A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015
COMMUNITY
New pastor looks to
foster church growth
By TAMMY MALGESINI
Community Editor
FILE PHOTO
Children visit with wise men during the 2014 Living Nativity
at the Hermiston First United Methodist Church. This year’s
event is Saturday and Sunday.
Living Nativity shares
reason for the season
continued throughout the
years. He carries a contain-
An 82-year-old Hermis- er with jewelry and partic-
ton man will don a robe and ipates with two other wise
crown and stand in the cold men, who also carry items
this weekend, something that represent frankincense
he has done each Christmas and myrrh. Waters enjoys
season for more than two de- participating in the presenta-
tion that helps in telling the
cades.
Don Waters, a member of Biblical story of Jesus.
The live animals, Waters
the Hermiston United Meth-
odist Church, has participat- said, seem to attract the at-
ed in the Living Nativity to tention of children that visit
help share the story of Jesus’ the Living Nativity. The pro-
birth ever since the church gram includes sheep, goats,
started the tradition nearly burrows and chickens, he
said.
two dozen years ago.
“The little kids really like
“We try to tell people
what the season is all about,” that,” Waters said.
Recent
improvements
Waters said. “It’s about the
gift Jesus Christ brought to have been made with the
presentation, Hunt said. A
us.”
The 23rd annual Living big prop for the angel stand
Nativity is Saturday from was constructed by a group
6-8 p.m. and Sunday from of teenagers, including many
4-6 p.m. at the Hermiston from the First Christian
United Methodist Church, Church. Their effort helps
191 E. Gladys Ave. The free with the Living Nativity,
outdoor presentation features Hunt said, and provides stu-
four stations with actors, ani- dents with community ser-
vice hours for graduation.
mals and reader boards.
People are welcome to
“Don Waters has been
a character for as long as I linger as along as they would
can remember,” said Becky like. Hunt encourages people
Hunt, who coordinates the WRVWRSE\DQGUHÀHFWRQWKH
event. “He has dressed up story of Jesus. After viewing
LQWKHVDPHNLQJO\RXW¿WIRU the scenes, visitors are invit-
ed inside for hot chocolate
many years.”
When determining parts and cookies.
For more information,
for the cast, Waters wanted
to be a king — a role he has call 541-567-3002.
By TAMMY MALGESINI
Community Editor
The new pastor of
the Hermiston Christian
Center feels God led him
to help rejuvenate the
church.
Stan Steward most re-
cently lived near Dallas,
Texas, with his wife, Shari.
Contacted by area denom-
ination leaders, they dis-
cussed needs at the Herm-
iston church. Steward
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but didn’t settle into town
until August.
“I rose to the challenge
of trying to rebuild and
re-establish this church,”
he said. “One of the things
the church leadership and
congregation is interested
in is growing.”
Attendance had dwin-
dled to about 85 after peak-
ing at around 300 a decade
or so ago. The church also
runs a Christian school,
has 25 acres of land and a
newly constructed gymna-
sium facility.
Steward,
who
has
taught at the university
level throughout most of
his career in ministry, has
seen growth at the church
in the past few months.
“Just since the sum-
mer, there have been four
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have come to the church,”
he said. “So, that’s a good
trend.”
Steward said he enjoys
the challenge of being a
pastor more than the rou-
tine of teaching. He most
recently served as profes-
sor of American history at
Southwestern Assemblies
of God University, near
Dallas. He remains con-
nected with the university,
teaching through online
courses.
STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI
Stan Steward is the new pastor at the Hermiston Christian Center.
Calling being a pastor
multi-dimensional, Stew-
ard said it includes roles
as a counselor, developer,
prophet and business man-
ager.
“I think there’s more of
a hands on effect you can
have in people’s lives by
pastoring,” he said.
Although
Steward
hadn’t previously visited
Eastern Oregon, several
relatives on his father’s
side died in the June 14,
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With a deep interest in
history, Steward is look-
ing forward to exploring
the area and learning more
about the disaster.
The couple, who have
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across the United States,
is adjusting to living in a
smaller city. Steward said
he’s happy to be a part of
the community and help-
ing the church thrive.
“We’re just still settling
in, but it’s off to a good
start,” he said. “This is a
good church with good
people.”
The Hermiston Chris-
tian Center is located at
1825 W. Highland Ave.
Sunday services include
Sunday school at 9 a.m.
and worship at 10 a.m. In
addition, there are small
groups and other activ-
ities offered during the
week.
For more information,
contact 541-567-3480, hc-
c4u@machmedia.net or
visit www.hcc4u.org.
IN BRIEF
Girl Scouts offer craft
party
Girls in kindergarten
through 12th grade are in-
vited to make holiday gifts
and decorations.
Hosted by the Girl
Scouts of Oregon and
Southwest Washington, the
Winter Break Craft Party
is Monday, Dec. 21 from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Hope
Community Church, 1350
S. Highway 395, Hermis-
ton. Each girl will need to
bring a sack lunch.
Space is limited. The
cost is $15 for registered
Girl Scouts and $30 for
community members. Reg-
istrations must be received
by Monday, Dec. 14.
To register, send a check
with girl’s name, parent’s
name and contact informa-
tion to Susie Re, GSOSW
Craft Party, P.O. Box 198,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
For more information
about the Winter Break
Craft Party, call Stacia
Miller at 541-720-2996.
To learn about joining
Girl Scouts, visit www.
girlscoutsosw.org or call
Addie Bower, GSOSW
membership specialist, at
541-389-8146.
Sam Boardman
invites public to
Christmas program
The Christmas program
at Sam Boardman Elemen-
tary School is open to the
public.
The event is Thursday at
6 p.m. in the school’s gym,
301 Wilson Lane, Board-
man. For those unable to at-
tending the evening perfor-
mance, they are invited to
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Those planning to attend
are invited to bring a non-per-
ishable food item, which will
be donated to food baskets
for those in need during the
holiday season.
For more information,
contact
louise.kienzle@
morrow.k12.or.us or 541-
481-7383.
Red Cross encouraged
giving life
The American Red Cross
is asking individuals and
organizations to give some-
thing that means something
this winter by making a
lifesaving blood donation
or hosting a blood drive.
Blood donations often
decline during the winter
due to holiday festivities
and travel. In addition,
seasonal illnesses can also
have a serious impact on
blood donations
Donors with all blood
types are needed, especial-
ly those with types O nega-
tive, B negative, A negative
and AB blood.
To donate, people need
to be in good health, at least
17 years old (16 with pa-
rental consent) and weigh
at least 110 pounds.
While walk-ins are wel-
come, donors can make an
appointment at www.red-
crossblood.org or by calling
800-733-2767. Upcoming
area blood drives include:
• Monday, Dec. 14, noon
Church
Directory
to 5:30 p.m., Our Lady of
Angel’s Catholic Church,
565 W. Hermiston Ave.,
Hermiston.
• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 10
a.m. to 3 p.m., PGE Coal
Plant, 7334 Tower Road,
Boardman.
Grief group meets in
Irrigon
A weekly grief group is
available in Irrigon.
Griefshare meets each
Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m.
NEW BEGINNINGS
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Worship Service 10:30 AM
Sunday School 9:00 AM
Pastor J.C. Barnett
Children's Church
& Nursery Available
700 West Orchard Avenue
P.O. Box 933
Hermiston, Oregon
541-289-4774
p w i t h u s !
1255 Hwy. 395 S. • 567-5834
oasisvineyard.us
Worship 10:00 AM
"come as you are"
The Full Gospel
Home Church
235 SW 3rd
Phone 567-7678
with the members of
H ERMISTON F IRST U NITED
M ETHODIST C HURCH
191 East Gladys
• LIVING NATIVITY:
Sat. Dec. 12 th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Sun. Dec. 13 th 4:00 - 6:00 PM
- Walk through at your own pace as the
Christmas Story unfolds with live actors,
a donkey, sheep & chickens.
- Afterwards warm up inside with refreshments.
• Regular Sunday Morning Services at 11:00 AM
• Christmas Eve:
“Come and Go Communion Service”
in our sanctuary Dec. 24 th
from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Echo Community
Church
21 N Bonanza Street
Echo, OR
Phone: (541) 376-8108
Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 am
Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:45 am
Children’s Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:15 am
Potluck & Communion ~
First Sunday of the Month
Seventh-day
Adventist Church
s h i
W o r
Celebrate Christmas
at the Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Church, 205 Tum-
bleweed Blvd., which is
located behind Stokes
Landing Senior Center.
The Christian-based pro-
gram is free to the public.
The meetings include sup-
port, group discussions,
DVD lessons and work-
book exercises.
Supported by Vange
John Memorial Hospice,
the group is free. For more
information, call Beth
Harrington at 541-314-
5888.
Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker
Sunday: Sunday School . . . . . 10:00 am
Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 am
Evening Service . . . . . . 7:00 pm
Wednesday Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 pm
First United
Methodist
Church Of
Hermiston
Rev. Dr. James T. Pierce, Pastor
Open Hearts, Open minds,
Open doors
"Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you."
1 Pet. 5:7
191 E. Gladys Ave.
Sunday Worship at 11am
(541) 567-3002
Our Lady of Angels
Catholic Church
Grace Baptist Church
565 W. HERMISTON AVE.
DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . English 7:00 am
THURSDAY . . . . . . . . . Spanish 6:00 pm
SATURDAY: . . . . . . . . . English 5:00 pm
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spanish 7:00 pm
SUNDAY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . English 9:00 am
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bilingual 11:00 am
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spanish 1:00 pm
OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567-5812
NEW HOPE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston
Sunday Worship Services
English- Pastor Dave Andrus
9:00 & 10:45 am
Spanish- Pastor Genaro Loredo
9:00 & 10:15 am
Classes for kids during all services
For more information call
541-567-8441
First Christian
Church
"Proclaiming the Message of
Hope, Living the Gospel of Love"
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM
CHILDREN'S CHURCH 11:00 AM
Nursery Provided
567-3013
775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston
Nursery provided for all services

St. Johns
Episcopal Church
All People
Are Welcome
Scripture, Tradition
and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
Gladys Ave & 7th Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232
Pastor David Dever
Sun. Bible Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00am
Sun. Worship Service . . . . . . . . . . 11:00am
Sun. Evening Worship . . . . . . . . . . 6:00pm
Wed. Prayer & Bible Study . . . 6:00pm
www.hermistonlmbc.com
T HE C OUNTRY C HURCH
Pastor James Becker
32742 Diagonal RD
Hermiston OR 97838
Sunday School 10 am
Worship 7 am
Evening Service 7 pm
Bible Study Wednesdays 7 pm
Firestarter Youth Ministry
(Ages 12-17)
Monday @ 6 pm
567-8241
855 W. Highland • Hermiston
LANDMARK BAPTIST
CHURCH
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
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”
Saturdays
Sabbath School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 a.m.
Sunday AM Service 10:30 AM
Sunday PM Service 3:30 PM
Thursday Bible Class 6:00 PM
224 E Main Street, Hermiston, OR
(541) 701-9055
ww.HBCHermiston.com
To share your
worship times
call
Amanda Jacobs
541-278-2683