March 15 Today’s Prayer
We praise and thank You for Your grace and Your peace, which bring us every spiritual blessing. Amen.
Support in time of tragedy
A guest preacher from a church that experienced its own tragedy will deliver the sermon Sunday at the Maryville, Ill., church where the pastor was shot and killed.
The Rev. Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church of Maryville, was killed March 8 by a lone gunman who walked into the church during worship services. The Southern Baptist church is east of St. Louis.
The Associated Baptist Press reported that the Rev. Al Meredith, pastor of Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, will preach at the First Baptist Maryville’s three worship services.
About 10 years ago, Sept. 15, 1999, a gunman walked into Wedgwood Baptist and opened fire, killing seven and wounding seven before turning the gun on himself.
Associated Baptist Press reported that Meredith wasn’t at the church during the attack, but has experience in dealing with the aftermath of a deadly assault.
Meanwhile, a trust fund is being set up for contributions be made to a trust fund being set up for Winters’ two daughters.
For information on where to send donations, go to the church’s Web site: First Baptist Church of Maryville.
Read about Winter’s funeral service in a Baptist Press story: “Widow of slain Ill. pastor points to ‘celebration day.’”
(AP PHOTO: Memorial service for the Rev. Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 14 Today’s Prayer
Lord, help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, knowing that our anger does not lead to a righteous life. Amen.
Free trip to GMA Dove Awards
The American Bible Society has arranged to give two fans VIP access to the 40th annual Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards on April 23. The awards will be presented at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.
Here’s how you can be one of those VIP fans:
Describe how the Bible has impacted your life by posting a written story or video at www.shareyourstorynow.org for an automatic entry to win.
The stories must be posted on the Web site by March 23.
Last year’s ShareYourStoryNow winner interviewed Casting Crowns, Rebecca St. James, TobyMac, Mercy Me and Superchick at the Dove Awards for the American Bible Society Web site.
The society is the official charity of the awards this year.
(AP PHOTO: At right, Chris Tomlin accepts the award for male vocalist of the year at the 2008 Dove Awards.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 13 Today’s Prayer
Thank You, dear Lord, for every good and perfect gift You bestow. Thank You that You are unchanging. Amen.
HBO apologizes in advance
HBO cable network has apologized in advance to people who may be offended by Sunday’s pepisodeof the network’s show “Big Love.”
The drama is about a modern-day Utah polygamous family.
The heart of the matter is a depiction of an endowment ceremony in a Mormo
n temple involving one of the “Big Love” family’s three wives, played by Jeanne Tripplehorn. HBO’s apology came after controversy arose when it became public that the episode would include the ceremony in a Mormon temple.
“We … took great pains to depict the ceremony with the dignity and reverence it is due,” “Big Love” creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer said in a statement.
“Obviously it was not our intention to do anything disrespectful to the church but to those who may be offended, we offer our sincere apology. It should also be noted that throughout the series’ three-year run, the writer/producers have made abundantly clear the distinction between the LDS Church and those extreme fringe groups who practice polygamy. ”
According to a story from The Salt Lake Tribune distributed by Religion News Service, church officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have declined to comment on the episode, but have posted a statement on the church’s Web site:
“Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints,” the church statement read.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Movie screening in Stillwater
“The One Lamb,” a movie produced by University City United Methodist Church in North Carolina, is coming to select theaters across the nation March 30.
Some theaters are hosting screenings of the film on Monday and Tuesday.
Carmike 10 Theater in Stillwater is to show the movie on Tuesday, according to The One Lamb Web site at www.theonelambmovie.com.
The movie tells the story of the rise and fall of a campaign manager/lawyer named Jackson Price who is battling cancer and competes in the New York City Marathon as part of a personal spiritual rebirth. Mike Minter, NFL safety for the 2003 Superbowl runner-up Carolina Panthers, makes a featured appearance in the film as a spirited pastor.
Watch the move trailer: The One Lamb. If you get a chance and are in the Stillwater area next Tueday, it might be worth checking out.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 12 Today’s Prayer
Lord, please keep us from being tempted by evil desires. Let us not be enticed by things that will lead us from You. Amen.
Courtney Paris: Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader
Courtney Paris, the Big 12 Women’s Player of the Year, is featured on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sharing the Victory Web site this week.
The story is just in time for March Madness, with the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament under way here in Oklahoma City. The story includes comments not just from Paris, but also her friends and coach
.
Among other things, Paris talks about being a part of FCA on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman and what it has been like being one of the leaders of her FCA Huddle.
Read the story “Center of Attention” by Susie Magill. Scroll down to the bottom and read more comments from Sherri Coale, Paris’ coach.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 11 Today’s Prayer
Help us to be humble and not proud of our wealth or possessions, knowing that beauty fades and wealth fails. Amen.
