tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10867293534435996092024-03-08T17:45:47.088-08:00Fr. Novak's BlogThe personal blog of Fr. Victor E. Novak, rector of Holy Cross Parish in Omaha, Nebraska.Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-38654938657480572782020-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:002020-12-18T13:10:38.222-08:00IMPORTANT NEWS FROM HOLY CROSS PARISH<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">GOD’S WORD TODAY — Our New DAILY Radio Broadcast!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This coming Monday, December 21st we are launching a new daily (Monday through Friday) radio broadcast called, <i>God’s Word Today.</i> This will be in addition to <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> which is heard on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>God’s Word Today</i> will air Monday through Friday at 9:45 AM through December, and then on January 1st it will move to our permanent time slot of 9:30 AM Central Time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In October of 2019, we launched a weekly radio program called <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i>. Less than a year later we doubled our air time and added a Sunday evening broadcast at 9:30 PM to our Saturday morning broadcast at 9:30 AM.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Now, less than fifteen months after <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> went on the air, we are adding a daily radio program that will air Monday through Friday morning. <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is a <i>twice-weekly</i> thirty minute topical Bible study, while <i>God’s Word Today</i> is a <i>daily</i> fifteen minute Book by Book and verse by verse Bible Study, beginning with the Gospel According to Luke. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> and <i>God’s Word Today</i> are broadcast on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. KCRO is Nebraska’s premier Christian radio station, and has been broadcasting for forty years now. KCRO’s signal is powerful, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, and from southern South Dakota to northern Missouri.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">However, there is even more good news! Through the Internet both of our radio broadcasts can be heard from coast to coast and all around the world! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not in our listening area, simply go to the KCRO Radio website and click <i>Listen Live</i>. It’s free, and just like listening over the radio. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com"><i>kcro.com</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But there is still more good news!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We also pay to archive every episode of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> and <i>God’s Word Today</i> so they can be heard as Podcasts on demand, seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day — and of course there is no cost to our listeners. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Podcasts of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> can be accessed here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And Podcasts of <i>God’s Word Today</i> can be accessed here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/godswordtoday"><i>https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/godswordtoday</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Through <i>God’s Word Today</i> and <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> people throughout the world have access to solid Bible teaching seven days a week! Please share the news about these Bible teaching broadcasts with everyone you know, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Use social media to spread the word. Plant a seed of faith and watch it grow!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">HANUKKAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT — God’s Salvation in Troubled Times</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">(Six Minute Video)</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The eight day festival of Hanukkah ends this evening (Friday, December 18th). Unbeknownst to most Christians, Hanukkah is an important festival for Jesus’ disciples. You can read about it in the Gospel According to John, chapter 10. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a very helpful 6 minute video produced by the Messianic community in Israel about Hanukkah in the New Testament. It really is a Must See video. It will open your eyes, lift your spirit and give you hope. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YQx98T-so"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YQx98T-so</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HEBREW GOSPEL PEARLS #12 — Matthew 4:23-25 (Video or Audio)</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Hebrew Gospel Pearls #12 (Matthew 4:23-25), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss what Second Temple period tomb inscriptions can teach us about the name Yeshua, why Hebrew Matthew includes a Greek form of the name Peter, and what a medieval Hebrew medical manuscript can teach us about these issues.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have been a follower of the work of Nehemia Gordon for years, and I highly recommend this series on the Shem Tov Hebrew Gospel of Matthew. Each episode of this series is filled with information, but I believe that this is the best episode of this series so far. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can see the video or listen to the audio, but don’t miss it! Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-12?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_17_2020_7_4)&mc_cid=1817afbb83&mc_eid=2c15da53d6"><i>https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-12?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_17_2020_7_4)&mc_cid=1817afbb83&mc_eid=2c15da53d6</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">THE ANGLICAN ROOTS OF THE MODERN MESSIANIC MOVEMENT</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our roots run very deep.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The only Hebrew-speaking Messianic congregation inside the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City is “the congregation of the Lamb on Mount Zion.” They meet in the Anglican chapel of Christ Church, which is located just inside the Jaffa Gate, directly across from the entrance to the Tower of David, but the congregation does not belong to the Anglican Communion. Established in 1987, they see themselves as the successors of the first Hebrew-speaking congregation in Israel, which was in the same location from 1842.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The leaders of the congregation of the Lamb on Mount Zion are Reuven and Benjamin Berger, two brothers who grew up as orthodox Jews in New York. Similar to Paul the apostle, neither of them got married, and they live together in Ein Kerem in Jerusalem. “When I turned 30, I received a direct instruction from the Lord to devote myself only to him,” Reuven says.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The brothers see the Anglican Church as the vehicle through which the Messianic Jewish presence arrived to Israel. “The original congregation of Michael Solomon Alexander was like a grain that fell into the ground and died, because it was Anglican, and our congregation is the fruit of that labor. We are very thankful that there is a ‘holy mine’ in the history of this church, with a positive vision and relationship to Israel and the Jewish people and the restoration of Israel, both physically and spiritually. We are connected to something that has significance in divine history.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Michael Solomon Alexander, was originally a Rabbi in Plymouth, who had come to faith in Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth, as the Messiah and was ordained to the Anglican ministry. In 1842 he arrived in Israel from England, and even though the church hadn’t been built yet, the first Hebrew-speaking church in Jerusalem met in his residence. Several Jews came to faith, including at least two Rabbis.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about the Anglican roots of this Messianic revival in a two part article from Israel. Here are the links:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Congregation of the Lamb on Mount Zion – Successors of the first Hebrew-speaking congregation in Israel (Part 1)</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/congregation-of-the-lamb-on-mount-zion-successors-of-the-first-hebrew-speaking-congregation-in-israel-part-1/"><i>https://news.kehila.org/congregation-of-the-lamb-on-mount-zion-successors-of-the-first-hebrew-speaking-congregation-in-israel-part-1/</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Congregation of the Lamb on Mount Zion – Successors of the first Hebrew-speaking congregation in Israel (Part 2)</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/congregation-of-the-lamb-on-mount-zion-successors-of-the-first-hebrew-speaking-congregation-in-israel-part-2/"><i>https://news.kehila.org/congregation-of-the-lamb-on-mount-zion-successors-of-the-first-hebrew-speaking-congregation-in-israel-part-2/</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HOLY CROSS — SEEKING THE OLD PATHS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Thus says the LORD:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Stand in the ways and see,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And walk in it;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then you will find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are not trying to reinvent the wheel. We are simply seeking to return to the faith once delivered in the first century (Jude 3) and to walk in the old paths where the good way is and where we will find rest for our souls. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Want to learn more?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I highly recommend the book, <i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i>, by Dr. Leslie Hardinge. This wonderful book is the best book on Celtic Christianity that I have ever read, and it is in its 95th edition!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Gospel arrived in the British Isles directly from Jerusalem in the year 37 CE. It was brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea and his companions. Joseph of Arimathea was not only the man who buried Yeshua in his own new tomb, but he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council headquartered in Jerusalem.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This book is a history of Christianity before the arrival of Augustine of Canterbury and his Roman Mission in 597 CE. The book documents the British Christians conflict with the Roman Imperial Church of which Augustine’s mission belonged, and the subsequent pressure that was applied to make the British believers conform, and finally the persecution that drove them to the margins until Celtic Christianity was finally suppressed in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Having come to Britain directly from Jerusalem, Celtic Christianity could be best described as Judaeo-Christianity. They lived “the faith once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), and at Holy Cross we are trying to fully return to the first century faith and practice.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have a wonderful Celtic heritage and patrimony at Holy Cross parish, and our English Spiritual Tradition has very deep roots indeed. We are so blessed by our incomparable Prayer Book liturgy and our Bible-centered faith. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What we are preaching and teaching at Holy Cross parish is nothing new. On the contrary, it is very ancient indeed. In the book, <i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> you will see these beliefs and practices lived out in the lives of our spiritual forebears.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> is a fascinating and authoritative account of Celtic Christianity, its beliefs and practices based on Old Testament canon and the laws of the Pentateuch, including the keeping of the Passover and the Sabbath. It is illustrated with line drawings taken from the crosses which were a notable feature of Celtic church architecture, and with examples of documents of the period.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> is a scholarly book, and not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort. In this important book you will discover the first century Messianic faith and how it was lived out in Britain for a millennium.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can order it from Amazon;</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348"><i>https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Or from the publisher:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/"><i>https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Enjoy!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">NATIVITY SERVICE — Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 7:00 PM</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our annual Nativity Service, celebrating the birth of the Messiah will be held on Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 7:00 PM. Because of the pandemic our Service will of necessity be somewhat subdued and there will be no Christmas party afterward.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Come to the stable with us. Jesus is the one and only Reason for the Season. Wise Men still seek him. Will you be among them?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I’ll be looking forward to seeing you on Thursday evening, December 24th, at 7:00 AM, and I’ll have a special message to share with you from the pulpit. Be sure to invite your family and friends. There may have been no room in the inn, but there is always room for more at Holy Cross. We have a place for you and yours. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Merry Christmas! Christ is Born! Glorify him!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">POINSETTIAS — Donations are Invited</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you would like to donate one or more poinsettias to beautify our chapel for the Nativity season your donation would be warmly welcomed. The chapel is already beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree, wreaths and hangings, and the smell of pine fills the air. Poinsettias will add to the beauty and warmth. Just bring your donation with you on Sunday morning. We will see you then. Merry Christmas!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page, <i>Like </i>it<i>, </i>and become a <i>Follower.</i> Just click <i>Follow</i>. That way you will not miss a single post!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748"><i>https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — Christmas and the Virgin Birth</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Tomorrow’s broadcast is episode 64, and is titled, <i>Christmas and the Virgin Birth</i>. Believe me, even seasoned clergy will learn from this episode as we tie the Dead Sea Scrolls into the Nativity narrative. You will not want to miss this broadcast!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>is a Full Message broadcast, bringing you the Bible in its proper Jewish and early Christian historical, cultural and linguistic context.You will not want to miss a single broadcast!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>radio broadcast can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can hear <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com"><i>kcro.com</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of our radio broadcasts are archived for your use. You can listen to any or all of our past broadcasts for free, any time you would like. You can access them here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">GOD’S WORD TODAY — Inaugural Episode, Monday Morning at 9:45 AM Central Time</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>God’s Word Today</i> is a daily fifteen minute radio broadcast. It is a Book by Book and verse by verse study of the Holy Scriptures. Not a single verse of the Bible will be omitted. We will begin with the Gospel According to Luke, chapter 1 and verse 1.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>God’s Word Today</i> can be heard Monday through Friday at 9:45 AM Central Time, beginning Monday, December 21st on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. On Friday, January 1st, 2021 <i>God’s Word Today</i> will move to its permeant time slot of 9:30 AM Central Time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Like <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i>, <i>God’s Word Today</i> can be heard from anywhere, coast to coast and around the world, by simply going to the KCRO website and clicking <i>Listen Live.</i> Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com"><i>kcro.com</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Every broadcast of <i>God’s Word Today</i> is also being archived and can be heard on demand as a Podcast, twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week, at no charge to our listeners. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/godswordtoday"><i>https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/godswordtoday</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14), teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If a “traditional” belief does not go back to the first century it cannot be apostolic and is instead a tradition of men. The faith was not delivered in the 16th, the 11th, or even the 4th century, but in the 1st century. Come and join us in our journey to the first century Messianic Jesus movement. Everyone is welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KEEPING YOU SAFE AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have been diagnosed with Covid-19, exposed to someone diagnosed with the virus, have a fever, cough, or any other symptoms of the virus you should not enter the building. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Before entering the building please be sure that you are wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. You should wear your mask AT ALL TIMES when you are in the building, whether you are in the chapel, the parish hall or the sacristy. Masks should not be removed until after leaving the building. If you feel the need to remove your mask, please step outdoors to do so and do not re-enter the building until you have put your mask back on.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have antibacterial soap in the restrooms, and hand sanitizer in two places in the chapel for your use. Please do not shake hands, and remember to keep a minimum of six (6) feet of social distance between households. Every other pew has been closed, but you will still want to stagger your seating between households so no one is directly in front or behind you.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">By observing the common sense health measures outlined above we can continue to keep everyone feeling safe to attend Services, and continue to advance our mission of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century, and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. Thank you! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — Yeshua the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer and a Sermon. Morning Prayer or Shacharit is our morning Service. It has its roots in the synagogue Services of Jesus’ time. It is an ancient and beautiful Service of Psalms, Canticles, two Scripture readings, a sermon, and prayer. Bring your Bible with you and be ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you haven’t attended Services for a while, or don’t have a church home, Advent is a wonderful time for new beginnings. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you. We hope to see you soon!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-24043641477984580282020-12-11T12:15:00.000-08:002020-12-11T12:15:12.014-08:00HOLY CROSS PARISH ANNOUNCES — A New Daily Radio Broadcast! <p> <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).”</i></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span>THE MISSION ADVANCES!</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are happy to announce that Holy Cross parish in Omaha, Nebraska is launching a new daily radio broadcast on Monday, December 21st on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The new daily broadcast will air Monday through Friday and will be <i>in addition to</i> our weekly broadcasts on Saturday morning and Sunday evening. <i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED</i> radio broadcast will continue its current format of topical Bible studies at 9:30 AM on Saturday morning and 9:30 PM on Sunday evening.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The new daily broadcast is called <i>GOD’S WORD TODAY</i> and will be a book by book, verse by verse study of the Holy Scriptures. We will be studying the whole Bible in its proper cultural and historical context, beginning with the Gospel According to Luke. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In December <i>GOD’S WORD TODAY </i>will be aired at 9:45 AM Central Time, but on January 1, 2021 it will move to its permanent time of 9:30 AM.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">KCRO has been broadcasting for more than forty years and is Nebraska’s premier Christian radio network. By broadcasting on 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, <i>GOD’S WORD TODAY</i> and <i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED </i>can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, as well as southern South Dakota and northern Missouri. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in our listening area? No problem! Both <i>GOD’S WORD TODAY</i> and <i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED</i> can be heard from coast to coast and around the world over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click <i>Listen Live:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross we are committed to the Great Commission, and you can support us in our Work. Just go to our parish website and on the <i>Home </i>page you will see a yellow <i>Donate</i> button. By clicking the <i>Donate</i> button you can make an offering to Holy Cross safely and securely through PayPal. I hope that you will partner with us. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Electronic outreach is the new street evangelism, and at Holy Cross we continue to dream dreams and see visions (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-18). In fact, we are already working on the next step in our electronic outreach.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED</i> — Studies in the Book of Daniel, Part 4</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We will be continuing our series titled, <i>Studies in the Book of Daniel,</i> on Saturday December 12th and Sunday December 13th. The Book of Daniel foretells the coming of the “vile person” Antiochus Epiphanes, the suffering he would inflict on God’s people, and that he would defile the Holy Temple. In this broadcast we will be talking about Antiochus Epiphanes, the Maccabees, Hanukkah, and the martyrdom of seven brothers and their mother under Antiochus Epiphanes as recorded in Second Maccabees, chapter 7. You will not want to miss this broadcast!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>is a Full Message broadcast, bringing you the Bible in its proper historical and cultural context. Don't miss this series in Daniel!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio Broadcast can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM Central Time on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not in our listening area, <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> and <i>God's Word Toda</i>y radio broadcasts can be heard over the Internet from coast to coast, and all around the world. Just go to the KCRO website and click <i>Listen Live</i>:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of our radio broadcasts are archived for your use. You can listen to any or all of our past broadcasts for free, any time you would like. You can access them here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will join us on Saturday and Sunday for <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast; and that you will mark your calendar for Monday, December 21st, and will tune in at 9:45 AM to hear the inaugural broadcast of <i>God’s Word Today.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teach the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. At Holy Cross parish “the Word of God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are in our area or happen to be passing through Omaha, I hope you will join us for worship. Sunday Morning Prayer (Shacharit) with a sermon is at 9:00 AM. Everyone is invited, and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">May God grant you every grace and blessing!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-33134893392585532642020-12-04T13:52:00.000-08:002020-12-04T13:52:18.132-08:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — Breaking News!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY HAS ARISEN — This Is HUGE!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).</i><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A wonderful opportunity has arisen that will allow us to GREATLY EXPAND our outreach. This is a HUGE OPPORTUNITY, but it is beyond our parish’s monthly income right now so it is a leap of faith.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I do not claim to be a prophet, but I cannot help but believe that God has opened this door for us to walk through. It makes me think of ancient Israel, when they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter into the Promised Land. The river did not part until the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant actually exercised the faith to step into the water.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We do not want to run ahead of God, but we do not want to miss a door that He has opened either. Our parish Vestry has decided unanimously to take a leap of faith and embrace this wonderful opportunity to advance the Work of the Gospel. Like Peter, if we want to walk on water we have to have the faith to get out of the boat. The key is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am amazed at how quickly God has answered our prayers, and I cannot wait to share this exciting news with you from the pulpit on Sunday. Please plan to be there to hear the news, and then “Go tell it on the Mountain!”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not in the Omaha area and cannot be with us on Sunday, I will be sending out a written announcement of this GIANT STEP FORWARD next week. God is doing a GREAT WORK AND WONDER among us, and for that we should be truly thankful. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST — Receive the Holy Cross Update by Email!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Friends of Holy Cross parish around the world are invited to join our distribution list and get the <i>Holy Cross Update</i> by email. There is no cost to you. Just write and we can add you to our distribution list. Write me at: <a href="mailto:venovak@hughes.net"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">venovak@hughes.net</span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT — Sunday, December 6th</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This coming Sunday, December 6th is the Second Sunday in Advent. The celebration of the Nativity of Jesus is only 21 days from today, BUT should believers even be observing Advent and celebrating the Birth of Yeshua, Jesus?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Every year we hear talk of Christmas being a pagan holiday. The Jehovah’s Witnesses immediately come to mind when this charge is heard; but I have known many solid Bible-believing Christians who do not celebrate Christmas either because it is not explicitly commanded in the Holy Scriptures, or out of a concern for its alleged pagan connections.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Jehovah’s Witnesses contend that, “those who celebrate Christmas do not honor God or Christ, but honor pagan celebrations and pagan gods” (<i>Awake!</i> magazine of December 8, 1988, p. 19). The view that Christmas is really an old pagan holiday was made more popular in recent years by Dan Brown’s <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> (p. 232). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Are Christians who celebrate Christmas really celebrating a pagan festival and honoring pagan gods? This is a serious question that needs a serious answer!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If Christmas is indeed just a pagan holiday, Christians should nothing to do with it. Period. I know that I do not want to have anything to do with any pagan holidays or with any form of religious syncretism. Last December I preached a brief sermon on this question, but this year I wanted to dig deeper. When I began my research I only wanted the truth, and I was willing to let the chips fall where they may.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not only did I research the origin of Christmas, but I researched Saturnalia and Sol Invictus as well. I also studied the history of the Christmas tree in light of the warning in Jeremiah chapter 10, as well as the use of evergreens for decorations — and more. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After doing thorough research, using scholarly sources rather than sensationalist materials or articles and books filled with speculations and accusations by people with a theological axe to grind, the results of my research were clear. Christmas is not a pagan holiday. Disciples of Yeshua, Jesus, can enjoy the season and celebrate the commemoration of Yeshua’s birth with joy <i>and</i> a clear conscience.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have questions about Christmas or lingering doubts about its appropriateness, you will want to read my blog post:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://frnovak.blogspot.com/2020/11/is-christmas-pagan-holiday.html">http://frnovak.blogspot.com/2020/11/is-christmas-pagan-holiday.html</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Some serious Bible-believing Christians will respond, “Christmas may not be a pagan holiday, but it is still not mentioned in the Bible and God nowhere commands it to be kept. Therefore, it is a humanly instituted celebration, unauthorized by God, and should not be celebrated by disciples of the Messiah.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is true that we are not commanded in the Holy Scriptures to celebrate Christmas, therefore no one is obligated to celebrate it. It is no sin not to celebrate the festival. However, celebrating the birth of Yeshua does not contradict the Scriptures, obscure Biblical truth, or make void the Word of God, so we are free to celebrate it.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Christmas is the one common experience that hundreds of millions of our fellow human beings share all around the world. It is a time when spiritual matters commonly enter conversations. It is a time when even secular people and backsliders begin to think of Jesus and what his birth means. It is a time when people dream of peace on earth and seek to show some good will to their fellow man. It is a time of giving to charity, helping the poor, healing brokenness in families and mending estranged relationships. It is a time of gift giving, love and joy. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No one is celebrating Christmas and honoring pagan gods at the same time. You can do one or the other, but you cannot do both together. Jesus is indeed the reason for the season, and a world in rebellion against God is confronted every year with the inescapable fact that God loves us so much that He sent a saviour — Messiah Yeshua the Lord — and that even time itself is divided between the years before and after his birth. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Advent/Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Let us rejoice in the redemption that we have in the Messiah Yeshua. His birth is worth celebrating!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Perhaps the proper question is not, “May we celebrate a festival that is not specifically commanded by God in the Holy Scriptures?” But, “Why do most Christians refuse to celebrate the feasts that God HAS GIVEN in the Holy Scriptures and COMMANDED to be kept?” Thankfully, we are keeping the Feasts of the LORD at Holy Cross, and we invite you to keep them with us. You will find them in Leviticus chapter 23.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Before the time of Yeshua the people of Israel added such feasts as Purim and Hanukkah to their liturgical calendar. These celebrations where not commanded by God, but arose from the hearts of God’s people in order to commemorate and celebrate great events. Yeshua certainly celebrated Hanukkah. You can read all about it in the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to John. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Disciples of Yeshua later also added festivals to celebrate Biblical events such as the Annunciation (miraculous conception), the Birth of Yeshua, his Circumcision, Baptism, and his Ascension forty days after his Resurrection. Adding such commemorations is not pagan, — it is a very Jewish thing to do!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you an article from <i>Chabad</i>, an Hasidic Orthodox Jewish site that I have followed for years. I hope that you will read it. It will clear up a lot of misinformation. The article is titled,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Can We Add Our Own Jewish Holidays?</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4952165/jewish/Can-We-Add-Our-Own-Jewish-Holidays.htm">https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4952165/jewish/Can-We-Add-Our-Own-Jewish-Holidays.htm</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Have you ever heard of the, <i>Megillat Taanit </i>?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The <i>Megillat Taanit</i> is a very early first century CE list of 35 eventful days on which the people of Israel either performed glorious deeds or witnessed joyful events. These days were celebrated as feast-days during which fasting and eulogies were not permitted. Most of the entries in it refer to events which happened between the second century BCE and the first century CE They are arranged in twelve sections, according to the Jewish month in which they occurred. The list was written in Aramaic, and it was later amplified by a Hebrew commentary or scholium.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you an English translation of the <i>Megillat Taanit</i> derived from Solomon Zeitlin, who provided a full commentary on the historical context of each event in his study <i>"Megillat Ta'anit as a Source for Jewish Chronology and History in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods"</i> (1922). A summary of his comments has been added to the translation in green.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The numbers in red are the numbers of the Jewish months. You can click on the # symbols to go to lists of other ancient sources which refer to the same events. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.attalus.org/translate/taanit.html">http://www.attalus.org/translate/taanit.html</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">UNTOLD ARCHEOLOGY OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT — A Must See 20 Minute Video!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sergio and Rhoda Voitenko are a young Israeli couple, and Youtube sensations. Since they began in 2017, their videos have had 26,814,532 views. The video, <i>“Untold Archeology of the Temple Mount”</i> was only posted on their YouTube channel on October 11th of this year, and it already has had 870,452 views. For anyone who has an interest in Biblical archeology this is a Must See video!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sergio was born in Soviet Lithuania to Russian speaking Jewish parents. In 1992 his family made aliyah (moved to Israel). He was seven years old at the time, so he grew up in Israel, went to college there, and did his service in the Israeli military.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Rhoda was born and raised in Nazareth to very devout Arab Christian parents who have been active in ministry all of their lives. Rhoda’s dad is pastor of a small lBaptist church in Nazareth.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sergio grew up in Nazareth Illit, which is the Jewish Nazareth, and Rhoda grew up in the (now) Arab town of Nazareth. In 2008, there was a joint meeting between Arab and Jewish believers in Yeshua held in Nazareth. That’s where Sergio and Rhoda met. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">They later married and moved to the United States where Sergio had a job offer. While living in the United States the Lord put them in the path with some very special people who, Sergio says, “shone the light into our lives and and that changed everything.” After spending seven years in the United States they returned to Israel three years ago and live in Nazareth.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sergio and Rhoda’s story is beautiful. A Jew and an Arab together, believing in Yeshua, Jesus, who has broken down the middle wall of partition and made the two one. Through the Messiah Yeshua peace and reconciliation is coming to Israel one heart at a time. Sergio says, “That's the only way to peace and reconciliation. That's that's what we believe, we've seen it. I've seen it happen with people only through Christ.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You will find this video educational and uplifting. I hope you will watch it. To God be the glory!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3W9iX0SnCo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3W9iX0SnCo</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN — A Wonderful Christmas Gift!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Are you looking for a great Christmas gift for a believing family member for friend? Or for yourself?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I highly recommend the book, <i>The Celtic Church in Britain, by Dr. Leslie Hardinge.</i> This wonderful book is the best book on Celtic Christianity that I have ever read, and it is in its 95th edition!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Gospel arrived in the British Isles directly from Jerusalem in the year 37 CE. It was brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea and his companions. Joseph of Arimathea was not only the man who buried Yeshua in his own new tomb, but he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council headquartered in Jerusalem.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This book is a history of Christianity before the arrival of Augustine of Canterbury and his Italian Mission in 597 CE. The book documents the British Christians conflict with the Roman Imperial Church of which Augustine’s mission belonged, and the subsequent pressure that was applied to make the British believers conform, and finally the persecution that drove them to the margins until Celtic Christianity was finally suppressed in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Having come to Britain directly from Jerusalem, Celtic Christianity could be best described as Judaeo-Christianity. They lived “the faith once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), and at Holy Cross we are trying to fully return to the first century faith and practice.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have a wonderful Celtic heritage and patrimony at Holy Cross parish, and our English Spiritual Tradition has very deep roots indeed. We are so blessed by our incomparable Prayer Book liturgy and our Bible-centered faith. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What we are preaching and teaching at Holy Cross parish is nothing new. On the contrary, it is very ancient indeed. In the book, <i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> you will see these beliefs and practices lived out in the lives of our spiritual forebears.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> is a fascinating and authoritative account of Celtic Christianity, its beliefs and practices based on Old Testament canon and the laws of the Pentateuch, including the keeping of the Passover and the Sabbath. It is illustrated with line drawings taken from the crosses which were a notable feature of Celtic church architecture, and with examples of documents of the period.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> is a scholarly book, and not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort. In this important book you will discover the first century Messianic faith and how it was lived out in Britain for a millennium.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can order it from Amazon;</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348"><i>https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Or from the publisher:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/"><i>https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Enjoy!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HANUKKAH — The Feast of Dedication</span> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Feast of the Dedication or Hanukkah begins this year on Thursday, December 10th, and ends on Friday, December 18th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What is Hanukkah?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hanukkah, is Hebrew for “dedication.” The feast commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the pagan Syrian Greek army that had occupied and profaned the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by setting up an image of Zeus Olympius in the sanctuary and sacrificing a pig on the altar, and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah (lamp-stand).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is sometimes called the festival of lights because only one vial of oil was found with just enough oil to illuminate the Temple menorah for one day, and yet it miraculously burned for eight full days.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hanukkah is celebrated at home by lighting the menorah (each night we light one additional candle to the number from the previous night), and eating foods cooked in oil to commemorate the miracle. Potato pancakes, called latkes, are a favorite Hanukkah food. Some people also sing Hanukkah songs, play dreidel, or exchange gifts after lighting the menorah, which is also called a hanukkiah. Many people host and attend Hanukkah parties.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Public Services also commemorate the festival. We will light a hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) at Holy Cross on Sunday, December 13th, and I will be preaching on the topic of the feast.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The apostle John records that Yeshua, Jesus, celebrated the feast of Dedication in Jerusalem:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:22-24).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yeshua sets the example for us, and we are to walk (live) as he walked:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>He who says he abides in Him [Yeshua] ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1John 2:6).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Come and celebrate Hanukkah with us on Sunday, December 13th. There will be no party or fellowship afterward due to the pandemic, but we will commemorate the feast, light a hanukkiah, read about the feast from the Scriptures during the Service, and I will be preaching on it. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Cheri and I will be lighting our hanukkiah at home every night during the feast. I encourage you to join Yeshua our Lord in celebrating this great deliverance and the rededication of the Holy Temple too. If it is too late for you to get ready for the feast this year, then make plans to celebrate at home next year. You can order a hanukkiah for your home from many sources on the internet. They are readily available and inexpensive. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">While you are at it, why not do a web search for recipes for special Hanukkah foods. Believe me, you will be glad you did!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HEBREW GOSPEL PEARLS #11 — Matthew 4:17-22</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Hebrew Gospel Pearls #11 (Matthew 4:17-22), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson delve into the functions and roles of the prophet in the Tanakh (Old Testament) and compare that to how Yeshua is portrayed in the New Testament.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hebrew Gospel Pearls is a verse by verse study of the Shem Tov Hebrew Gospel of Matthew. As many of you know, Nehemia Gordon is one of my favorite scholars, and I have been benefiting from his teachings for many years. He and Kieth Johnson, a former United Methodist mega-church pastor and chaplain to the Minnesota Vikings football team, who gave it all up to follow the same path we are on to “the faith once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), are excellent teachers and this is a great series.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can watch the video or listen to the audio. Each episode lasts about an hour. Episode #11 is an excellent one. You will learn a lot. I highly recommend it. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-11?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_3_2020_10_55)&mc_cid=811541b30a&mc_eid=2c15da53d6">https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-11?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_3_2020_10_55)&mc_cid=811541b30a&mc_eid=2c15da53d6</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our social media outreach is important to us at Holy Cross parish. We update our parish Facebook page regularly with everything from parish news to new archeological discoveries.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We promote the Holy Cross parish Facebook page on each broadcast of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> and in every edition of the <i>Holy Cross Update</i>. In response to our efforts we are getting new viewers throughout each week, with an uptick of new viewers after each broadcast.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I recently checked our Facebook statistics and, as of December 3rd, “People Reached” are up by 84% over 28 days ago, and “Page Likes” are up a whopping 213%. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our Gospel and teaching ministry is certainly having an impact on many lives for which we are truly thankful. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. Just click Follow. That way you will not miss a single post!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — Studies in the Book of Daniel, Part 3</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After spending the last two broadcasts answering the question, <i>Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?</i> We will be returning to our series titled <i>Studies in the Book of Daniel.</i> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is a Full Message broadcast, bringing you the Bible in its proper historical, cultural and linguistic context.You will not want to miss this series in Daniel!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio Broadcast can be heard every Saturday at 9:30 AM and Sunday at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can hear <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of our radio broadcasts are archived for your use. You can listen to any or all of our past broadcasts for free, any time you would like. You can access them here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If a “traditional” belief does not go back to the first century it cannot be apostolic and is instead a tradition of men. The faith was not delivered in the 16th, the 11th, or even the 4th century, but in the 1st century. Come and join us in our journey to the first century Messianic Jesus movement. Everyone is welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — Yeshua the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer and a Sermon. Morning Prayer or Shacharit is our morning Service. It has its roots in the synagogue Services of Jesus’ time. It is an ancient and beautiful Service of Psalms, Canticles, two Scripture readings, a sermon, and prayer. Bring your Bible with you and be ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you haven’t attended Services for a while, or don’t have a community, Advent is a wonderful time for new beginnings. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We hope to see you soon!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-71570198851060446902020-11-27T14:55:00.000-08:002020-11-27T14:55:35.804-08:00IS CHRISTMAS A PAGAN HOLIDAY?<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Every year we hear talk of Christmas being a pagan holiday. The Jehovah’s Witnesses immediately come to mind when this charge is heard; but I have known many solid Bible-believing Christians who do not celebrate Christmas because either it is not explicitly commanded in the Holy Scriptures, or out of a concern for its alleged pagan connections.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The Jehovah’s Witnesses contend that, “those who celebrate Christmas do not honor God or Christ, but honor pagan celebrations and pagan gods” (<i>Awake!</i> magazine of December 8, 1988, p. 19). The view that Christmas is really an old pagan holiday was made more popular in recent years by Dan Brown’s <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> (p. 232). </span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">Are Christians who celebrate Christmas really celebrating a pagan festival and honoring pagan gods?</span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If Christmas is indeed just a pagan holiday, Christians should nothing to do with it. I know that I do not want to have anything to do with any pagan holidays or religious syncretism. With Advent right around the corner, we need to look at the historical facts surrounding Christmas so we can answer the question: Is Christmas really a celebration of the birth of the Messiah, or is it just a hijacked pagan holiday with a thin veneer of Christianity?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SATURNALIA</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Did fourth century Christians simply take over the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia and call it Christmas as many people claim?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Saturnalia was an ancient week-long Roman festival in honour of the pagan god Saturn. The festival of Saturnalia was celebrated from December 17th, through December 23rd. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, which were followed by festive meals, private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere for the entire week.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Saturnalia held theological importance for some Romans, who saw it as a restoration of an ancient Golden Age, when the world was ruled by Saturn. The Neoplatonist philosopher Porphyry interpreted the freedom associated with Saturnalia as symbolizing the "freeing of souls into immortality.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Christmas cannot be a Christianized version of Saturnalia. If it was, it would certainly have been celebrated at the same time as Saturnalia. Yet, Saturnalia began and ended before December 25th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Calling Christmas a baptized version of Saturnalia is just another attack against Christ and Christianity. That should not surprise us. The devil and the fallen world hate the Messiah, and always look for opportunities to attack him, and confuse and demoralize his disciples.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE BIRTH OF THE UNCONQUERED SUN — SOL INVICTUS </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What about the pagan Roman festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Sun” — Sol Invictus? Wasn’t the feast of “The Birth of the Unconquered Sun” celebrated on December 25th?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Let’s cut through the rumors, the maybes and the myths, and go right to a credible source for our information. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. William J. Tighe is a professor of history at Muhlenberg College. He earned his B.A in history at Georgetown University, graduating summa cum laude. Subsequently, he earned his M.A. at Yale University, and then went on to earn his Ph.D in history from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. I think his credentials should satisfy us.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This is what Dr. Tighe had to say:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Many Christians think that Christians celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th because the church fathers appropriated the date of a pagan festival… But it is perhaps interesting to know that the choice of December 25th is the result of attempts among the earliest Christians to figure out the date of Jesus’ birth based on calendrical calculations that had nothing to do with pagan festivals.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Rather, the pagan festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Sun” instituted by the Roman Emperor Aurelian on 25 December 274, was almost certainly an attempt to create a pagan alternative to a date that was already of some significance to Roman Christians. Thus the “pagan origins of Christmas” is a myth without historical substance.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When did this myth originate? Not all that long ago.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Tighe explains:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The idea that the date was taken from the pagans goes back to two scholars from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Paul Ernst Jablonski, a German Protestant, wished to show that the celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25th was one of the many “paganizations” of Christianity that the Church of the fourth century embraced, as one of many “degenerations” that transformed pure apostolic Christianity into Catholicism. Dom Jean Hardouin, a Benedictine monk, tried to show that the Catholic Church adopted pagan festivals for Christian purposes without paganizing the gospel.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The myth that Christmas is a pagan holiday grew out of assumptions rather than facts., and is of recent origin.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. William Tighe writes,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>In the Julian calendar, created in 45 B.C. under Julius Caesar, the winter solstice fell on December 25th, and it therefore seemed obvious to Jablonski and Hardouin that the day must have had a pagan significance before it had a Christian one. But in fact, the date had no religious significance in the Roman pagan festal calendar before Aurelian’s time, nor did the cult of the sun play a prominent role in Rome before him.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>There were two temples of the sun in Rome, one of which (maintained by the clan into which Aurelian was born or adopted) celebrated its dedication festival on August 9th, the other of which celebrated its dedication festival on August 28th. But both of these cults fell into neglect in the second century, when eastern cults of the sun, such as Mithraism, began to win a following in Rome. And in any case, none of these cults, old or new, had festivals associated with solstices or equinoxes.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>As things actually happened, Aurelian, who ruled from 270 until his assassination in 275, was hostile to Christianity and appears to have promoted the establishment of the festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Sun” as a device to unify the various pagan cults of the Roman Empire around a commemoration of the annual “rebirth” of the sun. He led an empire that appeared to be collapsing in the face of internal unrest, rebellions in the provinces, economic decay, and repeated attacks from German tribes to the north and the Persian Empire to the east.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>In creating the new feast, he intended the beginning of the lengthening of the daylight, and the arresting of the lengthening of darkness, on December 25th to be a symbol of the hoped-for “rebirth,” or perpetual rejuvenation, of the Roman Empire, resulting from the maintenance of the worship of the gods whose tutelage (the Romans thought) had brought Rome to greatness and world-rule. If it co-opted the Christian celebration, so much the better.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read more about it in an article by Dr. Tighe in the <i>Touchstone</i> magazine titled “Calculating Christmas.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HOW WAS DECEMBER 25th ARRIVED AT?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We know for sure that as early as the end of the second century Christians were trying to figure out when Yeshua, Jesus, was born.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, is a Messianic Jew and Professor of Ancient Cultures at the <i>Israel Bible Center</i> in the State of Israel. He is an expert Israeli scholar in Biblical Studies and early Christianity, with a copious Jewish and Christian religious and secular education. In addition to his expertise in ancient languages (Biblical Hebrew, Koine Greek, Syriac, and Old Church Slavonic), Dr. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg is fluent in the modern languages of English, Russian, and Hebrew.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg writes,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Surprisingly, the early church followed a very Jewish idea – that the beginning and the end of important redemptive events often happen on the same date (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashana 10b-11a). In the beginning of the third century, Tertullian reported that since he knew precisely when Jesus died (14th of Nissan or March 25), he also knew exactly when he was conceived! He was most-likely wrong in his conclusions, but at least we can now see how they arrived to date of Christmas.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The logic went as follows: If Jesus was conceived on March 25 then counting forward to the 9 months of Mary’s pregnancy would place His birth on December 25. This is especially intriguing because January 1st used to be celebrated as the Day of Christ’s circumcision (8 days from the evening of Dec. 24).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Tertullian (c. 155 - c. 240 CE) was correct in believing that Yeshua died on the 14th of Nissan, but he was incorrect in thinking that the 14th of Nissan fell on March 25th on the Roman calendar. However, he was not alone in that assumption.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hippolytus of Rome (170-235 CE) said in his commentary on Daniel (written c. 202-211 CE) that Jesus’ birthdate is December 25. Hippolytus’s calculation involved Jesus’s conception on the Passover, which according to a widely held belief in his day was calculated as March 25th on the Roman calendar. If it is believed that Yeshua was conceived on March 25th, given a nine month gestational period, this puts Jesus’s birth at December 25th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why is this significant? It is significant because it means that Christian references to a December 25th date for Jesus’ birth are decades earlier than the pagan Roman festival instituted by Aurelian in 274 CE. If there was any borrowing it is more probable that the pagans were borrowing from the Christians.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Originally, various dates where suggested as to when Yeshua was born, but it was the December 25th date that caught on. And yet, for all its significance, Christmas wasn’t celebrated as an official feast by Christians until 200 CE in North Africa, and there is some evidence that Christmas may have been celebrated in Rome on December 25th as early as 205 CE. This was certainly true of Rome by the year 335 CE. Still, it took nearly another 200 years until celebrating the Nativity on December 25th gained near universal acceptance by Christians.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I say <i>nearly</i> universal acceptance, because it has never been universal. For instance, the Armenians (a nation on the southern border of Russia), a very old Christian community, still does not celebrate Christmas at all. Instead, they join the commemoration of the birth of Yeshua with with his Baptism on Epiphany, — and his baptism is emphasized over his birth.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What about the Emperor Constantine? What part did he play? Constantine issued an edict of Toleration in 313, but the birth of the Messiah was commemorated on December 25th in some places long before Constantine became Roman emperor. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Donatists were a large body of rigorist Christians who separated from the long established Christian community in Roman North Africa (modern Algeria and Tunisia) at the time of Constantine’s edict of Toleration.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When the persecution finally ended in 313 CE, those Christians, who had fallen away under Diocletian’s persecution were welcomed back into the Christian community and the clergy returned to positions of authority under the Emperor Constantine. The Donatists were unwilling to recognize the ministries of the clergy who had committed apostasy, and they separated from them and from Constantine’s Roman State Church.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Donatists were committed to the practices in place in the year 312 CE, the year before Constantine’s Edict of Toleration. They were a major Christian community in North Africa during the time of Augustine of Hippo, despite repression by the Roman authorities on behalf of the Roman State Church, and only disappeared in the eighth century after the Muslim conquest.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What does this have to do with Christmas? While the writings of the Donatists were destroyed, information about them survives in the writings of Augustine of Hippo, an opponent of the Donatists. Augustine writes that the Donatists celebrated the birth of Yeshua on December 25th. That is more evidence that Christians were celebrating Christmas on December 25th before Constantine ever came to the throne, and that it was being celebrated at least in North Africa during the persecution under the pagan Roman Emperor Diocletian. The Donatists, a rigorous Christian community, and opponents of Constantine’s Roman State Church and anything that smacked of a pagan—Christian synthesis, had no problem celebrating the birth of the Messiah on December 25th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The facts are clear. Christmas is not a baptized version of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. The two feasts do not fall at the same time and do not overlap. If Christmas was a Christian replacement for Saturnalia, the two celebrations would have at least been observed at the same time, but they never were.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Likewise, Christmas is not a Christian appropriation of the pagan festival of “The Birth of the Unconquered Sun.” That pagan festival was not even established until the year 274 CE, while Christians were calculating the birth of Yeshua to be on December 25th since at least late in the 2nd century, — decades earlier. If there was any copying and appropriation, it was the Emperor Aurelian who was copying and appropriating a Christian commemoration. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">IS ADDING RELIGIOUS COMMEMORATIONS TO THE CALENDAR PAGAN?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The idea that certain days should be set aside for special religious commemorations is not unique to pagans. The Jewish people did this. They were given certain feast days by God. You can read about them in Leviticus chapter 23. Thousands of years later hundreds of thousands of Christians continue to keep God’s appointed Holy Days. We at Holy Cross are among them. The Jewish people later added other festivals of spiritual significance to their calendar as well, such as Purim and Hanukkah, among others.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When early Christians decided to start adding feast days that commemorated New Covenant events such as the Annunciation on March 25th, the Birth of the Messiah nine months later, his circumcision eight days after that, and his Ascension into heaven forty days after his resurrection, they did so based on their Jewish inheritance. They were commemorating Biblical events that were worth remembering and celebrating. There was nothing pagan about it. Instead, it was a very Jewish thing to do.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Marking time with religious commemorations is not pagan. It is Jewish. To deny this part of our spiritual inheritance is essentially to deny that time can be sanctified by God. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Commemorating the birth of Yeshua on December 25 is not a claim that he was actually born on that day. It is about a feast that was set nine months earlier — the Feast of the Annunciation. Was Yeshua actually born on December 25th? Probably not, but the date of his birth is not given in Scripture and it is the event, not the date, that is important. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We do not know the exact date of Messiah’s birth, but that should not keep us for celebrating the event that has even divided time itself. Yeshua, Jesus, is the reason for the season, and his birth is worthy of celebration.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DID GOD COMMAND US TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No He did not. Nowhere in the Holy Scriptures does God command Christmas to be observed by anyone. God has established certain feasts and commanded His people to observe them. They are found in Leviticus chapter 23.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The early Christians kept all of these feasts. The eleventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica says: <br />
</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">"The first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals, though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals foreshadowed.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our friends from the <i>Watchtower </i>condemn Christmas as a pagan holiday — which it is not — but at the same time they do not keep God’s appointed Feasts. We keep the Holy Days of Leviticus 23 at Holy Cross parish, and you are invited to join us in celebrating them.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Now, it is true that we are not commanded in Scripture to celebrate Christmas, but that is not the issue. Our Jewish brethren have also added new festivals to their liturgical celebrations that were not commanded by God, of which Purim and Hanukkah are just two well known examples. Both of these festivals arose from within the Jewish community rather than by commandment of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Purim, or the Feast of Lots, celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from the threat of genocide in ancient Persia. You can read all about it in the book of Esther. Certainly such a great deliverance is worth celebrating!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hanukkah, or the Feast of the Dedication, commemorates the cleansing and rededication of the Temple after it was defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes at the time of the Maccabees. Like Purim, this was a festival instituted by the Jewish people themselves, and we have a record of Yeshua celebrating it in Jerusalem. You can read all about it in the 10th chapter of John’s Gospel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If God’s people could celebrate their deliverance from death in Persia, and if they could celebrate the rededication of the Temple, all without a specific command from God to do so, then surely we can likewise celebrate the birth of a Deliverer greater than the one recorded in the Book of Esther, and the birth of one greater than the Temple. After all, Yeshua’s birth was no ordinary birth. From his conception to his birth it was a miracle of God, and was part of the plan of God before the foundation of the world. Now that’s something worth celebrating!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After the destruction of the Temple in the year 70 CE, the Jewish people began to observe the Ninth of Av, the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, with prayer and fasting. There was no command to do so, but the commemoration arose from the hearts of the Jewish people, and it remains a very important observance in Judaism until today.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">On the 9th of Av the Jewish people mourn the destruction of both the first and second Temples, along with other tragic events in their long history. It is said that all of these events all happened on the same day, the 9th of Av. That may not be literally true, but it is the tragic events that they are mourning, not the particular day they happened on.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Another Jewish festival that arose among a small part of the people of Israel, but has recently spread throughout the Jewish community is the festival of Sigd. This is a festival that had been unique to the Jews of Ethiopia, the Beta Israel, celebrated fifty days after the Day of Atonement. On the Feast of Sigd the Ethiopian Jews gather together on a mountain to commemorate Moses’ encounter with the God of Israel and to pray for a return to Zion. This festival is found nowhere in Scripture, yet in 2008 the State of Israel made Sigd a national holiday, and the feast is now celebrated throughout the Jewish community in Israel and by many Jews in the diaspora.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WAS THE BIRTH OF YESHUA CELEBRATED IN THE FIRST CENTURY?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">While it would be two centuries before the birth of the Messiah began to be celebrated as an annual commemoration, his birth was indeed celebrated in the first century. The Bible is clear on that matter:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Glory to God in the highest,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them (Luke 2:4-20).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The angels and the shepherds — which were no ordinary shepherds, but were Levitical shepherds caring for some very special sheep — certainly celebrated the birth of Yeshua, and they did so with great joy!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Magi or Wise Men also celebrated the birth of Yeshua. Now they did not arrive on the day he was born, but they still celebrated his birth with great joy. In Matthew chapter 2, verses 1 through 11 we read:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For out of you shall come a Ruler</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ABOUT THE WORD “CHRISTMAS”?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Some people do not like the term Christ-MAS because it sounds too Roman Catholic to them, but it really isn’t. The feast was historically called “The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas-day.” Christmas is just a commonly used nickname, but it is a good one.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Mass is just a Latin term for the Eucharist. Eucharist is a Greek word that means thanksgiving. This is a Biblical term for the New Covenant Kiddush, what is commonly called Communion. It doesn’t mean the Mass in the modern Roman Catholic use of the term — unless of course you are using it in that way. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When Yeshua took bread and a cup he gave thanks over them — Eucharist means giving thanks. Christmas is a perfectly usable nickname, and no one should be troubled by it, but if you are, then simply don’t use it. It is only a nickname after all. You can simply call it the annual commemoration of “The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DOES JEREMIAH THE PROPHET WARN AGAINST CHRISTMAS TREES?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Some Christians are concerned about the Christmas tree. They are concerned that it may be forbidden in the Holy Scriptures. They get that from a <i>misreading</i> of Jeremiah the prophet.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The text in question is found in Jeremiah chapter 10:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Thus says the LORD:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For the customs of the peoples are futile;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For one cuts a tree from the forest,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They decorate it with silver and gold;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They fasten it with nails and hammers</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So that it will not topple.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They are upright, like a palm tree,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And they cannot speak;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They must be carried,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Because they cannot go by themselves.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Do not be afraid of them,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For they cannot do evil,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Nor can they do any good” (Jeremiah 10:1-5).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Context is very important. This text has nothing to do with a Christmas tree. Jeremiah lived some six centuries before Yeshua’s birth. There were no Christmas trees in Jeremiah’s day. He is warning against cutting down a tree to make the idol of a pagan god. He is not warning about Christmas trees which came into use more than 2,000 years later in the 16th century CE.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Notice that in Jeremiah 10:5 it says:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And they cannot speak;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They must be carried,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Because they cannot go by themselves.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Do not be afraid of them,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For they cannot do evil,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Nor can they do any good.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No one expects a Christmas tree to speak or to move about on its own. No one is afraid of a Christmas tree, and no one fears that it will do them harm. Likewise, no one believes that a Christmas tree has the power to do them good. The Prophet Jeremiah is speaking about cutting down a tree and making it into an idol. He is not speaking about Christmas trees.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DO CHRISTMAS TREES AND DECORATING WITH EVERGREENS HAVE PAGAN ROOTS?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">There was a very good article on the <i>Answers in Genesis</i> website titled, “Do Christmas Trees Have Pagan Roots?”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The article explains:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>When reading most historical sources on the origin of the Christmas tree, it is almost universally and offhandedly mentioned that it was borrowed from pagan religious festivals and adapted into Christianity. But when one closely examines these claims, they seem to have little basis in fact. Most of the traditions associated with pagan festivals are only remotely similar to Christmas celebrations. But even a cursory glance at Scripture shows that evergreens were mentioned prominently in Scripture and were associated with God’s favor towards his people (Numbers 24:6, Psalms 104:16, Isaiah 41:19) or were mentioned in connection with testifying to the goodness of God (Psalms 148:9, Isaiah 55:13). Solomon loved cedars and (c. 1000 BC), he imported them into Jerusalem and made them commonplace within the city (2 Chronicles 9:27). In Isaiah 60:13 (c. 700 BC) we read that the Lord promised that fragrant evergreen trees such as the cedar, cypress, and pine would be brought from Lebanon and be planted around the Temple to beautify it. Indeed, the first Temple, built by Solomon was constructed of cedar and cypress wood (1 Kings 6:15), and when God spoke of revitalizing Israel, he specifically mentioned planting cedar, cypress, and pine trees (and others) in the wilderness (Isaiah 41:19). We can glean from Scripture then that evergreen trees were used for decorating and building and were well-loved trees.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As far as the modern practice of cutting evergreen trees, bringing them into the home and decorating them for Christmas, that can be traced back to Germany in the 16th Century. The tradition is that Martin Luther while walking in a forest, saw starlight coming through the branches of an evergreen tree and was dazzled by the beauty of the scene. Luther went out and cut down a fir tree and brought it into his house. He then decorated it with candles to simulate the moonlight effect for his family.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The decoration of Christmas trees in areas outside of continental Europe can be traced to Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert’s Christmas tree at Buckingham Palace which was decorated, and adorned with presents. An article about the Royal family’s Christmas tree was published in 1846 by the <i>Illustrated London News</i>. Prince Albert, a German, brought this beloved German tradition to England. After seeing the sketch of the Christmas tree in the <i>Illustrated London News</i>, which undoubtedly was also seen by many nobles when visiting the palace, the word spread of the Royal family’s Christmas tree and soon many in England were putting decorated trees into their homes at Christmas time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Queen Victoria’s popularity in English-speaking countries soon led to many other countries adopting the Christmas tree. In America, President Benjamin Harrison was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House in 1889, and this greatly increased its popularity in the United States. Over time, this 16th century tradition spread throughout the world.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HAS CHRISTMAS BECOME SECULARIZED AND MATERIALISTIC?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Has Christmas been secularized and become materialistic? It certainly has, but that does not mean that there is anything wrong with Christmas. Instead, it means that too many of us have forgotten the reason for the season. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Until well into the 20th century Christmas was seen as simply a religious celebration, and it was religious people who observed it. Christmas did not even become a Federal holiday in the United States until 1870. There wasn’t even secular Christmas music until the mid-20th century.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>White Christmas</i> was the first commercially successful secular Christmas song. The first public performance of the song was by Bing Crosby, on his NBC radio show <i>The Kraft Music Hall</i> on Christmas Day, 1941. By the end of October 1942, White Christmas had topped the <i>Your Hit Parade</i> chart. It remained in that position until well into the new year of 1943. White Christmas was a mix of melancholy, ”just like the ones I used to know,” with comforting images of home, ”where the treetops glisten.” The song was very popular with listeners during World War II. White Christmas may have been a secular Christmas song, but it was spiritual none-the-less with its theme of home and family, and nostalgia for the joy of Christmas’s past.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Unfortunately, much has changed since Bing Crosby first sang White Christmas two and a half weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Today, much of the “Christmas” music heard on the radio is secular, and the birth of Jesus is lost among the secular and material symbols of Santa, reindeer, elves, shopping, sales, and partying; but it does not have to be that way. I even heard an obviously clueless woman once remark that she didn’t like the way Christians were always trying to shove their religion on her holiday!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am not only a pastor, but I am also a parent. No one in our family has ever sat on Santa’s lap, written him letters or expected him to bring presents on Christmas day. Christmas in the Novak household has always been strictly a religious celebration. Yes, we put up a Christmas tree and exchange gifts, but it is all in light of the greatest gift of all — the birth of the Messiah, the Christ-child, and our gift giving has always been a sign of our love. I often wonder how many children, when they learn that Santa is a myth, come to think that Jesus is a myth as well? After all, in the minds of so many Santa and Jesus are linked, and in all too many homes Santa seems to overshadow Jesus.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is never too late to put aside the overtly secular Christmas music, remove Santa, reindeer and elves from our decorations, avoid materialism, and make Advent a spiritually profitable season. And then celebrate the birth of the Christ-child with joy by attending Divine Services, reading aloud the Christmas Story from the Holy Bible rather than <i>The Night Before Christmas</i>, enjoying a festive meal with family and friends, and expressing our love by celebrating with gifts. But let us never forget the poor, the lonely, and the hurting, and do what we can to bring them comfort and joy in the Christmas season. For Jesus is the one and only reason for the season. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">CHRISTMAS IS A CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Do Christians honor pagan god’s on Christmas? No, they do not. In more than 36 years in the ordained ministry I have never known a single Christian who has worshipped or even honored Saturn or Sol Invictus at Christmas. The thought is absurd. You can worship pagan gods or you can celebrate Christmas, but you cannot do both at the same time. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The birth of the promised Messiah was celebrated by the angels, the shepherds, and the holy family on the night Yeshua, Jesus, was born. The birth of Christ was celebrated on a later day by the Magi, the Wise Men from the east, with just as much joy as was expressed on the day he was born.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The early Christians were trying to calculate the date of Christ’s birth from at least late in the second century, and December 25th was commemorated as the birth of the Messiah by around the year 200 CE in some places. Christmas has nothing to do with Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, and has everything to do with the good tidings of great joy that a Saviour has been born — Christ the Lord.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Is Christmas a Divinely appointed Holy Day?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No. It was not commanded by God in the Bible.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Must Christians celebrate Christmas?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No. There is no command to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, and those Christians who choose not to do so, either because its observance is not commanded by God, or out of concerns for its alleged pagan connections, are free to not celebrate Christmas.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time, those who choose not to celebrate the festival should not judge those who do. An Ebenezer Scrooge-like attitude may simply make others think that not only Christmas, but the Christmas story itself is nothing more than “humbug.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">May Christians celebrate Christmas?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yes, just as Yeshua celebrated Hanukkah as recorded in John chapter 10 — another festival that commemorated a great event in the life of God’s people, but was not specifically commanded by God. Christians are free to celebrate not only the Birth of the Messiah with an annual commemoration, but other important Biblical events such as the Annunciation and his Ascension as well.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Must Christmas be celebrated with a tree and decorations?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">No. While the Christmas tree is a Christmas tradition beloved by millions, it only dates back to the 16th century. Christmas was celebrated for centuries before the Christmas tree came into use, and it is still celebrated in some places without a Christmas tree.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Is December 25th the actual day that Yeshua was born?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is possible, but not probable. It is far more likely that he was born in the Fall, around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Still, there is little point in trying to change the date of celebrating his birth. First, it would be all but impossible at this time to get two billion self-professed Christians to move the observance; and second, even if it was moved to around Tabernacles there would still be no way of know what the exact date was. The truth is though that it is the event, not the date, that really matters.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Advent and Christmas as now celebrated are a time when many people are thinking of spiritual matters, and looking back with nostalgia to a better time. It remains a time of good tidings of great joy for a great many people, and people often wish that the Christmas spirit would remain all year long. Advent and Christmas therefore are a time when many people are more open to a spiritual message, and can indeed be reached with the Gospel and the call to repentance. It is a time for planting seeds of faith and for reaping a harvest. Christmas is a time for good tidings of great joy.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And finally, is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As we have seen, Christmas is not a Christian appropriation of either Saturnalia or Sol Invictus. There is nothing pagan about commemorating the birth of Yeshua on December 25th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of this can be summed up in the words of G.K.Chesterton. When it comes to the battle between paganism and Christianity, he wrote, “Paganism was the biggest thing in the world; Christianity was bigger. And everything since has been comparatively small.” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Christ is born. Glorify him! Merry Christmas!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-90669102500873582102020-11-13T13:21:00.000-08:002020-11-13T13:21:10.654-08:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — The Latest News from Holy Cross Parish<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">WHAT A WEEK AT THE NOVAKS!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This has been quite a week for my wife and I. We had a Winter Weather Advisory on Monday here in Northeastern Nebraska that quickly and unexpectedly became an Ice Storm Warning. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We did the farm chores Monday evening in freezing rain, and after we went to bed on Friday night we lost power. The electricity was still off on Tuesday morning as freezing rain continued to fall. The trees were bowed over covered with coatings of thick ice, with many branches down all over the property — some of them large. While doing the morning chores I was twice nearly clobbered by falling tree limbs, and we could hear branches cracking and breaking all day long.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Late on Tuesday afternoon we called the power company for an update and was told that the ice storm had hit the entire county very hard and lines were down all over the district. We were told by the power company that they hoped power would be restored sometime on Wednesday.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Needless to say, we had only cold food to eat and water to drink throughout Tuesday, and without any power the house became very cold, especially Tuesday night. We used lanterns for light and piled extra blankets on the bed. Thankfully, we managed to get some sleep, hoping that we would wake up to power. What we woke up to was an ice cold house, no power, and more broken tree limbs.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Breakfast and lunch on Wednesday were made up of cold food and water, but finally on Wednesday afternoon the power came back on. It was such a blessing to have heat and to be able to cook a meal. On Thursday morning we were able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. What a treat that was! We have a lot of damaged trees with limbs down all over the property, but no pipes froze and we are doing well.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As many of you know, we live in a very rural and sparsely populated area. Our entire county has only 8,000 people, and our largest town has a population of around 1,300. Winter is hard on our local public power company and we often lose power. One year at Christmas time we were without power for three and a half days after a blizzard that left us snowed in. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have plenty of seasoned wood on our property, and every year we hope to be able to install a simple wood burning stove that would provide us with emergency heat and allow us to cook a kettle of food or a pot of coffee. We have just not had the resources to do it though. Perhaps one day! In the meantime, we have gotten through another power outage that lasted from Monday night until Wednesday afternoon and are no worse for the wear. On the bright side, it has been a beautiful winter farm scene with snow on the ground and the ice coated trees glistening in the sunlight. God is good! To Him be the glory!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DANIEL CHAPTERS 8 AND 9</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week I preached on Daniel chapter 8. We were able to briefly cover the entire chapter. This week I plan to cover the “little horn” more thoroughly. We will be looking at the little horn in both Daniel chapter 7 and Daniel chapter 8. The little horn is also known in Scripture as the antichrist, the beast, and the man of sin. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If we have time, I hope to begin looking at the prophecy in Daniel chapter 9. The little Book of Daniel is a very important one. Yeshua, Jesus, wants his disciples to read and understand this important book (Matthew 24:15). Although only 12 chapters long, Daniel has important prophecies in chapters 2, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12. The Book of Daniel is central to the Book of Revelation and Daniel 7 is at the heart of the Apocalypse. I have already preached on chapters 2 and 7, as well as an overview of 8, and, God willing, my plan is to preach on all of the prophetic chapters in this sermon series. We still have some important things to learn about chapter 8 and the little horn. You will not want to miss this week’s sermon!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — Studies in the Book of Daniel, Part 2</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This week’s broadcast of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is the second part of our new series titled, <i>Studies in the Book of Daniel</i>. Last week we introduced the Book of Daniel and laid the foundation for our study. This week we will be studying the important prophecy in Daniel chapter 2. You will not want to miss this week’s broadcast!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio Broadcast can be heard every Saturday at 9:30 AM and Sunday at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can hear <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click <i>Listen Live</i>:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of our radio broadcasts are archived for your use. You can listen to any or all of our past broadcasts for free, any time you would like. You can access them here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. Just click Follow. That way you will not miss a single post!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If a “traditional” belief does not go back to the first century it cannot be apostolic and is instead a tradition of men. The faith was not delivered in the 16th, the 11th, or even the 4th century, but in the 1st century. Come and join us in our journey to first century Christianity. Everyone is welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">NEBRASKA COVID-19 UPDATE</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Covid-19 pandemic continues to worsen in Nebraska, and in Douglas County in particular. Governor Pete Ricketts (who himself is in quarantine) gave a video press briefings on Monday of this week and again today. On Monday he issued a new Directed Health Measure that took effect on Wednesday, and in today’s briefing he explained the deteriorating situation and warned of even stricter health measures that will be necessary if the numbers of infected continue to rise.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The governor reported that on September 23rd there were some 200 people in Nebraska hospitalized with Covid-19. As of Thursday evening, November 12th, there were 905 people hospitalized with the virus — more than four and a half times the number just over a month and a half ago.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Today, one out of every five patients in Nebraska hospitals are there because of Covid-19. He said, “Hospitals are in serious condition right now” and warned that hospitalizations are currently increasing by 25 per day. He said that if we reach 25% of hospital staffed bed capacity with Covid-19 patients, and that means 1,170 Covid hospitalizations, we will have reached the “Red Zone” in Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As of this coming Monday all inpatient elective surgeries that can wait for four weeks or more will be cancelled. If we hit “Red” we can expect even more restrictions on surgeries, restaurants, churches, and more — even home gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors — and at the present rate of hospitalizations that will happen before Thanksgiving. The governor re-emphasized the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and hand washing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yesterday, KETV reported that, </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“There have been 1,343 new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County in the past 2 days.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>A total of 1,343 new cases of COVID-19 that were received over the past two days, bringing the county to 28,742 cases since the pandemic began. The average in the past two days, 671, marks a new high daily case count…</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>As of the latest report, Omaha hospitals had 242 medical and surgical beds available for an 84% occupancy rate with 45 Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds available for an 85% occupancy rate. A total of 387 individuals were hospitalized who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with 121 of them receiving adult ICU level care. Forty-three people who were confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 were on ventilators.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>'This really is the stuff that nightmares are made of for people who work in medicine,” <br />
Dr. Kelly Cawcutt told KETV on Wednesday.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The infectious diseases and critical care physician spoke with KETV NewsWatch 7 after coming from the intensive care unit as COVID-19 cases spike in the metro.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>"With these record-breaking numbers, that comes with record-breaking numbers of people requiring hospitalizations," Cawcutt said.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Nebraska Medicine posted a clear message about the state's hospital capacity on social media Wednesday.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>"Rural hospitals are almost full. Metro hospitals will soon be unable to take transfer patients. What comes next? This shows the COVID-19 case explosion in Nebraska. This is a call for state leaders and for you to take more decisive action to protect our state.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read the entire article here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/there-have-been-1343-new-cases-of-covid-19-in-douglas-county-in-the-past-2-days/34658251">https://www.ketv.com/article/there-have-been-1343-new-cases-of-covid-19-in-douglas-county-in-the-past-2-days/34658251</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ON A HAPPIER NOTE — German Scientist Who Helped Develop Pfizer Vaccine Says It’ll bash COVID on Head</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>One of the scientists behind the prospective COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech said on Thursday he believes the shot can end the pandemic…</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The vaccine hinders COVID-19 from gaining access to our cells. But even if the virus manages to find a way in, then the T-cells bash it over the head and eliminate it. We have trained the immune system very well to perfect these two defensive moves. We now know that the virus can’t defend itself against these mechanisms,” he told The Guardian.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>He hopes people who receive the vaccine will be protected against the virus for at least a year, but it is still unknown how long immunity will last.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Pfizer and BioNTech are on track to apply later this month for emergency-use approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, once it has the necessary safety information in hand.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read the entire article here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-scientist-who-helped-develop-pfizer-vaccine-says-it-can-stop-pandemic/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-11-13&utm_medium=email">https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-scientist-who-helped-develop-pfizer-vaccine-says-it-can-stop-pandemic/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-11-13&utm_medium=email</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KEEPING YOU SAFE AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">With the Covid-19 pandemic surging in Douglas County and throughout Nebraska it is important for us to review the health measures we have in place at Holy Cross parish.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have been diagnosed with Covid-19, exposed to someone diagnosed with the virus, have a fever, or any other symptoms of the virus you should not enter the building. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">BEFORE entering the building please be sure that you are wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. You should wear your mask AT ALL TIMES when you are in the building, whether you are in the chapel, the parish hall or the sacristy. Masks should not be removed until after leaving the building. If you feel the need to remove your mask, please step outdoors to do so and do not re-enter the building until you have put your mask back on.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have antibacterial soap in the restrooms, and hand sanitizer in two places in the chapel for our use. Please do not shake hands, and remember to keep a minimum of six (6) feet of social distance between households. Every other pew has been closed, but you will still want to stagger your seating between households so no one is directly in front or behind you.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Cheri and I are trying to set a good example for everyone. Although we are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave we still have our masks on before entering the building and do not remove them until we have exited. Even if you find yourself in the building with only one other person who is not part of your household please keep your mask on.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">So far no one has become ill from Covid-19 at Holy Cross parish, and we want to keep it that way. By observing the common sense health measures outlined above we can continue to keep everyone feeling safe to attend Services, and continue to advance our mission of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century, and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. Thank you! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — Yeshua the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer and a Sermon. Morning Prayer or Shacharit is our morning Service. It has its roots in the synagogue Services of Jesus’ time. It is an ancient and beautiful Service of Psalms, Canticles, two Scripture readings, a sermon, and prayer. Bring your Bible with you and be ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you. We hope to see you soon!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-82810442362933319942020-10-30T14:36:00.000-07:002020-10-30T14:36:34.540-07:00BIBLE PROPHECY IS HISTORY WRITTEN IN ADVANCE — An Amazing End Time Prophecy from the Book of Daniel is being Fulfilled in Our Day!<p> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Many people who read the Bible find the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation in the New Testament mysterious and off-putting, and do not even try to study and understand them. As a result they miss out on some of the most important prophecies in the Holy Scriptures — and understanding Bible prophecy is vital if we are to understand what is happening in our world today and what lies just ahead, for as Amos the Prophet tells us:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If we do not understand Bible prophecy the world will look like it is spinning out of control. God will seem like an absentee landlord rather than a loving Father, and many people will lose faith and will become practical deists, or even agnostics and atheists. Lack of interest in and understanding of Bible prophecy has most certainly contributed to the rapidly growing number of “nones” in the population who do not see religious faith as at all important to their lives.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation are so important that Jesus (<i>Hebrew</i>: Yeshua), speaking about the Book of Daniel said, <i>“whoever reads, let him understand” (</i>Matthew 24:15). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And we are told by the apostle John that the Book of Revelation is, <i>“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants” </i>(Revelation 1:1). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">God wants His servants to read and understand the Book of Revelation. So much so that the Book of Revelation is the only Book of the entire Bible that specifically promises a blessing to those who read the book or hear the book read, “and keep those things written in it”:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it” (Revelation 1:3).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If Jesus instructs his disciples to read and understand the Book of Daniel, and if the Book of Revelation is <i>“The Revelation”</i> not of John, but <i>“of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>to show His servants</i>,</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>”</i> then why are the vast majority of those professing to be God’s servants not carefully studying these two books? Instead, why do they seem to be avoiding them?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why indeed?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Revelation provided comfort for its first century readers, guidance for Christians over the centuries, and presents us with a panoramic view of End Time events and the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth. In Revelation chapter 19, we have the Second Coming of the Messiah Jesus. Revelation chapter 20, explains the Millennial Kingdom and the resurrections of the dead. Revelation chapter 21, and Revelation chapter 22 describe the eternal Kingdom of God when it comes in its fullness following the Millennium. Then, in Revelation chapter 22, verses 6 and 7 we read,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>These words are faithful and true</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, in verse 7, a blessing is again promised by Jesus:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” — </i>the Book of Revelation.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE COST OF IGNORING THE BOOKS OF DANIEL AND REVELATION</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From the first promise of redemption in Genesis 3:15, all the way through the Holy Scriptures to the final chapter of the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, the scarlet thread of redemption promises that Paradise Lost in Genesis chapters 1, 2 and 3 will become Paradise Restored in Revelation chapters 20, 21 and 22. Paradise restored is called the Kingdom of God in the Scriptures, and Christians have been taught in the Lord’s Prayer to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The coming of the Kingdom of God on earth is the theme of the Book of Daniel, and the Book of Daniel is central to the Book of Revelation. In fact, the seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel is at the heart of the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation expands upon and explains the revelations made to the Prophet Daniel more than six hundred years earlier, and many Bible scholars agree that chapter 10 of the Book of Revelation specifically references the Book of Daniel as the “little book.” That is why Jesus is so anxious for his disciples to read and understand both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation, and promises a blessing to those who read or hear, and keep those things written in the Book of Revelation.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Knowledge of these two prophetic books are key to understanding the End Times, persevering in the faith through the rise of antichrist and the Great Tribulation which will soon overtake the world, avoiding the mark of the beast, and to proclaiming the Gospel or Good News of the Kingdom of God “in all the world as a witness to all the nations” before the end comes (Matthew 24:14).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The early Christians were Premillennialists, eagerly looking forward to the return of King Messiah and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom on earth. The word “millennium” is simply a Latin word meaning <i>thousand years</i>. All completely orthodox Christians believed this before the time of Constantine when the Roman Empire coopted the Messianic Jesus movement that it could not destroy through persecution. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In his <i>Dialogue with Trypho</i>, Justin Martyr (c. 160 CE) wrote:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>I and every other completely orthodox Christian</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>feel certain</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>a thousand years</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>.” </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sadly though, most Christians today do not even know that there will be a Kingdom of God on earth and a return to Eden. Instead, they think that Christianity is all about “going to heaven when you die,” despite the fact that the Holy Scriptures nowhere teach that God’s people spend eternity in heaven.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Rather than holding to the premillennial hope of the ancient Christians, most post-Constantine Christians have been Amillennialists (meaning, <i>No Millennium</i>), denying the promise of Jesus that the meek will inherit the earth, and believing that Jesus returns to earth only to conduct the Judgement and then to take the saved back to heaven with him. Premillennialism, among other Biblical teachings, has all too often been dismissed with the wave of a hand as “a Jewish heresy,” despite the fact that we worship the God of the Jews, profess to be disciples of the Jewish Messiah, and claim to pattern our faith and lives on the teachings of the Jewish Scriptures (both the Old and New Testaments are thoroughly Jewish).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">How has this happened? How has mainstream Christianity gotten so far off course?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It has happened because what passes for mainstream Christianity today is really a synthesis of Biblical Christianity with ancient Greek philosophy. Contemporary Christianity has been heavily impacted by Plato and other pagan Greek philosophers, until we have come to the point where mainstream Christian theology owes as much or more to Platonism than it does to Biblical revelation and Semitic thought. Rather than being formed by the Bible in its Semitic historical and cultural context, clergy and laity have all too often been formed in later theological systems which are no more than human constructions, and have been programed to read the Bible through the lens of these theological systems.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have to lay aside these human theological schools of thought and the traditions of men, and go back to the Bible, back to the Word of God written, and seek to understand God’s Word in its proper historical and cultural context. And, in order to understand the inspired Scriptures correctly we must use the Tanakh, commonly called the Old Testament, as a foundation for our faith in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. We must, therefore, interpret the New Testament Scriptures in light of the teachings of the Old Testament which was the Bible of the early Christians, recognizing a complete harmony in all of the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, thereby achieving sound doctrine (John 10:35b). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313-386 CE), a fourth century leader of the Christian community in the holy city wrote, </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures” (Catechetical Lecture 4; 17).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Kingdom of God is a central theme in the Holy Scriptures in general, and in the New Testament Scriptures in particular. <i>“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached” (Luke 16:16). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But what is the Kingdom of God?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">"By Christians everywhere working together to bring about world peace, tolerance and brotherly love, the Kingdom of God may at last be established in the hearts of men.” Have you ever heard people speak that way about the Kingdom of God? I certainly have!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Perhaps you have heard others say something like, “The Kingdom of God is the N._______ Church [you can fill in the blank with the denomination]. The Church is the Pearl of Great Price. Do what ever you have to do, make whatever sacrifice necessary, but enter the N._______ Church, for the N.______ Church is the Kingdom of heaven.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Or perhaps: “The Kingdom of God is within you. When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour the Kingdom of God comes into your heart.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From still others you may have heard, “Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour so when you die you can enter God’s Kingdom in heaven and dwell with Him forever in the heavenly mansions.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have heard clergymen and sincere believers say all of these things about the Kingdom of God from the pulpit, in print, over the airwaves, and in conversations. Yet, these views are all very different. They cannot all be right. Are any of them right? Why is there so much confusion about something as fundamental as the Kingdom of God? </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why? Because since most Christians have rejected — or perhaps never really heard — the Gospel that Jesus actually proclaimed, they have had to replace it with something else. They have had to invent another “gospel,” which is really a counterfeit gospel (Galatians 1:6-8; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have heard the Kingdom of God spoken of merely as “something within you,” reducing it to an ethereal, unreal nothing. Others have misrepresented the "Church" as the Kingdom of God. We have heard the “social gospel” about world peace, tolerance and the brotherhood of man. And we have heard about dying and going to a Kingdom in heaven, but Kingdom </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">in</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Heaven and Kingdom </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">of</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Heaven are very different things! “In” denotes location, while “of” denotes ownership.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When we reject the message that Jesus proclaimed and replace it with a message about the messenger, we make void the Word of God and replace it with human ideas, human traditions, which means another gospel and ultimately another Jesus. Having done so, we cannot understand what God is trying to communicate to us or what the mission of Jesus really is, and we become blind and deaf to His message. We have eyes, but we cannot see, and we have ears but we cannot hear. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why? Because we are looking at the Scriptures through the prism of our own preconceived ideas, our own theological programing, our own church tradition, and we only see what we expect to see.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Some twenty-six centuries ago God revealed some amazing truths about His coming Kingdom to one of His holy prophets — the Prophet Daniel. Jesus himself spoke about this prophet. God not only explained to the prophet Daniel what the coming Kingdom of God really is, but gave him a timeline as to when it would come. From the time of that prophet some 2,600 years ago, God revealed that there would be seven successive eras, with the seventh being the Kingdom of God on earth. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What is really amazing and exciting is that five of the seven eras outlined by the Prophet Daniel have been fully completed, and the sixth era has nearly been completed, leaving us at the door of the seventh and final era — the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Scriptures are so clear on this, and history so corroborates this prophecy that there will be no doubt in your mind after you see it in the Scriptures. 2,600 years of history going down to our day that reads like a history textbook written in advance. It is so amazing!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Speaking of the Book of the Prophet Daniel, Jesus says, “whoever reads, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15). Are you ready to read and understand? </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The inspired message that Daniel brings will open your eyes, build your faith, and comfort you in the midst of a world <i>seemingly</i> spinning out of control. It will give you hope, and assurance in your faith: </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE PROPHET DANIEL</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The story of the Daniel begins in the early summer of 605 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar, son of King Nabopolassar of Babylon raided the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrians more than a century earlier, and the people carried off into captivity.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Of those Jews (or Judahites) captured in Nebuchadnezzar’s raid, a small group was selected to be taken back to Babylon for service in the king’s court. Among them were four pious young men, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These four young men were given new Babylonian names and called Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">During this campaign against the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar received news of his father’s death and immediately returned to Babylon to ascend the vacant throne. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As exiles in Babylon, the four pious young men persevered in their faith in the God of Israel. Over the years they learned Aramaic, the Chaldean language, and were educated in the knowledge, science and wisdom of the Babylonians.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At the beginning of their preparation for service in the royal court, <i>“the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king” (Daniel 1:5).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But Daniel and his companions had no intention of eating the unclean meats (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14) that came from the king’s table, but instead remained committed to keeping the commandments of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, ‘I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king’” (Daniel 1:8-10). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In order to avoid the king’s unclean food, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, asked to be fed a vegetarian diet and given water to drink:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.’ So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days” (Daniel 1:11-14).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And what was the result?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables (Daniel 1:15-16).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah honored God by keeping His commandments in a very difficult situation, and God honors those who honor Him. As it says in First Samuel, <i>“for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed’” (1 Samuel 2:30). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And how did God honor these four pious young men?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams”</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> (Daniel 1:17). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL CHAPTER 2</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Soon after their training was complete, King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing prophetic dream, the meaning of which he did not understand.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said to them, ‘I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, ‘O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, ‘My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>They answered again and said, ‘Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The king answered and said, ‘I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, ‘There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them” (Daniel 2:1-13).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When Daniel learned of what was happening, he went to the king to ask for a little time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven” (Daniel 2:16-19).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After God had revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel, he went to the king, where Daniel told the king what his dream was.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, ‘Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, ‘The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>‘You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:26-35).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE MEANING OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S PROPHETIC DREAM</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">God had already told Daniel the meaning of the disturbing dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had, and Daniel began to explain the king’s dream to him.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“‘This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all — you are this head of gold’” (Daniel 2:36-38). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Nebuchadnezzar is the head of gold of the great image that he saw in his dream. Since Daniel identified other parts of the image as representing kingdoms, it is clear that the head of gold represents Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom of Babylon. In this chapter of the Book of Daniel and in later chapters “king” and “kingdom” are used interchangeably.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The head of gold fits Babylon which the Prophet Isaiah called <i>“the golden city” (Isaiah 14:4</i>), and the Prophet Jeremiah called <i>“a golden cup” (Jeremiah 51:7).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The city of Babylon, the capital of the Babylonian Empire which King Nebuchadnezzar ruled was surrounded by massive, heavily fortified walls; and the city lay on both sides of the Euphrates River, which provided it with abundant water, and supported its commerce. The Babylonian Empire was a world superpower.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth” (Daniel 2:39).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Another kingdom, inferior to Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, represented by the silver breast and arms of the great image would conquer and supplant the golden kingdom. History tells us that King Darius of Medo-Persia diverted the waters of the Euphrates River and then led his army through the dry riverbank and into the city of Babylon, taking it completely by surprise in 539 BCE.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Medo-Persian Empire represented by the silver breast and arms of the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream succeeded the Babylonian Empire as the world’s next great superpower.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The third kingdom, represented by the bronze belly and thighs of the great image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream represented the Macedonian Greek Empire. Alexander the Great who conquered the Mediterranean world launched a lightening-like invasion of Medo-Persia, defeating them in a number of major actions and finally routing them at the battle of Arbella in 331 BCE. The Greek Empire of Alexander the Great conquered and supplanted the mighty Medo-Persion Empire.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others” (Daniel 2:40).</i> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The fourth kingdom, represented by the iron legs of the great image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represents the rising Roman Empire. Rome was strong like iron, and ruthlessly crushed and conquered everything in the path of Roman expansion. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Roman Empire began to replace the Greek Empire by a decisive victory at the battle of Pydna in 168 BCE, and by 30 BCE with the subjection of Egypt the Romans gained control of the Mediterranean world, conquering and supplanting the Greek Empire built by Alexander the Great. The two legs also represent the fact that as the Roman Empire expanded two capitals were eventually established for administrative purposes. Rome in the West remained the capital and chief city of the Empire, but Byzantium or Constantinople also became a Roman capital city in the East.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay” (Daniel 2:41-43).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Prophet Daniel not only foresaw the rise of the Roman Empire centuries before it happened, but he also foretold its downfall a thousand years before it took place. When he explained the feet and toes of the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he foretold that the fourth kingdom, the mighty iron kingdom of Rome would be divided, and history bears witness that it happened just as he said it would.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In the fifth century, after a period of decline, the Roman Empire fell to ten barbarian tribes, represented by the ten toes of the image. The ten barbarian tribes that conquered Rome are the:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Huns</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Heruli</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Vandals</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ostrogoths</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Anglo-Saxons</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Lombards</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Franks</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Burgundians</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Suevi</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Visigoths</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">These ten tribes formed kingdoms which later developed into the modern nations of Europe. Daniel explained, <i>“And as the toes of the feet [the nations of Europe] were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile” (Daniel 2:42).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Great powers have arisen in Europe over the centuries, but none have rivaled the might and glory of the Roman Empire; and from time to time powerful men have tried to reunite Europe and thereby restore the Roman Empire, but have never succeeded. Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon and Hitler, among others, tried it, but all these attempts ultimately failed just as Daniel foretold. In each case much of Europe was reunited for a short time, but in each instance the union could not hold and the project collapsed. They just would not adhere one to another. Even attempts to bring about an intermingling of these kingdoms, especially through intermarriage between royal houses, also failed just as Daniel foretold. Daniel had said, <i>“As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay”</i> (Daniel 2:43). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Revelation warns that just as powerful men in the past sought to reunite Europe, so in the End Times the coming antichrist will seek to reunite Europe and restore the Roman Empire. You can read all about it in the Book of Revelation, especially chapters 13 and 17. However, just as Daniel foretold, they will <i>“not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay” (Daniel 2:43</i>), and the antichrist will have to deal with three rebel regions in Europe and his short-lived Empire will come crashing down with the Return of King Messiah as King of kings and Lord of lords.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And in the days of these kings [the toes of the great image] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold — the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure”(Daniel 2:44-45).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Daniel chapter 2, verses 34 and 35, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream comes to a dramatic climax:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“</span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Prophet Daniel explains the meaning of verses 34 and 35 in verses 44 and 45 where he describes the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From verses 41 through 44 we know that the coming of the Kingdom of God follows the fall of the Roman Empire (the iron kingdom) and during the time of the modern European nations (the toes and feet made partly of iron and partly of clay):</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom [the iron kingdom/Roman Empire] shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. A</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>nd in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The stone which strikes the image is the Return of the King who will strike the nations (Revelation 19:15) and establish the stone Kingdom, the Kingdom of God, which <i>“became a great mountain and filled the whole earth”</i> (verse 35. See also Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 11:15).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Daniel chapter 2, we have been shown the sweep of history from Daniel’s day some 2,600 years ago, all the way to the Return of King Messiah to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. The Prophet Daniel foretold a succession of four kingdoms, four world superpowers that would succeed one another over the centuries:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">1. Babylon</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">2. Medo-Persia</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">3. Greece</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">4. Rome</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Daniel then foretold that the Roman Empire would be divided administratively like the two legs of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. And it happened just as he said it would when a second capital for the eastern part of the empire was established at Byzantium or Constantinople.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">History bears witness to the accuracy of Daniel’s prophecy about these four successive superpowers. Stewart C. Easton’s college textbook, <i>The Heritage of the Ancient World,</i> lists in its table of contents:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Chaldeans and New Babylonia” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Great Persian Empire” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Greek Civilization” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Foundation of the Roman Empire.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Prophet Daniel explained that the Roman Empire would be divided into ten parts like the toes of the great image, and it happened just as he said it would! The Roman Empire was was not conquered by a fifth superpower, but instead declined over a long period of time until it finally collapsed and was divided among ten invading barbarian tribes, and these ten tribes became the progenitors of the modern European nations.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It took more than 1,000 years to get from the Babylonian Empire to the fall of the Roman Empire, and everything happened exactly as Daniel foretold it would. Since the fall of the Roman Empire powerful men from Charlemagne to Hitler have sought to reunite Europe and resurrect the Roman Empire, but, <i>“As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay” (Daniel 2:43).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Bible prophecy is nothing less than history seen in advance.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Revelation tells us that there will be a final attempt to reunite Europe and resurrect the Roman Empire in the End Times by a man described in the Bible as the beast, the antichrist, and the man of sin. There was a popular belief among Christians in the later part of the first century of Nero Redivivus, — that Nero would return. They saw antichrist as coming in the spirit and power of Nero who was also described by his Roman contemporaries as a wild beast. This was a commonly held belief among Christians as late as the fifth century.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The stage is now being set for the rise of antichrist, and his coming is near at hand. The European Union is peacefully reuniting Europe, and this new Union of European States will have a larger population and a stronger economy than the United States of America. It will constitute an economically and militarily powerful revival of Roman power. This revived Roman Empire will become a global superpower and the seat of the antichrist, and the antichrist will be assisted by a religious leader that the Bible calls the false prophet.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In his latest encyclical letter, <i>Fratelli Tutti,</i> Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, spoke of the need for all nations of the world to submit to a reformed and more powerful United Nations in the hope of leading to a one world government to benefit mankind. He noted that the time is now right to make this move, since globalization has weakened the political power of the nation states. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A single, global authority, he wrote, “ought at least to promote more effective world organizations, equipped with the power to provide for the global common good, the elimination of hunger and poverty and the sure defense of fundamental human rights.” Francis further suggested that the United Nations would need to be strengthened in order to handle such a responsibility, citing the desire of his predecessor, Pope Benedict, to see “real teeth” given to the idea of global governance. Francis recommends that any reform of the United Nations organization should include clear limits that would prevent any one nation or group of nations from having too much power.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">With globalization breaking down national sovereignty, all but erasing borders, and creating an interdependent world, a New World Order is coming into being aided and abetted by the Roman papacy, and the way is being prepared for the rise of a world deceiver and dictator. The leader of the revived Roman Empire — the antichrist — will become a very popular world leader, and at a time of a global crisis will be seen as a saviour, a Christ-like figure, and he will be assisted by a powerful religious leader called in the Scriptures the false prophet. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After being hailed as the world’s saviour and apparently bringing peace and security to the earth, antichrist will show his true character as a savage beast and a brutal dictator who, like the ancient Roman emperors will demand to be worshipped as a god. All who will not submit to him and bear his mark will be persecuted, hunted down and killed, but everyone will not submit to him, and at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) the Lord Jesus will return in power and glory. Like the stone that struck the great image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, King Messiah will strike the nations (Revelation 19:15), destroy the antichrist and the false prophet (Revelation 19:20), and slay their followers (Revelation 19:21), — and the Kingdom of God will fill the whole earth: </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (Daniel 2:44-45).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">God will set up a kingdom on earth that shall never be destroyed, and the Kingdom shall not be left to another people. It will be the eternal home of the redeemed. Paradise Lost in Genesis chapters 1, 2 and 3 becomes Paradise Restored in Revelation chapters 20, 21 and 22. The Millennial Kingdom of Revelation chapter 20, will be followed by the eternal Kingdom of God of Revelation chapters 21 and 22:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’ (Revelation 21:1-5).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">How close are we to all of this? Very close, even at the doors. In the second chapter of his book, the Prophet Daniel described seven eras, with the first being in his time and the last being the Kingdom of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The seven are the eras of (1) Babylon, (2) Medo-Persia, (3) Greece, (4) Rome, and (5) an expanded Rome with two capitals represented by the two legs of the great image, (6) a divided Europe, and finally (7) the Kingdom of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is interesting to note that the number seven represents completion or perfection in the Holy Scriptures, and the Stone Kingdom, the Kingdom of God that fills the whole earth is the seventh era foretold by Daniel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The first five of the seven eras have been completely fulfilled. The sixth era, that of a divided Europe is nearing fulfillment as the European Union is reuniting Europe in preparation for the coming of the antichrist as foretold in the Book of Revelation. That leaves us today on the cusp of the seventh and final era of human history since the time of the Prophet Daniel some 2,600 years ago. The final events of this present world’s history are about to unfold. Jesus is coming soon.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come! (1 Corinthians 16:22)</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HOLY CROSS PARISH</span></span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7545 Main Street</span></span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(402) 573-6558</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-40674517730722026582020-10-23T13:27:00.000-07:002020-10-23T13:27:26.018-07:00SUNDAY’S SERMON — An Amazing Prophecy from the Bible is being Fulfilled in Our Day!<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">"By Christians everywhere working together to bring about world peace, tolerance and brotherly love, the Kingdom of God may at last be established in the hearts of men.” Have you ever heard people speak that way about the Kingdom of God? I certainly have!</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Perhaps you have heard others say something like, “The Kingdom of God is the N._______ Church [you can fill in the blank yourself with the denomination]. The Church is the Pearl of Great Price. Do what ever you have to do, make whatever sacrifice necessary, but enter the N._______ Church for it is the Kingdom of heaven.<span style="font-size: 12px;">”</span></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">Or perhaps: “The Kingdom of God is within you. When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour the Kingdom of God comes into your heart.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From still others you may have heard, “Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour so when you die you can enter God’s Kingdom in heaven and dwell with Him forever in the heavenly mansions.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have heard clergymen and sincere believers say all of these things about the Kingdom of God from the pulpit, in print, over the airwaves, and in conversations. Yet, these views are all very different. They cannot all be right. Are any of them right? Why is there so much confusion about something as important as the Kingdom of God? </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why indeed? Because most Christians have rejected — or perhaps never really heard of — the Gospel that Jesus actually proclaimed, they had to replace it with something else. They had to invent another “gospel,” which is really a counterfeit gospel (Galatians 1:6-8; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have heard the Kingdom of God spoken of merely as “something within you,” reducing it to an ethereal, unreal nothing. Others have misrepresented the "Church" as the Kingdom of God. We have heard the “social gospel” about world peace, tolerance and the brotherhood of man. And we have heard about dying and going to a Kingdom in heaven (Kingdom </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">of</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Heaven and Kingdom </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">in</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Heaven are very different things!). “Of” denotes ownership while “in” denotes location.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When we reject the message that Jesus proclaimed and replace it with a message about the messenger, we make void the Word of God and replace it with human ideas, which means another gospel and ultimately another Jesus. Having done so, we cannot understand what God is trying to communicate to us or what the mission of Jesus really is, and we become blind and deaf to His message. We have eyes, but we cannot see, and we have ears but we cannot hear. Why? Because we are looking at the Scriptures through the prism of our own preconceived ideas, our own theological programing, and we only see what we expect to see.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Some twenty-six centuries ago God revealed some amazing truths about the coming Kingdom of God on earth to one of His holy prophets. Jesus himself spoke about this prophet. God not only explained to the prophet what the coming Kingdom of God really is, but gave him a timeline as to when it would come. From the time of that prophet some 2,600 years ago, God revealed that there would be seven eras, with the seventh being the Kingdom of God on earth. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What is really amazing and exciting is that five of the seven eras outlined by the prophet have been fully completed, and the sixth era has nearly been completed, leaving us at the door of the seventh and final era — the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Scriptures are so clear on this, and history so corroborates this prophecy, that there will be no doubt in your mind after you are shown it in the Scriptures. Twenty-six hundred years of history going down to our day that reads like a history textbook.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This Sunday’s sermon is one that you will not want to miss! Bring your Bible and come ready to learn. God knows the end from the beginning and, “Surely the LORD God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What you learn on Sunday will open your eyes, build your faith, and comfort you in the midst of a world <i>seemingly</i> spinning out of control. It will give you confidence in your faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Don’t miss this message! Sunday Services are at 9:00 AM. Invite your family and friends to come and learn this amazing truth from the Holy Scriptures. It just may change their lives. Everyone is invited and visitors are always welcome. I hope to see you on October 25!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — What did the early Christians Believe About the Kingdom of God?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Most Christians do not even know that there will be a Kingdom of God on earth. They have never heard of it although it is a constant theme throughout the Bible. When pressed about the concept of the Kingdom of God they “spiritualize” it away by saying that it is something within your heart, or they say it is the “Church.” Which “Church”? Well, the denomination they belong to of course! There is so much confusion out there. It is literally a Babylon of conflicting ideas.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yet, the Kingdom of God is not a peripheral issue. It’s not a minor point of doctrine. It’s not merely adiaphora. The Kingdom of God is central to the message of the Bible. It is the Gospel, the Good News! If we get it wrong, we are going to misunderstand nearly everything else in Scripture.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A question that we all need to ask is, What was the hope of the early Christians? Dying and going to heaven, or the resurrection and the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth? These two beliefs could not be more different!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In this week’s broadcast of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> — <i>What is the Kingdom of God?, Part 7</i> — we are going to tackle this question. We are going to look at what early Christian writer after early Christian writer had to say about the hope of Christians. We are going to be quoting from writers who lived in the century or so following the death of the apostle John, the longest living of the twelve.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Around the year 160 CE, Justin Martyr in his <i>Dialogue with Trypho </i>wrote, “I and every other completely orthodox Christian feel certain that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At the time of Justin Martyr (100-165 CE), an important early Christian writer who was of the generation that immediately followed the apostle John, he “and every other completely orthodox Christian” was a Millenarian, a Chiliast, believing in a literal Kingdom of God on earth with King Jesus ruling for a thousand years from Jerusalem. This was the universal belief of all orthodox Christians in the generations that followed the apostles. The early Christians were Premillennialists. Premillennialism was the eschatology of the faith once delivered in the first century (Jude 3). There is no doubt about that. None.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yet the post-Constantine Roman State Church condemned historic Premillennialism as a Jewish heresy, and most Christians are Amillennialists (meaning no millennium) rather than Premillennialists today. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can learn all about it in this week’s broadcast, as well as what can be done to recover and restore “the faith once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio Broadcast can be heard Saturday at 9:30 AM and Sunday at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can hear<i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click <i>Listen Live</i>:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our series, <i>What is the Kingdom of God?</i> goes into great detail as to what the Kingdom of God is, and what it is not. The series consists of eight 30 minute episodes. Episode 7 will be broadcast this week on KCRO Radio.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have missed any of the earlier episodes, you can listen to them all as podcasts absolutely free. The series begins with episode 50, and runs through episode 57. If you want to really learn what the Bible says about the Kingdom of God, and what the early christians really believed about the Kingdom, then this is the series for you.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Don’t be misled by the un-Scriptural and anti-Scriptural counterfeit eschatology foisted on Christians over the centuries by the Roman State Church under Constantine and his successors. You need to know what the Kingdom of God really is! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All 57 of our radio broadcasts are archived for your use. You can listen to the series, <i>What is the Kingdom of God?,</i> or any of our broadcasts here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF JESUS LOST?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The vast majority of “conservative,” “traditional” or “orthodox” Christians today agree that they are. For liberal “Christians” on the other hand, it isn’t even an issue because they do not see Jesus as the way, the truth and the life, but merely a way, a truth and a life.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Just this morning I saw an article on Facebook, posted by a nationally known Eastern Orthodox clergyman on his parish website titled,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>What Happens to Those Who Have Never Heard of Jesus?</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">That clergyman’s answer to the question is found in the first two sentences of the article:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“What happens to those who have never heard of Jesus? Will God condemn people to hell for not believing in someone they have never heard of? First, people are not condemned to hell for not believing in Jesus whom they have never heard of. Rather they are already condemned because of their sin.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read the entire article here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://arizonaorthodox.com/2020/10/22/never-heard-of-jesus/?fbclid=IwAR0N1LkFvZPFVWu-Kf4afOQjmOQBqqmqWuH9KcLCpeNmbQMlMn8gx77j080"><i>https://arizonaorthodox.com/2020/10/22/never-heard-of-jesus/?fbclid=IwAR0N1LkFvZPFVWu-Kf4afOQjmOQBqqmqWuH9KcLCpeNmbQMlMn8gx77j080</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are like me, you are asking yourself how anyone could believe that God is like that? We are all sinners, but those who have never heard of Jesus are just out of luck and are going to hell. It may be too bad that they were born in the wrong place or at the wrong time, but off they go to the inferno to be tormented for ever and ever.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But it gets even worse. Many self-professed Christians also think that those who believe in Jesus and faithfully seek to follow him, but do not belong to the right denomination (their particular denomination of course!) are lost.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Do you believe such things? I never have! Such views, and millions hold them, make God a moral monster and drives many from considering who Jesus is and the Gospel he proclaimed. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hundreds of millions, possibly billions of people throughout history have never heard of Jesus, never seen a New Testament, and never heard the Gospel. That is a fact of history. In addition, Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9), and blinded the people “lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">While people do not <i>have</i> to be deceived or blinded, the devil and his angels are very powerful and have tremendous influence. They have super human minds, much superior to ours. How culpable is a blind man for not getting anything out of a book? Are the deceived and blinded really incorrigible rebells against God, or are they victims of Satan’s deceit and wrath who need to be rescued and made whole?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Is God a neutral judge letting “the chips fall where they will,” no matter the human wreckage, pain and suffering; or does He truly desire that all may turn from sin, and inherit eternal life, while preserving us as free moral agents? Does He really love each of us as though there were only one of us? Or is such talk mere platitudes? Is God really the embodiment of love? Would God condemn people for what they could not have known? Is God’s sense of justice, compassion and mercy less than ours? If He truly is a loving Father, how far will He go to save us? </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Good News is that the Bible paints a very different picture than the article that I saw this morning does. The “wrong time, wrong place, guess you are just out of luck” theology that so many hold is utterly unScriptural and is an affront to God. God is not a moral monster, a neutral judge, or some heavenly Sargent Joe Friday that just wants the facts ma’am. He will go to great lengths, really any length, to save us, while respecting our free moral agency to reject both Him and His gift of eternal life.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Holy Scriptures are clear that while the antichrist, the false prophet, the incorrigibly wicked, and the open enemies of Christ will be slain at his Coming, and Satan will be chained for a thousand years so he cannot tempt the nations any longer, the nations will live on into the Millennial Kingdom. The dead in Christ will be raised, those alive in him changed, and we will reign with him as kings and priests — meaning that we will be governing the nations under King Messiah as kings, and teaching the nations as priests.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But is the generation that is alive when Christ returns the “lucky generation,” leaving all those of past generations who have never heard of Jesus, seen a New Testament or heard the Gospel, or who were deceived and blinded by the evil one, simply out of luck? Not at all! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Revelation chapter 20 speaks of three resurrections. The first is of those in Christ when he comes. The second, at the end of the Millennial Kingdom, is of those who have never had a real opportunity to accept or reject the Gospel before. Hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, will be resurrected at this time. The books of the Bible will be opened to them as will the Book of Life, and they will be taught the Word of God and will finally have an opportunity to choose God, to choose life. The Prophet Isaiah seems to say that this period will last about 100 years. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All this has nothing to do with giving people a “second chance.” Instead, it is all about ensuring that everyone has an opportunity, “a first chance,” to hear God’s Word, encounter the risen Messiah, believe the Gospel, and be saved. No one ever will be lost because of circumstances. Except for the truly incorrigible, God does not see sin as something to be punished, but as wounds to be healed. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Every person who was ever conceived in their mothers womb will have an opportunity either in this life or in the Millennial Kingdom to hear the Word of God and accept it or reject it. Will everyone be saved? Sadly no. Free will remains — and free will is a great gift from God. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Many reject God through incorrigible sin or sinful indifference in this life, and the same will be true in the Millennial Kingdom. When Satan and his angels are released at the end of the thousand years to test the nations many people will be shown to be merely “cultural Christians” without real love for God or for neighbor. The Bible says that those who turn to follow Satan will be in “number as the sand of the sea” (Revelation 20:8).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Then, finally, comes the General Resurrection and the Last Judgement. The devil and his angels, unrepentant sinners, sin and death are no more. The Millennial Kingdom gives way to the eternal Kingdom of God as we see in Revelation chapters 21 and 22. Paradise Lost in Genesis chapters 1, 2 and 3, becomes Paradise Restored in Revelation chapters 21 and 22. The scarlet thread of redemption that runs through the Bible from Genesis 3:15 to the end of the Book of Revelation is all about redeeming what was lost — Eden, Paradise with its intimacy with God — and restoring it.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son (Revelation 21:1-7).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Want to learn more about the three resurrections of Revelation chapter 20? Just go to our broadcast archives and listen to Episode 55 of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i>, — <i>What is the Kingdom of God?, Part 6.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a <i>Follower</i>. That way you will not miss a single post!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the coming of the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If a “traditional” belief does not go back to the first century it cannot be apostolic and is instead a tradition of men. The faith was not once delivered in the 16th, the 11th, or even the 4th century, but in the 1st century. We have much to learn, and some things to unlearn. Come and join us. Everyone is welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer and a Sermon. Morning Prayer or Shacharit is our morning Service. It has its roots in the synagogue Services of Jesus’ time. It is an ancient and beautiful Service of Psalms, Canticles, two Scripture readings, a sermon, and prayer. Bring your Bible with you and be ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you!</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-16222366175009166142020-10-16T09:35:00.000-07:002020-10-16T09:35:45.555-07:00OUR ELECTRONIC OUTREACH IS SKYROCKETING!<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A REPORT ON OUR ELECTRONIC OUTREACH AND MUCH, MUCH MORE</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Electronic outreach is the new street evangelism, and the impact of our electronic outreach at Holy Cross is skyrocketing as an ever growing number of lives are being touched locally, nationally, and (yes!) globally by our ministry. In my many years as pastor of Holy Cross I have never seen anything like it before!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Just over a year ago we went on the air for the first time with <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast. Believe me, it was a big step of faith — really a huge leap of faith. We knew that God was leading us to take to the airwaves, but we also knew that He would have to provide the means.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When we first went on the air it was with the understanding that we could cancel the program with proper notice if necessary. That gave us a safety net, but we never really contemplated the possibility of cancelling the broadcast after we began.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We stepped out in faith, and God stepped in to meet our needs. Even before the first episode was aired a supporter on the east coast covered the cost of our inaugural broadcast. That reassured us of God’s leading and of his provision, and we have never looked back.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As we were approaching the end of our first year on the air I took to the pulpit to tell our congregation that we needed to expand our radio outreach. At the time, our 30 minute radio broadcast was heard Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM, on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and on KCRO Radio 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska. By adding an evening broadcast we could reach a whole new listening audience. We did not have the financial means to double our air time in Omaha and Lincoln, but I asked our parish family to pray that God would make a way. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And did God answer our prayers? Did He ever! Our Heavenly Father quickly answered our prayers, making it possible to add evening broadcasts in both Omaha and Lincoln. Beginning with our 51st weekly broadcast our 30 minute <i>Faith Once Delivered</i> radio program was on the air Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM <i>and</i> Sunday evenings at 9:30 PM on both 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">KCRO Radio is Nebraska’s premier Christian radio station, and that is why it was our choice for launching our radio ministry. KCRO has been on the air for 40 years, and can be heard by 1.3 million people in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. When people in our area think of Christian radio, they think KCRO. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">KCRO Radio carries such popular Christian radio programs as <i>Focus on the Family</i> founded by Dr. James Dobson, <i>Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, Insight for Living with Chuck Swindoll, Jay Sekulow Live, The Dave Ramsey Show, </i>and <i>Adventures in Odyssey,</i> just to name a few.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But our radio outreach goes far beyond eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast is heard locally, nationally and globally over the Internet. Listeners can hear both our Saturday morning and Sunday evening broadcasts by simply going to <a href="http://kcro.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;">kcro.com</span></a> and clicking <i>Listen Live</i>. That’s,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-kerning: none;"> <a href="http://kcro.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;">kcro.com</span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">With God’s continued blessing, help and guidance we hope to remain on the air until the moment when we hear the trumpet of God and the shout of the archangel, and see our Lord coming in glory!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can partner with us and help us in our outreach. Just go to our parish website. On the Home page you will see a yellow “Donate” button. Just click it, and you will be able to contribute safely and securely with PayPal. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to our twice weekly radio broadcasts, every one of our radio broadcasts are archived and can be heard for free anytime, on demand, as Podcasts. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have listeners in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, all across the United States, and in other parts of the world. We hear from them, and the impact our ministry is having on their lives make us want to expand our electronic outreach even further.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast fuels all other aspects of our ever expanding outreach which includes social media, the <i>Holy Cross parish</i> website, the <i>Holy Cross Update</i>, and <i>Fr. Novak’s Blog</i>. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">On October 10th, I gathered some statistical information to share with our congregation. The statistics were very encouraging. The numbers of readers and visitors just keeps going up and up and up!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Very few people outside of their own congregation read a local pastor’s blog. Yet, last month <i>Fr. Novak’s Blog</i> had 1,943 views! Over 30 days that comes to 65 readers per day! And the numbers just keep increasing. In the first ten days of October, <i>Fr. Novak’s Blog</i> had 840 readers. That’s 84 per day — a 29% increase over last month’s daily average! If that keeps up, we will have more than 2,500 readers in the month of October!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And we have not even promoted <i>Fr. Novak’s Blog</i> on the radio. Readers would have to learn about it from other sources such as our parish website, Facebook page, <i>The Holy Cross Update</i>, or by word of mouth.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Every broadcast of <i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>brings more new viewers to our parish Facebook page. In all of the years that we have had a Facebook page I have never seen anything like it before. We now have 478 Followers. A follower is essentially a subscriber. That means that nearly 500 households want to see everything we post. And that does not even take into consideration the thousands that visit our page from time to time. The number of visitors just keeps increasing, and right now is up 21% over last month!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The readership of the<i> Holy Cross Update</i> continues to expand as well. Not only is our distribution list growing, but readers also forward it on to family and friends. In addition, it is sometimes referenced on <i>Fr. Novak’s Blog</i>, in our social media outreach, and is promoted on our parish website. Friends of Holy Cross can receive the<i> Holy Cross Update</i> by email absolutely free for the asking. All they need to do is to write me and ask to be added to the distribution list. You can write me at:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:venovak@hughes.net"><i>venovak@hughes.net</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FUTURE OUTREACH PLANS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Joel chapter 2 is a prophecy of the End Times and the Day of the LORD. In verse 28 it says:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A<i>nd it shall come to pass afterward</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Your old men shall dream dreams,</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Your young men shall see visions.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus has given us a Commission in these Latter Days:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).</i> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about how this proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness to all nations fits into End Time events by reading Matthew 24:3-31. The Commission to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom (v. 14) is virtually in the centre of those 29 verses in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. Yet, few today are proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. They are out there, but we are a small remnant. Most professing Christians do not even know that there will be a Kingdom of God established on earth when King Messiah returns.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Inspired by the Spirit of God we need to continue to “dream dreams and see visions” as Joel and other prophets foretold, and be willing to step out in faith. If electronic outreach is the new street evangelism, and it is, then we need to be continually expanding our electronic outreach. Our future goals must include the live broadcasting of our Pulpit ministry on Facebook, starting a Youtube television channel and producing programming for it, increasing our radio outreach by going to a daily broadcast and then increasing the number of stations carrying our broadcasts, and eventually developing a weekly program for Christian satellite TV. And these dreams and visions are just for starters!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I do not know when all of this will happen, but I do know that the Messiah Yeshua has given his people a Commission to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness to all nations and is looking for willing co-workers to advance his mission in the world, and that He is willing empower us to do the work. Are we willing to do it? If we are faithful, we will be provided with the means: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">REMODELING OUR SANCTUARY</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic we had begun to renovate our sanctuary. We made a very good start, but then the lockdowns began. While Covid-19 is still with us, the lockdowns have ended. Although the pandemic is still impacting what we do at Holy Cross, and what we do not do, the Work of our congregation continues. We have been holding regular public Services again since June.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">While the pandemic and the lockdowns kept us from restoring and observing the Spring “feasts of the LORD,” we were able to observe the Fall feasts as holy convocations. From now on we will continue to observe God’s divinely instituted Holy days.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">With the Fall feasts over, we have turned our attention once again to remodeling our sanctuary. We have already restored the two tablets of the Law to our (liturgically) eastern wall. This is an ancient tradition that I am very happy to see restored.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Gospel arrived in Britain in the year 37 CE, a mere six years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Yeshua, Jesus, with the coming of Joseph of Arimathea and his companions from the holy city of Jerusalem. Joseph of Arimathea was not only the man who buried Jesus in his own new tomb, but he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling Council of the people of Israel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The form of Christianity planted in the British Isles was the authentic Judaeo-Christianity of the apostles. Early British Christianity was deeply rooted in Judaism. The faith and practice of the Celtic and English Christians before the arrival of the Roman mission led by Augustine 560 years later in 597 CE, and then as an increasingly pressured and then persecuted minority until they was finally stamped out in the aftermath of the brutal Norman Conquest on 1066 CE, was deeply rooted and firmly grounded in the faith of Israel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross we are committed to our Celtic and English spiritual heritage, <i>and</i> to the Jewish roots of our faith. As the apostle Paul wrote:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the [Jewish] root and fatness of the olive tree [Israel], do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the [Jewish] root supports you (Romans 11:16-18.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We understand that we do not support the root, but the root — the patriarchs, prophets, priests, teachers, and the righteous men and women of Israel — supports us, and that we are partakers of the root and fatness of God’s olive tree which is Israel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to learn about the truly ancient and apostolic beliefs and practices of the ancient British Christians you will want to read:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i>, by Dr. Leslie Hardinge. It is the best book I have ever read on the subject. It is a scholarly book though, and not an easy read. The author has three earned masters and a doctorate. The book is in its 95th edition! It is eye opening and inspiring. We have a goodly heritage. You can order <i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i> here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/"><i>https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">By reading <i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i>, by Hardinge you will see that what we are teaching and restoring at Holy Cross is not something new, but something ancient, authentic and original. We are recovering our roots.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you visit a very old Anglican (<i>Latin</i> for “English”) church-building you will see the two tablets of the Decalogue hanging on the wall in the sanctuary. If you visit virtually any synagogue in the world you will see the same thing. The continuity is obvious and striking. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In September I was struck by photographs that I saw of an Episcopal (Anglican/English) church in New York that is more than 200 years old and goes back to the early years of our Republic. In the photo of the sanctuary of this beautiful old church (that looks remarkably like a synagogue — as so many old Anglican churches did) I could see the pulpit, the lectern, and the Lord’s Table. Above the Lord’s Table there were two dark coloured plaques. Those are the tablets of the Law.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Above the two tablets of the Law (the Decalogue or Ten Commandments) there is a beautifully done representation of the Pillar of Cloud that led the people of Israel on their pilgrim journey from Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. The Shekhinah (<i>Biblical Hebrew</i>: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">שכינה</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> šekīnah) — the glory of the Divine presence of God — was in the Pilllar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night. This is represented by the Divine Name of God </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">יהוה</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> (Yehovah, <i>Anglicised as </i>Jehovah) in the centre. The effect was stunning. It drew the heart to prayer.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The church-building that I saw in the photographs is very special. It is on the edge of ground zero in New York. On September 11, 2001, in the chaos of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers, first responders would briefly retreat into this beautiful old church to breathe a little clean air, get a drink of water, wash the toxic dust from their eyes, and to offer a prayer before the Holy Name of God above the altar before heading back into the danger, the agony and the death of that terrible day.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If any of the friends of our parish would like to see a photograph of the sanctuary, and a close up of the Pillar of Cloud embodying the Shekhinah glory of God, please email me and I will email them out to you:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:venovak@hughes.net">venovak@hughes.net<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: black;"></span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have already restored the two tablets of the Law (the tablets of the Ten Commandments) to our sanctuary. They are beautifully done, and are the work of our local artisan and parish family member, Susan B.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Just this week Susan agreed to begin the next phase of our remodeling. She will create a plaque of the Pillar of Cloud representing the Shekinah glory of the Divine presence, with God’s Holy Name </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">יהוה</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> in its centre. The new artwork will replace the cross which currently hangs above the tablets of the Law. The cross will then be returned to its original place on the (liturgically) north wall of the sanctuary.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This is a return to our ancient practice. Dr. Percy Dearmer writes in <i>The Parson’s Handbook</i>, that while a cross was “sometimes” on or above the Lord’s Table before the Reformation, “it was by no means the rule… The idea that an altar is incomplete without a cross needs to be strenuously combated. Indeed, although altar crosses and crucifixes are certainly included under the [ornaments] rubric, there is much to be said both from a ceremonial and theological point of view against their use on the altar.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">For years we did not have a cross or crucifix on or above the Lord’s Table. We only moved our current one from the north wall to above the God’s Board in an effort to please those who were not of our English spiritual tradition. We are now returning to the ancient practice, and will be doing it beautifully to the glory of God. I will keep you up to date on how the work progresses. Let us keep Susan in our prayers as she uses her God-given talents for the glory of God.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A careful reading of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts will demonstrate that the Gospel that Yeshua, his apostles and the early disciples proclaimed was the Gospel of the Kingdom of God — and nothing else.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He said that the reason that he was sent by God was to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. He sent the twelve out to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom, and commissioned his disciples — including us — to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to all people.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The true Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is the Message that Yeshua, Jesus proclaimed, not merely a message about him. Sadly, most Christians today do not even know about the coming Kingdom of God. If they have ever thought about it, most think that the Kingdom of God is the “church” or a mystical experience within ones heart after accepting Jesus. The Message of Yeshua has become a message about Yeshua. The Good News of the Kingdom of God has been replaced by a message about dying and going to heaven which comes from pagan Greek Platonism, not from the Holy Scriptures. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Scriptures are clear:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now as they heard these things, He (Jesus) spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. Therefore He said: “</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>A certain nobleman [meaning Jesus] went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>” (Luke 19:11-12).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Kingdom comes when King Messiah returns.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Then the King will say</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> to those on His right hand, “</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> (Matthew 25:31-34).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We pray “Thy kingdom come” in the Lord’s Prayer because it is still future. Yes, we are citizens of the Kingdom now, but the Kingdom itself is not yet. The Bible calls us ambassadors of God because this world is still under the domination of satan, the god of this world. But that will all change. The Kingdom of God will come.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our risen Lord, the nobleman of the Parable of the Minas, has ascended into heaven to receive a Kingdom and to return. When he returns he will sit on the throne of his glory, which is the throne of his father David, in the holy city of Jerusalem. Then he will welcome his faithful disciples into the Kingdom: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 6:34).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When the Book of Acts closes we find the apostle Paul under house arrest in Rome awaiting martyrdom. And what is he proclaiming? The “Roman Road”? “The Four Spiritual Laws”? “Receiving Jesus into your heart so you can go to heaven when you die”? No! He was proclaiming the Kingdom of God and the things concerning Jesus:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>preaching the kingdom of God</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> and </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> with all confidence, no one forbidding him (Acts 28:30-31).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">More than 1,850 years ago, in his <i>Dialogue with Trypho</i>, Justin Martyr wrote:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“I and every other </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">completely orthodox Christian</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> feel </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">certain</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others” (c. 160 CE).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Such quotes can easily be multiplied many times over. The Ante-Nicene Christians were Premillennialists. Early Christianity was thoroughly Premillennialist. The early Christians anticipated the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth with great joy. It was the Good News, the Gospel!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Want to learn about the true Gospel — the Good News of the Kingdom of God? This week we will be completing a six part series on <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast titled, “What is the Kingdom of God?” You can hear episode six this Saturday morning, October 17th on KCRO radio, either over the airwaves or the Internet.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Or, better yet, you can hear the entire series as podcasts. They are episodes 50 through 55 and aired from September 12th through October 17th. You can access them here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;"><i></i></span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">THIS WEEK'S RADIO BROADCAST </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">— </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">HOW MANY RESURRECTIONS ARE THERE?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Amillennialists believe in one literal resurrection of the dead. Most Premillennialists believe in two resurrections: the resurrection of the saved at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, and the resurrection of the lost at the end of the thousand years. But there are other Premillennialists who believe in <i>three</i> resurrections during the Millennial Kingdom. Who is right? How many resurrections are there?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Tune in to <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast this Saturday, October 17th at 9:30 AM (Central Time) to find out. We will be taking a thorough look at what the Bible really says. The truth may not only surprise you, but will fill you with hope and with love for our loving, compassionate and merciful heavenly Father. God doesn’t just love, He <i>is</i> love. God loves each of us as though there were only one of us.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You cannot share the Gospel of the Kingdom of God unless you know what the Kingdom of God really is. When you come to see and understand the incredible love and mercy of God, and the wonder of God’s world of tomorrow, you will understand why the Gospel is such Good News. Life now and that more abundantly, and eternal life in the Kingdom of God! Paradise Lost in Genesis chapters 1, 2 and 3 become Paradise Restored in revelation chapters 20, 21, and 22. You will want to share the Good News with everyone you know. Be sure to tune in, and invite your family and friends to listen as well.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio broadcast can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska, or anywhere in the world over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com/"><i>kcro.com</i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;"><i></i></span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. That way you will not miss a single post.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748"><i>https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;"><i></i></span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the coming of the Lord. Come and join us. Everyone is welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is very rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your Faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer and a Sermon. Morning Prayer or Shacharit is our morning Service. It has its roots in the synagogue Services of Jesus’ day. It is an ancient and beautiful Service of Psalms, Canticles, two Scripture readings, and prayer. Bring your Bible with you and be ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/"><i>holycrossparishomaha.com</i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0069d9;"><i></i></span></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></p><p> </p>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-3837592061104083332020-10-08T13:57:00.004-07:002020-10-08T15:48:08.026-07:00THE LAST GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST — Friday Evening, October 9th, at 6:00 PM<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We will have services tomorrow (Friday) evening, October 9th at 6:00 PM for the Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The "Eighth day" of the Festival of Tabernacles or Sukkot is a day called in the Scriptures (in Hebrew) "Shemini Atzeret.” It is the last of the Fall feasts. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus, Yeshua was in Jerusalem teaching:</span></p></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><i>On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified — John 7:37-39.</i></span></span></p><div><br /></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">After the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20) pictured by the seven day Feast of Tabernacles, comes the eternal Kingdom of God (Revelation 21 and 22) pictured by the Eighth Day or Last Great Day of the Feast. What an amazing, loving and merciful plan of salvation is pictured for us in all seven of God’s holy festivals! What a wonderful future God has in store for us and for everyone who will respond to Him! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">On the Last Great Day of the Feast Yeshua said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Let us assemble together as commanded in the Holy Scriptures that we might partake of this living water and that it might flow from our hearts and touch the lives of others.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I’ll be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Friday, evening at 6:00 PM for the Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles. To God be the glory!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Now Twice a Week!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The next two broadcasts of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> are episodes that you will not want to miss! We will be studying Revelation 19:11 — the Return of the King — right through the last verse in Revelation 20. This will be a verse by verse study of the Second Coming of Jesus and the Millennial Kingdom as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Around the year 160 CE, Justin Martyr wrote in his <i>Dialogue with Trypho:</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">“I and every other completely orthodox Christian feel certain that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You cannot share the Gospel of the Kingdom of God unless you know what the Kingdom of God really is. By listening to these next two broadcasts you will learn all about the Millennial Kingdom, and then we will study the eternal Kingdom of God in future broadcasts. When you come to see and understand the incredible love and mercy of God, and the wonder of God’s world of tomorrow, you will understand why the Gospel is such Good News! You will be filled with hope and comfort and will want to share the Good News with others. Be sure to tune in, and invite your family and friends to listen as well.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> Radio broadcast can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM (Central Time) on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, Nebraska, or anywhere in the world over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO website and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://kcro.com/">kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">In addition to the live broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can even become a Follower (a subscriber) for free! You can access the Podcasts and/or become a Follower here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL — The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53 in the Hebrew Bible</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Did you know that Isaiah 53 is a FORBIDDEN CHAPTER in most synagogues? Watch Messianic Jews read this powerful prophecy with Israelis on the streets. See how deeply they were moved as they came face to face with their Messiah! You will not want to miss this powerful 10 minute video. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGz9BVJ_k6s&feature=emb_logo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGz9BVJ_k6s&feature=emb_logo</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JESUS IS BREAKING DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN JEWS AND ARABS IN ISRAEL!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Something miraculous is happening in Israel today — after almost 2,000 years Jews and Arabs are turning to Yeshua (Jesus) and sharing the Gospel with their own people in their own language!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">There’s a powerful awakening happening in Israel today, with millions hearing the Gospel through media outreach programs. The only Hebrew language seminary in the world is in Israel, and Jewish and Arab Israeli students are studying together in preparation for Christian service. Through this seminary Messianic Jews and Messianic Arabs are being trained as pastors for the Harvest. The middle wall of partition is being broken down and Jewish and Arab believers are united as brothers and sisters in Messiah. It is a miracle of God and shows the power of God’s transforming grace!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You will want to watch this wonderful 4 minute video narrated by Dr. Erez Soref, president of <i>One for Israel.</i> It is amazing! Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rc1gwcacZY&feature=emb_logo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rc1gwcacZY&feature=emb_logo</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHO IS DR. EREZ SOREF?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Dr. Erez Soref is a Jewish Psychologist who grew up in Israel, but ironically never heard anything about Jesus! His spiritual life journey will blow your mind and give you a unique insight into Israel and Jesus!!! Today, Dr. Erez Soref is a Messianic Jew and is president of <i>One for Israel</i>, a leading outreach ministry to Jews and Arabs in the State of Israel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">This 8 minute video testimony of how Dr. Erez Soref, an Israeli psychologist, found Yeshua and came to faith in him as Messiah of Israel will warm your heart, fill you with hope, and will encourage you in your walk with the Lord and in your own personal mission to others. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnPyAxPe-4M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnPyAxPe-4M</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. That way you will not miss a single post.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">PARISH WEBSITE MAKEOVER</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Our parish (congregation) Website has had a complete makeover! Have you seen it? There is all new text, and many new photographs. I hope that you will visit our website and check back often. Be sure to share it with family and friends. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">And yes, you can support our work safely and securely through <i>PayPal</i>. Just click the yellow <i>Donate</i> button on our home page and make your donation. Every offering is deeply appreciated and will be used to support the work of Holy Cross and <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR MISSION AT HOLY CROSS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the coming of the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is very rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us tomorrow evening (Friday, October 9th) at 6:00 PM for Evening Prayer for the Eighth and Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and then on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Services. Bring your Bible with you and come ready to learn!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you!</i></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-65954435338712215462020-09-28T12:41:00.000-07:002020-09-28T12:41:33.397-07:00TODAY IS THE DAY OF ATONEMENT<p><i class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). </i></p><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Blow the trumpet [shofar] in Zion,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Consecrate a fast,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Call a sacred assembly;</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class=""></i></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Gather the people,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Sanctify the congregation,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Assemble the elders,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Gather the children and nursing babes;</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">And the bride from her dressing room.</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class=""></i></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Weep between the porch and the altar;</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">And do not give Your heritage to reproach (Joel 2:15-17).</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This past Saturday (September 26th) was the Sabbath before the Day of Atonement. The Sabbath before the Day of Atonement is known as <i class="">Shabbat Shuvah</i> ("Sabbath of Return" </span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; line-height: normal;">שבת</span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> </span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; line-height: normal;">שובה</span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> or <i class="">Shabbat T'shuvah</i> "Sabbath of Repentance" </span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; line-height: normal;">שבת</span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> </span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; line-height: normal;">תשובה</span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">). Three important events happened on Saturday in our nation’s capital. </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The "Washington Prayer March 2020," was led by evangelist Franklin Graham, and "The Return — National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance," was led by Jonathan Cahn, the Messianic rabbi known for his New York Times bestsellers, including The Harbinger and The Oracle. In addition, Focus on the Family (founded by Dr. James Dobson) held a virtual pro-life event called "See Life 2020.”</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Many thousands of believers took part in the events in Washington, D.C., while millions more joined them by live stream. It was an awesome day! Dr. James Dobson and Dr. Ben Carson among many others spoke at “The Return” along with Jonathan Cahn who organized the event. You can hear the message that Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn delivered on Saturday. It is called, <i class="">A Prophetic Word to America.</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This is a Must See one hour and twenty-two minute video of his message. You will be thrilled to see the size of the crowd gathered and will be inspired and encouraged by the message of this man of God. You can view the video here:</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuIoDCOcyG8"><i class="">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuIoDCOcyG8</i></a></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">President Donald Trump surprised everyone by sending a written message to those gathered for <i class="">The Return — National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance</i>. The message is titled,</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Presidential Message on the National Day of Prayer and Return, 2020</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The Presidential Message was read to the people who were deeply moved by the President’s words. You can hear it read at about the one our and fifteen minute mark of the hour and twenty-two minute video. </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">You can also read the <i class="">Presidential Message on the National Day of Prayer and Return, 2020</i> on the official White House website. Here is the link:</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a class="" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-national-day-prayer-return-2020/"><i class="">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-national-day-prayer-return-2020/</i></a></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hours after issuing the <i class="">Presidential Message on the National Day of Prayer and Return</i>, President Donald Trump nominated to the Supreme Court Amy Coney Barrett, a mother of seven and a Constitutional Originalist, with impeccable pro-life, pro-family and pro-America credentials. Now it will be up to America to accept or reject her. Will America choose to return to the LORD our God, or will the nation choose to continue going deeper into the culture of death?</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you… I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20).</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Saturday was the Sabbath of Return and Sunday evening began the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is one of the seven annual Holy days of Leviticus chapter 23. These Holy Days are not merely “Jewish feasts” as many Christians think. They are, <i class="">The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My [God’s] feasts (Leviticus 23:2).</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Sunday evening at Holy Cross we joined tens of thousands of fellow believers in America, and hundreds of thousands around the world, along with millions of our Jewish brethren in observing the Day of Atonement. You could feel the presence of Almighty God as we worshipped before the throne of grace, confessing our sins, turning to the LORD, interceding for our congregation, our families, and our country and its civil authorities. The Day of Atonement is also the Biblical “All Souls Day,” and we lighted a Memorial candle and remembered the departed as we look forward in sure and certain hope to the resurrection of the dead.</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It was one of those Services that you just didn’t want to end as we longed to remain where we could feel the presence of God. Thankfully, this Holy Day continues today until evening. We are still in sanctified time. May we all continue in prayer and Scripture reading, in a spirit of repentance, return, and renewed commitment to live as intentional disciples our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah and — as we see so clearly on the Day of Atonement — our great High Priest, our only Mediator and Advocate,</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:3-6).</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Today is a day of strict fasting as we humble ourselves and seek to put aside the world and its cares and pleasures, and to grow closer to our God and Father. Continue the Fast until evening. If infirmity, age or other factors keep you from fully keeping the Fast, then do what you can, but do all that you can to make this a day in which your focus is on matters spiritual, </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you</i> (Matthew 6:33).</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">If we want to see revival in our families and in our nation, then revival must begin with us. Let our prayer be, “Lord, send a revival and let it begin with me.” Let us pray with the Psalmist, </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Teach me to do Your will,</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">For You are my God;</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Your Spirit is good.</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Lead me in the land of uprightness.</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">Revive me, O LORD, for Your Name’s sake! (Psalm 143:10-11).</i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Historically the Book of Jonah is read today. I hope that you will read it from beginning to end. It is a short and easy read of only four chapters, but it has a powerful message. It is all about God’s love even for those who do not yet recognize Him. </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It is a story of compassion and mercy. God sends the Prophet Jonah with a message, not to His people Israel, but to Assyria, a pagan nation that was an enemy of God and His people. Jonah was very reluctant to go, but God used him to bring repentance to the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. Do read the Book of Jonah today. You will see the love, compassion and mercy that God has for even His enemies, </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">for <i class="">He who does not love does not know God, for God is love</i> (1 John 4:8).</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">May God bless and keep you on this Holy Day, and may God send a spirit of repentance and return to the country we love so dearly.</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This coming Saturday is the last of the Fall Feast Days — the Feast of Tabernacles. Biblically, the day begins in the evening. We will have Services for the Feast of Tabernacles Friday evening, October 2nd at 6:00 PM. Do be sure to invite family and friends,</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets looks forward to the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and the Day of Atonement reminds us that with his return there will be a judgement, but comforts us in the knowledge that atonement has been made and that we can be united to God through repentance and faith. Yeshua, Jesus, is our High Priest, our Mediator and Advocate, a bridge that can take us to our Father. </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the coming of the Kingdom of God on this earth with the Return of the King. I look forward to celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles with you this Friday evening, and soon (please God!) rejoicing with you in the Millennial Kingdom. As Justin Martyr wrote in his <i class="">Dialogue with Trypho</i> (c. 160 CE):</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i class="">“I and every other completely orthodox Christian feel certain that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.” </i></span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Let us eagerly await the Return of the King, and pray “Maranatha — Come Lord!”</span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br class="" /></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">May God grant you a holy and spiritually profitable Day of Atonement. Fast, repent and pray. Intercede for others, and pray that America will yet return to the LORD and that God will bless America again. </span></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br class="" /></span></div><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">See you on Friday evening to celebrate the great Feast of Tabernacles!</span> </p>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-53122912853995026332020-09-25T14:25:00.009-07:002020-09-25T14:29:15.281-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — September 25, 2020<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">THE RETURN — NATIONAL AND GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER AND REPENTANCE, Saturday, September 26, Washington D.C.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Is there hope for America?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i>When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Two separate mass gatherings calling for prayer for our nation will take place tomorrow (Saturday) on the National Mall in Washington.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The "Washington Prayer March 2020," will be led by evangelist Franklin Graham, and "The Return — National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance," will be led by Jonathan Cahn, the Messianic rabbi known for his New York Times bestsellers, including <i>The Harbinger</i> and <i>The Oracle</i>.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Franklin Graham and Jonathan Cahn both say God led them separately to call for the mass assemblies, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) reported.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">In addition, Focus on the Family (founded by Dr. James Dobson) is holding a virtual pro-life event called "See Life 2020" at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday night.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"God is converging everything. That's how important this day is," Rabbi Jonathan Cahn said.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"We are at a more dangerous point than ever. We have an election that can change the course of the nation at such a time when so many signs are pointing to danger of judgment.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"I believe that if we do not rise to this now, here, embodied by the return, we may pass the point of no return. That's why I'm calling on any believer who has any kind of burden for America to join, whether they come to Washington or wherever they are. But we need to do this as never before.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Sabbath (Saturday) before the Day of Atonement is historically known as Shabbat Shuvah ("Sabbath of Return" </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">שבת</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">שובה</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> or Shabbat T'shuvah "Sabbath of Repentance" </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">שבת</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">תשובה</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">“The Return” is a movement, an appointed time, <i>and a specific day</i> [the Sabbath of Return or Repentance] set apart for one purpose – the return to God by coming before His presence in humility, in sincerity, in prayer, and in repentance.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"The Return" will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time between the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. At noon, the prayer march will begin at the Lincoln Memorial, stopping for focused prayer at sites on the National Mall.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Return begins this evening with the beginning of the <i>Sabbath of Return/Repentance — </i>Biblically, days begin at sunset, not midnight. Sabbath Eve events are from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The main events of <i>The Return</i> will be Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the National Mall and throughout the nation and world. The Sabbath of Return will be extended into Saturday night with events from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. All times are Eastern.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s prophetic Word to America will be given between 11:00 AM and Noon on Saturday, September 26. Everyone needs to hear this man of God speak!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You can hear Jonathan Cahn and take part in all of the activities of <i>The Return </i>wherever you are in America or around the world, by Live Stream on the Internet. Just go to <i>The Return</i> website and click “<i>Watch the Live Stream Here”</i> on the Home page. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thereturn.org/">https://thereturn.org</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">THE DAY OF ATONEMENT SERVICES — Sunday, September 27, at 6:00 PM</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Last Friday evening we celebrated the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah). The Feast of Trumpets looks forward to the Second Coming of Jesus, Yeshua. The Return of the King will be with shouts of joy and the sounding of trumpets. The dead in Christ will rise, we who are alive and in Jesus, will be changed, and King Messiah will establish the Millennial Kingdom on this earth. In anticipation of his glorious Coming we sounded the shofar (rams horn, Biblical trumpet).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets began the Ten Days of Awe, ten days of repentance and return — a time of deepened spiritual intensity. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the Sabbath of Return or Sabbath of Repentance, a day for deepening spirituality, sincere conversion, getting right with God as an individual, in our families, and as a nation, with a new determination — with the help of God’s grace — to live as becomes believers, keeping the commandments of God and the faith <i>of</i> (not merely <i>in</i>) Jesus (Revelation 14:12).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Monday is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This annual Holy Day is referenced in both the Old and New Covenant Scriptures.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) looks forward to the Return of the King, while the Day of Atonement reminds us that when Jesus Returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords he will also be coming as Judge of the living and the dead. The Signs of the Times — especially the Super Sign, Israel — declare that his Return is rapidly approaching. As C. S. Lewis wrote, “Aslan is on the move!” Will you be ready for the Return of the King? Getting ready is what the Ten Days of Awe, the Sabbath of Return, and the Day of Atonement are all about!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Day of Atonement begins Sunday evening, September 27th. We will have Evening Prayer for the Day of Atonement on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM. There will be no morning Service this Sunday.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Evening Prayer will include some enrichments from the Book of Common Prayer. The Decalogue and Summary of the Law will be recited as an examination of conscience, and the General Confession and absolution from the Prayer Book which was not included in The English Office Noted has been restored. The Psalms will be the seven traditional penitential psalms. The Scripture readings will be the ancient lections for this annual Holy Day: Leviticus 16:1-34 and Isaiah 57:14-58:14.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Day of Atonement is also the Biblical “All Souls Day.” We will light a memorial candle and there will be prayer for our departed loved ones and friends after a short period of recollection. You will want to bring the names of the departed so you can remember them at this important Service.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Day of Atonement is also a strict fast day. In fact, while fasting should be common and Wednesday and Friday fasting has been customary since the first century (see the Didache), the only regular strict fast day commanded in the Bible is the Day of Atonement. The Fast for the Day of Atonement is a fast from food, drink, marital relations and anything that would distract from the solemnity of the day. The Fast begins at Sundown on Sunday evening and lasts until Sundown on Monday.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Do not undertake this fast in its full rigor (or at all) if it would be unhealthy for you. Do not harm yourself fasting, that is not what fasting is about. Take all of your medications with water, and if necessary food. Listen to your health care provider. Millions of our Jewish brethren keep this fast every year, as did the early christians as well as tens of thousands of Christians today, but it is new to most Christians. Can’t keep a 24 hour fast? Do what you can. Perhaps try fasting from the beginning of Services Sunday evening until you awaken on Monday. Then, see if you can go a little longer. Do what you can, but make a start.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Our Jewish brethren will participate in five separate services on the Day of Atonement, and will read the entire Book of Jonah on Monday. They will be almost constantly in worship all day Monday, as well as Sunday evening. We have only begun to keep the Feasts of the LORD, and the only Service for the Day of Atonement at Holy Cross this year will be Sunday evening. The Scripture lessons which normally would be read, and the memorial of the departed, which would normally take place on Monday will be incorporated into our Evening Prayer (Ma’ariv/Vespers) Service Sunday evening. However, everyone is encouraged to sit down and read the entire Book of Jonah on the Day of Atonement — it’s only four chapters!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">If you are a friend of Holy Cross, but do not live in our area and would like to pray Evening Prayer at home on Sunday evening, you can email us and ask for a copy of our Day of Atonement Evening Prayer Service. We would be happy to email it to you. Write me at: </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:venovak@hughes.net">venovak@hughes.net</a></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Remember, the Day of Atonement begins Sunday evening, September 27th. We will have Evening Prayer for the Day of Atonement on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM. There will be no morning Service this Sunday.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">WEBSITE MAKEOVER!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">A big thank you to Cheri who has given our parish website a thorough makeover. The text is all fresh and new, and there are many new photographs. Cheri spent late nights everyday this week working on the website, but she did a great job.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Holy Cross website is fresh, informative and user friendly. The site links to our parish Facebook page, my blog, KCRO Radio where people can listen live to our twice weekly radio broadcast, and to our archived radio broadcasts.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will check out our website and share the link with family and friends. Why not use social media to spread the word? Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: black; font-kerning: none;">.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Now Twice weekly!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Join my co-host Michael C and I for <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM (Central Time) and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM (Central Time), on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln. KCRO is Nebraska’s premier Christian radio station and can reach 1.3 million listeners in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Tomorrow’s broadcast will be our 52nd weekly episode! Can you believe it? We will complete our first year of broadcasting with tomorrow’s show! This week we will be reviewing a year of broadcasting, and continuing our study of the Kingdom of God. Don’t miss it!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Not only have we completed a year on the air, but we have doubled our air time. We have now begun broadcasting twice a week! God has been very good to us, and we are truly thankful. Next week we will begin our second year on the radio. To God be the glory great things He has done!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You can listen to <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast via the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website at air time and click <i>Listen Live</i>. Here is the link: </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is the weekly 30 minute radio teaching ministry of Holy Cross parish. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teach the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. You will not want to miss this popular and informative full message broadcast.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">In addition to the live broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 9:30 PM on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access the Podcasts here:</span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. That way you will not miss a single post.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748"><i>https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</i></a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a teaching congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is very rare. Holy Cross is very special!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your Faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teach “the faith which was once delivered” (Jude 3) in the first century, and prepare a people for the Coming of the Lord. We have much to learn and some things to unlearn. Come and learn with us!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will accept my personal invitation to join us this Sunday evening at 6:00 PM for Evening Prayer on the Day of Atonement. There will be no Sunday morning Service this week.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>. I hope to see you on Sunday evening!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-82536575215409572382020-09-17T15:50:00.002-07:002020-09-17T16:49:35.214-07:00JOIN US FOR THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS, FRIDAY EVENING SEPTEMBER 18th<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">The Encyclopædia Britannica reveals what historians have long known, that the early Christians continued to observe the Biblical Feasts:</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: justify;">"The first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals, though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals foreshadowed.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross we are committed to fully returning to the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), so we are beginning to celebrate the Feasts of the LORD.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets called Yom Teruah in Hebrew begins this year at sunset on Friday, September 18th and ends at sunset on Saturday, September 19th.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it’”</i> (Leviticus 23:23-25).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Leviticus chapter 23 lists the weekly Sabbath and the seven annual Feasts of the LORD. The meaning of each of these Feasts is explained by God in the Scriptures with one exception — the Feast of Trumpets. The meaning of the Feast of Trumpets was not revealed when it was given. Why? Because at the time of Moses it’s meaning could not have been understood.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All seven of the Biblical Feasts tell the story of the Messiah of Israel, beginning with the Passover in the Spring. These prophetic Feasts clearly point to the life of the Messiah whom Israel from its earliest times had been eagerly awaiting. However, they did not and could not have understood that the Messiah of Israel would come twice — first as the Suffering Servant, Messiah ben Joseph, and then return as the triumphant King of kings and Lord of Lords, Messiah ben David — and that is why the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets was not explained in Leviticus 23.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, eventually became known as Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year in the Rabbinic Jewish community, despite the fact that the Bible says that the first month on the year is in the Spring, not the Fall. Both the Roman Empire and the Babylonians began their year in the Autumn and Rosh Hashanah commemorates not the beginning of the Biblical year, but the beginning of the Babylonian year. Babylon had been the center of Jewish scholarship after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, and remained so into the 11th century. The Rabbinical Jewish community took this New Years celebration from the Babylonians, although the Karaites with their commitment to the written Scriptures were not so influenced and continue to celebrate Yom Teruah to this day, — although without knowing its meaning.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">THE MEANING OF THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We who are under the New Covenant however, do indeed know the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets. It is a Feast that the early believers celebrated with great joy and shouting because it points to the Second Coming of the Messiah:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>at the last trumpet</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory”</i> (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words</i> (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Then the seventh angel sounded [the seventh and last trumpet]</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15). </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets, Yom Teruah, looks forward to, and reminds us that Yeshua, Jesus is coming again, and that we need to be ready and found watching:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. And what I say to you, I say to all: </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Watch!</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>”</i> (Mark 13:32-37)</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.For </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing</i> (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Feast of Trumpets is a yearly reminder to watch and to pray, and to be children of the light so that this Day should not overtake us as a thief in the night. When Christians ceased celebrating the Biblical Feasts they not only lost their focus on the Return of the King, but many (most?) came to believe that his coming would indeed overtake <i>everyone</i> as a thief in the night and therefore there was no point in watching and observing the Signs of the Times. The loss of the Feasts of the LORD has had a terribly negative effect on Christian faith and practice.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">THE MESSENGER OF THE PRESENCE</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Rabbinical literature — and we must remember that Yeshua was both Jewish and a Rabbi — there is a lot of discussion of Messengers or Angels of the Presence. Angel means messenger, and can refer to a spirit being (angel) or a human being. In Rabbinical literature there are three Messengers of the Presence (of God): Enoch (also known as Metatron in Rabbinic literature), Elijah the prophet, and Yeshua (Jesus). This Yeshua is clearly Yeshua of Nazareth according to many Jewish scholars.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Professor Yehuda Libs of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, a professor of Jewish Mysticism, traced this <i>Yeshua sar hapanim</i>, Yeshua the Messenger of the Presence, in books going all the way back to the 12th century. Very old books, especially from a small and terribly persecuted minority are hard to find as few have survived. Written works quickly deteriorate from use and age, and are often destroyed in persecution, so it is very significant that he was able to trace Yeshua back in writing for a thousand years as a Messenger of the Presence.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The earliest extant book in which he found Yeshua sar hapanim, Yeshua the Messenger of the Presence [of God] is called <i>Sefer HaKheshek</i>, <i>The Book of Desire.</i> It was written in Germany by Rabbi Nehemiah HaNavi (Nehemiah the Prophet).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In Rabbinic literature the three Messengers of the Presence are Enoch, Elijah and Yeshua. All three are men who ascended into heaven.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Enoch was the father of Methuselah. <i>And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him</i> (Genesis 5:24).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Elijah was the mentor of Elisha and was perhaps the greatest of the Prophets of Israel. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your [Elijah’s] spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven</i> (2 kings 2:9-11).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yeshua ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives and will return to the same place.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Now when He [Yeshua] had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” </i>(Acts 1:9-11).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Enoch, Elijah and Jesus (Yeshua). What makes this even more interesting is that in the 11th chapter of the Book of Revelation we have two witnesses appearing in Jerusalem just before the Second Coming of Jesus. You will find the two witnesses in Revelation 11:1-13. Then a few verses later, in verse 15, we read of the seventh and last trumpet sounding heralding the Return of the King: <i>Then the seventh angel sounded [the seventh and last trumpet]: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">These two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11 could be any two people whom God raises up for the mission, but from ancient times many Christian commentators have held that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah. Neither died, and both ascended into heaven because, so many believe, God has a Last Days mission for them just before the return of the Messiah. If this is so — and it makes perfect sense Scripturally and historically — then Enoch, Elijah and Yeshua are certainly Messengers of the Presence: Enoch and Elijah preparing the way of the Lord, and Yeshua sar hapanim as the Messenger of God’s Presence par excellence in the Millennial Kingdom.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">On the Feast of Trumpets, called Rosh Hashanah by Rabbinic Jews today, Orthodox Jews pray from a special Holy Day prayerbook called <i>Machzor.</i> There is an ancient prayer in the <i>Machzor</i> that is recited between the blowings of the Shofar (Trumpet) called Sar HaPanim (Messenger of the Presence). Yeshua figures prominently in this prayer.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Scholars believe that this prayer either entered the liturgy for the Feast of Trumpets very early when many thousands of Jews were believers in the Messiahship of Yeshua, <i>And they [James and the elders in Jerusalem] said to him [Paul], “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law </i>(Acts 21:20), or several centuries later when the Roman State Church forbade the keeping of the Law of God and the Biblical Feasts, and many Judaeo-Christians found refuge in the Jewish community, returned to worshipping in the Jewish synagogues, and brought this prayer with them.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This beautiful Feast of Trumpets Prayer to God reads:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“May it be Your will that the sounding of the shofar [trumpet], which we have done, will be embroidered in the veil by the appointed angel, as You accepted it by Elijah, of blessed memory and by Yeshua, the Messenger of the Presence and the one who sits on God’s throne. May you be filled with compassion toward us. Deserving of praise are You, LORD [Yehovah/Jehovah] of compassion.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Around a century ago, when Jews were beginning once again to recognize that Yeshua is indeed the Messiah of Israel the name of Yeshua was excised from the <i>Machzor</i>. It was deleted from the traditional M<i>achzor</i> after having been included for many centuries without objection. We are restoring this beautiful prayer at Holy Cross and it will be offered on Friday evening at our Service for the Feast of Trumpets.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Evening Prayer (Ma’ariv/Vespers) with a sermon is at 6:00 PM on Friday, September 18th. If you think you have learned a lot in this article, just wait until you hear the sermon!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Psalms:<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span>126, 127, 128, 129, 130 and 131</p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">First Canticle:<span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Magnificat</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">First Lesson:<span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Exodus 19:16-25</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Second Canticle:<span> <span> </span></span>Nunc dimittis</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Second Lesson:<span> <span> </span></span>1 Corinthians 15:51-58</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Share this with family and friends and invite them to attend. Everyone is invited and visitors are always welcome. We will be looking forward to seeing you there!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Yours in the Blessed Hope,</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-46879317770180770222020-09-04T12:49:00.000-07:002020-09-04T12:49:13.237-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — September 4th, 2020<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SERMON FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th — A Study of the Kingdom of God</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Justin Martyr (c. 160) writes <i>“I and every other completely orthodox Christian feel certain that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by a thousand years in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others”</i> (<i>Dialogue With Trypho).</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Last Sunday we began a series of sermons titled, <i>A Study of the Kingdom of God.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In the first sermon we learned that the Kingdom of God comes in three phases or stages:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">1. Now and Not Yet.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">2. The Messianic or Millennial Kingdom.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">3. The Eternal Kingdom of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We studied the “Now and Not Yet” aspect of the Kingdom of God, and also looked at the three exegetical approaches to the Millennium: Amillennialism, Postmillennialism and Premillennialism. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This coming Sunday we will begin our study of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom. This is a study that you will not want to miss! As Justin Martyr wrote around the year 160, <i>“I and every other </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>completely Orthodox Christian</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> feel CERTAIN that there will be a resurrection of the flesh, followed by</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i> a thousand</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> [millennium means “thousand”] </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>years</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> in the rebuilt, embellished, and enlarged city of Jerusalem, as was announced by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">There is a fourteen page handout of sermon notes that accompany this series. If you attended last week I want to remind you to please bring your sermon notes with you this Sunday and throughout the series. If you did not attend last week, we still have a long way to go in our sermon series and the fourteen pages of sermon notes are available as long as supplies last.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited and visitors are always welcome. The Service begins at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning. We hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE HARBINGER II — The Return</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">America is at a decisive moment in her history as rioting, political divisiveness and COVID-19 continue to wreak havoc across the land. What is the future of America?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">More than a year ago my colleague Mike C. told me that he was reading a book called <i>The Oracle</i>, by Jonathan Cahn, and asked me what I thought of it. At the time I had not heard of the book or its author; however, as he read the book I could see that it was having a profound effect on his spiritual life.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I asked Mike where he heard about the book, and he told me that the author was interviewed about it on the radio program <i>Focus On the Family.</i> That was good enough for me! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Focus on the Family</i> was founded was by Dr. James Dobson who is a senior statesman of American Christianity and has an impeccable reputation. He is up there in the same category as men such as Dr. Billy Graham. Dr. Dobson and his wife just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month, and although he is retired from <i>Focus On the Family</i> he is still very much active in Christian service.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Born in New York State in 1959, Jonathan Cahn was raised in a Jewish home, the son of a Holocaust refugee, and was active in Judaism and attended synagogue frequently. At the age 20 of he became a Messianic Jew, believing that Yeshua, Jesus is the Messiah.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">He is the rabbi/pastor of the Beth Israel worship center, a messianic Jewish congregation made up of both Jews and those who have been grafted in from among the nations. At Beth Israel "liturgy focuses on Jesus as savior." </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Jonathan Cahn caused a worldwide stir in 2012 with the release of his explosive first book <i>The Harbinger</i> which became an instant New York Times best seller and brought him to national and international prominence. His next books were also New York Times bestsellers, <i>The Mystery of the Shemitah</i>, <i>The Book of Mysteries</i>, T<i>he Paradigm</i>, and <i>The Oracle.</i> He was named, along with Billy Graham and Keith Greene, one of the top forty spiritual leaders of the last forty years to have radically impacted the world. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Called the prophetic voice of this generation, Cahn is a much-sought-after speaker and has been highlighted in the New York Times as well as in many national and international media. He has spoken on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations, and to millions of people around the world. Cahn is known for opening the deep mysteries of Scripture and bringing forth messages of prophetic import.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">His latest book, <i>The Harbinger II</i>, was just released on September 1st. In <i>The Harbinger II</i>, he warns that America’s future is very dark in light of the teachings of Scripture and of Bible prophecy unless there is sincere and deep repentance and a return to God. However, even if the United States falls into darkness and judgement God will still have a remnant people who will be a light in the darkness.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have not read any of Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s books, and no book is perfect and infallible, but his books come highly recommended. In addition, since Mike introduced me to Rabbi Cahn, I have heard him speak, teach and be interviewed a number of times. He brings out a vast number of “coincidences” that link together Bible prophecy and happenings in Israel, the United States and around the world. As C. S. Lewis would say, “Aslan is on the move!” </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a three part radio interview of Rabbi Jonathan Cahn by Dr. James Dodson on Cahn’s new book <i>The Harbinger </i>II. Each part is 25 minutes long. The first part of the interview was broadcast on September 2nd, the second part on September 3rd, and the final part today. Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn warns that 2020 is a pivotal year and shares some of the major revelations brought to light in his newest book, <i>The Harbinger II</i>. You should hear this three part interview.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are the links:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Harbinger II: The Return — Part 1 with Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, 9/2/2020</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIYrMWuUR6g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIYrMWuUR6g</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Harbinger II: The Return - Part 2 with Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, 9/3/2020</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm0ARtwbm-Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm0ARtwbm-Q</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Harbinger II: The Return - Part 3 with Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, 9/4/2020</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-hgbBF78JE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-hgbBF78JE</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHY CARE ABOUT ISRAEL?</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you an article that just came out this week from the Messianic community in the State of Israel. It is titled, <i>Why Care About Israel?</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The author is a delightful young woman named Liat Nesher. She was born and raised in a Messianic home in Israel. Today she runs “Media with a Message” to inspire, encourage and educate the next generation in their faith. She is passionate about the power of worship and the importance of sharing the message of Yeshua the Messiah.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In the article she tells about life in Israel, along with colour photographs of what life is like there. There is also a short three (3) minute MUST SEE film that you can watch called, <i>The Heartbeat of Israel</i> produced by the Messianic community there. I found the video a real blessing!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In her article, <i>Why Care About Israel?</i>, Liat Nesher writes:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“‘I [the apostle Paul] say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.’ (Romans 11:1-2)</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The truth is that God will never forsake His people Israel, despite our sin and flaws He will always choose Israel to be His special treasure above all the earth.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>There is a theology circulating around some churches that states ‘Israel messed up too many times with their sin, rejected the Messiah (Jesus/Yeshua) therefore God abandoned them and has replaced Israel with us (Christians.)’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>This could. not. be. further. from. the. truth!</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all in desperate need of His forgiveness and mercy.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>God has not, and never will replace Israel. </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>What He has done however is open up the way so that whoever wants to follow Him has the opportunity to do so, regardless of their ethnic background. </i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So what about the nations? Where does that leave those who are not Jewish?</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The original question was not ‘how can I be Jewish and believe in Jesus?’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The original question was ‘How can a non-Jewish person believe & follow a Jewish Messiah?!’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>This was such a foreign thought in biblical times </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>yet God clearly provides us with an answer.”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">She goes on to say:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“We are </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>one</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> in the Messiah.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Through Yeshua we are one united people</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. T</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>here is no separate standard [there is “one Law”] or favouritism</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>. The goal if you’re a Gentile is not to ‘become as Jewish as possible.’ Like-wise the goal for a Jewish believer is not to ‘abandon all Jewishness, traditions & culture to prove your salvation.’</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ve seen both occur and it’s simply not the narrow way that leads to life that God instructed us to follow!”</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">So what is the Way of Life that this united people of Israel — both native born and grafted in — should follow? She shares her thoughts and those of the rest of the Messianic community in Israel in the rest of her article. It really is a Must Read. You can read it here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/why-care-about-israel/">https://news.kehila.org/why-care-about-israel/</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE EARLY CHRISTIANS IN THE BRITISH ISLES</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I recently recommended a book to the members of our congregation, and in todays Update I want to recommend it to all of our readers. The book is:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN, by Leslie Hardinge</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This is a great book from a top notch scholar. It has been in my personal library for a long time, and is beyond doubt the best book on early British Christianity that I have ever read.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The author, Dr. Leslie Hardinge is a first rate scholar. He was educated in England and America. He received his undergraduate degree from La Sierra University, Riverside, California, and then went on to earn three advanced seminary degrees, and finally his Ph.D. degree from the University of London.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">He began his ministerial service 1933. Coming to America in 1947, Hardinge taught at two colleges in the United States, followed by Newbold College in England, and then back to California as a college teacher. He went on to become a seminary president in the Philippines.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN</i>, by Leslie Hardinge </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">is in its 95th edition</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">! It is a wonderful, scholarly book. However, it is not an easy read. It is a book for those who want to dig deeper, and it will take real effort to get through it. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The book relies on primary sources and is for advanced students. One of the things that makes it hard to follow is that it does not just summarize the matters at hand. It begins with the beliefs and practices of the earliest British Christians, and then follows the evolution of those beliefs and practices first under Roman influence after the arrival of Augustine, and then under Roman pressure, and finally Roman persecution. Each chapter follows the same format.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is indeed a book for advanced students, but for those who can take the time to work through it you will reap ample rewards and will better understand our Hebrew spiritual roots, how that spirituality was lived out in the British Isles, why our British Spiritual Tradition is so important and why it has such potential to aid in the restoration of the “faith once delivered” (Jude 3) in the first century. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As you know, the Gospel came to the British Isles in the year 37 CE when Joseph of Arimathea and his eleven Jewish companions arrived there from Jerusalem. The Faith was in the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) for 560 years before Augustine and his Roman Mission arrived in Canterbury in the year 597 CE. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Augustine was surprised to find a thriving Christian community when he arrived, and was shocked that it was so different from his Roman State Church.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Celtic Christians had received their faith directly from the Holy Land and by the hands of Jewish Christians. In their faith and practice they maintained the original Judaeo-Christianity of the Messianic Jesus’ Movement for centuries, with the last remnants serving until after the Norman Conquest in 1066. This book will tell you all about it and help you to understand our authentic British spiritual heritage and Jewish roots.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I would like to share with you some snippets from <i>THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN</i> so you can get a taste of what you would learn from reading the book. Hardinge writes:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“By far the most influential book in the development of the Celtic Church was the Bible. It moulded its theology and guided the worship of the early Christians. It suggested rules of conduct and transformed the ancient laws of Irish and Welsh pagans [remember, the Angles and Saxons did not arrive in Britain until later] into Christian statutes. It lay at the foundation of the education of children and youth, and sparked the genius of poetry and song writers. It provided inspiration for the scribes of history and hagiography and affected the language of the common people, becoming the dynamic for the production of the most beautiful hand-written books ever made” (p. 29).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“But while the Celtic theologian was keenly interested in the whole of the Scriptures, his preoccupation with the Ten Commandments was even deeper. The earliest Christian service included a recitation of the Decalogue. It might well be that Pliny’s statement that Christians bound themselves by an oath not to kill or steal reflected his understanding of the meaning of the repetition of the Ten Commandments in the Christian Liturgy. If this be granted, then this will explain both the sudden decision of the Jewish authorities to omit the Decalogue from their daily service and the great prominence accorded to it in early Christian literature. The Christianity practiced by Patrick’s parents and introduced by him into Ireland was characterized by a profound respect for the Ten Commandments. Antinomianism and anti-semitism had not succeeded in banishing the Decalogue from Britain” (p. 48).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Wherever Patrick established a church he was believed to have left a copy of ‘the Books of the Law and the Books of the Gospel.’ The Liber ex Lege Moisi [Book of the Law of Moses]…commences with the Decalogue and contains selections from the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy…”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Brigit was also ‘a keeper of God’s commandments’, and Columba was likewise credited with teaching ‘’the books of the Law completely’…. The legislation of Moses pervaded social, economic, and legal relationships to an extent seldom seen in the history… Unlike the theologians of Roman Christianity who appealed more and more to the teachings of the Church and councils, Celtic teachers stressed the Bible. The role of the Scriptures in Celtic Christianity was indeed a vital one, so much so that no thorough study of the beliefs and practices of the Christians of Celtic lands is not possible without bearing this fact in mind” (pp. 50-51).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Celtic theology is biblical theology with no patristic emphasis…. The reader in the sources of Celtic Christian theology finds only a simple devotional study of the Holy Scriptures, which taken in their most literal sense, form the basis of Celtic beliefs. There is no involvement in theological argumentation or in any attempt to reach definitions and theoretical terms. Aloof from the religious stresses of Mediterranean countries the teachers of the Celtic west went their own ways, seeking to understand the will of God for them as revealed in the Scriptures” (p. 71-72).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Christ was a Jew and lived according to Hebrew ceremonial regulations. He died during the Hebrew Passover. The earliest Christian converts…also followed Hebrew customs. They early recognized that Christ had fulfilled the Paschal types by his death. His resurrection they believed, was typified by the wave sheaf of barley [on the Feast of Firstfruits]. These Christians looked upon the fourteenth of Nisan as the anniversary of the crucifixion and carefully kept it in remembrance of Christ’s death. With the spread of Christianity among the Gentile peoples and the rise of anti-Semitism the Paschal season lost much of its flavour….. Those Christians who continued to observe Easter at the same time as the Passover were stigmatized as ‘Quartodecimans’” (p. 92).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Theodore [of Canterbury, the Roman Archbishop] inveighed against the heretic, who was obviously a Celtic Christian, who ‘flouts the Council of Nicea and keeps Easter with the Jews on the fourteenth of the moon, he shall be driven out of every church unless he does penance before his death’. These Christians he also called Quartodecimans [English: “Fourteeners” because they kept the Passover on the fourteenth of the first Biblical month as commanded in the Scriptures and after the example of Jesus]…. It was not merely a blind adherence to tradition which indeed induced the Celts to adhere to their views; they believed that their Easter calculations were more accurate and authoritative than those of Rome…. When they eventually relinquished their adherence to this point in favor of Rome, they surrendered their independence on all points and soon became fused with Rome” (pp., 95-96).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Any belief or practice which was thought to be at variance with the Scriptures was rejected. Hence patristic or papal notions and judgements held little weight with Celtic theologians….The rules of the Old Testament which shaped the theocracy of Israel were followed by the Celts as a natural consequence of their view of Biblical authority. The role of the Liber ex Lege Moisi [Book of the Law of Moses] was paramount (p.202).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“While grace was held to be vital to salvation, man also had his part to play in obeying God’s commandments, so that the atonement provided by Christ might become effective in the Christian’s personal experience” (p. 202). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Clergy were permitted to marry — in fact, during the early Celtic period, marriage prior to ordination was mandatory as it was in New Testament days, but unmarried members of the ministry were tolerated” (p. 204). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Theologically Celtic Christians held ideas which were a natural outgrowth of their view of the Scriptures. Theirs might be called a biblical theology. It was essentially practical and is characterized by a complete absence of discussion and definition and speculation. The supreme authority was the Bible, as the revealed word of God. This revelation must be accepted and obeyed in all its parts” (p. 205).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">There were no dioceses or diocesan bishops in the British Isles for centuries, and no top down organization whatsoever. This should surprise no one as the Gospel was brought to Britain directly from the Holy Land by Joseph of Arimathea (a Pharisee) and his Jewish companions without being influenced by the post-Constantine Roman/Byzantine State Church. The diocese has nothing to do with Christianity, but was instead a Roman civil governance district that was copied by the Roman/Byzantine Church after it was absorbed by the State under Constantine and his successors. Hardinge writes:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“There appears to have been no attempt to formulate any sort of doctrine of the Church. There was a concept of Christianity as forming God’s tribes on earth…. God’s clans were regulated according to Old Testament theocratic ordinances adapted to the tribal organization of the Celtic peoples generally…. The record notes that that representatives of various sections met, under the aegis of some venerable saint, to discuss points of controversy…. But in all these discussions democratic freedom seems to have prevailed. No church leader among the Celts was held to be a spokesman of all. Even Adamnan [a universally respected Celtic minister] could not persuade those who were directly under his jurisdiction to do what they considered was not according to Scripture” (p. 207).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Appendix alone is worth the price of the book. The ancient Liber ex Lege Moisi [Book of the Law of Moses] survives in four ancient manuscript copies. The Appendix gives an English translation of its thirty-five sections. This is the Book that St. Patrick left, along with the Book of the Gospels, with every congregation he established in Ireland. This ancient book regulated the Way of Life of the ancient British Christians. What a treasure it is! What a guide for us today as we seek to live the faith once delivered (Jude 3) in the first century!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This is a great book from a top notch scholar. It is the best book on early British Christianity that I have ever read.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">This book is a fascinating and authoritative account of the ancient British Christians, their beliefs and practices, and their remarkable theocracy based on the Decalogue and the laws of the Pentateuch or Torah. The book is illustrated with line drawings taken from the crosses which were a notable feature of Celtic church architecture, and with examples of documents of the period.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Unfortunately, when Augustine arrived from Rome in 597 CE the Roman mission began to encourage conformity to the beliefs and practice of the Roman State Church. That encouragement eventually became pressure and then persecution. But the remnants of the British Christians who kept the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus persisted until the 11th century when the Normans finally stamped out the last remnants with fire and sword.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Judaeo-Christianity that we are teaching on the radio and from the pulpit is in our English spiritual DNA, and was lived out by British Christians for a millennium. Many Christians from various Christian traditions are finding their way back to the primitive Christianity of the first century (Jude 3). What we bring to the table are our ancient roots, a lived spiritual tradition, and ancient Judaeo-Christian worship in our liturgical practice of Morning and Evening Prayer in the historic Book of Common Prayer.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In our pulpit and radio ministry we are not trying to restore the beliefs and practices of the early Christians in the British Isles. We are simply trying to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and teach the Bible in its first century historical and cultural context. Yet, the reason that what you are hearing from the pulpit and the radio will sound so much like what you will read about in this book is that our spiritual forebears did the same thing. Our roots do indeed run very deep!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have much to learn and some things to unlearn, and <i>THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN</i>, by Leslie Hardinge will be a very helpful resource. I highly recommend it.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can order <i>THE CELTIC CHURCH IN BRITAIN,</i> by Leslie Hardinge from Teach Services. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/">https://teachservices.com/celtic-church-in-britain-hardinge-leslie-phd-lsi/</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Or, at Amazon. Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348?language=en_US">https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348?language=en_US</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SATURDAY MORNING RADIO BROADCAST — Sunday In the New Testament</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Be sure to tune in tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 AM CDT to <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast on KCRO Radio, 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The topic of tomorrow’s broadcast is, <i>Sunday in the New Testament.</i> We are going to study each and every verse in the New Testament that references the first day of the week, Sunday, and one verse that many people think refers to the first day of the week, but does not. You will not want to miss this broadcast!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturdays at 9:30 AM CDT Worldwide!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast can be heard on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 AM in Lincoln, Nebraska, or anywhere in the world via the Internet.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can listen to The faith Once Delivered radio broadcast over the Internet from anywhere in the United States and around world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of The Faith Once Delivered is archived and can be heard anytime as a Podcast. You can access the podcasts here: </span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK</span></span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">New posts are made on the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page regularly. We hope that you will visit our Facebook page and check back with it often. Better yet, visit our Facebook page and become a Follower. That way you will not miss a single post.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can access the Holy Cross Parish Facebook page here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS — NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The two and a half minute video of Bill Gaither singing, <i>I Have Decided to Follow Jesus</i> will touch your heart, lift your spirit and strengthen your resolve. Enjoy, and be blessed!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehuBXUD5h8U">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehuBXUD5h8U</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SUNDAY SERVICE — 9:00 AM</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer (Shacharit/Matins). Visitors are always welcome. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Haven’t attended Services in a while? Come and join us on Sunday. You will be glad you did!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important that we all work together in following the CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe while at Services during the pandemic so please maintain at least six (6) feet of social distancing and wear a mask.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have closed a number of pews so every pew open for use will be separated by a closed pew or an isle. The back pew is open and may be used. We will need to do our very best to maintain social distancing so worshippers will need to spread out. Each pew is approximately ten feet long, so it may be possible for people to sit on opposite ends while maintaining social distancing. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Services will be said rather than sung because we would need more social distancing for singing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Please plan to arrive just in time for Services. This will aid in social distancing and limit personal interaction. You will also want to leave immediately at the conclusion of Services. There will be no fellowship and refreshments after Services at this time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not feeling well or may have been exposed to Covid-19 please stay home. No one should enter the building who has a fever, cough, is sneezing, has body aches, may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, or is just not feeling well. Thank you!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross is a unique congregation. We take Bible study seriously and are a congregation of intentional disciples. Where else can you find such constant, and in-depth teaching from the pulpit, over the airwaves, on social media, in print, and by email? Believe me, it is very rare. Holy Cross is a teaching congregation!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you want to be fed with spiritual food rather than milk, and want to grow in grace, in your understanding of the Holy Scriptures, in your Faith in God, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah — then Holy Cross is the congregation you have been looking for.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Please accept my personal invitation to worship with us this Sunday morning at 9:00 AM. You will be blessed by the worship as God inhabits the praise of His people and the proclamation of His Word. Our Services last around an hour.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teach “the faith which was once delivered” (Jude 3) in the first century, and prepare a people for the Coming of the Lord. Come and join us.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>. I hope to see you on Sunday morning!</span></p><p> </p>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-64498642022673634992020-07-31T12:57:00.009-07:002020-07-31T13:00:22.567-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — 7-31-20<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">HEBREW GOSPEL PEARLS #5 — Don’t Miss this Important Teaching!</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have been passing on to you the links to each episode of <i>Hebrew Gospel Pearls</i> as they are produced, and they are all excellent; but the latest episode is definitely the best yet. Watch the video or listen to it as a podcast, but do not miss it!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Hebrew Gospel Pearls #5</i> is a study of Matthew chapter 2, verses 16-23. World renown Scripture scholar Nehemia Gordon and Pastor Keith Johnson discuss the symbolism of the lamb in Jewish sources, and the parallels between Pharaoh and Herod, among other important topics.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">As Christians we often speak of Jesus, (Hebrew: Yeshua) as the Lamb of God, but because we have been tragically separated from the Jewish roots of our Messianic faith for so long our understanding of the lamb symbolism is very limited, giving us an incomplete and shallow understanding of this important Biblical motif.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The lamb symbolism was well known in Judaism and did not originate with John the Baptist (John the Immerser) pointing to Yeshua and saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.” The lamb symbolism goes back to Moses our Teacher and the Exodus from Egypt. Yeshua is the Prophet like Moses whose coming was promised (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19). With the beginning of Yeshua’s ministry the lamb symbolism appears again. Understanding this lamb symbolism connecting Moses and Yeshua is not just interesting, it is vital for the proper understanding of Scripture.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Karaite Jewish scholar Nehemia Gordon comes from a line of Orthodox rabbis and is the son of an Orthodox rabbi. He holds a Masters Degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelors Degree in Archaeology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has worked as a translator on the Dead Sea Scrolls and a researcher deciphering ancient Hebrew manuscripts. Gordon is currently working on cutting edge research utilizing Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible, including the New Testament. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Episode #5 of <i>Hebrew Gospel Pearls</i> connects Moses and Yeshua, the parallels between Pharaoh and Herod, and much more. Don’t miss it! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-5?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_7_30_2020_6_18)&mc_cid=56f61eece6&mc_eid=2c15da53d6">https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-5?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_7_30_2020_6_18)&mc_cid=56f61eece6&mc_eid=2c15da53d6</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN THE NEW COVENANT SCRIPTURES — <i>The Faith Once Delivered Radio Broadcast</i></font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Tomorrow, Saturday August 1st, at 9:30 AM (CDT) we will begin a new series of radio broadcasts on <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> called <i>The Ten Commandments in the New Testament.</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Most Christians today cannot recite the Decalogue. Surveys show that few can name more than four of the ten. Many people, even among professed believers treat the Decalogue as the Ten Suggestions, while others acknowledge only 9, or 2 of the commandments, while <i>antinomian</i> (“Against the Law”) Christians claim that the Law of God has been abolished by Jesus. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Decalogue was at the centre of the Old Covenant, and that same Decalogue is at the centre of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-22); Hebrews 8:7-10). Yeshua, Jesus, said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19). The apostle Paul writes, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In a recent series of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> we learned that each of the Ten Commandments were known long before Israel arrived at Mount Sinai after leaving Egyptian bondage, and had in fact been known by God’s people since the time of Adam and Eve. The giving of the Decalogue on tablets of stone was done because they were to be at the centre of the Covenant that God would make there with Israel. In this new series that begins Saturday morning we will see that the Decalogue remains central to the New Covenant, and that each of the Ten Commandments is repeatedly referenced in the New Covenant Scriptures, the New Testament.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet. <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CDT and click Listen Live:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">PEOPLE IN ISRAEL ARE PREPARING SHOW-BREAD FOR SERVICE IN THIRD TEMPLE</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it. Two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake</i>. (Leviticus 24:5)</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a link to an interesting article from <i>Breaking Israel News</i> in the State of Israel. Jewish preparations for the building of the Third Temple are continuing, including the resumption of the baking of the Showbread.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The photograph in the attached article shows two modern Levites tending a model rack of Showbreads. What is really interesting about the photograph is the white robes that the Levites are wearing. They are virtually identical to the white albs that we make use of in our English Spiritual Tradition, demonstrating just how ancient our spiritual heritage really is. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The white surplices that we often wear instead of the alb came into use in the midlevel period and is merely an alb with surplus or extra material so a warm coat could be worn under it in the cold church buildings of northern Europe in the winter. The other vestments that we sometimes wear over the alb are not ancient at all, but are merely medieval or even later, but the plain white alb has its roots in ancient Israel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Called Lechem Hapanim in Hebrew (literally, bread of the faces), the ancient art of preparing the showbread for use in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem has not been practiced for close to 2000 years. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">During the Second Temple period, the showbreads were baked by the Garmu family of Levi’im (Levites). Each Friday, the Garmu family baked a new set of 12 loaves. Each of the loaves represented one of the 12 Tribes. They were placed on the Temple’s golden shulchan (table) in two stacks of six and they remained on the shulchan all week.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Today, the Showbread Institute, established in 2018 and based in Israel’s Shomron (Samaria), exists to “to serve as an umbrella organization for the research, publication and educational activities… and to [reacquaint] the People of Israel with the Temple Service in preparation for the rebuilding of the Third Temple, speedily in our days,” the website explains.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I encourage you to read this fascinating article. Here is the link: </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/154941/people-in-israel-are-preparing-show-bread-for-service-in-third-temple/?fbclid=IwAR3cgEOjYoRqocA-5oOpa4kbOGm-yXLucrw1s-7oP4e6sbICBacu9AL8HQc">https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/154941/people-in-israel-are-preparing-show-bread-for-service-in-third-temple/?fbclid=IwAR3cgEOjYoRqocA-5oOpa4kbOGm-yXLucrw1s-7oP4e6sbICBacu9AL8HQc</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">HOLY CROSS — A Teaching Community</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we put an emphasis on teaching the Holy Scriptures. The apostle Paul writes, </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:15-16). </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The profane and vain babblings are “pious” legends, traditions of men, Hellenistic philosophy, and various beliefs and practices that contradict the Word of God; and Paul warned that they would increase as time went on and would result in more ungodliness. To the Christian community in Corinth the apostle Paul writes, “that you may learn in us [Paul and Apollos] </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">not to think beyond what is written</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> [in the Holy Scriptures], that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish everything we do revolves around proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching the faith which was once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the coming of the Lord. What we mean by Orthodox is that we are a a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching community seeking to worship God in spirit and in truth, and to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Even our Services are little more than the Bible arranged for worship. Morning Prayer (Shacharit or Matins) is made up of Psalms, Scriptural Canticles, two Scripture lessons, a sermon explaining and applying the Scriptures, and prayer. Morning Prayer has its roots in the ancient synagogue Services of Second Temple Judaism. Come and see!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">THE ROCK, THE ROAD, and THE RABBI — My Journey into the Heart of Scriptural Faith and the Land Where It All Began</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Are you reading my latest book recommendation? I hope so! The book is: <i>The Rock, The Road, And The Rabbi — My Journey into the Heart of Scriptural Faith and the Land Where it All Began</i>, by Kathie Lee Gifford. This is one of those books that can have a profound effect on your life. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You are probably familiar with Kathie Lee Gifford. She is a four-time Emmy Award winner, is best known for her eleven years cohosting the popular fourth hour of the <i>Today</i> show alongside Hoda Kotb. She has authored numerous books, including her most recent children’s book, <i>The Gift That I Can Give</i>, and four New York Times bestselling books, including <i>The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi</i>. She is the wife of the late Frank Gifford who starred on the gridiron and off the field as a popular sports broadcaster.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">What you may not know is that Kathie Lee Gifford is a Jewish Christian (Messianic Jew) and a lifetime student of the Scriptures. She has been traveling to Israel since she was 17 years old, and even missed her high school graduation so she could attend the first Jerusalem Conference on Biblical Prophecy in 1971. Through her book, <i>The Rock, The Road, and The Rabbi</i> you can Journey with Kathie Lee Gifford into the Holy Land—and into the Deep Roots of the Christian Faith.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Kathie Lee Gifford is the author of the book, but the teachings she records in it are from the Rev. Ray Vander Laan and (Messianic) Rabbi Jason Sobel.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Pastor Ray Vander Laan is a teacher of Biblical Studies in Holland, Michigan. He has his Master’s degree from Westminster Theological Seminary, and has also studied at Yeshiva University in New York City (a leading Orthodox Jewish seminary) and Jerusalem University with a focus on Jewish studies. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Rabbi Jason Sobel was raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey. After years of seeking and studying, he encountered the Lord and became a Jewish follower of Jesus (Yeshua). Suddenly, all the traditions Rabbi Jason grew up with took on new depth and meaning as God connected ancient wisdom with the teachings of the Messiah.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Rabbi Jason received his Rabbinic ordination from the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) in 2005 and has a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have not already purchased <i>The Rock, The Road, and The Rabbi</i> I hope that you will order it today and begin reading it as soon as it arrives. It is just over 200 pages, and is written in non-technical language. It is an easy and very enjoyable read. This is a book that everyone can enjoy and benefit from. Amazon has it on sale in hardcover for only $7.88! The regular price is $26.99. Why not buy extra copies as gifts for family and friends? One couple at Holy Cross liked it so much that they donated two copies to our parish library!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">You can order it from Amazon here:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Road-Rabbi-Journey-Scriptural/dp/0785215964">https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Road-Rabbi-Journey-Scriptural/dp/0785215964</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">OMAHA COVID-19 UPDATE</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At 10:00 AM this morning Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour, Mayor Jean Stothert of Omaha, and a number of State and local health experts, including Nebraska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Athone, held a press briefing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Adi Pour said she had intended to issue a mask mandate, but within the last 72 hours she was contacted by the Nebraska Attorney General who disputed her authority to do so. The legal department of the City of Omaha said that the issuing of such a health mandate would be on solid legal ground, but the realization that the issue could be tied up in the courts for years making enforcement impossible led Dr. Pour not to issue the mandate at this time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All of the the medical experts at the briefing expressed their frustration with the legal challenge. Dr. Mark Rupp, Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center said he was “very disappointed.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Instead of issuing a mask mandate at this time, Dr. Adi Pour, Mayor Jean Stothert, and the assembled medical experts literally pleaded for everyone to wear a mask in public buildings, and whenever there is a group gathered. It is not a mask or social distancing, but a mask <i>and</i> social distancing that is needed.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Gary Athone, Chief Medical Officer for the State of Nebraska advised everyone to follow the “three Ws”:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">1. Wear a Mask — and he strongly emphasized the importance of mask wearing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">2. Watch Your Distance — At least six feet of social distancing. Indoors it should be a mask and social distancing,<i> not</i> a mask or social distancing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">3. Wash Your Hands frequently.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We learned from the briefing that droplets and aerosol from breath and talking can travel six feet. Wearing something loose like a bandana over the mouth and nose can reduce the travel to three feet. BUT, wearing a two-ply mask can reduce the travel of droplets and aerosol to inches! In addition, we now know that wearing a mask doesn’t just help protect others, but a mask can reduce the danger of the wearer being infected as well. No, a mask does not guarantee protection from infection any more than wearing a seat belt is a guarantee that you will not die in an automobile accident, but it does provide real protection. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Let’s protect our health, and that of our families and others whom we are in contact with. Wear a mask religiously (I even wore one this week while recording Saturday’s radio broadcast, and will continue to do so. The producer said that the mask had very little effect on my voice.). Carefully maintain at least six feet of social distancing. And wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Also, make good use of hand sanitizers.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Over the past twelve days there has been a large uptick in Covid-19 deaths nationally. Some 10,000 people died in eleven days, and then yesterday the number surged to more than 1,500 deaths. There have now been 152,070 Covid-19 deaths in five months according to today’s <i>Drudge Report</i>. Please be vigilant. Follow the health guidelines. Protect yourself and others. We will all get through this together. Pray hard. Keep safe. Stay healthy. We’ll see you on Sunday! </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">SUNDAY SERVICE — 9:00 AM</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer (Matins/shacharit). Visitors are always welcome. Haven’t attended Services in a while? Come and join us on Sunday. You will be glad you did!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important that we all work together in following the CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe while at Services during the pandemic.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We will need to maintain at least six (6) feet of social distancing between households; and everyone should wear a face mask. Services will be said rather than sung because we would need more social distancing for singing.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have closed a number of pews so every pew open for use will be separated by a closed pew or an isle. The back pew is open and may be used. We will need to do our very best to maintain social distancing so worshippers will need to spread out. Each pew is approximately ten feet long, so it may be possible for people to sit on opposite ends while maintaining social distancing. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">There will be no fellowship and refreshments after Services at this time.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">While I have always encouraged the faithful to arrive early for Services in the past, I ask you not to do so under the present circumstances. Please plan to arrive just in time for Services. This will aid in social distancing and limit personal interaction. You will also want to leave immediately at the conclusion of Services.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not feeling well or may have been exposed to Covid-19 please stay home. No one should enter the building who has a fever, cough, is sneezing, has body aches, may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, or is just not feeling well. We all need to be cautious and protect one another. Thank you!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">EVERYONE IS INVITED AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!</font></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Please accept my personal invitation to worship with us this Sunday at 9:00 AM. You will be blessed by the worship as God inhabits the praise of His people and in the proclamation of His Word. Our Services last about an hour.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you. Hope to see you on Sunday morning!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #0069d9; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558 </span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-12118126127077845862020-07-17T13:50:00.001-07:002020-07-17T13:50:27.656-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — July 17, 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">THE SHEM TOV HEBREW GOSPEL OF MATTHEW</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The video (and the audio podcast) of <i>Hebrew Gospel Pearls #4</i> is now available free Online. In <i>Hebrew Gospel Pearls #4</i>, Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss why Yehovah's [Anglicized as Jehovah’s] name is missing from the <i>Greek</i> New Testament, how a curious word in Greek leads to ambiguity, and the identity of the "angel of the Lord”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You all know the respect that I have for both Nehemia Gordon and Kieth Johnson as Bible teachers. This is a 44 minute Bible study that you will not want to miss!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-4">https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hebrew-gospel-pearls-4</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Recommended Reading:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>THE ROCK, THE ROAD, and THE RABBI — My Journey into the Heart of Scriptural Faith and the Land Where It All Began</i>, by Kathie Lee Gifford with [Messianic] Rabbi Jason Sobel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I bought a copy of this book at Parables just before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the suspension of public Services back in March. I read it a couple of months ago, enjoyed it immensely, and found it to be a blessing — <i>and I want to recommend it to you!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You are probably familiar with Kathy Lee Gifford. She is a four-time Emmy Award winner, is best known for her eleven years cohosting the popular fourth hour of the <i>Today</i> show alongside Hoda Kotb. Kathy Lee Gifford continues to pursue her dreams as an actress, singer, songwriter, playwright, producer, and most recently, director. She has authored numerous books, including her most recent children’s book, <i>The Gift That I Can Give</i>, and four New York Times bestselling books, including <i>The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi.</i> She is the wife of the late Frank Gifford who starred on the field in the NFL and off the field as a popular sports broadcaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What you may not know is that Kathy Lee Gifford is a Jewish Christian (Messianic Jew) and a lifetime student of the Scriptures. She has been traveling to Israel since she was 17 years old. She even missed her high school graduation so she could attend the first Jerusalem Conference on Biblical Prophecy in 1971.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Through her book, <i>The Rock, The Road, and The Rabbi </i>you can Journey with Kathie Lee Gifford into Israel—and into the Deep Roots of the Christian Faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In a continuation of her love for the Holy Land — the Land of Israel — <i>The Rock, The Road and The Rabbi</i> will take you to greater depths of understanding than the typical teaching found in most churches today.The book includes photos of the Biblical sites in Israel, and stories of what happened there — including a lot of behind the scenes information that will revolutionize your understanding of Holy Writ. And at the end of every chapter Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel takes you even deeper into the understanding of Hebrew culture, , language, and the means of connection that opens up an understanding of faith and heritage like never before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Rock, The Road and The Rabbi</i> was published in 2018, by Thomas Nelson. It is just over 200 pages, and is written in non-technical language. <i>It is an easy and very enjoyable read.</i> This is a book that everyone can enjoy and benefit from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The list price is $26.99, BUT as I am writing this, Amazon has it on sale in hardcover for only $7.88!!! My copy is a paperback, and it is already getting beat up from use! You can get it in hardcover for less than I paid for paperback. You can even get it on Kindle for only $2.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Buy the book, or buy the Kindle ebook, <i>but buy this book</i>. It will touch your heart, open your eyes, lift your spirit, and bless your soul. Here is the Amazon link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Road-Rabbi-Journey-Scriptural/dp/0785215964">https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Road-Rabbi-Journey-Scriptural/dp/0785215964</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">JOURNEY WITH US TO THE FIRST CENTURY</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There are a lot of people on the same journey as we are back to the first century. How do I know that? Because <i>The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi</i> is a New York Times best seller!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On the back cover of Kathy Lee Gifford’s book she has a quote from Jeremiah 6:16:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While most Christians are still stuck in the Reformation/Counter Reformation debates of 500 years ago, or are focused on the events of the 11th century, or the 4th century, we know that “the faith was once delivered” (Jude 3) in the FIRST century. We will find the fullness of the apostolic faith in Second Temple Judaism and in the first century Jesus movement — and nowhere else. Yeshua, Jesus, all of his apostles, and all of the writers of the Biblical books, both Old and New Covenant, were Israelites/Jews, and Apostolic Christianity is nothing less than Judeo-Christianity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have stood at the crossroads and looked, and have asked for the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16). We have much to learn and some things to unlearn, but we are on the ancient paths. Come and journey with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS — Judean Rabbi Defends Christians as Tsunami of "Anti-God" Attacks Targets Churches in America</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Churches and synagogues around the country are being vandalized, but a Rabbi in Judea is responding with a call “for believers in God to band together and stand up for each other.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This article was published today. You can read all about it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/154930/judean-rabbi-defends-christians-as-tidal-wave-of-anti-god-attacks-targets-churches/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Judean+Rabbi+Defends+Christians+as+Tsunami+of+%22Anti-God%22+Attacks+Targets+Churches+and+Today+s+Top+Stories&utm_campaign=BIN+-+AM+-+JULY+17,+2020">https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/154930/judean-rabbi-defends-christians-as-tidal-wave-of-anti-god-attacks-targets-churches/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Judean+Rabbi+Defends+Christians+as+Tsunami+of+%22Anti-God%22+Attacks+Targets+Churches+and+Today+s+Top+Stories&utm_campaign=BIN+-+AM+-+JULY+17,+2020</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This “Tsunami of "Anti-God" Attacks” targeting churches and synagogues has been going on for months now, but the mainstream media does not seem to want to cover it. You often have to turn to the foreign press to get the facts. More than two months ago the Israeli press published a detailed article titled, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>'God is Dead': US rioters vandalize churches and synagogues</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You need to read this shocking article. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/281378"><i>http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/281378</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Holy Scriptures tell us that in the Latter Days Christians and Jews will endure world-wide persecution. The Scriptures warn that in the Latter Days there will be a great falling away, an apostasy on an unheard-of scale; but we are also told that there will be an outpouring of the Latter Rain of God’s Holy Spirit and a great restoration and revival among the <i>remnant</i> of God’s people <i>who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.</i> This will also be a time of pestilences, wars and rumors of wars, and societal upheaval, as God removes his protecting hand from a world in rebellion and apostasy. The Signs of the Times are unfolding all around us. Yeshua/Jesus says, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE KING IS COMING! — Are <i>You</i> Ready?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a link to a three minute “Must See” video. Please view it and share it with others. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1UHi-iqYuY"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1UHi-iqYuY</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERVICES — 9:00 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer (Matins/shacharit). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The English Office Noted and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (which are essentially the same) are the Service books we use at Holy Cross. Sunday, July 19th, is the seventh Sunday after Pentecost. The Psalms used will be the Psalms for the 19th Day at Morning Prayer. The Venite is omitted because it is the 19th of the month and we will be praying Psalms 95 and 96. The Canticles will be the Te deum, and the Benedictus. The Psalms and Canticles will be recited responsively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important that we all work together in following the CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will all need to maintain at least six (6) feet of social distancing between households; and everyone should wear a face mask unless there is a medical issue preventing it, in order to reduce the spread of droplets from our breath. Services will be said rather than sung because we would need more social distancing for singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have closed a number of pews so every pew open for use will be separated by a closed pew or an isle. The back pew is open and may be used. We will need to do our very best to maintain social distancing so worshippers will need to spread out. Each pew is approximately ten feet long, so it may be possible for people to sit on opposite ends while maintaining social distancing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The restroom in the chapel has been closed. Should anyone need to use a restroom, the restroom in the parish hall will be available. Please avoid entering the parish hall unless to use the bathroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There will be no fellowship and refreshments after Services at this time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While I have always encouraged the faithful to arrive early for Services in the past, I ask you not to do so under the present circumstances. Please plan to arrive just in time for Services. This will aid in social distancing and limit personal interaction. You will also want to leave immediately at the conclusion of Services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not feeling well or may have been exposed to Covid-19 please stay home. No one should enter the building who has a fever, cough, is sneezing, has body aches, may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, or is just not feeling well. We all need to be cautious and protect one another. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited, and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturday at 9:30 AM CDT Worldwide!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">NOT IN EASTERN NEBRASKA OR WESTERN IOWA? NO PROBLEM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can listen live over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/"><i>http://www.kcro.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">EVERYONE IS INVITED!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Please accept my personal invitation to worship with us this Sunday at 9:00 AM. You will be blessed by the worship as God inhabits the praise of His people and the proclamation of His Word, and you will be strengthened in your walk as a disciple of the master.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to worship with us, and all are welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you. Hope to see you on Sunday morning!</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-88743180637989561122020-06-26T13:32:00.000-07:002020-06-26T13:32:24.049-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE — June 26, 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERVICES — 9:00 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are happy to announce that public Services have resumed at Holy Cross parish. Please note the new time of 9:00 AM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will be having Morning Prayer with a Sermon for the foreseeable future. The Service will be said rather than sung.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The English Office Noted</i> and the <i>1928 Book of Common Prayer</i> which are essentially the same) are the Service books we use at Holy Cross parish. Sunday, June 28th, is the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. The Psalms used will be the Psalms for the Twenty-eighth Day at Morning Prayer (page 197 in The English Office Noted, and page 508 in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer). The Canticles will be the Venite (short ending), the Te deum, and the Benedictus. The Psalms and Canticles will be recited responsively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important that we all work together in following the CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe during the pandemic, while we look forward to a return to normal, and to our Cantor and Schola Cantorum once again leading us in singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The chapel door will be kept open so no one need handle the door knob, and to promote fresh air circulation. With summer temperatures upon us, we have decided to move Services up from 10:00 AM to 9:00 AM to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures. It is also be quieter earlier in the morning with fewer cars driving by or pulling into the parking lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will all need to maintain at least six (6) feet of social distancing; and the wearing of a face mask is strongly encouraged, unless there is a medical issue preventing it, in order to reduce the spread of droplets from our breath. Services will be said rather than sung because we would need more social distancing for singing. We should only be in the chapel for around an hour, but if anyone becomes too warm they can always step outside for some fresh air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have closed a number of pews so every pew open for use will be separated by a closed pew or an isle. We will need to do our very best to maintain social distancing so worshippers will need to spread out. Each pew is approximately ten feet long, so it is possible for people to sit on opposite ends while maintaining social distancing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The restroom in the chapel will be closed. Should anyone need to use a restroom, the restroom in the parish hall will be available. Please avoid entering the parish hall unless to use the bathroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There will be no fellowship and refreshments after Services at this time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While I have always encouraged the faithful to arrive early for Services in the past, I ask you not to do so under the present circumstances. Please plan to arrive just in time for Services. This will aid in social distancing and limit personal interaction. You will also want to leave immediately at the conclusion of Services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not feeling well or may have been exposed to Covid-19 please stay home. No one should enter the building who has a fever, cough, is sneezing, has body aches, may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, or is just not feeling well. We all need to be cautious and protect one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Public Services resumed last week and it was a great blessing to be back together again. Come and worship Jehovah our God in the beauty of holiness. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">OUR INCOMPARABLE ENGLISH LITURGY</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are continuing our series on <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast titled, “The English Spiritual Tradition — Our Roots Run Deep.” You will not want to miss Saturday morning’s broadcast. It is about our incomparable English Liturgy as found in the historic Book of Common Prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Morning and Evening Prayer, the most ancient Services in the Book of Common Prayer, have their roots in the ancient synagogue Services. They are essentially the Holy Scriptures arranged for use in worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In his 1946 book, <i>Our National Liturgy — The Book of Common Prayer</i>, English author Alfred Faith writes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer is the Liturgy of one people, and one people only, namely Israel. The book becomes meaningless unless used by members of the Israel family. The whole structure of the book is orientated to Israel,…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“We are either of Israel by descent or we are Israel by adoption, for, as St. Paul says, ‘If ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise’ (Galatians 3:29). Christ came to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8). Christian, of whatever race you may be, if indeed ye are in Christ, then you are one with Israel, and are privileged to inherit the blessings and to share in the responsibilities of the covenants. How God’s promise to Abram rings out: ‘And in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 12:3)… we have been made sons of God (I John 3:2), and that our bounden duty and service is to offer ourselves to God for service, no matter how humble and trivial our part may be in the establishing of His Kingdom upon the earth; taking our share in bringing to fruition that age-long purpose of our Heavenly Father, the consummation of which is to bring the whole world into one great family, and that an Israel family, and God the Father of all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“‘And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God’ (Revelation 21:2-3).”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tell your friends about this informative broadcast and be sure to tune in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturday at 9:30 AM CDT Worldwide!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">NOT IN EASTERN NEBRASKA OR WESTERN IOWA? NO PROBLEM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can listen live over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">JULY 1st — Another Prophetic Fulfillment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Wednesday of next week (July 1st) Israel is scheduled to recover (annex) large parts of Judea and Samaria. This is very important Biblically. In Acts 3:19-21 we read,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">God is restoring all things in preparation for the glorious return of Yeshua, Jesus. Israel is the Super Sign of his Coming. All is being made ready for the Return of the King. However, the devil is filled with wrath because he knows that his time is short; and he is doing all he can to delay Christ’s coming. Spiritual warfare is going on all around us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Will the devil succeed in delaying Israel’s recovery of their territory? The nations of the world are already threatening Israel. There is a warning of Jihad. We are less than a week away. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about what is about to happen in an article from Israel published by the Messianic community there. Do take a few minutes to read the article. It will open your eyes, strengthen your faith, and bless your soul. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Whose Land is it ? – In Alignment with YHVH’s Promise to Abraham</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/whose-land-is-it-in-alignment-with-yhvhs-promise-to-abraham/"><i>https://news.kehila.org/whose-land-is-it-in-alignment-with-yhvhs-promise-to-abraham/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERMON</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With the coming restoration of Jewish sovereignty over large parts of Judea and Samaria, and all of the Signs of the Times unfolding all around us, I will be preaching this Sunday on Bible Prophecy. You will not want to miss this message. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“</span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Surely the Lord God does nothing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A lion has roared!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Who will not fear?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Lord God has spoken!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Who can but prophesy?” — Amos 3:7-8</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Invite your friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">LIFT UP THE TRUMPET!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With the pestilences, unrest, rumors of wars, and more raging all around us there is a great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, and even fear among men. What will happen next? We are now beginning to experience the birth pangs of the Coming of our Lord. In the world we will have tribulation, but he has overcome the world. The Signs of the Times point to the nearness of his return. Cheer up ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing — Jesus is Coming again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a very short video that will encourage and inspire you, and give you hope. Do take a moment to see it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Lift up the Trumpet - The King's Heralds</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJv6esf_Is"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJv6esf_Is</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">EVERYONE IS WELCOME</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Please accept my personal invitation to worship with us this Sunday, June 28th, at 9:00 AM. You will be blessed by the worship as God inhabits the praise of His people, and you will be strengthened in your walk with the Lord by my sermon on Bible Prophecy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to worship with us, and all are welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for <i>you</i>. See you Sunday morning!</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-21580407152537386682020-06-19T14:46:00.000-07:002020-06-19T14:46:12.745-07:00THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturdays at 9:30 AM CDT<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Our Roots Run Deep</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On <i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>radio broadcast we have begun a new series called, <i>The English Spiritual Tradition — Our Roots Run Deep.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Did you know that the Gospel arrived in the British Isles in the year 37 CE. — only six years after the death and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus — and that it arrived in Britain directly from the Holy Land? Our spiritual roots are in Second Temple Judaism. When Augustine and his Roman mission arrived in Britain in the year 597 CE, he was surprised to discover a thriving, indigenous Christian community there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That community however was very different from the tradition that he was familiar with. The faith of the British Christians could best be described as Judeo-Christianity. They kept the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of the Decalogue given by God to Moses our teacher on Mount Sinai, and they were Quartodecimans keeping the Passover or Pascha (Easter) on the 14th day of the first Biblical month with the Jews as commanded in the Holy Scriptures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 740 CE the Venerable Bede, an Englishman but an advocate of submission to the Roman State Church, wrote: “The Britons are contrary to the whole Roman world and enemies to Roman customs.” (Bede, Bk. 2, C. 23).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Joseph of Arimathea, the man who buried Jesus in his own new tomb, along with his Jewish companions brought the Gospel to Britain in the first half of the first century. Gildas (Albanicus) the Wise (425-512 CE), the noted British scholar and historian wrote, “Christ, the True Sun, afforded his light, the knowledge of his precepts, to our Island in the last year, as we know, of Tiberius Caesar” (De Excidio Britanniae, Sec. 8, p. 25). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The last year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar was in the year 37 CE, only six years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus! The Messianic faith was planted in the British Isles years before it penetrated the city of Rome, and 951 years before the baptism of Russia in the east.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Want to learn more? Saturday morning, June 20th we will be teaching on the mission of Joseph of Arimathea to the British Isles and the earliest history of the Messianic community there on <i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>radio broadcast. You won’t want to miss the broadcast so be sure to tune in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturday at 9:30 AM CDT Worldwide!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">NOT IN EASTERN NEBRASKA OR WESTERN IOWA? NO PROBLEM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can listen live over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">NEXT WEEK ON THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — Our Incomparable Liturgy</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Saturday, June 27th <i>The Faith Once Delivered </i>radio broadcast will be about our incomparable English liturgy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In his 1946 book, <i>Our National Liturgy — The Book of Common Prayer</i>, English author Alfred Faith writes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer is the Liturgy of one people, and one people only, namely Israel. The book becomes meaningless unless used by members of the Israel family. The whole structure of the book is orientated to Israel,…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“We are either of Israel by descent or we are Israel by adoption, for, as St. Paul says, ‘If ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise’ (Galatians 3:29). Christ came to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8). Christian, of whatever race you may be, if indeed ye are in Christ, then you are one with Israel, and are privileged to inherit the blessings and to share in the responsibilities of the covenants. How God’s promise to Abram rings out: ‘And in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 12:3)… we have been made sons of God (I John 3:2), and that our bounden duty and service is to offer ourselves to God for service, no matter how humble and trivial our part may be in the establishing of His Kingdom upon the earth; taking our share in bringing to fruition that age-long purpose of our Heavenly Father, the consummation of which is to bring the whole world into one great family, and that an Israel family, and God the Father of all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“‘And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God’ (Revelation 21:2-3).”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tell your friends about these two important broadcasts and be sure to tune in!</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-33058132378731718402020-05-27T10:11:00.001-07:002020-05-27T10:11:40.220-07:00A STUDY OF THE WORD GENTILE — AS COMMONLY USED IN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The use of the word <i>gentiles</i> in English translations of the Holy Scriptures has created a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding among Bible students by obscuring the meaning of the Hebrew word <i>goy</i> and the Greek word <i>ethnos</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The word g<i>entiles</i> is not a Hebrew or a Greek word, and does not come into English from the Biblical languages. Instead, it comes into English from Latin. It is a transliteration into English of a Latin translation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Gentiles</i> is an English transliteration of the Latin word g<i>entilis</i> which is derived from the Latin word <i>gens</i> (plural, <i>gentes</i>). <i>Gens</i> means “nation,” “people” or “tribe.” <i>Gentilis</i> means “native,” “of the same <i>gens,” </i>or “of the same house or family/tribe or race.” The word <i>gentiles</i> is an English transliteration of the Latin that was used to translate the the Hebrew words <i>goy</i> (singular) and <i>goyim</i> (plural), and the Greek words <i>ethnos</i> (singular) and <i>ethne</i> (plural) into Latin. The Hebrew word <i>goy</i> means “nation” or “people” as does the Greek word <i>ethnos </i>and the Latin word<i> Gens</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The use of the Latin-derived word <i>gentiles</i> to translate these simple Hebrew and Greek words has led to no end of Scriptural misunderstandings. Most people today incorrectly believe that the word <i>gentiles</i> means “non-Jews” and divide the world into two groups of people — Jews and Gentiles, and even Messianic believers into Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. This common belief is then read back into the Scriptures obscuring their meaning and leading to inaccurate interpretations that have had a damaging ripple effect on belief and practice over the centuries. Had the Hebrew and Greek simply been translated directly into English this confusion and misunderstanding would have not arisen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As the <i>Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia</i> explains, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“GENTILES. The plural of the word ‘nation’ (Heb. <i>goy</i>; Gr. <i>ethnos</i>) has sometimes been translated ‘nations,’ sometimes ‘Gentiles,’ sometimes ‘heathen’… In its early use, the word ‘Gentiles’ or ‘nations’ (<i>goyim</i>) was applied without distinction to divisions among the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth (Gen. 10:5, 20, 31)” (Moody Press; c. 1975; Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; p. 670).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The <i>Jewish Encyclopedia</i> of 1906 says,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“In the Hebrew of the Bible "goi" and its plural "goyyim" originally meant "nation," and were applied both to Israelites and to non-Israelites (Gen. xii. 2, xvii. 20; Ex. xiii. 3, xxxii. 10; Deut. iv. 7; viii. 9, 14; Num. xiv. 12; Isa. i. 4, lx. 22; Jer. vii. 28).”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Hebrew words <i>goy</i> (singular) and <i>goyim</i> (plural), and the Greek words <i>ethnos</i> (singular) and <i>ethne</i> (plural) can be translated nation(s) or people(s), or people of the nations, depending on the context. Context is always critical as many words have different shades of meaning depending on how they are used. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For instance, the English word <i>man</i> generally means <i>mankind</i>. In the Book of Genesis we read, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” However, if the word <i>man</i> is used in the same sentence with the word <i>woman</i> it does not refer to <i>mankind</i>, but to <i>the male sex</i>. Likewise, if it is used in the same sentence with the word <i>boy</i> it means <i>an adult male. </i>So here we have seen three meanings for the word <i>man</i>, with the correct meaning determined by its context.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Hebrew word <i>goy</i> means <i>nation</i> or <i>people</i>, but it has been translated into English in a number of ways. The word occurs 557 times in the thirty-nine Books of the Tanakh, the Old Covenant Scriptures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The King James Version of 1611 translates it as <i>nation</i> 374 times, <i>heathen</i> 143 times, <i>gentile</i> 30 times, <i>people</i> 11 times, and <i>another</i> 1 time. Interestingly, the King James Version only uses the word <i>gentiles</i> when the translators believed that the context is referring to non-Israelite people; but that is a theological interpretation, not an unbiased translation of the Hebrew word <i>goy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The American Standard Version of 1901 reduces the occurrence of the word g<i>entile</i> in the Tanakh from 30 to 9 times, and includes notes showing that in 5 of the remaining 9 occurrences the word <i>nations</i> could have been used. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Greek word <i>ethnos</i> occurs 164 times in the Brit Chadasha, the New Covenant Scriptures, and translators use the Latin-derived word <i>gentiles</i> far more freely. In the King James Version <i>ethnos</i> is translated <i>gentiles </i>93 times, <i>nation</i> or <i>nations</i> 64 times, <i>heathen </i>5 times, and <i>people</i> 2 times. The American Standard Version uses the word <i>gentiles</i> 96 times in the text and 7 times in its notes, but it is also corrected to read <i>nations</i> 15 times in its notes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the King James Version of the Holy Scriptures the Hebrew word <i>goy</i> and Greek word <i>ethnos</i> are correctly translated as <i>nations </i>or<i> people</i> 451 times, and as <i>gentiles</i> 123 times.<i> </i>The word <i>gentiles</i> it must be remembered is not a translation of the Hebrew or Greek, but a Latin-derived word which also means <i>nations</i> or <i>people</i> but is properly understood by very few Bible readers, thus obscuring the text and causing confusion and misunderstanding. There is absolutely no reason to use this misunderstood and confusing Latin-derived word in English translations of the Holy Scriptures as it merely obscures the meaning of the text. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It must also be pointed out that the Hebrew word <i>goy</i> (nations or people) and the Greek word <i>ethnos</i> (nations or people) are collective nouns that cannot be properly translated to mean an individual person. These words always refer to a group. Therefore, there can be no such thing as “a gentile” (singular). No one should describe himself or herself as “a gentile.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Hebrew word <i>goy</i> and the Greek word <i>ethnos</i> are used three ways in the Holy Scriptures: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">1. They can be used to refer to non-Israelite nations and peoples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2. They can be used to refer to Israel and the Jewish people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">3. They can be used to describe all nations, which includes both Israel and non-Israelite nations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">First, we will look at some examples from the Scriptures of how <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> are used of non-Israelite nations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“And also of the son of the bondwoman [Ishmael, son of Hagar] will I make a nation, because he is thy seed” (Genesis 21:13).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him [Ishmael] a great nation” (Genesis 21:8).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation”(Exodus 9:24).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed…?” (Isaiah 37:12).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not” (Matthew 10:5).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one” (Acts 8:9).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the above verses <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> were used of non-Israelite or non-Jewish nations and people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Next, we will see that the Hebrew word <i>goy</i> and the Greek word <i>ethnos</i> are also used in the Sacred Scriptures in reference to the Hebrew, Israelite and Jewish peoples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“And I will make of thee [Abraham] a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Gensis 12:2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Ah sinful nation [the southern Kingdom of Judah], a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward” (Isaiah 1:4).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever” (Jeremiah 31:36).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue” (Luke 7:5).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (John 11:50).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Now after many years I [Paul] came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings” (Acts 24:17).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These verses demonstrate the absurdity of translating <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> as gentiles, a word which most people think means non-Jews. Just try substituting gentiles or non-Jews for the word <i>nation</i> in the above verses and see if they make any sense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, we will see how the words <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> are used to describe all nations, Israelite and non-Israelite alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [Esau/Edom and Jacob/Israel] are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:35).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The words <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> do not necessarily refer to non-Jews or non-Israelites. They are used of such nations and people, but they are also used of Israel and the Jewish people. To use the Latin-derived word <i>gentiles</i>, which most people commonly believe means “non-Jews,” to translate <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> all but inevitably leads to confusion, misunderstanding, and the misinterpretation of the Holy Scriptures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to g<i>oy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> there is another Greek word erroneously translated <i>gentiles</i> in the King James Version of the Bible. The word is <i>hellen </i>and means<i> Greeks</i>. It appears 27 times in the New Covenant Scriptures and in 20 places it is properly translated <i>Greeks</i>, but in 7 places it is erroneously translated as <i>gentiles.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">An example of this erroneous translation is found in John 7:35. The King James Version reads, “Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he [Jesus] go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Rather than reading, “will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?”, the text should read “will he go unto the dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This error was corrected in the Revised Version of 1881, and the American Standard Version of 1901, and most subsequent translations have properly translated <i>hellen</i> as Greeks. The New King James Version for instance translates Acts 7:35 this way, “Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Do not let the word <i>gentiles </i>mislead you. The word g<i>entiles</i> is merely a transliteration of the Latin word <i>gentilis</i>, which is derived from <i>Gens</i>, a Latin word meaning <i>nation</i> or <i>people</i>, and was used centuries ago to translate the Hebrew word <i>goy </i>(nation or people) and the Greek word <i>ethnos</i> (nation or people) into Latin. It would have been better if the word “gentile” had never appeared in the English Bible and the words <i>goy</i> and <i>ethnos</i> had simply been translated into the English language. By using an unfamiliar Latin word instead of simply translating these words into English, Bible translators have done a great disservice to Bible readers by obscuring the plain meaning of the Hebrew and Greek and creating confusion and misunderstanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is no such thing as “a Gentile,” and persisting in the use of the term “Gentile” only fosters the false notion of Supersessionism (replacement theology) on the one hand, or serves to rebuild the middle wall of separation which was broken down by the Messiah Jesus on the other, and thus dividing Jewish Christians (Messianic Jews) from those from among the other nations who have been grafted into the commonwealth of Israel by faith in the Messiah of Israel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As the apostle Paul wrote in his Letter to the Ephesians,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:14-22 NKJV).</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-30948310694936738622020-04-24T12:45:00.000-07:002020-04-24T12:45:35.452-07:00HOLY CROSS UPDATE<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">SPIRITUAL COMMUNION</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It has been sometime since we have been able to receive Holy Communion together, but when we are unable to gather together for the Holy Eucharist we still have communion with the Lord spiritually. He will never leave us or forsake us. “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is a rubric on the bottom of page 325 in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer that says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“…if a man, either by reason of extremity of sickness, or for want of warning in due time to the Minister, or by any other just impediment, do not receive the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood, the Minister shall instruct him, that if he do truly repent him of his sins, and steadfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the Cross for him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefor, he doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soul’s health, although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can even add a formal act of Spiritual Communion after the final <i>Collect</i> at the end of <i>Morning Prayer</i> on Sunday mornings for as long as public Services are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. I am attaching for you a form that you can use alone or as a family:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Collect:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i> Let the power of thy Holy Spirit come upon me, O LORD, I beseech thee: that thou mayest both mercifully cleanse my heart and defend me from all adversities, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Epistle (Revelation 3:20</i>):<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Gospel (John 15: 5)</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Act of Contrition</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>O God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against thee, who art so good. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake, and with the help of thy grace I will try to sin no more, but instead to live as a faithful disciple of Christ. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Lord’s Prayer</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Act of Reception</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>O Lord, since I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself unto thee, and embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from thee. Let me live in thy love as thy disciple. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Come, Lord Jesus and dwell in me in the fulness of thy strength, in the perfection of thy ways, and in the holiness of thy spirit, to the glory of God our Father. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">May the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Psalm 15</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>LORD, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour, and hath not slandered his neighbour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes, and maketh much of them that fear the LORD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, though it were to his own hindrance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He that hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken reward against the innocent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Whoso doeth these things shall never fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Close with the Grace</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">WHEN WILL PUBLIC SERVICES RESUME?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That is the question on everyone’s mind! We all look forward to the day when public Services can resume. And that day is coming…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska has already announced that hospitals may resume elective surgeries and dentists may begin offering general dentistry on Monday, May 4th. He has also said that a new Directed Health Measure for May is being formulated and will be issued soon. If the measure allows public Services to resume we could be back together as early as Sunday, May 10th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This does not mean that the coronavirus has gone away. It only means that we have so far flattened the curve and the health care system has not been overwhelmed. Early this morning I read:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The U.S. death toll from the novel coronavirus is expected to reach 50,000 on Friday, doubling in 10 days and the highest in the world, according to a Reuters tally.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>About 875,000 Americans have contracted the highly contagious respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the virus, and on average about 2,000 have died every day this month, according to a Reuters tally.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read the article here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.jpost.com/international/us-coronavirus-death-toll-expected-to-reach-50000-friday-tally-625785"><i>https://www.jpost.com/international/us-coronavirus-death-toll-expected-to-reach-50000-friday-tally-625785</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Even when restrictions are eased, we must all remain vigilant and prudent in what we do and where we go, while maintaining careful social distancing and good hygiene, including obsessive hand washing, in order to protect our heath and that of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross parish we have always been ahead of the curve. Back in February we began to make changes to protect the health of our church family, including in the way we administered Holy Communion. Those changes will remain in place when public Services resume.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When we do resume public Services we will very likely begin with just one Service at 10:00 AM, and will maintain careful social distancing, with everyone leaving immediately after the conclusion of worship. The last activity to be resumed will be Bible and Brunch. Unfortunately, our lives and daily activities will not fully return to normal until we have a vaccine and effective treatments for those who become ill — but that day will come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I will keep you informed and announce the date of the resumption of public Services when the information becomes available. Until then, let us continue to pray for wisdom for the civil magistrates who are ministers of God for our good (Romans 13”1-7), for our health care providers who put themselves in harms way every day, for national and worldwide repentance, reformation and revival, and for an end to this terrible pandemic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION AND HEALING</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Way back on Sunday, March 8th, we joined in praying <i>Prayers for Protection and Healing</i> that were sent out by the Messianic community in the Land of Israel. God has really answered the prayers of our brethren in the Holy Land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Despite the fact that the coronavirus pestilence hit Israel about the same time as it hit the United States, the people of Israel have been largely spared. As of this morning, Israel has 14,882 confirmed cases, with only 193 fatalities and 107 on ventilators. Think about that next time someone tells you that God has “rejected” the Jewish people, that “the Church” has replaced Israel, that God has no further plans to use the people of Israel, that the promises made to Israel have been transferred to another group, or that Israel is not the centre and focus of End Time Bible prophecy. You can read about the Covid-19 situation in Israel here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/virus-cases-in-israel-reach-14882-with-193-fatalities-and-107-on-ventilators/"><i>https://www.timesofisrael.com/virus-cases-in-israel-reach-14882-with-193-fatalities-and-107-on-ventilators/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Compare the figures from Israel with those of the United States. I just checked the statistics for the US and the UK as I am writing this update:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“<i>The US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has just surpassed 50,000, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>According to the tracker, 50,031 people have now died in the US from COVID-19 since the start of the global health crisis, with more than 870,000 confirmed cases.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Great Britain now has nearly 20,000 coronavirus deaths:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The British government says 684 more people with the coronavirus have died in UK hospitals, increasing the total reported to 19,506.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>That’s higher than 616 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. There has been increasing scrutiny of the UK figures for understating the actual number of coronavirus-related deaths because they don’t include deaths in care homes or elsewhere in the community.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The UK’s death toll is the fourth highest in Europe, behind Italy, Spain and France, all of whom have reported more than 20,000 deaths.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are not already praying the <i>Prayers for Protection and Healing</i> sent out by our brethren in Israel, you can begin today. Just print them off and include them in your daily prayers. You will find them here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Prayers for Protection and Healing</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ffoz.org/downloads/prayer/"><i>https://ffoz.org/downloads/prayer/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER — 10:00 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although we cannot now gather together for worship, we can still pray Morning Prayer from the <i>1928 Book of Common Prayer</i> or the <i>English Office Noted</i> together on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Although we will all be in our own homes we will be united in “the communion of saints” (Apostles’ Creed). Let us raise our prayers to heaven together, remember one another in prayer, and pray for an end to this pestilence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">CRADLE OF PRAYER</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">By accessing Cradle of Prayer you can pray along as daily Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are sung. What a beautiful way to give glory to God and to bless your day! You can access these Services on demand. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://cradleofprayer.org/"><i>https://cradleofprayer.org</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> TITHES AND OFFERINGS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Please remember that just because we cannot meet for Services does not mean that the Work of our church does not go on or that the bills don’t keep coming in. They do! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have many financial obligations to meet, and during this time of crisis our outreach and ministry is even more important than ever. We need to keep everything going smoothly so when the crisis passes we can simply return and pick up where we left off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">God’s plan for advancing His Work in the world is through the Tithes and Offerings of the faithful. PLEASE be sure to keep up with your regular Tithes and Offerings, and consider sending a little more if you can. Do it today...</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Through our radio ministry we are reaching people in our area, all across the nation, and around the world with solid Biblical teaching. This is a very important ministry, especially at a time when churches are closed and people are cut off. <i>The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast </i>can serve as a lifeline, but it is also very expensive<i>. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you live outside the Omaha area and have benefited from our teaching ministry through our weekly Updates, our radio ministry, my Blog, or through written correspondence or telephone conversations with me, I would encourage you to support our work as well. Together, we can impact many lives. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can send a check to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross Orthodox Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Or you can contribute by Credit Card by going to our parish website and donating online. You will find a Donate button on the home page of our website. It’s safe and secure through PayPal. Here is the link to our parish website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/"><i>holycrossparishomaha.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">FOR YOUR LEARNING AND EDIFICATION</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you links to some important articles for your learning and edification. I hope that you will take the time to read them. They will strengthen you spiritually and bless your soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The first is from Gerhard Pfandl, Ph.D., former Associate Director of the <i>Biblical Research Institute</i>, in Silver Spring, Maryland. It is titled, <i>Why the Bible is Historically Reliable!</i> You really need to read this important article, and then share it with your skeptical, liberal or unbelieving family members and friends. It may well get them thinking , and open their hearts to the Gospel. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Why the Bible is Historically Reliable!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.revivalandreformation.org/resources/all/why-the-bible-is-historically-reliable?fbclid=IwAR3F4xKCW1OUord9xYB4ajEfkwe5tCwB0mmJ7fFpxXcpjJa3FSo_DpADIiw"><i>https://www.revivalandreformation.org/resources/all/why-the-bible-is-historically-reliable?fbclid=IwAR3F4xKCW1OUord9xYB4ajEfkwe5tCwB0mmJ7fFpxXcpjJa3FSo_DpADIiw</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The spade indeed confirms the Good Book! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Are <i>you</i> standing on the rock, and is your name written on the roll?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Could a Revival be coming?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Check out this headline: <i>Coronavirus outbreak spurs record Bible purchases: ‘People are looking for hope’</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Record Bible purchases! People are indeed looking for hope. That is why our radio ministry is so important! You can read the article here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Coronavirus outbreak spurs record Bible purchases: ‘People are looking for hope’</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-bible-book-update-sales-record"><i>https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-bible-book-update-sales-record</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am also hearing a lot of reports that the slower pace of life and more time spent at home with family due to the pandemic is renewing and healing marriages, bringing parents and children closer together, restoring family meals, making parents the primary educators of their children once again, and revitalizing families. This is good news indeed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As always, God is bringing good out of tragedy. The question is, will we learn from this or merely return to our old ways when the crisis passes? Let us never go back to our old ways. Instead, let us “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What about Reformation? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Are we willing to be reformed in light of God’s Word written? We talk about being Bible-believing Christians, but do we really mean it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you an article from a SECULAR news site that you really must read. It is titled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Biblically Unclean Animals Responsible for Pandemics — 'Is it possible we've been ignoring the practicality and divine instructions?'</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Nearly every influenza pandemic for the last 1,000 years would have been prevented if the Bible's prohibition against "unclean" animals had been headed, argues Bible teacher David Rives… ‘Do you find it even slightly curious that this pandemic — responsible for countless tens of thousands of deaths around the world — originated from what appears to be the consumption of BATS in China?’ Such animals are ‘here for good reasons,’ Rivas said, such as cleaning the environment. But eating them is not one of those reasons.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Bible tells us clearly and repeatedly that there are clean and unclean animals, animals that may be eaten and those that we are forbidden to eat. Certain animals, birds, fish and sea creatures are unclean, and God does not want anyone eating them. These laws are not about “old Jewish rituals,” but are health laws that God has given us for our good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Noah knew all about clean and unclean animals. The animals did NOT go into the Ark “two by two” as we like to think. The Bible is clear on the matter. Noah took seven of each clean animal, but only two of each unclean animal. With vegetation destroyed by the great flood, God allowed animals to be eaten as a condescension to circumstances. That is why Noah brought seven of each clean animal with him. God said,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth” (Genesis 7:2-3).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read the whole article here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Biblically unclean animals responsible for pandemics — 'Is it possible we've been ignoring the practicality and divine instructions?'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wnd.com/2020/04/biblically-unclean-animals-responsible-pandemics/"><i>https://www.wnd.com/2020/04/biblically-unclean-animals-responsible-pandemics/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can quickly learn which animals are clean and which are unclean by reading Leviticus chapter 11 and/or Deuteronomy chapter 14.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But those laws were just for the Jews, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That’s not what the Scriptures tell us. Are the Ten Commandments “just for the Jews”? Are the Old Covenant Scriptures (more than 2/3rds of the Bible) “just for the Jews”? God is no respecter of persons. The Scriptures are clear that there is “one law” for everyone, Jew and “Gentile” alike (Exodus 12:49; Numbers 15:16; Numbers 15:29-31).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Christ dying on the cross did not change the anatomy of a bat, a dog, a cat <i>or a pig</i>. If they were unfit for human consumption in Jesus’ day they are unfit today. Does God only want the Jewish people to be healthy, or does He want everyone to live a healthy lifestyle? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When you buy a new car you read the owners manual to learn what to put in the tank and how to take care of the vehicle. The Bible is the owners manual for human life. Isn’t it time that we learn from the owners manual what to put in our stomachs and how to properly take care of our bodies? After all, we are Christians, not Platonists, aren’t we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A New Normal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With the coronavirus pandemic there is no realistic chance of the “old normal” fully returning until after a vaccine and effective treatments for the sick can be developed. A vaccine is likely a year to eighteen months away we are told. But even after we have a vaccine, how long will it take to manufacture 330 million doses for Americans, let alone for the 6 billion people in the world?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Perhaps God wants us to bury the old normal and to reach out for a new, better normal? I am attaching for you an article titled, <i>Was Our New Normal Provided So That We Could Escape Our Old Normal?</i> I encourage you to read it. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Was Our New Normal Provided So That We Could Escape Our Old Normal?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/was-our-new-normal-provided-so-that-we-could-escape-our-old-normal/"><i>https://news.kehila.org/was-our-new-normal-provided-so-that-we-could-escape-our-old-normal/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Coronavirus pandemic should be a wakeup call for us all. Bible prophecy is rapidly being fulfilled. The hour is late. The night is far spent, but a bright and golden dawn is fast approaching. We are indeed in the End Times. Jesus is coming again and there will be a great family reunion!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son’” (Revelation 21:1-7).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">O happy day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a wonderful old hymn that will touch your heart, lift your spirit and bless your soul. I hope that you will listen to the music video and share it with others. The hymn is titled <i>It May be at Morn — Christ Returneth.</i> Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>It May be at Morn — Christ Returneth</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTDjGSsjNI"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTDjGSsjNI</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Maranatha — O Lord Come!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST — Saturday at 9:30 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Faith Once Delivered radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/"><i>http://www.kcro.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">IN CLOSING</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will all be back together soon. Until then, you are in our thoughts and prayers. You are loved! Stand fast in the faith once delivered (Jude 3), and pray for one another!</span></div>
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<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” </i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>(1 Corinthians 13:13).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let us gather in our homes, united in the communion of saints, and pray Morning Prayer together on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM CDT. We’ll see you at the throne of grace! </span></div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Fr. Victor+</div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.holycrossparishomaha.com/"><i>https://www.holycrossparishomaha.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-86062128447971688732020-04-12T11:10:00.000-07:002020-04-12T11:10:30.979-07:00CHRIST IS RISEN!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Dear friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The Lord is Risen Indeed” (Luke 24:34).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although we were unable to gather together to worship God and to give thanks for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ due to the coronavirus pandemic, I know that we all gathered together in our homes for prayer and that we were, and are, united in “the communion of the saints” (apostles’ creed).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It has long been our custom at Holy Cross to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, the first fruits from among those who sleep, by singing <i>Jesus Christ is Risen Today</i> as the Processional Hymn, and <i>Hail Thee Festival Day</i> as the Recessional Hymn. Not wanting you to miss this blessed tradition I am attaching for you video links to these beautiful hymns. I hope that you will play them and even join in with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Jesus Christ is Risen Today — King’s College Choir</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwPEmUMP7U"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwPEmUMP7U</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Hail Thee, Festival Day</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMX6VN46C0A&list=PL_YVQJgBArkVVD3VBze0jxuB8Ct_ThZLg&index=6"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMX6VN46C0A&list=PL_YVQJgBArkVVD3VBze0jxuB8Ct_ThZLg&index=6</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today is the Biblical Feast of Firstfruits. On this day the firstfruits of the harvest would be offered to God. Jesus, Yeshua, is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died]” (1 Corinthians 15:20). “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:21-23). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus’ Resurrection, as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, is celebrated every year on the Biblical Feast of Firstfruits. Whether we call this day Easter Sunday, Pascha, Resurrection Sunday, or by its Biblical name — the Feast of Firstfruits — the theme for us is the same: <i>Christ is Risen!</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about it in First Corinthians chapter 15,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Cheri and I will soon be sitting down to a delicious meal to celebrate the feast. While we miss you all, and will not be able to gather with family around the dinner table, nothing can dampen our joy for “The Lord is Risen Indeed” (Luke 24:34). We hope that you will have a blessed and joyful festival day today. This is truly a day to celebrate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Father+</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fr. Victor Novak</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">(402) 573-6558</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-79935224392326907642020-04-10T10:51:00.000-07:002020-04-10T10:51:12.167-07:00GOOD FRIDAY AND RESURRECTION SUNDAY<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">GOOD FRIDAY</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today is Good Friday. I am attaching for you a video link to a beautiful and deeply meaningful Good Friday hymn from our beloved English Spiritual Tradition — <i>O Sacred Head Sore Wounded. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I hope that you will listen, for “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M4uUJibpvw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M4uUJibpvw</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">O SACRED HEAD SORE WOUNDED</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">O sacred head, sore wounded,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">defiled and put to scorn;</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">O kingly head surrounded</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">with mocking crown of thorn:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What sorrow mars thy grandeur?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Can death thy bloom deflower?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">O countenance whose splendor </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">the hosts of heaven adore!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In thy most bitter passion</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">my heart to share doth cry,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">with thee for my salvation</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">upon the cross to die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ah, keep my heart thus moved</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">to stand thy cross beneath,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">to mourn thee, well-beloved,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">yet thank thee for thy death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although we cannot now gather together for worship, we can still pray Morning and Evening Prayer from the <i>1928 Book of Common Prayer </i>or the <i>English Office Noted</i>. You can add the Ante-Communion today, and the Litany this evening. To pray the Ante-Communion you simply turn to the Order for Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer, begin with the Lord’s Prayer and conclude after the Gospel Lesson. Alternatively you could substitute the readings from the Eucharistic Liturgy for the lessons at Morning and Evening Prayer or, better yet, read both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Epistle and Gospel readings from the Eucharistic Liturgy are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Good Friday<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hebrews 10:1-25; John 19:1-37</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Easter Even<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Peter 3:17-22; Matthew 27:57-66</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You may also want to read all of the Passion narratives for your Good Friday devotional reading. They are traditionally read during Holy Week and are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Matthew 17:1-54</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Mark 14:1-72</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Mark 15:1-39</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Luke 22:1-71</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Luke 23:1-49</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">John 19:1-37</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It has been our tradition at Holy Cross parish to pray the Litany with Evening Prayer on the evening of Good Friday. You can still do this. The Litany is found in the <i>1928 Book of Common Prayer</i>. If you do not have a copy of the Prayer Book at home, you can access it online here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.commonprayer.org/"><i>http://www.commonprayer.org</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">CRADLE OF PRAYER</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">By accessing <i>Cradle of Prayer</i> you can pray along as daily Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are sung. What a beautiful way to give glory to God and to bless your day! You can access these Services on demand. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://cradleofprayer.org/"><i>https://cradleofprayer.org</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">RESURRECTION SUNDAY — The Feast of First Fruits, commonly called Easter Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (I Corinthians 15:20-28).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let us join together spiritually at 10:00 AM on Sunday to pray Morning Prayer and the Ante-Communion. Although we will all be in our own homes we will be united in “the communion of saints” (Apostles’ Creed).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Christ our Passover</i> will replace the <i>Venite</i> in Morning Prayer (Matins) on Easter Day and throughout the Octave (eight days): </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">CHRIST OUR PASSOVER</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>CHRIST is risen from the dead, * and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, * by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Propers (Collect, Epistle and Gospel) that you should use while praying the Ante-Communion on Easter Day are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE COLLECT</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE EPISTLE, Colossians 3:1-4</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE GOSPEL, St. John 20:1-10</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SPECIAL RADIO BROADCAST — Saturday at 9:30 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcast can be heard in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on AM and FM radio, or anywhere in the world over the Internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tomorrow’s broadcast of <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i>, is a very special broadcast in which we look into the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples at Passover, and his Resurrection from the dead on the Biblical Feast of First Fruits. You will learn a lot in this broadcast and discover exciting truths in God’s Word that you may have never noticed before. Be sure to tell your friends. This is a broadcast that you will not want to miss! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/"><i>http://www.kcro.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Daylight Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> TITHES AND OFFERINGS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Please remember that just because we cannot meet for Services does not mean that the Work of our church does not go on or that the bills don’t keep coming in. They do! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have many financial obligations to meet, and during this time of crisis our outreach and ministry is even more important than ever. We need to keep everything going smoothly so when the crisis passes we can simply return and pick up where we left off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">How many local congregations have a radio ministry? Very, very few. We are reaching people in our area, all across the nation, and outside of America with solid Biblical teaching. This is a very important ministry, especially at a time when churches are closed and people are cut off. <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> can serve as a lifeline, but it is also very expensive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">God’s plan for advancing His Work in the world is through the tithes and offerings of the faithful. PLEASE be sure to keep up with your regular Tithes and Offerings, and consider sending a little more if you can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you live outside the Omaha area and have benefited from our teaching ministry through our weekly Updates, our radio ministry, my Blog, or through written correspondence or telephone conversations with me, I would encourage you to contribute to our work as well. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can send a check to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross Orthodox Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Or you can contribute by Credit Card by going to our parish website and donating online. You will find a Donate button on the home page of our website. It’s safe and secure through PayPal. Here is the link to our parish website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/"><i>holycrossparishomaha.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SIGNS OF THE TIMES</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:7-8)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As we discussed in our radio broadcast last week, the 20th century was the most violent century in human history with more people killed in wars than in all of the previous centuries since the dawn of recorded history combined — and the 21st century has been no different. In fact the United States has been constantly at war since September 11, 2001, and the saber rattling among the Great Powers has reached a point not seen since the fall of the Iron Curtain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We also saw that the numbers of earthquakes began to exponentially increase in 2008, and quickly got to the point where earthquakes below 4.5 in magnitude are no longer even counted by the USGS unless warranted by the number of deaths or amount of destruction. Since then a new term has come into use: earthquake swarms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have talked about the recent locust plague in Africa and the Middle East as well, but as bad as that plague has been a new wave of locusts is being reported that has swarms 20 times as big as the disastrous locust plague that we have been discussing on the radio and in the Holy Cross Update. In addition, a third apocalyptic swarm is expected at harvest time — if there is anything left to harvest. You can read about it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>New, larger wave of locusts threatens millions in Africa</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://apnews.com/517bb5588fc94403f797a2045095dcac"><i>https://apnews.com/517bb5588fc94403f797a2045095dcac</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And now, there is a report of a soon coming Giant Hornet plague (I am not kidding!) that can kill humans with a single sting, and may devastate what remains of the honey bee population in the United States which could lead to food shortages and even famines. No honey bees, no pollination. No pollination, no crops. No crops, no food. You can read about this new threat here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Giant Asian hornets that can ‘kill with a single sting’ to invade virus-stricken US</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/news/661834/giant-asian-hornets-kill-single-sting-invade-virus-us/"><i>https://www.the-sun.com/news/661834/giant-asian-hornets-kill-single-sting-invade-virus-us/</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are living in Biblical times. We are living in the End Times. With the Signs of the Times unfolding all around us, isn’t it time that we be sure that we have our priorities right? Isn’t that what Lent is all about anyway?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Seek the Lord while He may be found,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Call upon Him while He is near.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Let the wicked forsake his way,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And the unrighteous man his thoughts;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Let him return to the Lord,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And He will have mercy on him;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And to our God,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you a music video that I think will touch your heart, bless your soul and raise your heart and mind to the Throne of Grace. It is called, <i>Give Me Jesus</i> and is sung by Fernando Ortega. The lyrics appear on the screen. I hope that you will listen and share it with others. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZ8k9m2hwo"><i>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZ8k9m2hwo</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">DO IT YOURSELF FACE MASKS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Both the CDC and Nebraska health authorities are advising that face masks be worn in public when six foot social distancing cannot be maintained such as when grocery shopping, picking up carryout, or using a drive through window. A mask is NOT something to be used instead of social distancing. Social distancing is absolutely necessary to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and save lives, but masks serve an important purpose along with social distancing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fifty-five percent of Americans who went out in public last week wore face masks, compared to 45% who did not, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll released today reveals. No doubt the percentage will continue go up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can make an excellent mask at home with a scarf and two rubber rubber bands or hair bands in about 60 seconds. Don’t have a scarf? You can make one from a T-shirt. I am attaching for you an excellent video that will show you how to do it. Cheri made me one in less than a minute last night, and it fits perfectly and is quite comfortable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">PLEASE watch the attached four minute “how to” video. It may save your health or even your life, or that of someone you love. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>DIY FACE MASK *no sewing required*</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUScBB1BSps">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUScBB1BSps</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Remember the 36 year old woman who was Nebraska’s first Covid-19 victim? She was in critical condition at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for weeks. Last week I reported to you that she was conscious and able to communicate. I can now report to you that she has left the hospital and is convalescing at home. Praise God!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>'I consider myself a survivor': 36-year-old woman home after weeks in hospital with COVID-19</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/i-consider-myself-a-survivor-36-year-old-woman-home-after-battle-with-covid-19/32101113">https://www.ketv.com/article/i-consider-myself-a-survivor-36-year-old-woman-home-after-battle-with-covid-19/32101113</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">YOU ARE LOVED</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Cheri and I want you to know that you are loved. We pray for our church family and the friends of our parish, and their families, every day. We miss you and look forward to the day that our church family can be back together for worship and fellowship — and that day is coming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Until then, as Governor Pete Ricketts says, “Stay home, stay safe and stay connected.” The fastest way to end this pandemic is through effective mitigation. When you have to go out be sure to practice careful social distancing. When social distancing can become problematic, such as when shopping for groceries, then wear a mask in addition to your best efforts to social distance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This coronavirus pestilence will pass. In the meantime we (all of us) are the “ecclesia” — not a building — and the Work of the Gospel goes on. As Cheri can tell you, I am busier than ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are here for you. Cheri and I are praying for you, and we love you. We will get through this pandemic together and will be spiritually stronger because of these difficult times. Pray for one another Pray that God will send a revival to our nation and the world — an outpouring of the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Father+</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fr. Victor Novak</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Rector</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.holycrossparishomaha.com/">www.holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-6930272847285202102020-03-06T11:52:00.000-08:002020-03-06T11:52:14.219-08:00HOLY CROSS PARISH NEWS<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">BIBLE AND BRUNCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am excited to announce an important change to our Sunday schedule! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are making a change to accommodate those who would like to attend our adult Christian Education class, but cannot because it is either too early or it makes the day too long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Beginning this Sunday, March 8th, we are replacing our 8:30 AM Christian Education class with “Bible and Brunch” immediately after Services. Bible and Brunch will take the place of Fellowship and Refreshments — without giving up either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With three households providing refreshments each Sunday, our refreshments are far more than the standard church fare of coffee and donuts. In fact, it is no stretch to describe it as “brunch.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After Services we will bless God for the food we are about to receive as usual, and then everyone can go up to the serving tables and enjoy fifteen minutes or so of fellowship. Then we will have a forty-five minute study while everyone continues to enjoy their food. The study will be more interactive than a traditional lecture-style class. I think you will really enjoy it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On the last Sunday of the month there will be a Potluck Luncheon as usual, and there will be no study on that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Replacing our adult Christian Education class with Bible and Brunch will shorten the day significantly without losing anything. In addition, since a far larger percentage of our church family will be in attendance at Bible and Brunch I will be able to simply preach at the Eucharist rather than preach <i>and</i> teach. This should shorten my sermon by a third.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So invite your friends, bring your Bible, and get ready for Bible and Brunch beginning this Sunday. See you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">9:15 AM Morning Prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">10:00 AM. Holy Eucharist</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bible and Brunch immediately following Services</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERMON</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This Sunday I will be preaching an important sermon on the Signs of the Times and End Time Bible Prophecy. Who isn’t interested in Bible prophecy? Invite family and friends, including “doubting Thomas’s," it will be a faith-building experience. You will not want to miss this important message!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE BIBLICAL FESTIVAL OF PURIM</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">— Sundown on Monday, March 9th through sundown on Tuesday, March 10th</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Esther records events that took place in Persia (modern Iran) during ten years between 483 BCE and 473 BCE. That’s more than 2,500 years ago! The Heroes of faith in the Book of Esther are Mordecai and Esther. Every year our Jewish neighbors celebrate Purim, commemorating the deliverance of God’s people as recorded in the Book of Esther, as did the early Christians. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This year Purim begins on the evening of March 9th, and ends on the evening of March 10th. Jews have been celebrating Purim for 2,500 years. The early Christians also celebrated it, but later we tragically forgot and even rejected our Jewish roots despite the fact that we are urged in the Holy Scriptures to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) in the first century.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Purim (Hebrew: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">פּוּרִים</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> ) Pûrîm “lots,” related to Akkadian: pūru; also called the Festival of Lots, is a Biblical festival that commemorates the saving of God’s people from Haman, an official of the Persian Empire (modern Iran) who was planning to kill all the Jews, as recounted in the Book of Esther (</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">מגילת</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">אסתר</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Megillat Ester in Hebrew).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">According to the Book of Esther, Haman was the royal vizier to King Ahasuerus and he planned to kill all the Jews in the empire. His plans were foiled by Mordecai and Esther his niece and adopted daughter, who had risen to become Queen of Persia. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting, thanksgiving, and rejoicing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Bible says that we “should make them [the annual celebration of Purim] days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one to another and gifts to the poor” (Esther 9:22, NKJV). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Purim is celebrated by:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">1. The public recitation ("reading of the megillah") of the Scroll of Esther. During the reading of the Book of Esther whenever Haman’s name is mentioned the faithful twirl graggers (noisemakers) or stamp their feet to blot out his evil name. Purim is the only time when it’s a encouraged to make noise during Services!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2. Exchanging gifts of food and drink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">3. Giving to the poor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">4. Eating a celebratory meal. Traditionally, this meal lasts well into the evening. The table should be festively prepared with a nice tablecloth and candles. The festive meal should include wine, discussion of the Scriptures, and a joyous Purim spirit. Sing, drink, laugh, have fun together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">5. Additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Other customs include public celebrations and parades , wearing masks and costumes, and eating hamantaschen cookies ("Haman's ear"); Adults are also encouraged to drink wine or any other alcoholic beverage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Hamantaschen cookies are a symbolic food eaten on Purim. Haman is the villain of the Purim story. This triangular-shaped cookie is said to represent either Haman’s ears or his three cornered hat. The center of each “hat” is filled with jam or sweet filling. There are many recipes that can be found on the internet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, the day following the deliverance of God’s people over their enemies. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Adar on what is known as Shushan Purim, since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th day of Adar. Today, only Jerusalem and a few other ancient walled cities celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">To commemorate the prayer and fasting for deliverance of God’s people as recorded in the Book of Esther, a Fast is kept on the day before Purim. This Fast is called “The Fast of Esther.” This year the fast is on Monday, March 9th. The fast begins approximately an hour before sunrise, and lasts until nightfall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Isn’t it strange that as Christians we keep all kinds feasts and fasts that are only centuries (or less) old and established by men, yet we ignore and may even be completely ignorant of Biblical feasts and fasts that history tells us the early Christians faithfully kept? Yet, we are called to live “by every word that precedes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), and to keep “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This year we are learning about the Biblical Festival of Purim (Lots), but next year, God-willing, we will begin to celebrate it as a congregation — as Bible-believing Christians should. However, we can all begin to incorporate this celebration into our personal and family spirituality this year. A good start would be to read the Book of Esther, and to have a celebratory meal on Monday evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">TOMB OF ESTHER AND MORDECAI </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The tomb of Esther and Mordecai is in Iran (ancient Persia) and until the Islamic revolution in the 1970s the shrine was a place of pilgrimage for Jews and Christians alike. You can see photographs and read all about it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">MONDAY, MARCH 9, A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING — For an end to the COVID-19 Epidemic and for the healing of those afflicted by it</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Leaders in the Messianic Jewish community in the Holy Land are asking us to pray with them in the name of Yeshua/Jesus on a day of prayer and fasting against the devastating COVID-19 virus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Messianic Jewish community in Israel has designated Monday, March 9, for a day of fasting to ask God for mercy on the people of China and the whole world in the name of our Master. On the Jewish calendar this year, March 9th is the date for the Fast of Esther, a fast day observed in memory of the three-day fast that the Jewish people of Persia undertook before Queen Esther went to appear before the king.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This year that traditional fast day will be combined with a special focus in prayer asking our Father in heaven for mercy on His people and on all of his creatures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The important thing is that we come together in unity and agree to pray together in our Master's name and in his merit and virtue. We want our prayers to rise like incense from the censer of the high priest Aaron who interposed between the living and the dead to stop the plague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Will you make March 9 a day of prayer and fasting for those who are sick, suffering, and dying from this dreadful virus? Please join us and ask your brothers and sisters to pray, too. May God keep us all healthy and protect his people.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Fast begins an hour before sunrise until sundown on Monday, March 9th. Let us fast and pray for the healing of the sick and for deliverance. For more information you can visit this website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ffoz.org/discover/prayer/a-call-to-prayer-and-fasting.html">https://ffoz.org/discover/prayer/a-call-to-prayer-and-fasting.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY COMMUNION AT HOLY CROSS PARISH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last Sunday at Holy Cross we began administering Holy Communion in one kind only, and in the hand only. We will continue this common sense practice until the coronavirus crisis passes. Hand sanitizer will also be available for use before receiving Communion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Communion in the hand was the original practice used at the Last Supper, and remained the practice in the early Christian communities for centuries as all of history bears witness (See the <i>Catechetical Lectures</i> by Cyril of Jerusalem). There is no reason to endanger anyones health by insisting on maintaining later, purely human, traditions. Additionally, according to the teaching of concomitance, the Lord is fully present in each element and in every part thereof.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Are you tuning into <i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> radio broadcasts? I hope that you are and that you are inviting family and friends to tune in as well. Each broadcast is an in-depth Bible study. We let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than reading them through the lens of human tradition. A lot of important information is packed into every 30 minute broadcast. These broadcasts are solid spiritual food, not milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are now in a new series on End Time Bible Prophecy called <i>Truth for the End Times</i>. This will be a long and very important series, so be sure to get your Bible and tune in every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED</i> is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of <i>THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED</i> is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUPPORT OUR WORK</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Do you appreciate our work, but do not live in the Omaha area or are not able to attend Holy Cross parish? You can still support our work in proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, teaching the faith once delivered in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the coming of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Simply go to our church website. On the Home Page you will find a Donate button. Just click the Donate button and you will be able to donate to our work safely and securely through Paypal. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/">holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></div>
Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-5357571033662580912020-02-14T11:15:00.000-08:002020-02-14T11:15:00.014-08:00THE ENGLISH SPIRITUAL TRADITION — Our Roots Run Deep<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The English Church has an unbroken history dating back almost 2,000 years to the arrival of Joseph of Arimathea in the British Isles with the Gospel in the first century. The English Church can claim apostolic foundation, unbroken continuity, Scriptural authority and Hebrew roots. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">What is unique to the English Spiritual Tradition is that it had long sought to preserve its apostolic faith and practice in the face of Roman encroachments and pretensions, and later sought to restore “the faith which was once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3). That quest for Restoration has not yet been completed, but it continues today in parishes like Holy Cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH IN BRITAIN IN APOSTOLIC TIMES</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tertullian (155-222 CE) — “The extremeties of Spain, the various parts of Gaul, the regions of Britain which have never been penetrated by Roman arms have received the religion of Christ” (Tertullian Def. Fidei, p. 179).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Alban the First Martyr (cir. 209) — Alban was a Roman soldier who offered shelter to a hunted Christian presbyter during a time of persecution and suffered martyrdom instead. The place of his martyrdom became known as St. Alban’s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340 CE) — “The apostles passed beyond the ocean to the isles called the Britannic Isles” (De Demonstratione Evangelii, Lib. III).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dorotheus of of Tyre (cir. 303 CE) — “Aristobulus, whom Paul saluted, writing to the Romans [Romans 16:10] was Bishop of Britain” (Synopsis de Apostol, Synops 23 “Aristobulus”).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Simon Zelotes [Simon the Zealot] preached Christ through all Mauretania and Afric the less. At length he was crucified at Britannia, slain and buried” (Synopsis de Apostol, Synops 9 “Simon Zealotes”).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Theodore the Blessed of Cyrus in Syria (cir. 435 CE) — “Paul, liberated from his first captivity at Rome, preached the Gospel to the Britons and others in the West. Our fishermen and publicans not only persuaded the Romans and their tributaries to acknowledge the crucified and his laws, but the Britons also and the Cymry [Welsh]” (D. Civ. Gracae Off. Lib. IX).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE GOSPEL BROUGHT TO BRITAIN DIRECTLY FROM JERUSALEM BY JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Gildas (Albanicus) the Wise (425-512 CE) — “Christ, the True Sun, afforded his light, the knowledge of his precepts, to our Island in the last year, as we know, of Tiberius Caesar” (De Excidio Britanniae, Sec. 8, p. 25). This was in 37 CE, only six years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Maelgwyn of Llandaff (450 CE) — “Joseph of Arimathea, the Nobel decurion, entered his perpetual sleep with his XI Companions in the Isle of Avalon” (Thick Velllum Cottonian M.S. See also Usher, Antiq., p. 12. Ed. 1687). Maelgwyn was Lord of Anglesey and Snowdonia, and Uncle of St. David of Wales.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Polydore Vergil (1470-1555 CE) — “Britain, partly through Joseph of Arimathea… was of all kingdoms the first that received the Gospel” (Lib. ii). Polydore Vergil was an Italian historian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The superior dignity and antiquity of the English Church was acknowledged by the Councils of Pisa (1409 CE), Constance (1417 CE), Sienna (1424 CE) and Basil (1434 CE), with the Council of Constance (1417 CE) declaring, “the Churches of France and Spain must yield in points of antiquity and precedence to that of Britain as the latter Church was founded by Joseph of Arimathea immediately after the passion of Christ” (Disputatio super Dignitatem Angliae et Galliae in Concilio Constantiano. Theodore Martin, Lovan, 1517).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Gospel arrived in Britain in 37 CE. It did not arrive in Rome before 42 CE, and many historians believe it was much later. The baptism of Russia was in 988 CE, 951 years after the Gospel arrived in Britain. The faith was brought to Britain directly from Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE ROMAN MISSION IN BRITAIN</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Augustine of Canterbury (597 CE) — Augustine arrived in Britain in 597 CE on a mission from Rome. To his surprise he found a flourishing British Church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After asserting his alleged authority over the Church in Britain, the leaders of the British Church replied, “Be it known and declared that we all, individually and collectively, are in all humility prepared to defer to the Church of God, and to the Bishop of Rome, and to every sincere and godly Christian, so far as to love everyone according to his degree, in perfect charity, and to assist them all by word and in deed in becoming children of God. But as for any other obedience, we know of none that he, whom you term the Pope, or Bishop of Bishops, can demand” (Spelman Concillia, pp. 108-109. Haddan & Stubbs, Vol. I, p. 122).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Augustine’s mission in England was not welcomed by the indigenous British Church, and is commonly known as the Italian Mission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Venerable Bede (cir. 740 CE) — “The Britons are contrary to the whole Roman world and enemies to Roman customs.” (Bede, Bk. 2, C. 23).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Synod of Whitby (664 CE) — A joint synod of the British Church and the Roman Church to unify the Christians in the Britain Isles began the Roman takeover of the British Church. St. Colman representing the British Church insisted that the Celtic tradition could be without doubt traced back to the apostle John. After much discussion, King Oswy ruled that Roman practices would be henceforth followed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Once this decision had been handed down from the king, Bishop Colman and all those sympathetic to the British cause departed solemnly. After returning home to Lindisfarne to speak with the monks there, Colman and his fellow monks departed back home to Ireland where they would be free to practice their religion as they desired. Centuries of debate would follow on the heels of Whitby, and the Celtic Christians in the British Isles continued to remain independent and oppose Rome until the eleventh century when they were finally assimilated into the Roman religion with the Norman Conquest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (667-690) — “He was the first of the Archbishops whom the whole English Church consented to obey” (Bede). It was Theodore who organized the Church into dioceses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Needless to say, contrary to the statement of Bede who was a strong Roman partisan, the whole English Church had not consented to the authority of Theodore or of Rome. The British and Roman Churches each continued their separate existence until the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE ENGLISH REFORMATION</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Anglican — The word “Anglican” comes from the Latin and means “English.” The English Church has never been called Roman Catholic, but has always, both before and after the Reformation, been known as Ecclesia Anglicana — Church of England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the early 16th century it became possible to reassert the independence of the Church in the British Isles and to begin the process of reformation and restoration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Royal Authority (1531 CE) — Convocation acknowledged the King of England as “Protector and Supreme Head as far as the law of Christ permits.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Convocation Repudiates Usurped Papal Authority (1534 CE) — Convocation of the Church of England declared that the Bishop of Rome had no more authority in the Realm of England than any other foreign bishop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Parliament (1544 CE) — Confirmed upon the King of England the title of “Defender of the Faith,” which title is used by all English Monarchs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Great Bible (1539 CE) — Miles Coverdale’s translation of the Bible, based on the work of William Tyndale was published as the “Great Bible” and authorized to be read in the English churches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">English Litany (1544 CE) — Archbishop Thomas Cranmer issues an English Litany. The vernacular Litany proves so popular that he is directed to head a committee to publish a Prayer Book in English based on the Services at Salisbury Cathedral (Sarum).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">English Language Communion Devotions (1548 CE) — English language Communion Devotions (Prayer of Humble Access, etc.) are inserted into the Latin Mass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Book of Common Prayer (1549 CE) — The English language Book of Common Prayer is introduced on Pentecost Sunday 1549, replacing the Latin Services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Counter Reformation (1553) — King Edward VI dies and is succeeded by his half sister Mary (“Bloody Mary”) Tudor, a militant Roman Catholic. Queen Mary marries King Philip II of Spain, and terrible persecution begins in England. Some 300 Anglicans are burned alive, including five bishops, 100 presbyters and 60 women. Many more are imprisoned, with thousands driven into exile. The persecution insured that Roman Catholicism would remain not only unpopular but feared in England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Good Queen Elizabeth I (1558 CE) — Queen Mary dies and is succeeded by her half sister Elizabeth Tudor. A committed Anglican, she immediately halts the persecution in England being carried out by the Roman Catholic authorities. The exiles return. Despite many problems stemming from the Reformation/Counter Reformation, including numerous assassination plots by Roman Catholics, her reign is popular, successful and prosperous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Archbishop Matthew Parker (1559 CE) — Matthew Parker, a pious and moderate Anglican, becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Book of Common Prayer (1559 CE) — A revised edition of the Book of Common Prayer once again replaces the Latin Services in the Church of England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bishop’s Bible (1568 CE) — Archbishop Matthew Parker of Canterbury introduces a new translation of the Bible authorized for use in the English Church called the Bishop’s Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">King James Bible (1611 CE) — The King James Bible is issued. It is also called the “Authorized Version” because it is authorized for use by the Anglican Church. IThe king James Bible remains today the most popular of English translations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1637 CE) — The Scottish edition of the Book of Common Prayer is issued. The Scottish rather than the English Book of Common Prayer will become the basis for the American Book of Common Prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE ENGLISH CHURCH IN AMERICA</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Martin Frobisher Expedition (1578 CE) — When English explorers and colonists came to North America they bring their Church with them. The Rev. Robert Wolfall, a chaplain to the expedition of Martin Frobisher, was the first to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in North America. The place was a remote spot on the barren Arctic coast where the Frobisher expedition was searching for a shorter passage to the Far East. The year was 1578.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jamestown, Virginia (1607 CE) — The first celebration of the Holy Eucharist in what would become the United States of America was held on June 16, 1607 by the Rev. Robert Hunt in thanksgiving for their safe arrival in Jamestown, Virginia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Rev. Jacob Duche (1774 CE) — The Rev. Jacob Duche, an Anglican presbyter, offered the first prayer at the Continental Congress at its initial meeting in 1774, and served informally as chaplain after that. He was formally elected its first chaplain on July 9, 1776, five days after the Colonies declare their independence from England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Paul Revere (1775 CE) — The signal lanterns for Paul Revere were hung in the bell tower of Christ Church, an Anglican parish in Boston, where Revere served as a Vestryman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Patrick Henry (1775 CE) — A devoted Anglican, Patrick Henry gave his famous ”Give me liberty or give me death” speech on March 23, 1775, at the Second Virginia Convention which was meeting at St. John’s Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776 CE) — Two-thirds of the signers of the declaration of Independence were Anglicans, as were two-thirds of the signers of the Constitution of the United States. It was “Light Horse” Harry Lee, an Anglican, who proposed a Declaration of Independence, and the principle author of that document was Thomas Jefferson, an Anglican who was educated in an Anglican college.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">George Washington the Founding Father of the United States was a devout Anglican, as were James Madison, the chief architect of the US Constitution and his wife Dolly. John Marshall, the father of the Supreme Court, was an active Anglican, as was Edmund Randolph, the first president of the Continental Congress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Other important Fathers and early leaders of the United States who were Anglicans include Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, James Monroe, Francis Scott Key, and Zachery Taylor. Independence Day, July 4, 1776, is even a holy day on the Calendar of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">DID JESUS VISIT BRITAIN?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ancient British tradition records that Jesus visited the British Isles with Joseph of Arimathea who is thought to have been the Uncle of Jesus’ mother Mary. Tradition has it that they came to Ynis-witrin, later called the Isle of Avalon, now Glastonbury, Somerset, and part of the mainland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This visit took place when Jesus was between 12 and 30 years of age, during which period the Gospels make no mention of him. It is said that there was a tin trade between Britain and the Middle East, and that Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, had mining interests in Britain. Archeology in the 21st century has confirmed that there was indeed a tin trade between Britain and the Middle East at the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">History further asserts that when Joseph of Arimathea returned to Britain after the Resurrection of Jesus, he and the disciples who came with him built a wattle church upon the exact site of which the ruined Norman chapel of St. Mary in the Abbey grounds now stands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">English poet William Blake (November 28, 1757 – August 12, 1827) wrote the anthem, <i>Jerusalem</i>, based on this ancient tradition. Jerusalem has long been the unofficial national anthem of Great Britain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">JERUSALEM</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And did those feet in ancient time</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Walk upon England’s mountains green?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And was the holy Lamb of God</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On England’s pleasant pastures seen?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And did the countenance divine</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Shine forth upon our clouded hills?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And was Jerusalem builded here</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Among those dark Satanic Mills? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bring me my bow of burning gold</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bring me my arrows of desire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Bring me my chariot of fire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I shall not cease from mental fight,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Till we have built Jerusalem</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In England’s green and pleasant land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can hear this beautiful and inspiring anthem sung here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Jerusalem, the Anthem, with simultaneous lyrics</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKRHWT6xdEU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKRHWT6xdEU</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHURCH IN ANCIENT BRITAIN?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The best book on the ancient Church in the British Isles that I have read is,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i>, by Leslie Hardinge Ph.D.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Leslie Hardinge was educated in England and America. He received his undergraduate degree from La Sierra University, Riverside, California, and then went on to earn three advanced seminary degrees, and finally his Ph.D. from the University of London in 1964.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Celtic Church in Britain</i>, c. 2005, is self-described as, “an authoritative study of the beliefs and practices of the Celtic church, which at the same time holds much interest for the non-specialist, containing as it does fascinating descriptions of the life of the early Celtic Christians…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can order the book from Amazon. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348"><i>https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Church-Britain-Leslie-Hardinge/dp/1572580348</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross Orthodox Church is a locally led and governed Bible-believing congregation in the English Spiritual Tradition. The word “Orthodox” means “correct belief” and at Holy Cross parish we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching “the faith which was once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord. We cooperate and fellowship with all who share our commitment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our roots run deep indeed, from 21st century Nebraska through Colonial America, to the British Isles, and all the way back to first century Jerusalem, — and we certainly value our ancient Hebrew roots! We would like to invite you to worship and learn with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Holy Cross Orthodox Church is located at 7545 Main Street, in Ralston, Nebraska. You will find us on the east side of Hillcrest Landing, just under the covered parking. Look for our signs — you can’t miss us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday Christian Education is at 8:30 AM, followed by Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM, with the Holy Eucharist (Lord’s Supper) at 10:00 AM. Fellowship and refreshments in our parish hall follows worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You are also invited to tune into our weekly half hour radio broadcast called, <i>The Faith Once Delivered.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CST on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Faith Once Delivered</i> can also be heard as a podcast. There are already twenty weekly broadcasts archived that can be heard on demand. <i> </i>You can access past radio programs here:<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/">https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Visit our parish website at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.holycrossparishomaha.com/">https://www.holycrossparishomaha.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And our parish Facebook page at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARAgU5jANk9gxrI9-ub3guvZ3lq8E0-2v1S8Xng7ij2B3JWTDd-6hSG5lu3hz63oHRsoxW-Oq_cl4u9e">https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Cross-Parish-362370402748/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARAgU5jANk9gxrI9-ub3guvZ3lq8E0-2v1S8Xng7ij2B3JWTDd-6hSG5lu3hz63oHRsoxW-Oq_cl4u9e</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS PARISH WELCOMES YOU!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We worship according to the use of the historic Book of Common Prayer; and our worship is accompanied by ancient chant and traditional hymns, with all of our music sung acapella. Your spirit will be lifted to the throne of grace by our incomparable English Liturgy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Biblical sermons are preached at Holy Cross in which the Holy Scriptures are read, explained and applied. Holy Cross is not just a Bible-believing congregation, but a Bible teaching one as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to join us for worship and fellowship, and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly parish, and we have a place for <i>you!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-30832984847480884902020-02-07T13:43:00.001-08:002020-02-07T13:43:27.842-08:00CELEBRATING OUR ENGLISH CULTURAL, LITURGICAL AND SPIRITUAL HERITAGE AND PATRIMONY — Sunday, February 9<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Great Britain is not only the Mother Country of the United States of America, but Holy Cross Parish is part of the English Spiritual Tradition. We value and cherish our English and Celtic cultural, liturgical and spiritual heritage and patrimony, — and we have a lot to celebrate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On January 31, Brexit became a reality as the United Kingdom freed herself from the shackles of the European Union once and for all, and restored her national sovereignty; and yesterday was the 68th anniversary of the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on February 6, 1952. She is the longest reigning monarch in English history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Queen does not celebrate the day she ascended the throne given it is the anniversary of her father’s death. The celebrations are instead held for the anniversary of Coronation day, which followed more than a year later on June 2, 1953 in Westminster Abbey. On the 68th anniversary of her ascension, for the first time in many years, she was not a subject of the European Union thanks to Brexit and the restoration of English sovereignty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This past week or so has been an important time for the members and friends of Holy Cross parish. We have much to celebrate, and there will be a celebration in the parish hall after the Holy Eucharist on Sunday. You will not want to miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With the new Russia-Red China-Iran Axis of Evil rising up in the world it is reassuring that the United States and the United Kingdom are once more standing shoulder to shoulder as beacons of hope in a dark and dangerous world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The British Commonwealth of Nations, of which Queen Elizabeth II is head, consists of 54 nations with a population of 2.4 billion people — more than 1 in 3 of the world’s population.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Her Majesty's Armed Forces are the military services responsible for the defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, its overseas territories and the Crown dependencies. They also promote Britain's wider interests, support international peacekeeping efforts and provide humanitarian aid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A new report says the United Kingdom is the world’s second most powerful nation after the United Staes. The study describes the UK as “a truly global power” which has the ability to “project and extend itself …around the world.” Thankfully, Great Britain is ranked ahead of both Red China and Russia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can read all about it here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Britain Is The World's Second Biggest Power, Says Report — The report says the UK has more military might than China.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forces.net/news/britain-worlds-second-biggest-power-says-report">https://www.forces.net/news/britain-worlds-second-biggest-power-says-report</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am attaching for you an inspiring 3 minute video. I hope that you will watch it and share it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>There will always be an England</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrhemsGMgTs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrhemsGMgTs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERMON</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This Sunday morning I will be preaching on our English cultural, liturgical and spiritual heritage and patrimony, and why it matters. You will not want to miss this important message!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Saturday morning we will begin a new radio series, The Kingdom of God: How Can I Be There?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You won’t want to miss this informative and exciting broadcast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CST on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/">http://www.kcro.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday Christian Education is at 8:30 AM, followed by Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM, and the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, with fellowship and refreshments after Services. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross Orthodox Church we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching “the faith which was once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord; — and we would like to invite you to worship and learn with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fr. Victor Novak</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086729353443599609.post-24865440089305202722020-01-10T12:18:00.000-08:002020-01-10T12:18:28.798-08:00BIBLE PROPHECY — WAR WITH IRAN?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This week the United States almost went to war with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Has the crisis passed, or is this just the lull before the storm? Does Bible prophecy have any answers for us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fortunately, the Bible has a lot to say about End Time events. This is because God wants us to know that He has not been caught by surprise and that He is in control, thus giving us the comfort and hope we will need as events unfold in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">IRAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Iran is a powerful nation of more than 80 million people, possessing a military ranked at number 14 in the world. Compare that with Israel, with a military ranking of 17. While the United States is ranked number 1 in the world, the United States has world-wide responsibilities while Iran, aided by powerful proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, could concentrate their forces in the Middle East. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is also reported that Iran has some 2,000 ballistic missiles, some of which can reach out 2,500 miles, putting every American base in the region within range of attack. And that does not even take into consideration terrorist sleeper cells within the United States that could wreak havoc at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Be sure to be at church this Sunday, January 12th, as the topic of my sermon will be what End Time Bible Prophecy has to say about Iran, her allies, and the coming Battle of Gog and Magog. Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say on this topic. You will not want to miss this very important sermon. Be sure to invite your friends. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Whether or not war flares up between the United States and Iran in the immediate future, we do know that the Bible foretells a major war and an invasion of Israel in the End Times. Some of the aggressor nations involved are Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya and Sudan, among others. Everything is now in place for such an invasion, and it could happen almost any time. I will be teaching about this from the Bible on Sunday during my sermon. Don’t miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yesterday (January 9, 2020) an article was published in <i>Breaking Israel News</i>, an Israeli news site, titled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>End of Days Expert: “Iran Sharpening Swords for Gog and Magog”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The article reports, “Rabbi Pinchas Winston, a prolific end-of-times author, stated a disclaimer that it is impossible to definitively state when the War of Gog and Magog begins. ‘That being said, we have been seeing the signs of Gog and Magog for some time now,’ Rabbi Winston told Breaking Israel News. ‘It will come as the result of many disparate seemingly insignificant acts that all culminate in something major. That is the way prophecy and history work.’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The article continues, “‘All the conditions exist for a no-holds-barred multinational conflict in the Middle East, precisely the type of conflict described by the prophets as preceding the Messiah,’ Rabbi Winston said. ‘You can be sure that Iran is sharpening their swords right now. For peace to exist, both sides have to be afraid of war. You don’t have that here. Iran wants a war to bring a great fiery war to bring Mahdi and to get rid of the ‘Great Satan.’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Rabbi Winston says, this war would be “precisely the type of conflict described by the prophets as preceding the Messiah.” Both Christians and Jews read the same Bible prophecies and come to the same conclusion — Messiah is coming soon. Jews are looking forward to the advent of the Messiah, while Christians await his second advent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You will want to read this article from yesterday. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/142758/end-of-days-expert-iran-sharpening-swords-for-gog-and-magog/?goal=0_bb2894f273-ca98fcd058-61196105&mc_cid=ca98fcd058&mc_eid=c1d3062947"><i>https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/142758/end-of-days-expert-iran-sharpening-swords-for-gog-and-magog/?goal=0_bb2894f273-ca98fcd058-61196105&mc_cid=ca98fcd058&mc_eid=c1d3062947</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I mentioned, Christians read the same prophecies as the Jews and come to the same conclusion about the Battle of Gog and Magog and the coming of the Messiah. I am attaching an article for you from a Christian source that says the same thing. You will want to read it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Why the Russia-Turkey-Iran Alliance Could Be More Disturbing Than You Think</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/laura-lacey-johnson/why-the-russia-turkey-iran-alliance-could-be-more-disturbing-than-you-think.html"><i>https://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/laura-lacey-johnson/why-the-russia-turkey-iran-alliance-could-be-more-disturbing-than-you-think.html</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">RUSSIA</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">How could Russia be involved in such an alliance you may ask? As we have discussed from the pulpit a number of times over the years, God did give the Russian people warnings about the coming communist revolution and the subsequent persecution of believers. He also promised eventual deliverance, but further warned that it would be only for a short time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am going to quote two such predictions for you, along with a summary of these prophecies by Russian Archbishop Theophan in the 1930s:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Elder Barnabas of the Gethsemane Skete spoke before the Revolution of the disaster coming upon Russia, “Persecutions against the faith will constantly increase. There will be unheard-of grief and darkness, and almost all the churches will be closed. But when it will seem to people that it is impossible to endure any longer, then deliverance will come. There will be a flowering. Churches will even begin to be built. But this will be a flowering before the end” [private letter from N. Kieter].</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Schema-monk Aristocleus, not long before his death in August 1918, said that “now we are undergoing the times before Antichrist, but Russia will yet be delivered… There will be an extraordinary outburst and a miracle of God would be manifested. And there will be an entirely different life, but all this will not be for long” [Orth. Russia, 1969, #21, p. 3].</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Archbishop Theophan of Poltava summed up in the 1930’s the prophecies which he had received from such elders as these: ‘You ask me about the near future and about the last times. I do not speak on my own, but give the revelation of the Elders: The coming of Antichrist draws nigh and is very near. The time separating us from him should be counted a matter of years and at most a matter of some decades. But before the coming of Antichrist Russia must yet be restored—to be sure, for a short time’” [The Orthodox Word, 1969, no. 4, p. 194].</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now we can see that the “short time” spoken of by Archbishop Theophan is ending. How do we know that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Russia has become Red China’s closest ally. Red China is a brutal regime with forced abortions and millions in slave labour camps, a savage persecutor of Christians and a serious and growing threat on a world-wide scale. A Christian Russia should be an adversary of such an evil power, not her closest ally!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Russia has also grown very close to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the leading State sponsor of terrorism in the world, a nation that calls the United States and Israel “the Great Satan” and vows to commit genocide by wiping Israel off the map. Russia is selling Iran advanced weapons, including the S 300 surface to air missile system and is helping them to build their economy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yesterday <i>The Times of Israel</i> published an important article on Iran titled, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Senator Graham: Iranian leaders ‘religious Nazis’ who want to ‘kill all Jews’</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You will want to read this article. Here is the link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/senator-graham-iranian-leaders-religious-nazis-who-want-to-kill-all-jews/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-01-10&utm_medium=email">https://www.timesofisrael.com/senator-graham-iranian-leaders-religious-nazis-who-want-to-kill-all-jews/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-01-10&utm_medium=email</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition, Russia has grown very close to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the strong man of a resurgent Islamist Turkey who wants to restore the Ottoman Empire, the seat of the Islamic Caliphate until it was abolished after Turkey’s defeat in the First World War. Vladimir Putin has sold the Turks Russia’s most advanced air defense system — the S 400. Putin met with Erdogan again this week and they are cooperating on a major oil pipeline. Turkey has also just sent troops into Libya — which is, in itself, prophetically significant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Book of Ezekiel says that an alliance of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya and other Islamic nations will invade Israel in the End Times, and the book of Revelation speaks of a nation in the East fielding a 200 million man military — something that only Red China has the manpower to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">How could a “holy” Russia be closely allied with Red China, and closely associated with such rogue regimes as the Islamic Republic of Iran and an expansionist Islamist Turkey? How could a “holy” Russia be part of a Russia-Red China-Islamic Iran axis of evil?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 2018, <i>Newsweek</i> ran an interesting article that I think goes a long way to answer these questions. I only saw the article in mid-2019. Frankly, I was shocked and sickened when I read it. I only wish that we had learned the truth sooner. I think you should read the article too. It is titled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Why Do the Russians Trust the Church Set Up By the KGB?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link;</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-do-russians-trust-church-set-kgb-802635"><i>https://www.newsweek.com/why-do-russians-trust-church-set-kgb-802635</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It seems that the religious revival in post-Soviet Russia may have been more talk than walk. This revival was supposed to have begun in 1988 with the celebration of a Millennium of Christianity in Russia. That was more than three decades ago, and almost three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, yet the percentage of people in Russia today who attend church regularly is far smaller than the percentage that attend church is “post-Christian” America. The article reports,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Seventy-one percent of Russians polled consider themselves Christian Orthodox, 6 percent of them go to church every week, and 17 percent pray every day, according to a Pew Research Center report titled ‘Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“By way of comparison, 55 percent of Americans pray every day, the Pew report says. Russian polling agencies' data are not that far off. For example, according to the FOM (Public Opinion Foundation) 2014 survey, 68 percent of respondents call themselves Orthodox, though 61 percent have never received communion and 63 percent go to church once a year or less often.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Did you get that? — “68 percent of respondents call themselves Orthodox, though 61 percent have never received communion and 63 percent go to church once a year or less often.” Hardly a revival!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Lest anyone dismiss the <i>Newsweek</i> article because <i>Newsweek</i> has a liberal slant, I am attaching an article from 2019, published by the impeccably conservative Heritage Foundation titled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>How Putin Uses Russian Orthodoxy to Grow His Empire</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link to the article:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.heritage.org/europe/commentary/how-putin-uses-russian-orthodoxy-grow-his-empire"><i>https://www.heritage.org/europe/commentary/how-putin-uses-russian-orthodoxy-grow-his-empire</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It seems that “Orthodoxy” in Russia has far less to do with Christianity than it does with Russian nationalism. The Heritage Foundation article quotes Pew Research, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“[M]any Orthodox Christians—and not only Russian Orthodox Christians—express pro-Russia views. … Orthodox identity is tightly bound up with national identity, feelings of pride and cultural superiority, support for linkages between national churches and governments, and views of Russia as a bulwark against the West.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A bulwark against the West? That means against America, against you and me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That is the problem with “national” Churches. The faith should be for all people, of all races and all nations, for all time. The faith should be universal. National Churches tend to become little more than departments of the civil government (Caesaro-papism) and are too easily controlled and manipulated by the civil authorities to advance government policies and foreign policy goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Bible has a lot to say about the End Time Invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran and their allies and the ensuing war. As Israeli Rabbi Pinchas Winston said, “All the conditions exist for a no-holds-barred multinational conflict in the Middle East, precisely the type of conflict described by the prophets as preceding the Messiah.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You can learn all about it on Sunday. I hope to see you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With all that is happening in the world today in light of Bible Prophecy our adult Christian Education Class has taken on even greater importance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">To keep up you really need to be a regular part of this class. This Sunday’s class will be especially important. Bring your Bible. Class begins at 8:30 AM. You will be blessed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED RADIO BROADCAST</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We will begin a new study series Saturday morning titled, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The Kingdom of God. What Will it be Like?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Subdeacon Michael and I felt the energy and the leading of the Holy Spirit as we recorded the first episode of this new series. It will be a powerful, encouraging, hope filled and motivating series. Don’t miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CST on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kcro.com/"><i>http://www.kcro.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com/"><i>https://thefaithoncedelivered.podomatic.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">SUNDAY SERVICES</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday Christian Education is at 8:30 AM, followed by Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM, and the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, with fellowship and refreshments after Services. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At Holy Cross Orthodox Church we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, teaching “the faith which was once delivered” in the first century (Jude 3), and preparing a people for the Coming of the Lord; — and we would like to invite you to worship and learn with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone is invited to attend and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We hope to see you on Sunday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">7545 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ralston, Nebraska 68127</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://holycrossparishomaha.com/"><i>holycrossparishomaha.com</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(402) 573-6558</span></div>
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Fr. Victor E. Novakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01158085952173387815noreply@blogger.com