... 1.1. Misconceptions about worship The first popular misconception is that ‘worship is singing’. We treat ‘worship’ and ‘singing praises’ as synonymous terms. We speak as if they are the same thing. To reduce worship to singing is to dilute the biblical concept of worship in a way that is grossly irresponsible. It reduces the richness of biblical worship to one of its components. Yet when many Christians today commonly speak about worship, they mean nothing more than ‘singing’. |When you think or speak of worship, do you automatically associate it with ‘singing worship songs’? Is this the common usage| |in your church? If so, how do you think this fault crept into your vocabulary? | | | There are probably many ways this misconception has crept into our language and our thought. One key factor is that we have tended to label Christian music as ‘worship’, and we often call the person who leads the singing in our churches ‘the worship leader’. Unfortunately, this has caused us to equate worship with singing. A second misconception is that ‘worship is something we do on special occasions’. Worship is what we do when we gather with God’s people. The activities that make up our Sunday services, such as the preaching, singing, offering, and communion are worship. This too is a serious misconception...
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...Same Sex Marriage? Ban Same Sex Marriage The Ultimate web site providing information on the issues. We should be anti-gay marriage, and should ban gay same sex marriages and such practices. Pro-Family Groups in Connecticut Rally Voters to Overturn Court's Gay 'Marriage' Ruling" Pro-family activists in Connecticut are urging the people of the state to vote yes for a constitution convention when they head for the polls on Nov. 4. Though the 4-3 split decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court on Friday effectively redefined marriage in the state, Connecticuters will have the opportunity to have the final say if enough voters rally behind a call for the state legislature to convene a state constitution convention. Every twenty years, under the state constitution, the ballot question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the state?" is placed on the ballot for consideration. This year marks Connecticut's 220th since its admission to the Union in 1788. The Court's willingness to undemocratically impose same-sex marriage on Connecticut has made it necessary for us to demand the right to Let the People Decide, expressed Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut (FIC), in a press release following Friday's high court decision. And that is why thousands of us will vote 'yes' for a constitutional convention on November 4th." If enough votes are found to favor a convention, it will be incumbent...
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...When I was 21 years old, I began to have a desire to get closer to God. Having grown up in the Catholic Church, I figured that getting back to weekly mass was the best place to start. I was dating a girl at the time, and we were involved sexually. I knew this was against the will of God, and I wanted to stop, but it's pretty hard to quit. One night I told my girlfriend that I didn't want to have sex anymore. After that, our relationship lasted about a week. I felt good about my decision, but I knew I still needed to ask God to forgive me for having sex outside of marriage. I decided to go to confession. I told the priest what I'd done. He asked if I used protection when I had sex. I asked him if he meant a condom. He said yeah. I said yes. He said that it was O.K., as long as I use a condom. I walked out of that church a happy man. I resumed my sexual activities. A few months later, however, the guilt returned. I knew it was wrong, condom or not. I stopped having sex, and decided that I would try not to have sex until I got married. A friend of mine invited me to Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego. Having never studied nor read the Bible (or been encouraged to by the Catholic church), I enjoyed the sermons very much. I heard the gospel and understood it, and believed it, but I wasn't ready to repent (change my ways). I thought I was cool with God, since I wasn't having sex anymore. Then I heard the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter 5-7. Jesus said that if you lust...
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...love and dedication shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have family and friends here to join us today. The bride and groom would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know that each of you were invited here on this day because you have played an integral part in their intertwining lives. Marriage is, truly, a magical gift. As Mark Twain noted, "Marriage makes of two fractional lives a whole, and it gives to two purposeless lives a work [...] it gives to two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life." In the time that groom and bride have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever bind groom and bride together. Family Blessing Minister: Who gives this bride today? Bridal Companion: I do. Speak Now Minister: If there is anyone in attendance who has cause to believe that this couple should not be joined in marriage, you may speak now or forever hold your peace. Universal Life Church Wedding Sermon Minister: (Addressing guests) Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these two people with...
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...the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family as a basic institution of society. With Malta’s decision to legalize divorce, the Philippines thus earned the distinction of becoming the only country, other than Vatican City, that upholds the inviolability of marriage. Being citizens of a nation that protects the sanctity of marriage and protects the unity of the family is an honor that we all should be proud of. But divorce in the Philippines is planning to take over Filipino values and culture. Some people are now preparing for a controversial bill which will open a highway for immorality and degradation of Philippine culture and religious standards and beliefs. It is not what God wants. God did not make man and woman to be united and then separated if they got into some problems. If you fear the Lord and his commands, there is no way that you will agree on divorce. It is not the answer to the growing violence against women and children. Most divorce advocates give emphasis on the growing children and women abuse. But I really do not see it as a solution for these problems. In fact it extends to the growing problem of immorality and sexually related diseases and problems such as unwanted pregnancies and abortion. And I believe that you will agree with me that these problems are a threat to women, children and even family. It is not true that you will be happy with second chance. It is not true that you will gain your happiness back when your marriage fail and divorce...
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...23 October 2012 Short Essay: Pride and Prejudice and Unconventional Marriage The opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice, arguably one of the most famous lines in literature– “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune, must be in want of a wife”— appropriately sets the stage for the story of the beloved Elizabeth and admired Darcy (Austen 43). This single sentence underscores the centrality of economically advantageous marriages during the long-eighteenth century in England. Austen’s narrator prompts readers to assume a wealthy man must be looking for a good wife, when in reality, a single woman, without financial independence who is likely to descend down the social ladder in absence of an advantageous marriage, is actually in desperate search for a wealthy husband. In spite of social and sexual conventions of the period, defined by highly influential conduct books such as those of Dr. John Gregory and James Fordyce, Elizabeth disregards Darcy’s economic advantage, pays little mind to her class status and refuses two economically advantageous proposals while Darcy’s arrogance, class superiority, and idea of an accomplished woman poses countless obstacles for the couple to overcome before falling in rational, yet unconventional love. Unlike most women attending the Meryton ball where Elizabeth and Darcy first meet, Elizabeth disregards Darcy’s ten thousand pounds per year emphasizing her disinterest in marrying for money. The...
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...Brief Wedding Service 10. Wedding Sermons 11. Recessional 12. Premarital Conferences Introduction Jesus must have loved weddings. His first miracle took place at one. Some of his analogies regarding his relationship to the church are described in wedding terms. Paul likewise emphasizes the importance of marriage when he compares it to Christ’s relationship to the church. And in Revelation John explains Christ’s marriage relationship with the church as eternal. It is no wonder that Christians place high importance on weddings. Here are some ideas that might help as you perform these ceremonies on a regular basis. Philosophy You need to have a clear and defined philosophy about performing weddings. Since the function is not described or prescribed in Scripture, some ministers take the position that performing weddings is not strictly a “ministry” function. They see their role as nothing more than an agent of the state, much like a justice of the peace, in this regard. Thus they will perform weddings for just about anyone, member or non-member, Christian or unchurched. For some, this can become a significant source of extra income. Other ministers believe very strongly that performing weddings is indeed a function of their ministry. For some, it is a privilege for members of the church only. They will counsel with prospective wedding partners, and they may even require weeks of marriage and family training for all teenage and...
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...Marriage has been deteriorating in our society for some time now. If we compare today’s generation to a hundred years back you can see that the term marriage is viewed very differently. The word marriage means, “The social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.” Although the idea of marriage can mean something different to anyone, it has become clear that it is not valued like it once was. Marriage has been deteriorating in our society for quite some time causing young marriage to be looked down upon. In the late fourth century St. Augustine spoke of three reasons for the “good of marriage”: the goodness of progeny, the control of lust, and “mysterium” or the imaging in marriage of the relation of Christ and the church (Ruether). Augustine argued that marriage was still good and allowed in the Christian era, but the highest way of life is virginity or sexual continence. Also he argued for a spiritual hierarchy in heaven, with the virgins and continent widows on a higher level than the married. Therefore, Augustine viewed the married as distinctly third rate in the church and the kingdom of heaven. Augustine also believed that it was not possible to engage in the sexual act without sinful “concupiscence.” Although, this was forgiven within marriage if sex was engaged for the sake of procreation, but sexual pleasure in marriage that impeded procreation is equivalent to fornication...
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...Dustin Isais Professor Shakir American Literature I 29 September 2013 The New [World] Testament It's quite clear based on the literature of the day that the exploration of and expansion into the New World was seen as the ultimate epic of Christendom for 17th century Europeans. The ideation of the New World being an exotic land inhabited by savage natives guarding precious metals and herbs permeates colonial literature without question. Further, letters and journals of explorers like Thomas Hariott and John Smith along with colonists such as William Bradford and John Winthrop illustrate the unsettling mentality these people brought with them into the Americas. The depiction is of a self-important people driven by a misconstrued ancient text and motivated to fulfill their purpose as the chosen people of the sacred Bible. The commonality throughout the literature of settlement and exploration is purely driven by European hermeneutics and the persistence on becoming the antitype of the types present in the Bible. The New World ideation begins with Thomas Harriot's propagandistic A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia.Harriot wrote optimistically and full of awe despite reocurring issues between the English and the natives of the New World. In fact, the escalating violence and rising tensions between the two is rarely mentioned. A misleading and cryptic sentence alluding to the less-than-peaceful circumstances reads, “And although some of our cmpany towards the...
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...Through the centuries the meaning of Love and Marriage have changed in many ways. When we are conceived, we as of now have a foreordained view on relationships with others. A few people would contend that God has an explanation behind putting you on this planet, and others would state you're a result of your childhood and condition, others say it's all in the qualities. A few caretakers have their kid's life arranged out straight through school. However, is that where life closes? Once you're finished with school is your voyage over? We are human, creatures essentially. Since the beginning of time we have been searching for camaraderie, for another "spirit" that is entwined with our own. Offering a unique cling to somebody should be a disclosure,...
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...buried with honor and the other left to rot in the sun. Since she felt that it was her duty to give Polynices a burial because he was her brother and was deceived by Eteocles when it was his turn to rule the kingdom. Unfortunately Antigone was caught and she believed that her Uncle Creon's order was an act of betrayal to their family. 7/7/14 The setting of the play takes place in Thebes which is located in Ancient Greece. The setting is important because in Ancient Greece two rulers were allowed to rule a kingdom. Also wars took place between family members on who had the right to rule. Apparently this was the reason on why Eteocles and Polynices fought and killed each other in battle. This leads to influence Antigone's decision and have a major impact on her life as well because of the ruling from Creon. 7/8/14...
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...Reform Judaism Tamara Rice Instructor: Eric Speir REL 212 March 11th, 2012 Background Over a month ago when I selected the topic of Judaism as the subject for my field research paper, I thought that the outcome would be cut and dry. I knew that Judaism served as the foundation for my own faith (Christianity) and that Jews honored the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. I also had in my mind the imagery of the Star of David, the Torah scroll and the male rabbi in the synagogue donning a prayer shawl over his shoulders and a kippah on the crown of his head. I believed that I had the general concepts of the Jewish faith in my mind; I just needed to witness a virtual worship service and fill in some of the minor details while gathering some additional intelligence on some misconceptions. So I decided to go over to the Ustream for “Shir Hadash” and witness a Community Shabbat (Sabbath) Service (Ustream, 2011). What I discovered watching the 2.5 hour Shabbat service followed by some additional research gave me a rude awakening. The impression of Judaism that I’ve carried with me up to this point is what is known as Orthodox Judaism. The Jews that I’ve witnessed in tight-knit communities in places such as Brooklyn, New York and Oak Park, Michigan were towns filled with Orthodox Jews. In addition to Orthodox Judaism, there is also Conservative Judaism. Conservative Judaism reverences traditional Jewish practices in America, but...
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...merchant. Elijah married a missionary woman named Sarah, and together they established a "Retrenchment Society" and other organizations designed to spread the word of God. Elijah's power continued to grow. The Retrenchment Society built a school for poor children, and organized a mission to the Jews. A sister church was formed, the First Free Presbyterian of New York, and Elijah and Sarah started a mission to help prostitutes from the notorious slum neighborhood the Five Points. The couple soon after formed the Female Asylum Society to take younger prostitutes off the streets. They appointed a reformed prostitute named Mrs. Bolton to be matron of the society. Another woman joined the fold, Isabella Van Wagenen, a black servant who claimed to have spoken with God since childhood. Black servant Isabella Van Wagenen received Matthews and brought him to meet...
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...Catholicism Uncovering a religious understanding requires a universal acceptance of a higher being, and the willingness to accept the teachings of that particular faith. There are questions that many want answered in regards to what is religion, why so many different kinds of faiths, and what urges a person to practice certain religious traditions. What is known today is that religious traditions make who a person has become. Religion being a very complex issue throughout the world is a simple belonging, an attachment to the ultimate being. Some may look at having a religion as not being alone, or having a sense of direction in this confused world. Some find peace and answers sitting in from of a statues praying and some hold a cross. Others aim their prayers to the sky while some to the walls. Whatever the symbol God is present, through religious rituals people find division in yet all say basically the same. Assessing a religion to figure out why is this religion considered a true religion, and what drives these followers lives to be shaped in circumstance that hinder ones belief system. One of the most common religions today is Christianity, which carries the belief system that Jesus Christ was our savior, entailing the acceptance that Jesus is the son of God. At one point in history Christianity was divided in sects of the same belief system but including a newer understanding and tolerance of the faith. A faith of peace and clarity was established out of Christianity...
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...where weddings are mighty short and plain. In this play I take the part of the minister. That gives me the right to say a few things more. Yes, for a while now the play gets pretty serious. Y’see some churches say that marriage is a sacrament. I don’t quite know what that means, but I can guess. This is a good wedding. The people here are pretty young, but they come from a good State, and they chose right. The real hero of this scene isn’t on stage at all. And you all know who that is. And don’t forget the other witnesses at this wedding: the ancestors. Millions of them. Most of them set out to live two-by-two. Millions of them. Well, that’s all my sermon. ‘Twan’t very long anyway. EMILY WEBB – Oh, Mama, just look at me one minute as though you really saw me. Mama! Fourteen years have gone by! – I’m dead! – You’re a grandmother, Mama – I married George Gibbs, Mama! - Wally’s dead too. – Mama! His appendix burst on a camping trip to Crawford Notch. We felt just terrible about it, don’t you remember? – But, just for a moment now we’re all together – Mama, just for a moment let’s be happy – Let’s look at one another! I can’t! I can’t go on! It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another. I didn’t realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed! Take me back – up the hill – to my grave. But first: Wait! One more look! Oh, earth you’re too wonderful for anyone to realize you! Do any human beings ever realize life while they live...
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