Even without their own church, the congregation of Grace United will be celebrating Christmas.

Progress has been slow but steady on the new wing of the church, since the original second wing was knocked down back in the fall.

Construction is going really well, said Grace United Minster Paul DuVal.

We would have been happier if we got started a month earlier, but all things considered, the walls are up, the concretes in good shape, were moving ahead steadily, and it looks like within the next week to two weeks were going to start putting the floor on.

The long period of construction has meant that the congregation wont have their own church building until work is finished, which could take until next fall. In the meantime, routine services are held in the church hall of Knox Presbytarian.

The Presbyterians have been wonderful hosts, and it kind of grows on you, said DuVal.

The more you spend time in a certain space, it becomes a bit like home, and its not really home but it feels good. People still have a church to go to at Christmas and its going to be different, but most of the folks are adjusting, and the interesting thing thats going to happen is how people are going to feel when we move back into our newly renovated church, if that is going to be disorienting or if people are going to miss the Presbyterian hall when we move back in there, because human beings are creatures of habit, we get used to certain things and even if its what weve always wanted its different again.

DuVal also believes that the feeling among the congregation is one of positivity about their situation, which stands in contrast to a year ago when the project faced difficulties getting off the ground. With shovels now in the ground and concrete poured, people feel as though progress is being made.

There was a lot of discouragement last year when we werent going ahead and people were worried about whether the project was on track, said DuVal.

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Grace United construction continues

The recent news that St. Lawrence Catholic Church of Tampa won permission from the Cuban government to start building the first new Catholic Church in Cuba since it embraced communism in 1959 has many hoping for more religious freedom in the island nation.

But in a visit to Tampa this week, an outspoken religious leader who lives in Cuba advised people against getting their hopes up.

Cuba uses religion to further politics, said Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, a Baptist pastor of Ebenezer Church in Taguayabon, Cuba.

The Cuban government, Lleonart Barroso said, forces religious leaders to propagate its own message that Communism works in the best interests of the people along with the word of God. Religious leaders who say otherwise risk losing their churches.

So the new Catholic Church to be located in Sandino, he said, amounts to a new weapon for the Cuban government.

The Rev. Ramon Hernandez of St. Lawrence, who spoke with The Tampa Tribune recently about the drive to raise money for the church and his own upbringing in Cuba, could not be reached for comment Wednesday on this view of the government's motives in allowing him to proceed.

Lleonart Barroso was in Tampa as keynote speaker at a luncheon hosted by United for Human Rights, a Los Angeles-based education group.

The luncheon celebrated the 66th anniversary of the signing at the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The event was held inside the Church of Scientology's Ybor City headquarters.

Gracia Bennish, United for Human Rights' president and a member of the Church of Scientology, said the church publishes her organization's materials but has no other link to it.

Original post:
Pastor: Cuba will use new church as a tool

By: Kevin Clark December 11, 2014

Josephus Shingles has been a deacon at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church Number 2 for 30 years. He says his church getting vandalized with the words KKK was surprising.

Shingles said, "When this happened we were a little caught off guard."

Mount Olive is the third Wakulla County church to be tagged with the letters this week.

Wakulla County Sheriffs, FDLE, and the FBI are all involved in an investigation that has yielded several persons of interest.

Officials have been painting over the vandalism to try and cover it up, but remnants of the letters can still be seen on church walls.

"I think it's cowards hiding behind a spray can," said Charlie Creel, Wakulla County Sheriff.

Creel says there is no cause for alarm, adding Wakulla is not a hateful community.

Creel said, "It's probably the work of somebody that's just bored and wanting to start some trouble down here, I don't think it's an active hate group that's involved in these activities."

For Shingles, he's concerned but says the community will bounce back. He cites the construction of his church as an example.

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KKK Sprayed on Another Church in Wakulla County

The First Assembly of God held a ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of Dec. 4th. The church joined the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and is experiencing a renewal. The First Assembly of God Church began in 1913 as a cottage prayer meeting and over the years has become what it is today.

The current building was built in 1988 under Pastor Rick Vinson and for the past 25 years the church has been led by lead Pastor Rev. John Miller. In April of 1995 construction began on the Activity Center. The current ministries of the church include the Food Bank, Greenwood Healing Center, Greenwood Bible College and ministries to our Children, Youth and Adults. Current Staff is Rev. Brandon Hogue, Youth Minister and Administer and Tanya Bivins Childrens Pastor.

Recent improvements to the outside of the church building are the results of a gift given to the church by a former church member. Lead Pastor Rev. John Miller is excited about all the improvements and wants to bring new life to the church. We have been fixing it up and making it attractive for people to come in and see whats inside.

Youth Minister Rev. Brandon Hogue is excited about the upcoming Christmas programs as well as what the church has to offer the community.

Tanya Bivins, childrens pastor was also excited about upcoming events, Our kids ministry does lots of outreach programs and events. Bivins wanted the community to know that they are available if you have any questions about their programs.

The First Assembly of God is located at 725 Park Drive in Greenwood. They can be contacted at 996-6030. The church provides one of the largest food-banks in the area that serves 100-200 families per week.

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First Assembly of God Holds Ribbon Cutting

Malawian Vice President Saulosi Chilima has called on Malawians to develop hard working spirit and refrain from depending on handouts to contribute to the countrys self economic dependency.

Chilima with his wife at the church function

Chilima was speakingSundayat Ntcheu Assemblies of God Church during a BigSundayfundraising service which was organised by the churchs projects committee to raise funds for the completion of a new church currently under construction.

As a church you have demonstrated that you are committed towards the development of your church. I am told that you managed to contribute over K14 million out of the budgeted K30 million for the building of the church, this is very commendable, said Chilima.

He said God only gives to those who work hard as such he advised the churchs faithful to continue working hard and praying if they have to achieve their vision of having a magnificent church.

Update

Chilima then took advantage to update the nation on the current economic status of the country, saying government has no money and that Malawian should not be scared of the situation as most countries including donor countries in the world are also facing economic hardships.

There is nothing you can achieve by pin pointing the government for the economic challenges we are going through, these problems have not left out any countries including donor countries, he said. On donors, the Vice President said donors attach conditions to their assistance and that such conditions are just scape goats, adding that the donors themselves are also in financial hardships.

This is not to scare you, but this is the truth and what we should do as Malawians, is to work hard so that our country becomes economically independent, he advised.

Independence

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Malawi VP Chilima speaks against handouts

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December 8th, 2014 9:00 am by Collin Brooks

With the holidays here, people often feel the urge to donate time or money to the less fortunate. However, there are organizations that center their time around giving - well beyond the holidays.

One of those is Heritage Baptist Church in Hiltons, Va.

"The needs exist all during the year," Pastor Larry Browder said. "Sure, the holidays themselves are special and there is a need there, but the need of the people exist year-round and not just during this time of year. This is an ongoing thing and it is daily and weekly, people have physical needs and you never know when it is going to happen but it does happen all year long."

Browder has been pastor at Heritage Baptist Church since 2003, after being a member of the church since 1983, and says his church takes it upon themselves as a mission to serve.

"We feel like our central guide comes from what Jesus wanted us to do," Browder said. "We feel like it is a mandate from his teachings and that is what we strive to do."

The group takes on multiple tasks, including Hiltons Helping Hands, a benevolent ministry funded by the local churches, helping needy families. Another is Blanket America Ministries, a Charlotte, N.C. based ministry that gives away new blankets, coats, Bibles and socks annually with a strong emphasis on evangelism.

"We were contacted by each one of those and asked to be a host church," Browder said. "And we wholeheartedly endorsed these because it goes along with the mandate of what Jesus wanted us to do. Because these were things that were badly needed in the community."

They also do monthly visits to local nursing homes where they share music and devotional.

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Faith in Action: Heritage Baptist Church has a mission to serve

"Shorty" the camel and handler Morgan Strickland add to the realism Sunday at CrossRoads Baptist Church as hundreds wait to "Walk through Bethlehem."

DAYTONA BEACH The little town of Bethlehem came to life at one Daytona Beach Church that does far more than present a living Nativity.

Some 250 members of the CrossRoads Baptist church including Senior Pastor the Rev. Dan Proctor and his family dress in costume to recreate Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born during the weekend presentation. The Nativity continues again next weekend.

Our purpose is to cause people to remember what Christmas is all about, Proctor said Sunday. It's our gift to the community.

The church started its Walk through Bethlehem in 2003, but changes and expands the production every year, said Shannon Dann, the singles and outreach pastor. Nearly 10,000 people take the walk each year.

Port Orange resident Eileen Kubat returns year after year.

They really do a great job, she said. There are a lot of younger ones (who perform) and it's wonderful to see that they are interested in doing this.

The time travel to the marketplace of Bethlehem covers the Ten Commandments in addition to the birth of Jesus, as the tour guide, John, tries to find a place for visitors from the Beach of Daytona to stay.

Dianna Mellinger and John Horn, snowbirds from Ohio, enjoyed homemade cookies at the end of the tour Sunday.

This is so nice, Mellinger said. This really tells the story about why Jesus was born and why he died.

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Bethlehem comes to life at Daytona church

BEND, Ore. -

About 21 months after an arson spree left part of a downtown Bend church heavily damaged, the congregation held their first Mass Sunday in the renovated building.

Trinity Episcopal Church dates back to 1918 and sits at the south end of downtown. It's recognized by its bright red doors, and for much of the last two years the sounds of construction.

But on Sunday morning, an old familiar sound echoed from the halls of the church. First a bell, then voices in prayer. For the first time since March of 2013, Mass was in session.

"It's the second Sunday of Advent, and we're supposed to be slowing down and waiting," said Colleen McCracken, an eight-year member of Trinity Episcopal. "But I think everyone will be hurrying into the church this morning."

The morning service was one of reflection -- a community still trying to understand why suspected arsonists burned 3,500 square feet of their 96-year old church. No suspects have been identified.

"We're still frustrated about what happened," Senior Warden Peter Lovering said. "But now we're left with an even better church."

Lovering estimates that repairs and renovations cost close to $4 million -- repairs that are still ongoing.

"A few wires hanging around here and there, but we're ready to open our doors," Lovering said. "To have it open again, and to have people worshiping is just a wonderful thing."

The service was led by the Rev. Jed Holdorph, who took over that role at Trinity Episcopal two months ago. He says the renovated church will go hand in hand with new leadership.

The rest is here:
Bend church holds first Mass since arson

Published: Sunday, 12/7/2014 - Updated: 2 minutes ago

BY MATT MARKEY BLADE OUTDOORS EDITOR

WESTON, Ohio Pastor Chris Boggs was in a particularly troubling quandary a few years ago. His house of worship was too small, difficult to access, impossible to expand, and overwhelmingly impractical.

He needed a new church, but the housing bubble had just burst, banks had locked the vaults and loans were tough to acquire, especially for a tiny congregation looking at the huge debt it would incur to open a building fund.

There was no way we could borrow the money, Pastor Boggs recalled.

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So they set out to build a new facility with cash debt free. They wanted the church to be a community center as well, to give the youth of this village in western Wood County a safe place to gather. From the beginning, Pastor Boggs acknowledged it would be an arduous task and take years to complete. Some in his flock were skeptical, while others just left.

The concept was not so well received at first, he said about building the Sonlight Church and Community Center debt free. People want things now, but that was not the reality we were faced with at the time.

The pastor and the remaining members scrambled to raise money. They did the traditional churchy stuff spaghetti dinners, white elephant sales, raffles but Pastor Boggs knew those efforts can hit the ceiling quickly.

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Kindness built Wood Co. church

Lafayette's Flatirons Community Church is once again poised to make the move across South Boulder Road.

The mega-church, which has building-hopped around Lafayette for years, is expanding again - this time taking over half of the Lafayette Marketplace shopping center directly across South Boulder Road with plans to use the space for church offices.

Lead Pastor Jim Burgen explained the rationale behind the move during services Saturday night.

"In November, we averaged just under 20,000 people here every weekend, which is 4,700 more than last year in November," he said. "Which is awesome, but we're feeling the squeeze."

The church is under contract to acquire the marketplace portion of the retail center from Jax Mercantile owner Jim Quinlan, who bought the 93,000-square-foot plaza in 2012 for $2.8 million. Quinlan said his Jax Ranch & Home store on the west end of the complex is not part of the transaction.

Lafayette Marketplace, formerly Plaza Lafayette, at 400 E. South Boulder Road, is home to seven restaurants and bars, and nine retailers. The church is going to buy all of them, except for marijuana dispensary Herbal Wellness. Burgen said Flatirons will also work to staff with restaurants with unemployed and underemployed community members.

"We figure we'll be a part of the community, not just drive-in and drive-out. We want to be a part of this community," he said. "That's really, really important to us. So the idea is we'll have some great places for you to park for church services, and all through the week you can meet up with friends to get some good food over there, grab some coffee or whatever you want to grab over there all through the week.

"We'll also use those businesses to train some really good people who actually want and need jobs."

The first domino in this development fell Tuesday ,when Quinlan announced that his Gourmet Cheese Pantry Shoppe, Cottage Home, and Hearth & Design Gallery stores in the marketplace will close at the end of January. On Wednesday, Quinlan informed his marketplace tenants that the building was under contract to be sold.

Quinlan said the transaction has "been in the works for a while now," and that while a contract has been drawn up, "it's subject to some things falling into place."

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Fast-growing Flatirons mega-church to take over Lafayette Marketplace