Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 2008)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 24,2008 - S E V E N continued from page six means in our lives and in the lives o f our community. How do we do this? How do we live incamationally? We follow Jesus in the incarna tion. Jesus came to show us who God the Father is and what He is like. Our lives should reflect the same. Sim plify our c e l ebration in the spirit o f the first nativity. There is noth ing simpler than a baby in a manger. It is not that deco rations, symbols, traditions and parties are bad things, but sometimes these things get in the way o f what we are celebrating. It is about Savior, not sparkle. Note that the angels on that first night were sure having a celebration. Keep the right attitude... Live a life o f re demption. Christ came to serve and redeem. How do we live, work, play in a way that serves and redeems those and the world around us? Ask ourselves, what can I do to help redeem this situation? We can live incar- nationally by giving o f our time, talents and money. Do we really need one more gift to put into the storage rental unit? Give to those in need, what greater gift can you give? Take some time to help a neighbor or help out at the school. Be a blessing... We live incamation ally by studying God’s word and obeying it. Study that leads to obedience is the highest form o f worship. If we study and obey we cannot help but to live in- carnationally and redeem and give. We need to learn how to celebrate. N ew s flash ...Jesu s celebrated. I think for the most part Christians have the reputa tion o f being “sticks in the mud.” We have to leam how to lighten up and celebrate in a God honoring way. We are commanded to do so. Read about the Jewish celebrations in the Tanach (Old Testament). God in structs us how to celebrate. When God is the focus, we can have a good party. We need to celebrate and live our lives in a way that is active and redemptive in the lives o f our fam ilies and communities. Our lives should be a celebration all year long for all o f the good gifts we have been given to enjoy and enjoy those gifts and give thanks and praise to the Giver. We need to distin guish betw een presents and presence. L et’s let our C h ristm as ce le b ra tio n be m ore ab o u t the p rese n c e o f God in our lives by lov ing, giving and redemption, than the presents under the tree. Be more excited about Christ showing up on Christ mas m orning than Santa. Party hearty incama tionally, celebrate well and be excited about living that presence all year long. Then m aybe your hum bug will become a halleluiah. -Pastor Keith Price Christian Life Center “A C h r i s t m a s Moment” The first Christmas season d a w n e d w ith p raise and thanksgiving. Shepherds in B e th le h e m ’s fields heard the good new s, wise m en jo u rn e y e d from afar, and angels rejoiced declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 (KJV) They were rejoicing in what God had done for man... that Christ was bom, Emmanuel God with us. Today, Christ’s coming brings joy to all folks here in Heppner and around the world: from taxi drivers in New York City, to housemaids in some far way place, to the school teachers and the children right here in our own backyard. What is all the singing about? Mankind is not alone! God is with us in the bleakest situations bringing us hope and the joy o f His eternal prom ise. His light shines on m an’s darkest days and warms his coldest nights. The One who created light and darkness; who lived before Wall Street was ever formed and will be the eternal provider for His people long after Wall Street is forgotten, who is this - Emmanuel - God with us. 2008 came with ample challenges for us all, and 2009 will be no different. O u r d iff ic u ltie s seem overwhelming on one hand but embarrassingly light when compared to circumstances on the first Christmas night - “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in sw addling clothes, and laid him in a manager; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (KJV) But what makes these challenges bearable and even purposeful is the presence o f Emmanuel - God with us. Let me remind you that today, more than any other time in the history o f Christianity, people are being drawn to Christ, for He offers a message o f hope and peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace 1 give unto you: not as the world gives give 1 unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid.” John 14:27 (KJV). All you have to do to experience this peace is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. For He offers more than enough light to dispel any darkness that life may bring your way. So as you go to those w o n d e rfu l C h ris tm a s celebrations, attend midnight candle-light services, open gifts on Christmas morning, and even feast around a table full o f blessing, remember, the Christmas season reminds us of Emmanuel - God with us. May His nearness inspire hope sufficient for the season and the New Year to come! Pastor Dean M. Anonucci Lexington Baptist plans Christmas Eve service Lexington Baptist Church w ill h o ld a C h r is tm a s Eve Service startin g at 7 p.m . R e fre s h m e n ts w ill be se rv e d fo llo w in g the service. Everyone is invited to attend. Valby Luther an announces Christmas Eve service schedule Valby Lutheran C hurch w ill c e le b ra te C h ristm a s Eve with a service o f m u sic, lessons, candles, and com m union b eg in n in g at 6:30 p.m. on W ednesday, December 24. Sunday w orship contin ues each week at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend. All Saints’- Hope Lutheran Christinas Schedule Heppner Garden Christm as Eve worship services w ill be held at 7 p.m. at Hope and at 10:30 p.m. at All Saints. T he a n n u a l C h ristm as retreat with the Right Rev. Rustin Kimsey and his wife, Gretchen, will be held at the Ascension School in Cove D ecem ber 26-28. For more information and a registra tion form , see the retreat brochure posted on the All S a in ts ’ b u lle tin b oard or call the All S ain ts’ office, 676-9970. T h e r e g u l a r w o r s h ip se rv ic e sc h e d u le fo r the month is as follows: Sunday, D ecem ber 28, All Saints’, Sunday school, 9:50 a.m., worship, 10 a.m. Youth Group meetings are held at 7 p.m. on W ednes days at All Saints, except for Christm as Eve. Club sponsors HES students in poetry contests T h e H e p p n e r G a rd e n C lu b re c e n tly sp o n so re d elementary school students for state and national po etry contests. The them e is nature’s song. A few o f the poems that were entered will be run each week in the Hep pner Gazette-Times. Nature’s Song N ature’s song is... Beautiful and graceful, Smooth and swift. It flows through the lush oak, Down to the trickling stream, Up to the towering m oun tain. This is nature's song. Ross Cutsforth Christmas schedules an nounced for St. Patrick’s and St. William’s Catho lic Churches Nature’s Song The singing o f the birds, the rushing o f the rivers, the swaying o f the trees, the whisper in the wind, and the sun pound ing against my face all re mind me o f N ature’s Song, that sweet, sweet melody St. P a tr ic k ’s C a th o lic that I grow more, and more C hurch and St. W illiam ’s fond o f everyday. Catholic Church announce Caitlynn Bailey their Christm as schedules: 5th Grade St. Patrick’s: Wednesday, Frogs D ecem ber 24 - Christm as Jumpy eater carols at 8:30 p.m.; Blessing They are green o f the N ativity scene and Swimming, climbing, glid vigil mass at 9 p.m. ing, croaking Thursday, D ecem ber 25 High jum pers - Nativity mass and Christ Ethan Holmgren mas carols at 11 a.m. 2nd Grade St. W illiam ’s: Thursday, Nature’s Song The sound o f a m eadow lark chirping in a tree... The buzzing o f the little tiny bumble bee... A deer trodding on some sticks... And the cry ing o f the chickadee’s chicks... That is N ature's Song. Cade Arbogast Ladybug Fly, walk It tickles me Flying, playing, eating, walking Hungry bug Susie Teeman 2nd Grade Lions Fast, running They hear well, Sleeping, scratching, hunt ing, roaring, Sharp teeth Dakota Howard 2nd Grade Dolphin Light blue, Lives in water Swimming, com m unicat ing, squeaking, playing, Breathing mammal Cason Mitchell 2nd Grade Dogs Little, soft They bark loudly Scratching, barking, roll ing, laying Cow dog Tanner Holmquist 2nd Grade Flowers Poking, red They smell good, Growing, planting, sprout ing, sunning, Red roses Caitlyn Scrivner 2nd Grade Flowers Poking, red They smell good, Growing, planting, sprout ing, sunning. Red roses Caitlyn Scrivner 2nd Grade Sparkly Night Outside on W inter’s eve. Shavla Looslie 5,h Grade Rabbit Brown, white, They eat carrots Licking, hopping, playing, running, Little bunny Daniela Sanchez 2nd Grade D e c e m b e r 25 - N a tiv ity mass and Christm as carols at 8:45 a.m. 8000 THRU DECEMBER 31. 2008 Les Schwab Tire Center 124 North Main St., Heppner 676-9481 \ l Nature’s Song When I wake up I hear the birds sing I hear the wind whistle. When I wake up 1 smell the crisp air I smell the scent o f fresh cut grass. When I wake up I taste the air I taste the sweet honey suckle. When I wake up I feel the dew drip on my hair 1 feel the wind blow against my skin. That is what I feel, hear, taste and smell, When I wake up Sydney Qualls 4,h Grade Nature’s Song The chirping o f the birds, the footsteps o f the deer all o f this goes together into something quite sincere. The flapping o f the bird’s wings sing to me. Just the thought o f being outdoors brings me lots o f cheer. All o f this is nature’s song, It’s here, it’s here Patrick Collins 5th Grade Nature’s Song Listen close and you will hear, The song o f nature through your ear. If you listen, you will hear A bird, a bee, or even a deer. Skyler Hawks 2009 licenses on sale now H unting and fish in g licenses for 2009 went on sale Dec. 1. The tickets may be purchased online or at an ODFW license sales agent. People can also buy one for a gift during the holiday season. See ODFW’s Web site for what you need to know. Remember you need a 2009 license to hunt come January 1. “Big game raffle tickets make the perfect stocking stuffer,” said an ODFW news release. 2009 big gam e raffle hunt tickets are on sale now online and at POS agents and they make great gifts. Winners are entitled to an extended hunting season across m ultiple w ild life management units for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope. Rocky Mountain goat, and bighorn sheep. G ood time to hunt predators, forest grouse Winter is often considered the best time to hunt for grouse and mountain quail because deciduous trees and brush have lost their leaves, which makes it easier for hunters to see flushing birds. This is also a good time to hunt cougar and coyote; snow w ill make tracking easier. See the zone reports for more information. Frigid temps prompt winter fishing precautions The recent cold, windy weather has kept many anglers indoors, but those hardy souls who brave the worst o f the winter weather should heed a few winter cautions: before you leave, check road conditions to make sure you can safely get to where you want to fish, carry a change o f warm winter clothes, take along hot beverages or a camp stove and tea kettle, know how to recognize and treat hypothermia.
