Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan celebration comes to Red Bluff

On Sunday, a Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan will take place at the Red Bluff Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St.

The 11 a.m. worship service will begin with a processional led by the church Sexton carrying the Beadle (Bible), followed by Banners of Faith, the Jefferson Pipe Band featuring bagpipers and drummers,the Presbyterian Church choir, pastor Jack Eisel, and church lay readers. Included in the service will be the blessing of individuals and families of Scottish descent. Attendees will hear traditional Celtic pipe hymns and melodies following the service, accompanied by a coffee hour which will include traditional Scottish shortbread, fruits, coffee and punch.

The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan custom began in response to English attempt to extinguish Scottish culture. In 1746, a Parliamentary Act sought to deny the Scottish people the right to wear the kilt, plaid or any tartan garment. Bagpipes, as well, were banned and defined as a weapon in the continued effort to destroy highland clan identity. Arrest, imprisonment or banishment to the colonies was the price paid for almost 40 years, to those disobeying the law in the highlands. During this time the women of the highland clans, whose men were far from home, would take a small piece of their tartan to the Kirk (church) to be secretly blessed and to pray for heaven’s protection for their clan and its members. Thus came the Scottish celebration known as the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan.

This historically-based ceremony came to fruition in the United State when Peter Marshall, an emigrant from Coatdyke, Scotland, held the first Kirkin’ in 1941 at the New York Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Marshall, a U.S. Senate chaplain and pastor of the N.Y. Presbyterian Church, used this ceremony to promote solidarity among American-born and native-born Scots who once again faced European conflict in the form of World War II.

The tradition of the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan has since evolved into a colorful, festive occasion for celebrating Scottish heritage, asking God’s blessing and protection for those represented by the tartans. Celtic and Scottish peoples acknowledge the historical contributions of native Scots and Scottish-heritage Americans through the celebration of their faith. A creative blend of music, hymns and prayers from the Scottish faith tradition are relived in this worship service.

The Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan occurs on Reformation Sunday, the Sunday closest to Oct. 31, in acknowledgement of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 Theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This act, in 1517, ushered in the beginning of the Protestant Reformation movement.
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Releasing for Freedom

Jeremiah 34 is an interesting chapter. We learn that the kingdom of Judah is in trouble. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and all the kingdoms of the earth were fighting against Jerusalem and all of Judah to destroy it, (verse 1).

God sends Jeremiah to Zedekiah, King of Judah. He tells him that that even though judgment is coming He will show compassion on him in the midst of the judgment. This kindness of God leads Zedekiah to repentance. He knew that he and the people of Judah had been sinning by keeping their brothers and sisters in bondage, so they all agreed to make a covenant with God to release their brothers and sisters, (verse 5). When the Lord saw what they did, He put a stop to the army that was coming to destroy them.

Even though they did agree to release their brothers and sisters, we can tell that they still didn’t get it. Unfortunately, their willingness to free their brothers and sisters was simply a token effort to ‘appease’ God. As soon as it looked like the problem was taken care of, (the army left), they quickly placed their brothers and sisters back into bondage of slavery again.

So, what are the dynamics of the events that are taking place here? Why were the kingdoms of the earth able to make such headway against the people of God? Why didn’t God rise up and protect them?

He couldn’t. What they didn’t realize was that by keeping their brothers and sisters in bondage they were inadvertently locking up God’s ability to work in their behalf. They were in direct violation of God’s word, (verses' 13&14). The final result was devastating. God told them since they were unwilling to proclaim freedom to their brothers and sisters, then He would proclaim freedom to them…freedom from His protection from the sword, pestilence, and famine.

So, how does that apply to us today? Even though literal slavery is not legal in this country, we put our brothers and sisters in bondage whenever we refuse to forgive, let go of offenses or hold on to grudges against others. And, according to Jeremiah 34, when we keep our brothers and sisters in bondage, we are in bondage ourselves.

Jesus tells us that the amount of forgiveness we experience in our lives is directly related to the amount of forgiveness we extend to others. (Matt. 6:14 & Luke 6:36). I heard it said once that every time I forgive, I set a prisoner free…that prisoner is me.

When we are willing to forgive, something happens in the spiritual realm that we cannot see. What we can see, however, are the effects of that action. The same thing is true when we flip on a light switch. We don’t actually see current race over to the lamp to make the connection, but we do see the lamp light up. In Jeremiah 34:21, we learn that the army of Babylon left due to their willingness to release their brothers and sisters. But since they reneged on their part of the deal, they could expect the army to be returning.

The problem that most people have with forgiveness is that we don’t understand what forgiveness is and what it is not. Forgiveness is not a feeling, it’s a choice. If we wait till we feel like forgiving before we forgive, we may as well move to Babylon - it’s never going to happen. We must choose to forgive.

What if the hurt is too deep? In that case, we can at least choose to be made willing to choose to forgive. That is the long way around, but God is able to help us no matter where we are.

God is for us, His word gives us the clues to victory, lets not make the same mistake the Children of Israel did, lets learn from them!

Senia Owensby

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Church Listings

The following list of Tehama County churchs may not be complete. Please e-mail me with any additions: sheep.pen@gmail.com
If your church has a web site, please send us the 'url' so we can ad a link to your website.


Red Bluff...

ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP — 21080 Luther Rd. — Pastor J.E. Heitman
528-2499 — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM

ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP(SBC) — Berrendos School — 401 Chestnut St
200-4112 — Pastor John Bohrer — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM

APOSTALIC ASSEMBLY — 1321 Nelson Dr., Red Bluff. — 527-8541
Pastor Rudy Cepeda — WORSHIP — Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM

BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD — 625 Luther Rd. — 527-0445
Pastor Ron Fortenberry — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM — Sunday School 9:30AM

CALVARY CHAPEL — 12375 Paskenta Rd. — 527-8219
Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. — WORSHIP — Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am

CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1605 Park Ave. — 527-3036
Evangelist Gary Dent — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6:30PM

CHURCH OF CHRIST — 435 Round-Up Ave. — 527-0393
Preacher Henry Machado Jr. — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM

COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH — 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203
Pastor Dr. Paul Wright — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM & 6PM

CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD — Hwy. 36, Jorgenson
527-9210 — Pastor Roy Duggins — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM & 5PM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — 501 Pine St. — 527-4361
Rev. J. Michael Schnase, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15AM

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH — Hickory & Madison — 527-4688
WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM

FIRST CHURCH OF GOD — Jackson & Luther — 527-5717
Pastor Rod Thompson — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15 AM

FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE — Johnson & Hickory — 527-3361
Pastor Jason Wakeman — WORSHIP — 10:30 AM

FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH — 585 Kimball Rd. — 527-5083
Pastor Tom Turner — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — 525 David Ave. — 527-5754
Pastor Paul Cabotaje — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM

GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. — 12830 Glasgow Dr.
Pastor Jeff Eldred — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM

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LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH — Goff Hall — 347 6970
Jim Bredow, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:30am-10:15am

LUTHERAN CHURCH, ST. PAUL — Jefferson & Elm — 527-3414
Pastor Dallas D. Dubke — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH — 1625 Johnson St. — 527-8134
Pastor Vern Miilliken — SERVICE — 10:00AM

NEW HOPE FOURSQUARE FELLOWHIP — 925 Walnut St. — 528-0642
Pastor Brian Officer — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM

NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH (Ind.) — 345 David Ave — 527-0543
Pastor David Lamberson — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:50AM

NUEVA VIDA — 11841 Hyw 99W — Red Bluff — Spanish-speaking
Pastor Freddie Villasenor — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — Jefferson & Hickory St. — 527-0372
Interin Rev. Jack Eisel — WORSHIP — 11:00AM

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD — 370 Kimball Rd. — 527-6346
Pastor Mike Cox — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM - Sunday School 9:30AM

RED BLUFF COWBOY CHURCH — Cattlemens Livestock Barn on a Monday night once a month.

RED BLUFF GOSPEL ASSEMBLY — 836 Washington St. — 529-9909
Pastor John A. Partsch — WORSHIP — Sunday 1:30PM

SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN — 705 So. Jackson St. — 529-1890
Pastor Ron Largent — WORSHIP — Saturday 10:45AM

SACRED HEARt CATHOLIC CHURCH — 515 Main St. — Father Eric Lofgren
MASS — Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM — Sunday 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 1PM

THE SALVATION ARMY — 940 Walnut St. — 527-8530
Majors Frank & Susan Severs, Pastors — SERVICES — Sunday 10AM & 11AM

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH — 720 S. Jackson — 527-3733
Pastor Ken Swanson — WORSHIP — Saturday 10:45AM

SHEPHERD HOUSE OF PRAYER — 601 Monroe St.
529-5350 — Pastor Brent Kohler — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH — Jefferson & Elm — 527-5205
Rev. Maryly Adair — HOLY COMMUNION — Sunday 9AM & 10AM



SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP — C.B.A. — The corner of Cedar & Jackson
527-5313 —Pastor Byron Shaw, Pat Hurton — WORSHIP — 10:50AM

TRINETY LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH — 20920 Hampton Rd. Drive — 200-0439
Pastor Tim Chambers — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM - Wednesday 7:00PM

UNION SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH — Red Bluff
Union High School cafeteria located at 1260 Union Road — 209-0695
Pastor Robert M. Wheatley — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM

UNITED CHURCH OF GOD — 645 Antelope Blvd. suite 13 — 824-3657
Elder Dick King — WORSHIP — Saturday 12:30PM

VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP — 738 Walnut St. — 527-2449
Pastor Steve Igarta — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM

WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER — Red Bluff Community Center
1500 South Jackson — 527-9065 — Pastor Michael Ragsdale
WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM

ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES — 836 Washington St.
529-1836 — Pastor Joshua John McKim — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15AM

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Los Molinos...

COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — Sherwood & Josephine
527-3490 — Pastor Kathleen Smith — WORSHIP 11AM

MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH — HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 —
Pastor Carl DeBiase — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM


Corning...

SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD — 25235 Orange St. — 824-0659
Pastor Randy Cosby — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM

BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD — 3770 Illinois Ave Ste. B — 824-6502
Pastor Dan Steigmn — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM

BETHEL CHURCH — 1520 East St. — 824-0175
Ron Cottingham, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1418 South St. — 824-3603
WORSHIP — Sunday — 10:30AM

CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1440 Yolo St. — 824-4333
David King, Minister — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM

CORNING FOURSQUARE — 824-5776
Rev. Sue Duffy — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30 AM-Tuesday10AM Prayer meeting

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH — Marin & Pear Sts. — 824-5609
Pastor Joycel — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — 506 Colusa St. — 824-3490
Pastor Chris Fissori — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH — 1421 Marin St.
WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — 824-5535 — Marguerite & McLane
Pastor Howard Sanborn— WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

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HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD — 1006 6th St. Corning
824-2091 —Robert D. Kee, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:30AM &10:30AM

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH — 824-5879 — 814 Solano St.
Father Juan Manuel Ponce — MASS — Sunday 10AM, 12:00PM - Spanish

MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH — 341 Solano St. — 824-5530
Pastor Dallas D. Dubke — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM

NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH — 901 South St. — 824-2323
Pastor Ken Killinger — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:50AM & 6PM

NEW FAITH BAPTIST — 565 1st St.
Pastor Tony Sherman — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:15 AM & 10:30 AM

NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH — 824-3426
Pastor J.R. Gonzales — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM - Sunday School 9AM

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH — West & Butte — 824-2153
Pastor Jose Torres — WORSHIP — Saturday 11AM

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH — First &Marin Sts. — 824-4979
Pastor Maryly Adair — CHURCH — Sunday 11AM

TRUTH TABERNACLE — 1308 Solano. — 824-6427
Pastor Ed Schaefer — WORSHIP — Sunday 2PM

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — 824-5841 — East & Solano
Pastor Ray Watkins — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM

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Vina...
VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH — 5th & D Street — 839-2340
Pastor Larry Peterson — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM


Bowman...
COMMUNITY CHURCH — Bowman Rd. & Landes — 347-6130
Pastor Mark Lugg — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM


Cottonwood...

ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER — 19019 Gaspoint Road — 347-9208
Pastor Doug Hamblin — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM

ASSEMBLY OF GOD — Gaspoint Road — 347-3313
Pastor Bob Whitman — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM

FOURSQUARE CHURCH — 2400 Rhonda Rd.
Rev. Paul Shrum — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM


Dairyville...
CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH — 11220 Hwy. 99E — 527-2329
Pastor Debbie Dillon —WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM

El Camino...
COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — Hwy. 99W — 824-5841
Pastor Nancy Pharis-Curie — WORSHIP — Sunday 9:30AM

SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH — 7211 Hwy. 99W
385-2155 — Pastor Andrew Dalson — WORSHIP — Saturday 7PM


Gerber...
OL’ COUNTRY CHURCH — Samson & Mariposa
385-1650 — Pastor Jack McFarlandl — WORSHIP — 10:30

GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP — 301 Samson @ Ventura
385-1718 — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM

FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES — 21941 Chard Ave.
385-1431 — Pastor Ina Driggers — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM

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Las Flores...
LAS FLORES FULL GOSPEL — 9662 San Benito
Pastor Rev. Elroy & Martha Lake — WORSHIP — 10:00AM Wed. 6PM


Manton...
MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH — Forward Rd. — 474-5156
Pastor Michael Stiener —WORSHIP — Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45


Platina...
ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY — Begum Gorge Rd.
Abbot Herman — LITURGY — Sunday 8:30AM


Proberta...
PROBERTA COMMUNITY CHURCH — 949-8744
Pastor Scott Menez — WORSHIP — Sunday 9:00AM


Rancho Tehama...
COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) — 585-2526
WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM

RT FAMILY CHURCH, PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD — 585-2975
Pastor Willifam T. King — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM/6:00PM


Tehama...
ASSEMBLY OF GOD — Third St. — 384-2603
Pastor Walter Bright — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM

ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH — 824-5879
Corner of 4th & D — MASS — Sunday 8:00AM - English
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