Area clergy to speak of hope this Easter

As families continue to struggle through financial difficulties - many facing hardships such as the loss of jobs and homes - several clergy from the community shared an Easter message of hope.

Interim Pastor George Matranga from the Bethlehem Lutheran Church said he is seeing many people who need each other.

"There are certainly a lot of individuals who are experiencing difficulty, so this is a time for people to really care for one another," Matranga said.

"Our message of hope is what God has done in Jesus Christ, proving that by raising Him from the dead - and empowering us to help take care of one another," he said.

Bishop Steve Woodbury from the Carson River Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared his message of the Easter season.

"We are living in difficult times. I don't know anyone who has not been affected by the economic challenges we face. But, as I meet with members of my congregation, I find that those who are weathering the storm the best are those who are keeping things in perspective," Woodbury said.

"Life is hard, but it was designed that way by a loving Heavenly Father. We all face challenges and obstacles, but these serve an important purpose. They help us learn and grow. They make us humble. They bring us closer to Him.

"Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has suffered all things. He knows and loves each of us perfectly. His invitation to cast on Him our burdens is universal, and his promise that through Him we can overcome all things in this world is sure," Woodbury said.

Pastor John Witse from the Bread of Life Christian Fellowship in Mound House also believes people need to pull together.

"We have some folks having a hard time because of the economy, but we're working with them and we'll get through it together," Witse said.

"I will be speaking on the total purpose of the resurrection and our separation from God because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Because of what Jesus Christ did - his death, burial and resurrection - He made it possible for us to ultimately return to the original place we were before Adam and Eve fell in the garden," he said.

Father Chuck Durante, pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community, said people seem to be pulling together.

"We've had good attendance over these weeks of Lent and services, and I think that's a sign of people's continued need for each other," Durante said.

"This season of Easter is really a season of great hope because of the promise of the resurrection and the promise of a new life in Christ. Being a community of faith, we have people who have lost jobs, people who have lost homes, and this can be very discouraging.

"But as they continue to rally around each other, hope rises. I've seen outreach in the community - people who bring food to people in need, and I find it very impressive, very hopeful," Durante said.

Stan Friend, senior pastor at Capital Christian Center said we all feel the difficulties around us in some way.

"We face great challenges today in America - the economy, government reform, national security," Friend said. "But the Easter story gives me hope in uncertain times, because when we serve a God who not even death could destroy, and in fact, He conquered death, then it gives me hope that I, too, can endure the challenges in this life. And just like Christ endured the cross and overcame adversity, then I too can endure difficulty and overcome it in victory."

Pastor of the First Christian Church, Ken Haskins, said the community plays a big role in helping people through hard times.

"Because of the difficult times we live in right now, in our own church family, we have people who have lost their jobs and others who have had their hours cut. These are difficult times for a lot of people," Haskins said.

"But one of the things that offers hope to people - in our area at least - is that we have a wonderful community that supports people. We have great organizations and many of these are supported by our churches. I know a lot of churches in this area that have programs, and even though their resources are tapped right now, they do what they can.

"At this Easter season, the greatest hope is in Jesus Christ. This life is so short, and only He can offer forgiveness and transform lives while we're here, and turn things around for people, and set them free. He gives life, He gives it abundantly and He gives it eternally," Haskins said.

"The greatest hope we can have is our faith in Jesus Christ."