons group
are planning a railway trip to
Hood River on Thursday, April
23.
The group will travel by bus to
Hood River and then by rail on
the Mt. Hood scenic railroad.
Tenative plans are to leave
D on’t Forget
Secretary Week
April 20-24
Craft Video
Rentals
Learn from
the Pros
only •!
Heppner at 7 a.m. and return by
5 p.m.
All singles or widowed persons
are invited. For more information
and the cost contact Velma Wight
at St. Patrick’s Senior Center.
Deadline for sign-up is Friday,
April 17.
Good Rates and Good Service
on
CROP SAIL IKSSmCE
Discounts Available
Give Bob a call at
t
Country Rose
676-9426
233 N Main
HeppnerV;
PLOYHAR INSURANCE
HEPPNER, OREGON
6 7 0 -5 8 18
Churches list Easter services
Valby Lutheran Church
Maundy Thursday, April 16,
the congregation and friends of
Valby Lutheran Church, locatd
on the Ione-Gooseberry Road will
gather at 6 p.m. for a church
potluck without desserts. The
gregation will move to the sanc
tuary for a solemn service of Ho
ly Communion at 7 p.m. Pastor
Hoobing will preach on the theme
of the “ Blood of Christ” based
on reading from I Corinthians
11:23-26. At the end of the ser
vice the women of the congrega
tion will strip the altar bare and
the congregation will have a mo
ment of silence to reflect on the
death of Christ on the cross.
A celebration of Easter music
and Holy communion will begin
at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 19.
The choir, under the direction of
Kathy Turner, will sing two an
them s,
“ God
of
All
Hopefulness” and “ For the
Beauty of the Earth” . Rikka
Tews will accompany them on
the organ. Pastor Hoobing will
deliver a message to the children
entitled “ O Christmas Tree?”
and his sermon will be “ To Be
the People of Easter” based on
scripture reading from St. John
20:18-31. An Easter breakfast
will be served in the fellowship
hall immediately following the
service.
Valby will hold its Saturday
school on April 25 at 10 a.m.
Arts and crafts will be available
along with Bible stories.
St. Patrick’s Church
Holy Thursday will be
celebrated on April 16 at 7 p.m.
at the St. Patrick’s Catholic
church, with a solemn com
memoration of the Lord’s Sup
per.
Stations of the Cross will be on
Good Friday, April 17 at 12:05
p.m. and Solemn Commemora
tion of the Lord’s Death at 7 p.m.
A 5 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass will
be held on Holy Saturday and
Easter Mass on Sunday will be at
11 a.m.
St. Williams Church
St. William’s Catholic Church
at lone will hold Good Friday ser
vices Stations of the Cross at 5:30
p.m. Easter Mass will begin at
8:45 a.m. Sunday morning.
Weightlifting class
A weightlifting class taught by
Dave Presley will begin this
Thursday, April 16 at Heppner
High School. The seven week
class will be held from 7 to 9
p.m. Cost is $20.
Heppner Christian
Missionary Fellowship
Heppner Christian Missionary
Fellowship invites church goers
to their Sunday m orning
fellowship at the Legion Hall on
Chase Street. Services will begin
at 10 a.m. followed by a potluck.
Everyone is invited to attend.
lone United Church
of Christ
The lone United Church of
Christ is planning a candlelight
service of prayer, readings, com
munion and Taize chanting on
Maundy Thursday, April 16. The
service will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Taize is a small village in
France that is home to a com
munity of retreat and renewal that
attracts thousands of visitors each
year. The music associated with
this contemplative center is
beautifully simple, repetitive, and
scripture-based.
The traditional Shaker hymn
“ Lord of the Dance” will be the
theme of lone’s Easter service
which begins on Sunday, April 19
at 10 a.m. Both the adult and new
children’s choir will offer special
anthems. The service will be
preceded by a breakfast at 8:30
a.m. and church school at 9 a.m.
for children through seventh
grade.
Everyone is invited to all ser
vices at lone.
First Christian Church
Sunday school children will
present a special Easter Program
on Sunday, April 19
Morning worship services at
First Christian Church in Hepp
ner will begin at 10:50 a.m.
Children in pre-school
through sixth grade will sing
special songs and recite memory
verses.
United Methodist
Church
Sunday school will begin at
9:30 a.m. with an Easter movie
followed by an Easter egg hunt.
Worship services will begin at
10:30 a.m . with scripture
readings from Isaiah 65: 17-25
and John 20:1-18. Rev. Gerry Et
chison will preach on the sermon
theme “ We each have a spot in
the Resurrection.”
Church of the Nazarene
Easter morning worship at the
Heppner Church of the Nazarene
will begin at 10:30 a.m. follow
ed by brunch. Everyone is
welcome to attend. The church is
located at 335 N. Gilmore.
Easter Sunrise service planned
Son-Rise, an ecumenical Easter
service sponsored by the South Mor
row County Ministerial Association,
will be held at 7 a.m. at the Morrow
County Fairgrounds in Heppner.
Rev. Gerry Etchison, pastor of the
Heppner United Methodist Church
and president of the Ministerial
Association, will give the welcome
and the benediction. Rev. Larry
Benjamin, pastor of the Heppner
Nazarene Church, will lead the con
gregation in the responsive call to
worship. Richard and Cecilia Drake
will sing, “ Then Came the Morn
ing” as special music. Reverends
Glenn Anderson, of the Lexington
Baptist Church and Lynda Crane,
Heppner Christian M issionary
Fellowship, will read scripture texts.
Rev. Roger Scharen, pastor of First
Christian Church of Heppner, will
lead the congregation in the hymn
singing. Rev. Lea Mathieu. pastor of
the lone United Church of Christ
will lead the congregation in the
pastoral prayer and the Lord’s
prayer. “ Stones” is the title of the
Easter sermon to be given by Rev.
Grace Drake a retired Methodist
minister of Heppner.
Everyone is invited to attend this
festive service. It is advisable to
wear warm clothing as there could
be April showers
lone plant sale Thurs. April 23
lone Garden Club members
met Wednesday, April 8 at the
homes of Helen Martin and Delta
Huber to dig plants for their an
nual spring plant sale. The sale
will be held Thursday, April 23,
at the American Legion Hall in
lone from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Pie
and coffee will be served.
Anyone wanting a special plant
contact a garden club member
ahead of time.
Members enjoyed visiting at
the nursing home and put daf
fodils in about 30 rooms recent
ly. Pat Pettyjohn reported that she
visited the lone Elementary
school and presented awards to
the children for their environmen
tal and conservation posters.
Plans were made for attendance
at the District #10 meeting at
Echo on April 11.
Jean Nelson and Helen Martin,
area beautification committee
members, reported that seven
maple trees were given to Cleo
Childers and have been planted in
the proposed trailer park on the
edge of lone. This is in celebra
tion of Arbor Week and a part of
the NFGC Pacific Regional
Historic Preservation project in
which the district is participating.
Reception Honoring
Geri Martin
Officer of the
Rebekah Assembly of Oregon
Lexington Oddfellow Hall
2 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 26
Everyone Welcome