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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2005)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church ‘The Hope of Easter’ We can face all kinds o f difficulties and hardships when we believe they will not last forever, or sometimes when we believe that something better will happen There are many examples o f this People will face a long and dangerous operation if they believe they will then have a better quality o f life I have heard people who have been faced with that kind o f decision say, “It would be easy to decide if I knew how long I am going to live.” Those who go to prison face a long sentence better when they know when they believe it will end and they will be able to enjoy freedom again All o f us can face a long and difficult winter because we know that spring will come in time. Easter provides a great degree o f hope for the human spirit. Such hope is needed in our modern world There is an abundance o f tragedy in life There is war, which destroys life and our resources. There is murder and mayhem in our cities. There is drug addiction that is destroying many young and old There is alcoholism, child abuse, corruption and deception. The list could go on. It is not much consolation to think that such things have existed back through history. Jesus was put to death The world did not pay much attention at the time The world did not pay much attention to his resurrection. He did not appear in the Temple in triumph, breathing vengeance on those who had killed him Rather he appeared in quietness to a small group o f chosen individuals His message was not o f hatred, but o f peace Yet even that group was slow to believe. But when they did believe, a new spiritual revolution began Men and women risked their lives to proclaim his truths And so it has continued down through the centuries. Jesus Christ is the inspiration of multitudes There are those who sacrifice fame and fortune for him, those who endure hardships and ridicule; those who give up the material for the spiritual He is their hope and inspiration. May he be yours also. -Father Gerry Condon Heppner Christian Church ‘Resurrection, the story’ The story is simply that life overcame death even death on the cross and eternal life became available for everyone in the victory of Jesus’ death on the cross, his burial in the tomb and his resurrection to life Some would say this is a faerie tale and that Jesus did not rise from the dead but we have ample evidence to counter that claim in both eye witness testimony, an empty tomb and most impressive of all, changed lives from that time to this in the name and power o f Jesus Christ. This Easter for those who believe I will rejoice with you at the power o f our risen Lord. For those o f you who do not believe, I would ask you to consider the claims o f Christianity and the life that Jesus Christ can give you The choice is yours; no one can make it for you and remember to smile because God truly loves you too -Pastor Andrew Johnson Smith to represent South Morrow County at Head Start conference M elanie Sm ith, a volunteer in the Heppner Head Start classroom has been chosen to attend the N ational Head S tart A ssociation’s 32nd annual tra in in g c o n fe ren c e in Orlando, FL, May 24-27, said C andy G reen w ith U m atilla-M o rro w H ead Start UM HS chose two parents out o f 25 policy council representatives to re p re se n t them at the co n fe ren c e . B esides v o lu n te e rin g in the classroom, Smith has been active on the policy council As p art o f being chosen, Smith’s airfare, hotel accommodations and meals will be paid for. At the conference, Head Start staff m em bers and p aren t re p re se n ta tiv e s receiv e training in a variety o f areas as well as learn about the Head Start agency. “ We are so excited that South Morrow County will be re p re se n te d this year,” said Green W e Print Business Cards H eppner G azette LBL Fixed Annuity Rates Reaching your retirement and savings goals is very important. We can help get you there. We offer fixed annuities with competitive interest rates and product benefits that fit your needs. Guaranteed, tax-deferred growth from a company you can depend on. Principal protection, regardless of economic conditions. SureHorizonSM Annuity Rates Effective: 3/13/05 - 3/27/05 For Initial Premium: $ 100,000 or more $20,000 - $99,000 Less than $20,000 ‘God is ® good-all the time’ As I sat down at the computer to begin writing this note this morning (actually Saturday), I heard the sad news that they found the body of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford in Florida. I imagine that each o f us are saddened by the news Anyone who has raised children knows how the death o f a child is one o f those “terrors” that we lock away in our minds Thankfully, for most, this horror will never come to us But you also know that even when your children are grown, you never stop fearing for them because you never stop loving them My heart goes out to her family and I encourage you to keep them in your prayers. This kind o f news is not the way I would like to begin Holy Week, but since it is the news this weekend, I am also mindful that it is because o f evil that we have Holy Week at all It is because little girls are kidnapped and killed by adults who should protect them, it is because spouses still find themselves having to fight for, and sometimes against, the life o f their spouse; it is because terrorists are willing to blow up everyone they can for the sake o f their “cause”; it is because human beings not only recycle every evil ever known but seem to invent new evils with each succeeding generation that Jesus had to die and God had to watch His Child be buried in the ground Holy Week is G od’s answer to human evil by answering it the only way God could answer it Instead o f becoming evil Himself (by destroying his creation or simply washing his hands o f us troublesome humans), God took on evil by loving it to death: His own He took evil right on the chin and right in the heart and even though it killed Him to do so, He won All evil ever needs to do to win is to make others resort to evil themselves. Jesus did not do that. Ever as he was nailed to the cross, Jesus remained loving and forgiving And when he spoke those last words, “It is finished,” the evil in the crowd thought he was referring to his own life However, what he really meant was that because He could still love even after the cross, it was evil that was ultimately finished and God wins. What that means for me this morning is that even as I mourn the loss o f such a young life, fa such a terrible way, I can still believe that Jesus’ victory means that her life is not wasted Evil had done its worst. God has done better Which is why we continue to celebrate Holy Week and have all these worship experiences each year. Jesus’ resurrection takes place in the context, not o f the holiness o f heaven, but in the reality o f the human world Easter Sunday is not an escape Nor is it just another holiday excuse to have a party. It is G od’s answer to evil and it comes right out o f evil that was acted upon God Himself. That’s why I encourage you to experience all o f Holy Week, not just Palm Sunday and Easter. -Pastor Ron Zschoche Holy Week and Easter services St. Patrick’s Catholic Church: H oly T h u rsd ay, M arch 24- Solem n Commemoration o f the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March 25- Station o f the Cross, 12:15 p.m.; Solemn Commemoration o f the Death of Jesus, 7 p.m.; Holy Saturday, March 26- Easter Vigil, 8 p.m., Lighting o f the Easter Candle, Scriptural Readings, Baptisms, Confnmation, Resurrection Mass; Easter Sunday, March 27- Easter Mass, 11 a m St. William's Catholic Church: Good Friday, March 25- Stations o f the Cross, 5 pm.; Easter Sunday, March 27- Easter Mass, 8 :45 a m Combined Ministries of Hope, Valby and All Saints: Wednesday, March 23- Time for prayer and Word at Valby Lutheran, lone, 7 p.m., Maundy Thursday, March 24- Maundy Thursday Worship at All Saints Episcopal, Heppner, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March 25- Good Friday Tenebrae at Hope Lutheran, lone, 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday, March 27- Easter Celebration at Valby, 8 a m , with Easter Breakfast following; Easter Celebration at Hope (for both ASE and Hope), 11 a m Heppner Christian Church: Easter Sunday, March 27- Easter Brunch, 9:30 a m ; Worship Service, 10:30 a m cHs*l Estate By DAVID SYKES REALTOR APY Interest Rates* 4.75%* 4.50%* 4.25%* Ask us for details about the SureHorizon fixed annuity. 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Third Street, Ste. 3 Pendleton, Oregon 97801 541.276-7633 877.688.7860 SureHonzon is a flexible premium deferred annuity issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate Life Insurance Company SureHonzon is available in most states with contract series AP 0030 and certificate series GA P0010 For guaranteed rate information call the home office The interest rate on the SureHonzon is subject to change weekly The following surrender charges will apply to amounts withdrawn in excess of the (fee withdrawal amount during the first six years 8*o. 8*«, 7 V 6°o. 5“ «, and 4% Benefits may increase or decrease if the annuitant's age and/or sex have been misstated In any contribution year. 10* s of the account value at the tune of the first with drawal for that contribution year may be withdrawn without incurring a withdrawal charge Withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10V IRS tax penalty 'Listed rates are for a I -year guarantee period and include a 1*» first year bonus Return of Principal (ROP) option is not included Contracts selecting ROP receive 50 basis points less than shown Not FDIC, NCUA/NCUSIF insured Not a deposit No hank or credit union guar antee Not insured by any federal government agency \ Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - FIVE Shared Ministries of Hope Lutheran, Valby Heppner Church of the Nazarene Lutheran and All Saints' Episcopal FINAL WALK THROUGH Prior to settlement, buyers are entitled to w alk through the property As a purchaser, you want nothing more than to as sure that the property is being d eliv ered in the con d ition promised by the seller If the property is to be "broom clean", the house should be entirely devoid o f trash and old furniture If an old car was to be rem o\ed from the yard, it should be gone If the applianc es worked when the contract was ratified, they should work now. With new property, you'll want to walk through with the builder's rcprcscntati\c and vour inspector Items that arc incomplete or not done at all should be marked on the build- ft er's “punch list”. Naturally, a duplicate buyer's list should be maintained Buyers should insist that all seller obligations are satisfied and if they are not satisfied, buyers could then demand suit able com pensation For in stance. if a repair is not made, then an amount from the seller should be placed in escrow to assure completion ‘Why not believe**’ c . ,, * From the crucifixion o f Jesus Christ on the cross, to His resurrection from the grave, the believers in Christ haven’t questioned how it could happen; rather, they just simply believe that it did happen This is called believing by “faith ” Romans 3:22-24 tells us, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believd There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory o f God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus ” It is through God’s grace that we are saved, not by good works, not by good deeds After Christ’s resurrection some still scoffed at Him; yet, others believed In John 20:29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed ” Still, even today, Christian faith is based solely upon the hope provided to them as found in the Bible Hebrews 11:1 describes it, “Now faith is the substance o f things hoped for, the evidence o f things not seen ” Gladys Talbot tells the story o f three little trees who wanted to become something big in life The first tree wanted to be a pretty cradle when it grew up One day some people came to the forest and cut the tree down The tree was hewn into rough pieces and carelessly put together to form a manger in a stable in Bethlehem. The little tree was disappointed because it was shoved into a dark barn with no one to see it but some cattle. One day however, God was laid there, His own Babe- the Son o f God The manger quivered with delight “Oh, this is wonderful In all my dreams I never thought to hold a Baby like this. This is better than all my dreams. Why, I am part o f a miracle ” Years passed by, and men came to the forest to cut down the second tree This tree aspired to be a great ship when it grew up. But the little tree did not do great things It was not made into a great vessel, but instead it became a tiny fishing boat, owned by a simple Galilean fisherman named Peter This little boat was most unhappy. One day it stood by the shores o f the Sea o f Galilee dejected and disappointed A crowd had gathered by the shore and because o f the multitude, a Man, called Jesus, stepped into the little boat and taught the people from it. “This is wonderful,” it whispered “In all my dreams and planning I never thought I would be used as part o f a miracle ” Some months later, men came to the forest to cut down the third tree This tree just wanted to remain on the hillside and point heavenward to God But men did not leave the little tree alone They tore away its branches; they cut into its bark and deeper into its very heart. They hewed it apart and put it together again, in the form o f a crude cross. The little tree quivered through all its disappointment. “This is terrible,” it whispered. “They are going to hang someone Oh, I never wanted this to happen to me-1 only wanted to point to God This is awful.” One day, outside o f Jerusalem, a great crowd gathered. In the midst o f the crowd was Jesus and beside Him was the cross. After nailing Him to the cross, the little tree heard Jesus utter words o f forgiveness and peace that were offered to the whole world. Then Christ completed His work o f redemption and said, “ It is finished,” then He gave up his spirit And the cross began to understand. “Oh, this is so wonderful,” it whispered. “In all my dreams I never thought I could point to God in this way. I am part o f a miracle This is better than all my dreams ” - Credit: “Stories I Love to Tell,” by Chicago: Moody Press. For years the cross has been a major stumbling block for many people Out o f the ugliness and agony o f crucifixion, God accomplished the greatest good o f all- the redemption o f sinners Maybe faithful Christians are foolish But one cannot deny the evidence o f the changed lives o f those who have claimed Jesus Christ as Lord They know the truth and the truth has set them free. Others have denied the truth and are now captive to a troubled and distressed conscience When skeptics are scornful because Christians do not have all the right or perfect answers about God and the Bible, just recall this statement by Vance Havner: “I do not understand all about electricity, but I don’t intend to sit in the dark until I do.” A believer’s faith is the same Revelation 2:7 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree o f life, which is in the paradise o f God ” -Rev. Duane Jones Easter Sunday sunrise service to be held at fairgrounds The M in isterial A sso ciatio n o f South Morrow County wishes to invite everyone to an Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a m , Easter Sunday, March 27 at the Morrow County Rodeo Grounds football field The speaker this year is Rev A ndrew Johnson from the Heppner Christian Church Music will be lead by th e H ep p n er Elohim Covenant Church Easter Celebration is the pinnacle o f the Christian religion, commemorating the resurrection o f Jesus Christ from the grave SM CM A is a c o n so rtiu m o f C hrist b e liev in g c h u rc h es re p re se n tin g the com m unities o f Heppner, lone and Lexington, located in south Morrow County W i n d W a v e C o m m u n ic a tio n s Morrow County's own Broadband Compony 180 W. Baltimore #5 Heppner, OR 97836 w in < ^ Hdutoge j Q uu U c . R EA LT O R (8 541-676-9228 Past Real Estate columns and property listings are available at h w . heppner.net/heritage * Wireless Internet Service • Fiber Optic Business Service * W A N Design Services 1 -8 0 0 -8 6 2 -8 5 0 8 t * VideoConferencing * Voice over IP • On-Site Technical Support 1 -5 4 1 -4 8 1 -0 9 9 2 I
