F O U R - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon
Wednesday, March 31,2010
Easter messages from area pastors
How deep is the ocean,
how high is the sky?
Easter is God’s grace
Live Risen Lives
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was leading
him on a collision course with the ruling authorities and
religious leadership. The symbolism of Jesus’ entry was
In our modern times we have become better
not lost on the crowd. He was the true King and Messiah.
educated and more acquainted with the world around us.
Even the actions and the words of the crowds claimed
There have been those who delved into the depths of the
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.”
ocean to explore and to fathom its mysteries. They and we
O f course the leaders also recognized the significance
have learned how awesome it is. We have come to know
of this. The symbolism would also have told them they
and even to fear its depth. NASA has sent astronauts to
were but pretenders to the throne. The time of their rule
outer space. We have learned some of its secrets and have
and power was short.
come to know its dangers. With each exploration we come
Jesus further confronted the ruling Sadducees
to know a little more of our magnificent universe. We also
by throwing out the money changers and telling them in
become aware that there is so much more to explore. We
the parable that they would be crushed by the “capstone”
must be truly impressed with how deep the ocean is, and
and that the kingdom of God would be taken from them.
how high the sky.
Jesus also confounded the Pharisees who tried to trap Him
As we delve into the depths of Holy Week we
with questions and words. He attacked them for being
are confronted with truth, and mystery that goes beyond
hypocrites, calling them whitewashed tombs and dead
our universe. We commemorate the suffering, death,
bones. They had faith, but were unfaithful.
and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the believer it is
All of this must have added to the excitement
profound; for the non-believer it is a mystery beyond
of the disciples. After all these years, oppression by the
comprehension, perhaps no different from the mysteries
Romans, dealing with corrupt religious and political lead
of our universe.
ers, finally the Messiah was here, ready to establish His
It may be that some are of the opinion that they
kingdom. It only added to the disappointment that was
do not need a Redeemer. They might be compared to the
about
to come.
drowning man who thinks he does not need someone to
After celebrating the Passover, life, dreams and
help him. Or the person who thinks he can survive in a
wishes,
from
the disciple’s perspective, begins to unravel.
burning building without the help of a fireman, He thinks
There
is
a
betrayal,
arrest, kangaroo courts, humiliation,
that he can survive by his own strength, and by the time he
beatings and finally a very public and cruel death. The op
finds out that it is not so, it is too late. Those who believe
pressive, the corrupt and the hypocrites had won. 1 do not
in Jesus Christ know the need of a Redeemer, and put
think we can begin to imagine the depths of the disciples
their faith in him. That person knows that faith is a most
despair. Some hid, others just sat, and some packed up
precious gift. That person knows how deep is the love of
and headed home. And then...resurrection.
Jesus for them, for he died for them. That person knows
The depths of despair turns to the height of
how high is the love of Jesus for them for He came from
jubilation. This was the sign they had been waiting for,
eternity to be the savior.
the indication that the end times had broken in. God had
One might add another dimension to the title of
raised Jesus from the grave and He was the first fruits of
this article: “How Deep Is the Rut!” It seems that it is
what is to be a mighty harvest. Despair and fear turned
easy to get into a rut of indifference, a rut of apathy, a rut
to joy and boldness. It makes me wonder...
of negligence. Yet no one needs to be shackled by their
I wonder if after the resurrection the disciples
past. For we might ask ourselves “How high is the love
ever thought back over the events of the week and saw
of Jesus for us?” And we know it is infinite. Change to
that even when they thought that everything had spiraled
faith can be sudden and thrilling. One’s spiritual potential
out of control, everything was going according to the
can be unlocked in an instant by the grace of God. The
plan of God. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God had
commemoration of the suffering, death and resurrection
proved once again that He is faithful. They did not have
of Jesus gives a spark to our faith, prompts us to respond
to fear. Death itself had been conquered.
to the love of Jesus, and strengthens us to live by his
Given the current state of affairs that’s probably a
principles more faithfully. For those of us who strive to do
good lesson for us also. That life will have its high highs
that, our Easter will truly be one of heartfelt peacefulness,
and low lows. There are times when it seems that all is
one of spiritual contentment, and exuberant happiness of
lost. Maybe even death itself surrounds you. But God is
life, reveling in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus.
faithful. Through His Son, the Passover Lamb and the
Fr. Gerry Condon
Risen Lord, we can have shalom, a peace that passes all
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
understanding. We can live “risen lives” of joy and bold
St. William’s Catholic Church
Christianity is the most enormous scam ever ness, even in the midst of the storm.
perpetrated on this planet unless Jesus Christ did in fact Keith Price
arise from the grave.
Willow Creek Baptist Church
I just finished reading a wonderful novel, “The
His resurrection establishes Christianity the
Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery. Among greatest hope for this planet. The Son of God has con
its lessons is this: Eternity can exist in a single moment of quered death and wants to share His life with whoever
beauty and truth. I propose that the life of Christ contains will agree to the terms of the New Covenant: Believe,
two such epiphanies.
repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus
The lone Community Church will be having an
The first moment holds a baby in a manger. This Christ and walk in the new life He gives you. (Refer to Easter service on Sunday, April 4, at 10 a.m. followed by
is God come down to earth, incarnated as a human being, Acts 2:38-39 and Romans 6:3-7)
a brunch. All are welcome to attend.
to live as and among us. It is mind-boggling, the truth
D eath’s unflinching tyranny dominates this
of this baby. It also holds for eternity, for God is always world. Only Jesus Christ offers a way to freedom with St. Patrick’s, St. William Parishes
with us.
convincing proof that he can deliver, by the fact of his announce Holy Week schedule
The second moment is a man in white standing by own victory over the grave.
St. Patrick’s Parish in Heppner and St. William
an empty tomb, holding out his hand to a grieving woman.
Easter presents an opportunity to refocus on this
Parish
in
lone announce their schedule for Holy Week.
This is man ascended to God, overcoming in death our thrilling truth. How beneficial is it that thoughts of resur
St. Patrick’s Parish:
limited physical existence and all that human sin can ac rection capture our minds?
April 1: Holy Thursday, 7 p.m., solemn com
complish. This moment also holds for eternity, for our life
For I delivered to you as of first importance what
memoration
of the Lord’s Supper
in God is endless and blessing surely outweighs curse.
I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to
April 2: Good Friday, 12:05 p.m. Stations of
Jesus the rabbi during his life here was a profound the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was
teacher, miraculous healer, and insightful prophet. Jesus raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...(1 the Cross, 7 p.m. solemn commemoration of the Lord’s
death.
the Christ is the eternal truth of God, pointing to our own Corinthians 15:3-4).
April 3: Easter vigil, 7:30 p.m.. Service of Light,
divine elegance.
Tim Murphy
liturgy of the word, renewal of baptismal promises, vigil
Easter will be celebrated at Valby at 9 a.m., fol Heppner Christian Church
mass.
lowed by breakfast. Everyone is welcome.
April 4: Easter Sunday, 11 a.m., Mass of the
Rev. Lea Mathieu
Resurrection
Valby Lutheran Church
St. William Parish
April 2: Good Friday, 5:30 p.m.. Stations of the
Applications being accepted for Med Stars summer residential experience
Cross.
Northeast Oregon ence University (OHSU).
ously participated in other and returned to NEOAHEC
April 4: Easter Sunday, 8:45 a.m., Mass of the
A rea H ealth E ducation
The program is health careers programs, by Wednesday, April 28 in
Resurrection.
C enter (N EO A H EC ) is open to high school juniors and will be accepted based order to be accepted.
currently accepting applica and seniors who are inter on their application and
To request an ap Hope Lutheran, All Saints Episcopal
tions for the Med Stars sum ested in pursuing careers letters of recommendation. plication, or for more in announce Holy Week schedule
mer residential experience irfthe health care field. Ap Tuition for Med Stars is formation, contact Brenna
Holy Week Services for the shared ministry of
at Oregon Health and Sci- plicants must have previ- $300, which includes lodg Dunlap, education coor
Hope Lutheran Church and All Saints Episcopal Church
ing, meals, transportation dinator at (541) 962-3801
have been announced.
while in the program, and or bhines@ eou.edu. You
April 1 - Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. at All Saints
program materials. A lim may also visit our website
Episcopal Church.
ited number of scholarships at: www.eou.edu/neoahec/
April 2 - Good Friday, 7 p.m. at Hope Lutheran
are available.
hel.html.
Church.
Northeast Oregon
Med Stars will be
April 4 - Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. at All Saints
AHEC
is
a nonprofit or
held
on
the
OHSU
cam
At John's Place
Episcopal Church with Pastor Katy Anderson. Breakfast
pus, July 13-17. Students ganization dedicated to at
will be served by the Ecumenical Youth Group prior to
- Meatloaf Dinner
will participate in hands- tracting and retaining health
the service.
on activities, tour OHSU care professionals by pro
- Fish Dinner
facilities, and interact with viding regional education
- Fried Chicken Dinner health professionals. Appli opportunities in the local
cations must be completed twelve county region.
Last Sunday, we celebrated Jesus’ triumphal
entry into Jerusalem, as it is recorded in Luke 19: 28-
40. In verse 35, we read that the disciples brought the
colt to Jesus and after throwing their cloaks on the colt,
they set Jesus on it. The devotional, “Disciplines 2010,”
underscores that Jesus did not climb onto the colt by
Himself. Instead, He placed His life into the hands of
His friends, thus creating an intimate moment with His
followers. Friends lifted Him on to the colt, some holding
His arms, others holding His legs, others holding Him at
His waist, some standing behind Him, others standing
face to face with Him. During the next few days, there
would be other times of intimate moments of disciple-
ship - bread-breaking and wine-sharing; foot-washing
and truth-telling. And at what would appear to many to
be the end of the road, Jesus’ crucifixion and death, there
would be time for a few friends to once again put their
hands under His arms and legs, support His back, be face
to face with Him as they set Him down from the cross
and place Him in the tomb.
A Christian’s journey of faith calls for many
extraordinary acts of intimacy. Discipleship requires vul
nerability, closeness, a willingness to lean in the direction
of others, and grace to forgive others.
Why? Because the story isn’t over, yet! Jesus’
crucifixion and death was not the end of the story. Early in
the morning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene
went to the tomb where the body of Jesus had been laid.
Suddenly there was an earthquake, for an angel of the
Lord, rolled the stone which had sealed the tomb away.
The angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, I know that you
are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here,
for he has been raised, as he said... Go quickly and tell
his disciples that he has been raised from the dead.”
The story isn’t over yet! Though Jesus died the
death that we will all experience, He is alive forevermore!
And Jesus has promised that those who receive God’s
gift of faith from God —faith that God, our Creator is
our Heavenly Father; and that Jesus is His only Son, our
Lord; and that the Holy Spirit is the divine presence in
our lives —presence of God.
Easter is God’s grace. Grace to cover all our sins.
Grace to cover all our needs. Grace to cover the world
in all its broken places. Grace of intimacy. Grace of the
living presence of Jesus, our Christ.
May you experience God’s grace this Easter.
Amen.
Jonathan Enz
Heppner United Methodist Church
It’s a Fact
Eternity in a Moment
lone Community Church
to hold Easter service
Check Our These Great
Dinner Specials
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday - Prime Rib Dinner
Saturday - Pork Loin
Installation of officers
held at Elks Lodge
(all trimmings Included)
Thursday Is Kids Night
All Kids 12 A Under Eat for
only $1
With adult purchase
ase - kias
kids menu or
only - Starts April 1
Hours: 11:30 - 7:30 Tues. - Sat
8a.m. - 3p.m. Sun.
A c c e p te d d u r i n g t h e e v e n t:
At the installation
of officers at the Heppner
Elks Lodge on Saturday,
March 27, Judy Buschke
was named Citizen of the
Year, Corey Sweeney was
named Officer of the Year,
and Ed Baker was named
Elk of the Year.
Used o il (c o n ta in e rs less th a n 2 5 g a llo n s) O il filte rs,
S p ent A n tifre e ze . A u to m o tiv e b a tte ries. A lk a lin e A
re ch arg ea b le b atte ries. P ro p a n e T a n k s ( s m a lle r than
25 gal.) O il b ase d paint. P a in t th ln n e rs and so lve nts.
W rucler's will start April nth
R o o f and a sp h a lt patch. A d h e siv e s, glue s and c on tact
cem ent. C a u lk s se ale rs and Jo int c om p o und s. Law n
and g ard e n c h e m ic a ls and fe rtiliz e rs . P o o l c hem icals.
...and run every Sunday thru May 2nd!
H o u se h o ld c le a n e rs (in c lu d in g bleach, a m m o nia,
fu rn itu r e p o lish , to ile t b o w l cleaners, c a rp et sha m
JOHN'S PIACI
MM. «ma
p o os) S lu d g e ( s o il c o n ta m in a te d w ith o il s m a lle r than
25 gal. c o n ta in e rs ) M e rc u ry th e rm o m e ters, Fiores-
cent lam p s. A ll ty p es o f a e ro so l cans, Used c o o k in g oil.
R oad flares, P C B b allasts. O rg a n ic p erox id e s
(h a rd e n in g ag en ts)
Item s n o t accepted, F m p tv con tain ers, a m m u n itio n ,
e xp lo sivo s, b io lo g ica l w aste, ra d io a c tiv e w aste.
The play days will be held at
theTlodeo grounds
Family cost-$40
potluck@12:00
_ Individual cost -$25 Gam es®l:00
Participant must attend 3 out o f 4 play days to be eligible for awards.