Pottstown-Area Church Leader Responds To ‘Duck Dynasty’ Controversy

Location of Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — A national controversy hit close to home Friday afternoon after three-year-old videosof Phil Robertson speaking at a local church resurfaced.

Robertson, the patriarch of the family featured on the hit TV show “Duck Dynasty” on A&E, made what some perceived as anti-gay comments in an article in GQ Magazine. The article is published in the January 2014 edition of the magazine.

His controversial comments have started a firestorm of online discussion and led to Robertson’s indefinite suspension from the popular reality show.

But the faith-based comments Robertson made in the GQ article were echoes of statements he made while speaking at events long before the show on A&E started.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131220/pottstown-area-church-leader-responds-to-duck-dynasty-controversy

‘Duck Dynasty’ Dad Preached About Gays At Pottstown Church

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the Duck Dynasty family was warning it might pull out of the show after patriarch Phil Robertson was suspended from anti-gay remarks in GQ, videos of him preaching similar thoughts at a Pottstown church have surfaced.

In the 2010 videos, Robertson was preaching at a Wild Game dinner at the Berean Bible Church. During the roughly hour-long talk, he weighed in on the immorality of gays, indicating they are experiencing God’s wrath. He also spoke on a range of issues, including his famed duck calls, Terry Bradshaw as his backup quarterback in college, and that he doesn’t believe in evolution.

No one at the Berean Bible Church, which was preparing for its Nativity Scene, was available to comment this morning. The videos were recorded before the Duck Dynasty show began airing.

Meanwhile, it was unclear if the show will continue on A&E.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Videos_Duck_Dynasty_preached_anti-gay_remarks_at_Pottstown_church.html#fEAAMgd0qIcUdyRd.99

Seizure Of Nuns Stokes Syrian Christian Fears

English: Map of Syria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DAMASCUS (AP) — Syrian Christians offered prayers Sunday for a group of more than a dozen nuns and orphanage workers held by rebels for nearly a week, fueling fears in the minority community that they are being targeted by extremists among the fighters seeking to oust President Bashar Assad.

The seizure of the 12 Greek Orthodox nuns and at least three other women is the latest attack to spark panic among Syria’s Christians over the strength of al-Qaida-linked militants and other Islamic radicals in the nearly 3-year-old revolt against Assad’s government. A priest and two bishops previously kidnapped by rebels remain missing, and extremists are accused of vandalizing churches in areas they have captured.

Rebels seized the nuns on Monday from the Greek Orthodox Mar Takla convent when fighters overran Maaloula, a mainly Christian village north of Damascus that lies on a key highway and has changed hands several times in fierce fighting between rebels and government forces. The group, along with three women — themselves orphans — who work in the convent’s orphanage were taken to the nearby rebel-held town of Yabroud.

The eldest of the nuns is nearly 90 years old, and the youngest of the orphanage workers is in her mid-teens, according to Mother Superior Febronia Nabhan, head of the Saidnaya Convent.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news//1039595/Seizure-of-nuns-stokes-Syrian-Christian-fears

Cedarville United Methodist Church – Live Nativity – December 15, 2013‏

LIVE NATVITY, Sunday 15, 2013 5:30 -8:00PM., at Cedarville United Methodist Church 1092 Laurelwood Road Pottstown, PA 19465 – 610-326-4173 – www.cedarvilleumc.org

You will walk with a Sheppard Guide; following the star of Bethlehem and visit seven scenes that tell the story of Jesus’ birth.  Outside scenes so please dress accordingly.  Our gift to your family – no charge. Parking is free and the event is handicapped accessible.   Following the tour there will be refreshments, music and children’s crafts in the Family Life Center.

Directions:  Rt. 724 WEST from Coventry Mall to LEFT @ Light (Laurelwood Rd.) to Church on LEFT● Route 422 to SOUTH  Rt. 100; ● OR ● Route 23 to NORTH Rt. 100; then turn WEST at Cedarville Rd. light ½ mile to Church on right.

Reading Mayor Gets Earful At Forum

Pastor Jack Williams of First Century Worship Center told Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer Thursday that he and other volunteers cleaned street litter and piled trash bags behind his 11th Street church one day this summer.

The church wound up with a $25 code fine for its efforts.

What did the pastor and the mayor learn from this?

Maybe that no good deed goes unpunished.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=513206

Lutherans Elect Presiding Bishop In Pittsburgh Vote

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of Cleveland has been elected presiding bishop of the 4 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

On the fifth ballot she defeated 12-year incumbent Bishop Mark Hanson 600-287.

Both are considered centrists in a denomination that lost 500,000 members after a 2009 decision to permit partnered gay clergy.

She is the first female presiding bishop in the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/lutherans-still-searching-for-a-presiding-bishop-699257/#ixzz2c002xG00

Lutherans Fail To Re-Elect Presiding Bishop On First Ballot

20px Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Mark Hanson 20px Biskup Luterańskiego Kościoła Ewangelickiego w Ameryce, Marek Hanson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson fell short of the required votes to be re-elected on the first ballot as head of the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.

Bishop Hanson garnered 440 of the 877 valid ballots cast during a meeting in Pittsburgh today of the 4-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Although it was nearly 400 more votes than the runner-up, it fell short of the 75 percent needed to elect on the first ballot.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/lutherans-fail-to-re-elect-presiding-bishop-on-first-ballot-699156/#ixzz2bs4tWndv

Lancaster Bible College Investing Its Trust In Downtown Lancaster

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Trust Performing Arts Center has been open less than a month, but it’s fitting quite nicely into the downtown arts scene.

During its first First Friday, April 5, more than 600 people came to check out the place.  And that makes the folks at the Lancaster Bible College, which runs the Trust, quite happy.

“There’s something very vibrant about downtown Lancaster, and we want our students to be a part of that,” says Robert Bigley, head of the music performance program at Lancaster Bible College.  “We want them to get out of the church bubble, to get out in the real world.”

Like Millersville University, which runs The Ware Center, located across a parking lot from the Trust, LBC wanted a satellite location that would engage students and audiences apart from the campus.

Coming downtown was the goal.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/842459_LBC-investing-its-Trust-in-downtown-Lancaster.html#ixzz2Rri6xzvW

Third Annual Gospel Concert Fundraiser For The Homeless

3rd Annual Gospel Concert

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 240 Mintzer Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Cost: Free Will Offering

Join us for an afternoon of joyful noise as we support those in our community who are experiencing homelessness (flyer available).   Tell a friend and come help make a difference.

The following performers will be participating:

• Soloist: Arnetta Morgan, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Pottstown, PA
• Soloist: Lisa Vinson, Bethel Baptist Church, Phoenixville, PA 19464
• True Faith Independent Holiness Church Choir, Birdsboro PA
• Bethel A.M.E. Church Choir, Pottstown, PA, and
• Divine Angels Praise Dancers, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Pottstown, PA.

If you are interesting in sponsoring the event, please see the attached document.

For more information or an opportunity to list your business in our event program visit our website at http://www.WingsofVictoryOutreach.org

Annual MLK Service Draws Big Crowd In Pottstown

Martin Luther King leaning on a lectern. Deutsch: 1964: Martin Luther King Português: Martin Luther King (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — Each year, the interfaith prayer service honoring Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated by the borough’s various religious communities strikes a special chord with the Rev. Vernon Ross Jr.

“This is something I look forward to,” Ross said. “It’s really a part of me.”

Ross, the pastor of Bethel AME Church, grew up in Mississippi and, as a football player in high school, was president of his chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In 1977, when Ross and other members of the organization tried to go to church to share their faith with their Christian coach — a white man — the athletes were told that only white players were allowed inside.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130121/NEWS01/130129952/annual-mlk-service-draws-big-crowd-in-pottstown#full_story

Cedarville United Methodist Church – Community Event‏

Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown, PA 19465.  Join us for a special Music Sunday on Oct. 14th with traditional services at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m.

All services will feature some or all of the following:  singing of hymns, praise team, choir, brass quartet, handbell choir, piano and organ.  A special children’s message in word and song will be held at the 9:30 and 11:00 services.

We look forward to having you join us for a joyous celebration of the gift of music in worship.

More details at www.cedarvilleumc.org or call (610) 326-4173.

Charles W. Colson, Watergate Felon Who Became Evangelical Leader, Dies At 80

Charles W. Colson, who as a political saboteur for President Richard M. Nixon masterminded some of the dirty tricks that led to the president’s downfall, then emerged from prison to become an important evangelical leader, saying he had been “born again,” died on Saturday. He was 80.

The cause was complications of a brain hemorrhage, according to Prison Fellowship Ministries, which Mr. Colson founded in Lansdowne, Va. He died at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., and lived in Naples, Fla., and Leesburg, Va.

Mr. Colson had brain surgery to remove a clot after becoming ill on March 30 while speaking at a conference, according to Jim Liske, the group’s chief executive.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/us/politics/charles-w-colson-watergate-felon-who-became-evangelical-leader-dies-at-80.html?_r=1&hp#

Cedarville UMC Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner January 1, 2012

With so many natural disasters continuing to occur around the world and the need for assistance ever-increasing, Cedarville United Methodist Church has chosen to reach out to an area that has slipped out of the current headlines but continues to be in need.

The Central Gulf Coastof the United States was devastated in 2005 by the Hurricane Katrina disaster.  Today, the people in that area are still hurting and there continues to be much work that needs to be done. Gulfport, Mississippi will be the destination of Cedarville’s 2012 Adult Mission Trip.  In Gulfport alone there were 29,970 homes that were destroyed, 3,600 sustained major damage and 1,800 had minor damage.

To help in our mission of sharing the love of God in ways that make a Christian difference, we are raising funds thru a Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on January 1, 2012.  Worship service will be at 10:00 a.m. on January 1^st.  The meal will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and all are welcomed to either or both.  Dinner tickets for Adults are $8.00 and Children under 10 are $4.00.  Advanced dinner reservations are being taken by contacting (484) 944-4751 and tickets will be sold at the door.

Crystal Cathedral Sold To Roman Catholic Diocese

Image via Wikipedia

The glittering monument to Robert H. Schuller‘s ministry is being sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.  The Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy last year and is being purchased by the diocese for $57.5 million.

After Robert H. Schuller retired in 2006, his son (Robert A.) tried to follow in his famous father’s footsteps as Senior Pastor.  However, in 2008 Robert A. Schuller was removed as Senior Pastor by his father.  Robert H. then made his daughter Sheila Interim Senior Pastor in 2009.  Sheila became the permanent Senior Pastor in 2010.  Three months after her elevation to permanent Senior Pastor the church filed for bankruptcy.  During this transition period the church lost thousands of members and millions of dollars in revenue, causing layoffs, salary cuts and finally bankruptcy.

Chapman University had offered to buy the 40-acre complex and allow the congregants to continue worshipping in the cathedral.  However, selling to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will guarantee that the Crystal Cathedral will continue to be used as a house of worship.  The diocese has plans to make the Crystal Cathedral the center for the Catholic community in Orange County.

In three years, the congregation at the Crystal Cathedral will need to move.  There are some who fear the move will be too much for the remaining congregation.  There is also concern that the Hour of Power television program viewers might disappear if the show is no longer broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral.  70% of the revenue for the Crystal Cathedral comes from Hour of Power viewers.

At one time, the Crystal Cathedral had 10,000 local members.  Coincidentally, there are 10,000 panes of glass that make up the famous church, which was dedicated in 1980.

Pottstown Churches Holding Day Of Prayer

Pottstown, PA – You are invited and encouraged to attend a day of prayer, this Saturday, September 24, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, in the main sanctuary of Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte Street, Pottstown. The event is titled A Call for Divine Intervention and focuses on Isaiah 64:1, O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—. Meditation, music, and prayer will bring clarity in our day to Isaiah’s council and plea for God’s presence and intervention in what we have made our business. Come and join in this community building and strengthening event.

1st Annual Sing To Shelter The Homeless Gospel Concert

Wings of Victory Outreach Corp.

Presents:  1^st Annual Sing to Shelter the Homeless Gospel Concert

Money raised will benefit our program for homeless women.

Where:  Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 240 Mintzer Street, Pottstown, PA, 19454

When:  Saturday, May 21, 2011

Time:  5:00 P.M.

Cost:  Free Will Offering

Donations may also be made at:  WingsofVictoryOutreach.org

Episcopal Diocese Of Pennsylvania Bishop Implored To Resign By House Of Bishops

Image via Wikipedia

 

The House of Bishops (HOB) of the Episcopal Church, USA has just concluded their fall gathering in Phoenix, AZ.  At the conclusion of the meeting (which ended yesterday), the HOB issued a mind of the house resolution calling on Charles Bennison to immediately and unconditionally resign as the bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.          

Charles Bennison was inhibited in 2007 after a scandal rocked his already tenuous episcopacy.  35 years ago, then Father Bennison, failed to report his brother’s sexual relationship with a  14-year-old girl.  A Court of Review recently overturned a lower courts ruling stating the statute of limitations had run out on the case thereby reinstating Bishop Bennison as head of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.  Bennison resumed control of the diocese August 16th.  Since then, an avalanche of protests has been unleashed from all corners of the church.          

Bishop Bennison has not responded to the mind of the house resolution (he was in attendance in Phoenix) nor has he responded to Episcopal News Services request for comment.          

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania had been at odds with Bennison over his leadership style and financial excesses for several years before the scandal.  Bennison has repeatedly been asked to resign or retire to which has has always responded no.  TEC Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts-Schori has also weighed in on this matter with limited success.          

The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania covers the five county Philadelphia metropolitan area in southeastern Pennsylvania.      

  UPDATE 

Bishop Bennison released a statement late yesterday stating he has no intention of resigning or retiring.  He wants to “work things out” with the Standing Committee and the Diocese.  Bennison is 66-years old which  gives him six more years until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 72.