The arrangement of OT events in time, including their dates and correlation with secular history. Principles of chronology. To date the events of the OT serves both to clarify their sequence in Biblical history and to emphasize their reality in time and space. Proper procedures, however, are necessary for achieving accuracy. Evangelical Christians are committed to Biblical inspiration; cf. The authority of the historical and chronological assertions of the OT is thus accepted, as well as that of any NT references that have a bearing upon them. Restorations of original readings, that are made possible by the LXX or by other ancient texts and VSS, are welcomed; but no humanly devised conclusions, whether they are based on ancient secular records or conscious emendations of OT data as in Jos.
Dates Of Events
Below is our selection, in chronological order, of the nineteen greatest events recorded in the New Testament. John the Baptist’s birth Luke – 25, 41 – 44, 57 – 63 Date: 5 B. The first great event in the New Testament is the conception and birth of John the Baptist. John’s conception was miraculous in that his mother had to be healed of a barren womb in order to conceive him Luke He was born with the expressed goal of preparing the people for the ministry of Jesus.
John was never to drink wine, as he was one of the few Biblical persons dedicated, from birth, to live as a Nazarite.
Biblical Chronology, Part 2: “Key Events for Dating the Old Testament” with Dr. Andrew Steinmann 10/05/ 0. By todd on October 5,
Table I is a chronological overview. Table III gives the Deuterocanonical books. Table IV gives the books of the New Testament, including the earliest preserved fragments for each. The tables are in chronological order in reference to how they read in the Bible. This table summarises the chronology of the main tables and serves as a guide to the historical periods mentioned. The five books are drawn from four “sources” distinct schools of writers rather than individuals : the Priestly source , the Yahwist and the Elohist these two are often referred to collectively as the “non-Priestly” source , and the Deuteronomist.
The Book of Ezekiel describes itself as the words of the Ezekiel ben-Buzi, a priest living in exile in the city of Babylon , and internal evidence dates the visions to between and BCE. While the book probably reflects much of the historic Ezekiel, it is the product of a long and complex history, with significant additions by a “school” of later followers.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the composition of the text of the Bible. For the events described in the Hebrew Bible, see Chronology of the Bible. For the events in the Gospels, see Chronology of Jesus. Commonly accepted dates or ranges of dates for composition of the Hebrew Bible, the Deuterocanonical books and the New Testament. Canons and books.
A history of the Bible: who wrote it and when?
However, the Biblical record records fourteen years between the reigns of these kings with two kings between them “Ahaziah who ruled for two years and Jehoram who ruled twelve years 1 Kings ; 2 Kings What at first glance appears to be a discrepancy can be easily explained by historians. Ancient kingdoms had different ways of recording regnal years of their kings.
The moment we approach the problem of dating an Old Testament text — not with mythical time and moving to more recent historical events.
Scientists have discovered the earliest known Hebrew writing — an inscription dating from the 10th century B. The breakthrough could mean that portions of the Bible were written centuries earlier than previously thought. The Bible’s Old Testament is thought to have been first written down in an ancient form of Hebrew. Until now, many scholars have held that the Hebrew Bible originated in the 6th century B.
But the newly deciphered Hebrew text is about four centuries older, scientists announced this month. The writing was discovered more than a year ago on a pottery shard dug up during excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, near Israel’s Elah valley. The excavations were carried out by archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At first, scientists could not tell if the writing was Hebrew or some other local language.
Finally, Galil was able to decipher the text. He identified words particular to the Hebrew language and content specific to Hebrew culture to prove that the writing was, in fact, Hebrew. The ancient text is written in ink on a trapezoid-shaped piece of pottery about 6 inches by 6.
Dating events in the Old Testament
The origins of the Bible are still cloaked in mystery. When was it written? Who wrote it? And how reliable is it as an historical record? BBC History Revealed magazine charts the evolution of arguably the most influential book of all time. What other book resides on bedside tables in countless hotel rooms across the globe?
Although there is some controversy regarding the most appropriate method of dating, I have chosen to use “CE” to indicate the Christian era and “BCE,” before.
Ancient Israelite religion is a form of worship not practiced anywhere in the world today. For instance, the animal sacrifices so central among the rituals outlined in the Old Testament —if the habit can be broken, it would be better to call these texts ancient Hebrew scriptures —cannot now take place in the Temple in Jerusalem, where the Bible says they must occur. That building no longer exists.
Standing in the place of the ancient Israelites’ belief system are three very different major religions today: modern Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all of which are extensions of that age-old faith but none its exact representation. Thus, the theology and devotional practices of the Hebrews who lived during the first millennium BCE are discernible primarily in and through the Old Testament, the principal record of ancient Israelite religion. To this, however, may now be added some recovered history, provided mostly by the archaeological discovery of evidence pertaining to early Hebrew civilization.
Over the course of the last two centuries, historians have carefully scrutinized the Old Testament and their investigations have shed important light on its nature and origins, in at least three respects:. First, by close examination of the Hebrew text, scholars have produced compelling evidence that these ancient scriptures are, in fact, a collation of texts written over the course of hundreds of years.
Some parts were composed perhaps as early as BCE, while others did not reach the form in which we have them until BCE. Second, we now understand that the Old Testament was not written in a vacuum but is, in fact, the only surviving remnant of a large corpus of ancient texts spanning millennia and coming from all corners of the ancient Near East. This literature originally included the written records of the Sumerians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, Egyptians and—especially relevant to the study of Hebrew language and culture—the Canaanites who were the ancient Israelites’ close neighbors in the land of Canaan.
Why Establishing a Chronology of the Old Testament Is So Difficult
Biblical literalist chronology is the attempt to correlate the theological dates used in the Bible with the real chronology of actual events. The Jewish Bible the Christian Old Testament dates events either by simple arithmetic taking the creation of the world as the starting point, or, in the later books, by correlations between the reigns of kings in Israel and Judah.
For the biblical authors the chronology was theological in intent, functioning as prophecy and not as history. The creation of a literalist chronology of the Bible faces several hurdles, of which the following are the most significant:.
Earth’s Sacred Calendar: The Dated Events of the Old Testament: Updated With KJ3 Literal Translation eBook: Liles, Jim: : Kindle Store.
Exodus , the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt in the 13th century bce , under the leadership of Moses; also, the Old Testament book of the same name. The Hebrew title of the work is Shemot Names. Chapters 1—18 narrate the history of the Egyptian bondage, the Exodus from Egypt, and the journey to Mount Sinai under the leadership of Moses.
Since Exodus continues the sacred story of the divine promise to Israel begun in Genesis, it must be seen as part of a larger literary unit that is variously understood to include the first four, five, or six books of the Bible. Scholars have identified three literary traditions in Exodus, designated by the letters J, E, and P. The J strand, so called because it uses the name Yahweh Jahweh in German for God, is a Judaean rendition of the sacred story, perhaps written as early as bce.
The E strand, which designates God as Elohim , is a version of the sacred story from the northern kingdom of Israel, written in about — bce.
Biblical literalist chronology
The Bible is the holy scripture of the Christian religion, purporting to tell the history of the Earth from its earliest creation to the spread of Christianity in the first century A. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament have undergone changes over the centuries, including the the publication of the King James Bible in and the addition of several books that were discovered later.
The Old Testament is the first section of the Bible, covering the creation of Earth through Noah and the flood, Moses and more, finishing with the Jews being expelled to Babylon. The exact beginnings of the Jewish religion are unknown, but the first known mention of Israel is an Egyptian inscription from the 13th century B.
The earliest known mention of the Jewish god Yahweh is in an inscription relating to the King of Moab in the 9th century B. It is speculated that Yahweh was possibly adapted from the mountain god Yhw in ancient Seir or Edom.
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Discover in a free daily email today’s famous history and birthdays Enjoy the Famous Daily. Search the whole site. In each case it brings together a group of documents to tell the story of the founders and early followers of the religion. In doing so it also explains their beliefs. The conventional sources of historical evidence archaeological remains, written documents provide few traces of the Old Testament story and none at all of the events described in the New Testament.
Yet in the Bible the early Jews and Christians provide an account of themselves which is unparalleled, among religious groups of those times, in its wealth of detail. The books of the Jewish Bible are believed to have been written over several centuries, beginning in the 10th century BC – by which time the Hebrews are settled in Canaan , or Palestine. But in many parts the scribes are writing down a much older oral tradition.
It is thought that some of the events described may go back as far as the 18th century BC. The holiest part of the Bible for Jews is the first five books, known as the Torah ‘instruction’ or ‘law’ in Hebrew.
The Dating of the New Testament
Have you ever wondered how the details of the Exodus as described in the Bible line up with other historical accounts of the Pharaohs and the building of the pyramids? When did the Exodus actually occur? These kinds of questions are often asked. There has been much study and scholarship on early Egyptian history that help us to see how biblical accounts do indeed match up with other historical findings.
Two major events of the second half of the first century, which help us date some of the New Testament books, are: the fall of Jerusalem in A.D.
Christopher L. The study of biblical chronologies is viewed as one of the most difficult subjects of Old Testament studies. This is because the Old Testament books are arranged in chronological and theological order. Because these books were organized according to theological themes, perhaps it was not the intention of the authors of these books to provide perfectly chronological records, but instead to tell the history of Israel from a theological point of view.
Photo Credit: Ryk Neethling. This blog post will share a few dates which are known with certainty in the Old Testament while at the same time sharing why establishing a chronology of the Old Testament is difficult. Bible scholars can identify specific Old Testament events is with good accuracy most of the time. For example, because of the records of the Assyrian and Babylonia chronologies that can be correlated with the reign of an Israelite or Judean king, accurate Bible dates can be determined within 10 years from 1, BC to BC.
This is because of the careful records kept by the kings of Assyria and Babylon, as well as some type of datable astronomical event. With the necessary information, accurate dates can be reconciled. However, this type of information is rare and mostly limited to after 1, BC.
If you want to know the age of the earth according to the Bible this book is for you. All timeline of the Bible dates with Old Testament commentary are calculated from the start date of the Exodus in BC using only the Biblical text. This is the only Bible Commentary that shows the inerrancy of the dated text of Scripture. The reader of Scripture will see clear evidence that the source of the Biblical text cannot be solely of human origin.
This Hebrew Day calendar is neither a solar calendar nor a solar-lunar calendar.
The Christian Bible has two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. date from that period, but as things changed old laws were updated explaining its significance in relation to other events in the history of.
The chronology first appeared in The Annals of the Old Testament , a monumental work first published in London in the summer of Ussher lived through momentous times, having been born during the reign of Elizabeth and dying, in , under Cromwell. He was a talented fast-track scholar who entered Trinity College in Dublin at the early age of thirteen, became an ordained priest by the age of twenty, and a professor at Trinity by twenty-seven.
He located and studied thousands of ancient books and manuscripts, written in many different languages. By the time of his death, he had amassed a library of over 10, volumes. The date forever tied to Bishop Ussher appears in the first paragraph of the first page of The Annals. Although Ussher brought stunning precision to his chronology, Christians for centuries had assumed a history roughly corresponding to his.
The Bible itself provides all the information necessary to conclude that Creation occurred less than 5, years before the birth of Christ. Astronomer Johannes Kepler concluded that B. Ussher began his calculation by adding the ages of the twenty-one generations of people of the Hebrew-derived Old Testament, beginning with Adam and Eve. If the Bible is to be believed, they were an exceptionally long-lived lot. Healthier living conditions contributed, or so it was believed, to the long life spans of the early generations of the Bible.
To calculate the length of time since Creation, knowledge of more than the ages of death of the twenty-one generations was required; one also needed to know the ages of people of each generation at the time the next generation began.
How Does One Date the Old Testament Writings?
Tomas Bokedal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. In the years after Jesus was crucified at Calvary, the story of his life, death and resurrection was not immediately written down. The experiences of disciples like Matthew and John would have been told and retold at many dinner tables and firesides, perhaps for decades, before anyone recorded them for posterity.
But if many people will have an idea of this gap between the events of the New Testament and the book that emerged, few probably appreciate how little we know about the first Christian Bible. The oldest complete New Testament that survives today is from the fourth century, but it had predecessors which have long since turned to dust.
Because scholars disagree over the date of the Exodus and the identity of and Judges , which name spans of time since Exodus-era events. Press, ); John D. Currid, Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament (Grand.
Search This Site. Fixing the date of the exodus has proven to be one of those contentious areas of biblical study that has produced two opposing views. As with many biblical historical issues, the two views are more a clash of how people view Scripture and differing methods of study based on those views than they are a result of conflicting interpretation of the historical evidence.
Historical questions about the Bible first came to the forefront of biblical study as a distinct field for research in the 19th century as part of the development of modern historical investigation. That historical study focused on two distinct aspects, the study of ancient documents and the study of actual historical artifacts such as the ruins of ancient cities. It is not that people had failed to ask historical questions before the 19th century, only that specific methods of research emerged then as the primary tools of historians.
The particular ways of examining ancient documents that came to be called historical-critical investigation and the emergence of archaeology and related fields shifted the historical questions into a new arena. In terms of the Bible, prior to the 19th century, Scripture was basically accepted for what it appeared to say without careful examination of the details of how things were said, or how the biblical recounting of history related to historical sources outside the Bible.
The new methods of historical investigation forced Scripture to be viewed from both of those perspectives. Historians are primarily concerned with objective data, with determining “what really happened. However, historians are quick to point out that total objectivity is not really possible since everyone brings certain perceptions and points of view to such tasks.
So, there is the recognition that all history writing is a matter of interpretation within certain assumptions. However, the historian works to identify and understand the perspectives and points of view that lie within historical documents, at the same time that they try to identify and understand their own point of view that allows them to see the evidence in certain ways.
This concern with objectivity leads historians to focus on data that can be verified, and not simply to assume that whatever is said in ancient texts, including Scripture, is exactly what happened from some supposed objective point of view.


In the heart of a community where faith is the guiding light, Nurturing Faithful Minds Christian Preschool stands as a beacon, a wholesome learning wonderland where young hearts and minds embark on a journey of spiritual and academic enlightenment. The institution is not merely a school; it is a sanctuary where the foundations of faith are laid alongside the building blocks of knowledge. The atmosphere is one of warmth and inclusion, inviting children into a world where the love of God intertwines seamlessly with the joy of learning. The curriculum at Nurturing Faithful Minds is a carefully orchestrated symphony of academics and spirituality. Each lesson is an opportunity for children to not only grasp fundamental concepts of language, mathematics, and science but also to explore the rich tapestry of biblical teachings. The classrooms, adorned with vibrant displays of scripture, create an immersive environment where learning becomes an act of worship. Here, letters and numbers are not abstract symbols but pathways to understanding the divine order.
The educators at Nurturing Faithful Minds are not just teachers but mentors and stewards of faith. Trained in both early childhood education and Christian principles, they recognize the sacred responsibility entrusted to them. Every child is seen as a unique creation, fearfully and wonderfully made, and the educators strive to nurture the potential within each little soul. The approach is personalized, acknowledging the diverse ways in which children learn and grow. It is an education that goes beyond textbooks, aiming to cultivate not just intellectual curiosity but a deep sense of moral responsibility. Central to the school’s philosophy is the idea of building a close-knit community of families bound by a common commitment to faith and education. Regular gatherings and events strengthen the ties between parents, educators, and students, read more fostering an environment where everyone plays an integral role in the spiritual and academic development of the children. The preschool becomes an extended family, a support system that nurtures the whole child—body, mind, and spirit.
Safety and security are paramount at Nurturing Faithful Minds. The learning environment is carefully designed to ensure physical safety, providing a space where children can explore and play with confidence. Equally important is the emotional safety, where children feel accepted and loved for who they are. This safe haven encourages open expression of thoughts and feelings, creating an environment conducive to both academic and spiritual growth. In the enchanting realm of Nurturing Faithful Minds, education is a holistic endeavor. It is a journey where children not only accumulate knowledge but also cultivate a deep, abiding faith. The preschool becomes a cornerstone, a foundational stage where young minds are shaped and molded, ready to face the world with a sense of purpose and a strong connection to their spiritual roots.


Seventh Day Baptist Church Little Rock
"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him." Proverbs 14:1-2
Proverbs 31 Challenge
There are 30-31 days in a month. Read a chapter of Proverbs a day to gain wisdom and understanding for everyday living in a month!


Welcome To My Father's House Church link site
House of Prayer, House of Worship for All People, for All Nations
Loving God with All Passion, Serving Others and Making a Difference in the Community.
Note of the current address:
MFHC is currently had joint services with; American House Church, 9:45 am Sunday worship service, with Pastor Ken Vincent, and Victory Center Ministries, 11:00 am worship service with Pastor Cliff Molnar Located at 21501 Goddard Rd. Taylor, MI 48180
Phone 248-702-7378, 734-941-4142
Keep the faith, keep moving forward, ever growing in Christ.
In His Love, Pastor Dave Alvarez II


As we draw to the close of another year, I like many, have been reflecting on the past year and making plans for the next. As I look back there are areas that I am pleased with and some places that I am not so much. Some areas where I regressed and still more that there have been improvements. I see room to grow. I see how I stunted my growth with bad habits. I see changes that need to be made. I see an opportunity to make a change, to be a new creature.
I read the scripture this morning in 2 Corinthians 5:17,
Therefore is any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Many times we liken this change from old to new at first salvation. There is a crisis moment, Jesus comes down, and a change is made. It is used to encourage someone that had experienced much sin and because of God’s grace, Jesus sacrifice, they no longer have to partake in the same activities.
But today, as I was reflecting on the new year, I saw it as an opportunity. Even as saints of God, we can become a new creature. If we aren’t satisfied with our service to God, our health, our habits, our attitudes, our outreach, our kindness, our relationships, our “fill in the blank”, we can make the change.
We can have a crisis moment in the middle of our salvation. Salvation isn’t stagnate, it is an evolving status. We can draw closer to God. We can make better choices for our health. We can change our habits and attitudes. We can be more kind and loving. We can forgive. We can improve our relationships… We can change.
This year, starting today, I vow to myself and to God, changes will be made. I am not looking at an easy road ahead. I have some habits to break and new ones to make. I have some flesh to crucify. I am some time to give. I have some reaching out to do. I have some inconvenient love to show. I have some early nights to bed and some early mornings to rise. I have better eating choices to make. I have some physical activity to be endured. I have some better house keeping practices to instill. I have some listening to do. I have some purging of clutter. I have some better time management skills to work on. I have some ground to conquer. I have some victory to gain.
This isn’t just a New Year’s Resolution that is forgotten and unfulfilled, it is a promise. These are goals. I have written many down. And as more come to me, more changes that need to be made, I will write those down to. I am a work in progress, allowing God to mold and shape me into the person he wants me to be.


Sunday School & Adult Bible Class - Sundays at 9:30 am
Preschool through adult. The Adult Bible Class has finished its survey of the Catechism and will be starting a couple of weeks of different topics before resuming a study of one of the books of the Bible. If you haven't been a part of a Bible Study before, now is a good time to plug in. We hope you will.
Good News Class - Second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm
Lectionary Studies- Tuesdays at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm
Each week we will study passages from the Old Testament, the Epistles (letters), and the Gospels that are appointed to be read during the worship service the following weekend. These appointed Scriptures are called the Pericopes, or Lections. They are intended to provide an annual review of salvation, history, and of major Christian Doctrines (faith, baptism, Law and Gospel, etc.) as well as to read through a signifigant portion of Scripture during the Church Year. The overall theme will be explored along with the central message of each passage.
5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Grades, Thursdays 6:00 pm.


I went to a party yesterday.
I’m not a party person but I really like the Birthday girl. She’s one of my closest friends. I got to see a lot of people that went to high school with us. She’s really popular so she knows almost half of our city.
The thing about it is, living a double life. Sure I had the time of my life yesterday. But I’m worried about the pictures taken. Who will see them? Will any of my church companions know of the party?
I go to this church where they have strict rules on everything. They live their lives by the Bible. And even though I love God sometimes I am not able to abide by all his rules, and I recognize that.
So I’ve lived my life in two worlds. One, where I’m an Innocent faithful Christian. The other, where I do as I please and live my life to the fullest.
Where and when will this all end? Will things catch up to me? Will someone catch up to the lies?
I know deep down inside I will have to chose a side. I will have to pick what life I want to actually live. And I know doing so many people will be disappointed. That’s just the way it is.


Adventure Zone – Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Sundays @ 10:30 am Only…
The moment your child walks through the door of Adventure Zone they will experience the excitement of a ministry that is designed specifically with kids in mind, from the newly renovated child friendly decor, to the friendly Children’s ministry partners. Through the high energy worship music, the attention grabbing puppets, and heart-directed Bible lessons, they will learn that knowing and living for Jesus is a great adventure. We want to be the bridge that leads your child to a real and relevant relationship with Jesus Christ.
Adventure Zone breaks into three groups: Kindergarten, 1st – 3rd grade and the Tweens (4th and 5th grade) each group reaching their specific age needs.
Our motto is… “Partnering with parents in leading kids to Jesus Christ, teaching them to worship Him, walk with Him, willingly serve Him and win their friends to Him.”
Life of Faith Girls Club
4 Events Per Year
Girls Campout… Mother/Daughter Tea… Christmas Tea… Father/Daughter Date Night…
for girls in 3rd – 8th grade.
Based on the Elsie Dinsmore and Millie Keith books by Mission Press, this very special club teaches young girls on the brink of womanhood to daily live a life of faith.
Champions 4 Christ BOYS CLUB
2 Events Per Year
Father/Son Campout… Father/Son Field Day…
Champions 4 Christ is a club just for boys in 3rd – 6th grade! Boys Club strives to train young men to be “Champions for Christ” using biblical principles, well known sports figures as role models, as well as sports and activities to teach teamwork and sportsmanship. Come and be a part of exciting and fun activities designed just for the boys!
Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM during the school year
Beginning Wednesday, August 30 with a
Parent Orientation & Kids Pizza Blast
for 3 years old – 12th Grade
Please Pre-Register Below
Awana is an International Program that helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Here, kids participate in games, Bible memorization and council time. During the year they have opportunity to join activities like Grand Prix, Bible Quiz, fishing & camping trips, hikes and other special activities.


Chúng tôi sưu tập một số bài Bình Ca Thông dụng mà học viên CT2, TN2 nào cũng cần, và giáo dân giáo xứ nào cũng nên biết để sử dụng trong nhưng trường hợp cần thiết.
Xin bám vào đây để tải về và nghe nhạc do các Đan sĩ Dòng Biển đức tại Abbaye St Pierre Solesmes (Pháp) diễn tấu.
Xin bấm vào đây để xem hoặc tải các bản nhạc Bình ca đang nghe.
Các Đan sĩ Dòng Biển đức tại St Solesmes đã được ĐGH Lê-ô XIII ủy thác nghiên cứu để tìm lại vẻ đẹp nguyên thủy của Bình Ca, và được ĐGH Piô X chuẩn nhận qua Tự sắc 25-04-1955 về ấn bản mới cho các bài Bình Ca do Solesmes thực hiện.
Mời đọc Lịch sử về Bình Ca:
Gregorian chant is the chant proper to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. Bequeathed to us by a long tradition, this musical repertoire, which the Second Vatican Council calls “a treasure of inestimable value”, was composed mainly from Latin Biblical verses.
Gregorian chant has a complex history and its origin and initial developments are largely unknown. Although the elaboration of Gregorian chant was heavily influenced by Jewish and Greek musical culture – especially for its modality – it is first and foremost a Latin chant.
An ‘ancient collection’ of ecclesiastical chants with simple melodies was first built up in the West in around 3rd–4th centuries. This was based on recitatives in the liturgy of the first generations of Christians. A local repertoire developed in several regions: Roman chants, Beneventan (southern Italy), Milanese – i.e. Ambrosian – (northern Italy), Hispanic and Gallican (in Gaul). The popes between the 5th and 7th centuries, especially Leo the Great, Gelasius and Gregory the Great (to whom Gregorian chant owes its name), helped organize the repertoire throughout the liturgical year.
In the mid-8th century, the Frankish kingdom of Pepin the Short adopted the Roman liturgy. Roman cantors crossed the Alps and spread the chant by oral transmission. Proof of this is found in the manuscript liturgical books, which contain chant texts but no melodies. A new repertoire emerged in northern Gaul, representing a successful fusion of Roman and Gallican chants. With Charlemagne and the crucial role of monasteries in spreading chant throughout Western Christendom, what was now known as Gregorian chant really took off. During the 10th century, this extended repertoire was transcribed onto manuscripts using various musical notations. Lined staves, which were gradually introduced in the 11th century, helped achieve more accurate transmission of the melodies.
The emergence of polyphony – which distorted the phrasing, melody and especially rhythm of Gregorian chant – at the end of the mediaeval period, marked the beginning of its gradual decline. After being discarded by the Renaissance and Protestantism, many attempts were made to restore Gregorian chant according to the rules of modern music from the early 17th century onwards. This disfigured, distorted version of the chant lost its purity and power of expression and so ceased to interpret and inspire the Church's prayer as it once had.
It was Dom Guéranger (1805–1875, see bust opposite) who took the initiative to restore Gregorian chant according the manuscripts. The aim of his research and restoration was to publish liturgical books. This major work, which the Church has officially requested Solesmes to undertake since Pope Leo XIII, was accomplished slowly but surely in the musical palaeography workshop at Solesmes. It continues today so that, in accordance with the words of Pope St Pius X (1903–1914), all people may “pray with the help of beauty.”


The Protestant Great Church (Hungarian: Nagytemplom) is probably the most well-known building in the city of Debrecen. It stands in the downtown, between Kossuth square and Calvin square. It is the symbol of the Protestant Church in Hungary, and it is because of this church that Debrecen is sometimes referred to as "the Calvinist Rome". With a ground space of 1500 m² it is the largest Protestant church in Hungary. It also has the largest bell of all Hungarian Protestant churches. The Great Church was built between 1805 and 1824 in neoclassical style.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Debrecen is one of the most populated cities and the second largest town in Hungary (after Budapest).
Debrecen is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the capital of Hajdú-Bihar county.
The cultural institutions and events of the city are well-known among tourist: the health bath, open-air bath, Aquaticum Mediterranean Pleasure Baths and sports centre, Funpark, Botanic Park & Zoo and many other program alternatives await visitors.
The photos were taken in 2010.


The Scarlet Beast.
Editorial by Kenny Brownlee (TheFinalGate.COM Ministries)
The Beast of Revelation 13 and The Scarlet Beast of 17
You may have already read this very same writings from another editorial titled “Mark Of The Beast.” Please excuse me for that, but I found it necessary to repeat the same parts to further cast light on the Scarlet beast.
13 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne,
and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.
And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying,
“Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword.
Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
The 1st Beast rising up out of the sea.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an
image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both
speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive
a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
The 2nd Beast coming up out of the earth.
The first beast is nations of the world who have teamed up together to form a new world order. It is anyone’s guess who those nations will be. It could be China,
Russia, European nations and allies. Some teach that this beast is the rise of the old Roman Empire made up of the European nations and allies. This idea comes from Daniel 7:1-8. Which lines up very well here with this 1st beast.
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
5 “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
Revelation 17:1-18 The Scarlet Beast
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom:
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
This scripture gives us the details of what the beast and harlot are and what they represent more than any other. With this information we can better understand the beast.
Beast of Daniel's Dream.
- (a) Four separate Beast come up out of the sea.
- (b) 1st Beast was like a Lion.
- (c) This Lion had Eagle's wings which later had been plucked off.
- (d) Made to stand like a Man on two feet.
- (e) 2nd Beast was like a Bear with three ribs between its teeth.
- (f) 3rd Beast was like a Leopard with four wings on its back like a bird. Also had four heads.
- (g) 4th Beast was Dreadful and very strong. With Ten Horns. (No Heads here)
- (h) No Crowns here.
- (i) Three of the 1st horns was plucked out replaced by a little horn with eyes of a Man. (eight total)
- (j) Mouth speaking pompous words.
- (k) the world marveled and followed the beast.
- (l) and followed the beast (dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong)
Rev. 13 - 1st Beast
- (a) A Single Beast came up out of the sea.
- (b) This Beast had a Month like a Lion.
- (c) No Eagle's wings here.
- (d) No Man here.
- (e) His feet was like the feet of a Bear.
- (f) This Beast was like a Leopard.
- (g) This Beast had Seven Heads and Ten Horns.
- (h) With Ten Crowns.
- (i) One Horn was wounded and then healed.
- (j) Mouth speaking in blasphemy against God...
- (k) and dominion was given to it.
- (l) All who dwell on the earth will worship him.
Rev. 17 - Scarlet Beast
- (a) A Single Beast (will ascend out of the bottomless pit)
- (b) No features described here.
- (c) No features described here.
- (d) No features described here.
- (e) No features described here.
- (f) No features described here.
- (g) This Beast had Seven Heads and Ten Horns. (Heads as Mountains and Kings, and Ten Horns as Kings)
- (h) No Crowns.
- (i) Five Kings have fallen, One Remainds, One is to come from the Seven making Eight. (eight total)
- (j) Mouth speaking in blasphemy against God...
- (k) And those who dwell on the earth will marvel...
- (l) The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
Revelation 18:1-24 The Fall of Babylon
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
What is This Beast?
Some teach that the Beasts represent the historical empires like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and on and on. If you look at Daniel’s dream, the animals are listed differently than Rev. 13. Like Daniel saw it from his present time as John saw it from the past. Daniel saw Leopard, Bear then Lion while John saw it as Lion, Bear then Leopard. But both seem to be the same beast. I believe the beast represents historical empires and of course the new world order that is coming along with Satan the Dragon and the Anti-Christ that will rule the world from the rebuilt city of Babylon or a similar new world order headquarters represented as Babylon.
Many people believe that the United States will not be around in the end times, we may already be conquered by China or Russia. I believe the United States will be around and could very well be the 2nd Beast of Rev 13. The beast had two horns, one like a lamb and the other like a dragon. While many believe this beast to be Satan himself. But it only makes since that the 2nd beast represents nations or kingdoms just as the 1st beast. Within the United States we are divided by two political parties who are struggling with each other for power. The one claims to be conservative (more like a lamb) while the other is more liberal or progressive (more like a dragon). Also consider that Canada is more like a dragon (Liberal) than a lamb.
We also have a 3rd beast within Rev 17 (Scarlet Beast) that is not a 3rd at all but is the same beast as Daniel 7 and Rev 13. The only difference is the Harlot Woman riding the beast.
The Harlot Women
While the harlot woman represents all peoples, multitudes, nations and tounges of those on the earth as well as all sins of evil committed against God throughout the ages. Everything done by man while in disobedience and rebellion against God and his saints throughout history is all repersented here as this harlot (whore) riding on the backs of the worlds nations, governments and rulers.
She represents the agendas, ideologies and wealth of all the new world order rulers and leaders at the end of this age and currently. I believe our current world leaders and presidents; politicians and governments are beginning to look more and more like this harlot. We see leaders of today who champion abortion to the point that they resemble this harlot. They display the golden cup of abomination.
Below is a short list of some of the abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
- Sexual Immorality (sexual perversion, debauchery, sexual child abuse)
- Lust of the Flesh
- Rebellion and disobedience of moral values and standards
- Witchcraft (sorcery, divination, occults)
- Worship of idols, demons and false gods
- Golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication
- False teachings and doctrine
- Murder, anger and hatred
- Lawlessness and self-destruction
- Irresponsibility and dishonest words and actions
- Lying and deceitfulness
- Hypocrisy and thievery
- Vanity, haughtiness and self-centered
- Addictions, drugs, abuse of pharmaceuticals
- and so much more...
Could the two most powerful political parties in North America be the Lamb and the Dragon?
Our World and the Un-Solved Problems?
This map from 1689 indicates how little the people of the world new about what was actually out there, we can only imagine how Daniel and John saw the world. Even though both received visions from God, they would have only been able to relate to them with the knowledge of their time. For example:
7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails.
Did John see a modern-day attack helicopter here?
Modern-Day Map of our planet
When we see our world in full view, it is hard to imagine that 1/3 of the planet will be destroyed within such a short time. We know from other scripture within Revelations that a third of mankind will be killed.
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.
Who will Save the Planet?
The World Economic Forum
This global organization based in Geneva, Switzerland has thousands of global partners from all over the world that include banking and capital markets, agriculture and food, aviation, travel and tourism, technology and digital communications, energy technology, information technology, health and healthcare, engineering and construction, advanced manufacturing, energy utilities, chemical and advanced materials, and many others. Established in 1971 and founded by Klaus Schwab. This past January of 2023 the meeting had around 703 registered attendees that represented over 100 countries.
It should not be that hard to believe that the United States will play a major role and be part of the Beast of end times. (UAE is United Arab Emirates)
Notice China and Russia are not in the top 10. But China Banks are partners.
The mission statement:
The mission statement also indicates; "Our activities are shaped by a unique institutional culture founded on the stakeholder theory, which asserts that an organization is accountable to all parts of society."
The idea is to form a single utilitarian entity to create rules, guidelines, policies, agendas to support the global economy based on this wonderful theory called “stakeholder”. It looks good and seems right, but underneath it is all about making more money. This can only lead to a single world power to govern and administrate such a huge undertaking. Again, it seems right and needed, but it is not what it seems to be.
Remember the scripture that said the “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls”. Rev 17:4 and in Rev 18:11-13 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.”
Do you see the “merchants” in the stakeholder theory? It is everyone except society and customers. Notice the phrase “for no one buys their merchandise anymore” Remember the harlot is the city of Babylon (the global economic system) has fallen. Only then will the single world power made up of many nations be left for the final battle against Jesus Christ and his army. Also notice the phrase
"the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." Rev 18:3
Make no mistake about it, this harlot is only interested in creating more markets for their merchandise. Society and customers are the backbone to the entire world economy and yet it seems like we are just peasants while the wealthy and elite make themselves richer.
- Why this move for corporate giants to push transgender ideology on us even though most people do not want it or believe in it? More Money, new markets, new drug markets etc. (more merchandise).
- Why more EV technology? More Money, new markets and technology that creates more merchandise, it creates new jobs so the consumers (peasants) can purchase more merchandise. The rich get richer.
- Why confuse kids about their sex at such an early age? More Money, new markets for drug companies, the rich get richer.
- Why blame fossil fuel energy for global warming? More Money, create new industries and markets ready to push out the old and replace with the new no matter the cost on peasants.
- Why so much anti-Christ or anti-God policies to move into the future? That is the whole point, the Beast more than any represents anti-Christ, anti-God, it is the opposite of the Kingdom of God and faith in Jesus Christ.
- Why such a huge division within the United States? The difference between the lamb and the dragon. (also true for the entire world, nations against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms)
- Why more abortion? More Money, new markets for drug companies and healthcare. Population control, more elite class, and less poverty.
- Abortion is a global issue, not just here in the United States. According to WHO, every year in the world there are around 73 million induced abortions. This corresponds to approximately 200,000 abortions per day.
- Why so much hate, and talk of racism and lies? The more hate and racism the more gun violence, then gun control laws can be passed to ban and confiscate guns from legal gun owners. The United States is one of the last great countries of the world who allow rights to citizens to purchase and own guns for personal use and protection. Guns in Americans hands is not global friendly!
We have another world leaders’ conference that is playing a leading role of the Beast to come.
What are they up too? Look at the agenda below and you will see what they talk about on behalf of the world.
Looks a lot like the WEF in Switzerland. It is interesting that Switzerland is not one the core members of this G7 meeting. But let us compare agendas between the two and list what is common.
- Global Economy
- Digital Technology
- AI Technology
- Strengthening partners
- Economic resilience and security
- Outreach for more countries and organizations to join up
- Agriculture and food
- Energy and Climate change.
Seems right and necessary for global peace. Even still, man without God is working within the flesh that is prideful and sinful in nature and cannot bring peace to the world. Only Jesus can bring peace. And only God can control climate.
Leaders of the world should meet and come together for world peace, but they must do that under the banner of God, and God alone, in the Name of God. It is futile to work and put so much money and effort into world peace without the blessings of GOD.
Scripture gives us many beasts and illustrations of the end times; it can be confusing and easy to mis-understand and misinterpret. I do not profess to know all things about this subject or claim it will happen just as I say. But I can say this with certainty, three as one.
- One Single Government - The Beast represents nations that will form as one and give full control to a single ruler anti-Christ who brings peace. (for a short time)
- One Single Religion – The Beast represents the authority and enforcement for all nations, peoples, and tongues to worship the Image of anti-Christ.
- One Single Economic System – The Harlot represents the authority and rule of a global economy. (will fall after 3-1/2 years of rule)
Then Jesus will overcome the dragon and his army, He will crush man’s governments and ideology and remove evil, He will destroy this world and bring on the new heavens and earth to rule as King over all who have their names written in the lamb's book of life. Amen, and again amen.
Rev 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 21:1-3 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. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 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.
Rev 21:6-8 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. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Rev 21:22-27 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
This is not without hope, we as Christians can be effective by not voting for un-Godly politicians that will continue to lead this country and the world into the month of the dragon. Some may say, I belong to Gods Kingdom and do not worry about man’s governments, but let me remind you what our Lord Jesus said. Matthew 5:13-16 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
This message more than anything is a warning that we are living in the end times, it may not be within my lifetime, or it may happen 50 or 100 years from now, either way Jesus told us to be ready and watch for the signs of his return. We have been given detailed information as prophecy from Daniel and John and from Jesus himself what to look for. It would be foolish not to recognize those signs, share it with others, and keep watch. Not only to keep watch but pray and do what we can while we have the opportunity.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
We as Christians should stand up for the Kingdom (Lamb) and do all we can for the sake of future generations that otherwise may not be given the chance.
God, I pray that you forgive our country of the sins commented against you, forgive us for ignoring the un-born, forgive us for our sexual immorality,
forgive us for our hatred toward one another, forgive us for judging one another without cause and God, lead us to the path of righteousness
to restore this country to what it once was. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


GOD’S SECRET PLAN was created before time or people existed. Then, at the right time, God, the Son, became a human being. His life, death and resurrection enable us both to understand and participate in His plan.
Disciples of Jesus from various people groups and religious backgrounds share compelling stories of how this “secret” changed them when they discovered that there is “nothing like it anytime, anywhere.”
Scriptures related to this plan deal with questions such as:
• Is the Christian faith different from other religions?
• What is the proof that someone is sent from God?
• Do all local churches and individual believers have global
• How can more workers be recruited?
• Where is God when the earth shakes?
• Does it matter how we celebrate Christmas?
• Are individuals still called and sent to the “ends of the


Bishop Junious Augustus Blake, Jr. was born the eldest of two sons to the late Bishop J. A. Blake, Sr. and Mrs. Lula Champion Blake in Jonesboro, Arkansas on August 26, 1937.
He gave his life to the Lord at a young age, and received his early education and training in Little Rock, Arkansas, where his father served and ministered in the work of the Lord. As a child Bishop Blake was blessed to sit at the feet of our founder, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, and many of the pioneers of our great church, who were often in the home of his father.
In 1947, the Lord called the Blake family to serve in San Diego, California, where Junious continued to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, and received his basic and higher education. Bishop Blake was a young man of varied interests and aptitudes and at the age of 16 years old, he made his first solo flight as a pilot. In 1959, Bishop Blake married the lovely Dorothy L. Payne; to this union three sons were born.
In 1960, Bishop Blake acknowledged his call to the ministry. He served faithfully under the leadership of his father, Bishop J. A. Blake, Sr., as Youth Pastor, Staff Minister and Co-Pastor at the Greater Jackson Memorial Church of God In Christ until 1981, when he was appointed Pastor of Anderson Memorial COGIC in Houston, Texas. At the death of his father, Bishop J. A. Blake Sr., Bishop Blake was appointed pastor of Greater Jackson Memorial by the late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. in 1985. Under his leadership, the church has greatly prospered and continues to be a force for God in San Diego, CA.
Bishop Blake has served the Church of God in Christ in various capacities; as District and Regional Supt., Jurisdictional Secy. of Finance, member of the Board of Directors and an Administrative Asst. in So Calif. 1st Jurisdiction. In the National Church he has served as a member of the Executive Board of the General Assembly and as a member of the Housing Committee.
Although thankful for his varied and extensive higher learning experiences in education, business and vocational fields, Bishop Junious A. Blake Jr. is most grateful to God for his salvation, and for the blessed privilege of serving the Lord as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is an anointed preacher and a faithful servant to the body of Christ. Among the brethren, Bishop Blake is known as a man of wisdom, profound insight and love for the people of God. Many young ministers seek him out across denominational lines as a mentor and counselor.


Thanksgiving holidays are just around the corner. How do you plan to spend it? Some of you may be traveling out of town? Some may tune into a football game. Almost everyone will have a turkey dinner. Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions may be, I hope it will include some time to give thanks.
There are many reasons to be thankful. Make a list, give thanks to God and share the list with family and friends. In sharing thanks, you may find your reasons for being thankful growing exponentially.
Here are a few things to get your list started.
Thankful for a school break
Good food and favorite desserts
Crazy family and friends who keep you laughing
Psalm 9 verse 1 says “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
God has done many great things for us. Praise God! Shout it out! Tell somebody about it.
Among my many reasons to be thankful, you are on the list. I am giving thanks to God for you.


“A child born to another woman calls me mom. The depth of the tragedy and the magnitude of the privilege are not lost on me.” – Judy Landers
Adoption is a wonderful, challenging, beautiful, patience-trying path to walk. It’s simultaneously a glorious picture of what the Lord has done for us, and a mirror into which I am forced to see how far short I fall in loving others like the Lord has loved me. As it turns out, I’m not always a joy to parent either, huh, Father?! I’ve been on this path for 4 years now, in 2 different ways, and have a learned a few things that I’d love to share with you.
Love in Adoption is:
The LORD is in charge! If you ever want to feel deeply emotionally involved in something, yet completely out of control of ANY of it, try adoption! In all seriousness, it’s a precious reminder that the Lord is in charge of every detail as He faithfully weaves His story into each family. While walking the road, however, it’s FRUSTRATING and full of ups and downs, as you jump through a million hoops and constantly think, “Why is this so hard?!!? Anyone who delivers a baby in the hospital is allowed to take it home, no questions asked! Why do they make adoption so hard when we’re just trying to do the right thing?!” Every aspect is out of control of the adoptive family (choices the birth parents make, decisions that judges make, government entities that are not interested in your timeline, etc.) and it’s tough being face to face with the fact that you have no control over something so important. What a gracious reminder in every step of grasping for some piece of influence that the LORD is in and though every aspect and all we’re called to do is let go of our expectations and just follow obediently where He leads. That’s not always easy to do, by the way.
The OPPOSITE of the movies. I enjoy movies like Annie and The Blind Side- stories of bold love and happy endings. However, in real life, adoption is more like marriage: a sacred covenant that is hard work. Trust and love have to be earned. All parties, including birth families in open adoptions, are figuring it out as they go. Things that were easy to idealize while you were reading and dreaming and preparing are much harder to actually live. Questions plague decisions: “Are we doing this right? What is the best way to handle this? Please Lord, cover our mistakes!” In real life, if there is a happy ending, I can assure you it has been hard won through lots of grace, training, professional support, and tons of prayer.
It VARIES in every circumstance. Just like no two families are alike, neither do any two adoptions mirror one another perfectly. Open, closed, domestic, international, foster care, infant, older child, special needs, sibling groups...the picture is unique each time. Some common threads apply to all (see L above!) but each family has their own story. Just as important, each adoptee has his/her own way of dealing with his/her story. Some like to share, some don’t. Some need to find their birth families, some can’t. In the same way that 2 children raised in the same home can be completely different from one another, 2 adoptees from the same home can have opposite experiences and needs in processing their story. When you interact with adoptees and their parents, please respect that. It’s the CHILD’S information to share with whom they choose, when they choose.
EVERY adoption involves loss. Loss and gain. Pain and redemption. Hurt and healing. They are inseparable pairs in adoption. We often prefer to focus on the hope in the new situation, and rightly so. But we must also acknowledge the loss. Children adopted beyond infancy must mourn the loss of their previous life. Even when rough lives are all they knew, it must still be acknowledged as loss. Children adopted as infants represent immeasurable love and loss by the birth parents who lovingly and self-sacrificially made an adoption plan for them. Every adopted child needs to process and reprocess this reality as they pass through the developmental stages of childhood. Loving them through this and supporting their realities are ways that parents can create a safe place to talk about and validate their thoughts and feelings. It should never be us (the adoptive family) against them (the birth family), even in the hardest of situations. The child should never feel stuck between competing loyalties, but rather that we’re all on the same team building into the precious soul we all love.
As adoptive parents, we often hear what a wonderful thing we’re doing. The reality, though, is that only the Lord can love perfectly. As an adoptive momma, most days I feel like my life is less a picture of God’s perfect adoptive love for us, and more a picture of my sinful-self walking the narrow path. ONLY the Lord can redeem. Only the Lord can fully heal. I pray that He will do both those things for my adopted kiddos AND my biological kiddos. Being adopted is part of their story, but it’s not their identity. They are all God’s children first, and my children second.
“So he decided long ago to adopt us. He adopted us as his children with all the rights children have. He did it because of what Jesus Christ has done. It pleased God to do it.” Ephesians 1:5


Who We Are
Joyce accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord on August 16, 1982. As she grew in faith, she worked in the local church as Sunday School teacher, Women’s Ministries leader and Associate Pastor. The Lord called Joyce to preach the gospel not long after her conversion and she preaches anywhere God opens the door. Her message is a cry to get back to the power of the Holy Ghost and the blood of Jesus that washes away sins.
Garth accepted Jesus into his heart as a child but through his teenage years he struggled in his faith and finally rededicated his life to Christ as an adult. Garth flows in revelation of the Word of God as he teaches and preaches. He plays the guitar and sings and has been called a “Psalmist” of the Lord. The anointing of the Holy Ghost flows sweetly and brings light to the darkness to those he ministers to.
Together Garth and Joyce make up Firestorm Ministries. A ministry that believes the fire of God will burn away all sin and move out every obstacle as a storm clears the air. They are ordained under Cross Country World Missions, a ministry that has touched over 45 nations of the world with the gospel. Lead by Reverend Ann Baines, this ministry plants churches and orphanages overseas and sends teams on short term missions trips. Garth and Joyce minister to the lost, whether broken or proud. God has empowered them to reach souls in every realm. To Him be all the glory!
What We Do:
We gather together to express that love to each other and those who cross our paths in our daily lives.
We endeavor to preach and teach the good news of the gospel with signs following.
We focus not only on our local body, but also on those outside of the four walls of our church. Our goal is to grow people into the image of Christ for his glory!
The Firestorm Ministries Board Members
- Beth Bucksot lives in Reelsboro, NC. She has been on the Firestorm Ministries board since 2008. She is called to the office of a prophet and to teach and preach the Gospel. She has traveled extensively and lived in many...
- Stanley L. Kibbey was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan and was educated in all lower and upper courses in the state of Michigan. Stanley went into industrial engineering with a major manufacturer and worked in all staff positions in...
- Twenty-three years ago I experienced a radical salvation. Everything about me seemed to change and my hunger for the Word could not be satisfied. God directed my path in training in servant hood for which I am grateful. I worked...


Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772)
IQ (intelligence quotient): 205
Emanuel Swedenborg was a Swedish scientist, Christian mystic, philosopher, and theologian who wrote voluminously in interpreting the Scriptures as the immediate word of God. Soon after his death, devoted followers created Swedenborgian societies dedicated to the study of his thought. These societies formed the nucleus of the Church of the New Jerusalem, or New Church, also called the Swedenborgians.


Kirkwood is a summer camp, a retreat facility, a place of rest and renewal, and a beautiful place of grace nestled in the Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania. Our summer camp program runs six one-week sessions from mid June-August, for rising 3rd-12th graders.
Registration for summer 2018 will be open soon!
Kirkwood’s facilities are available for retreats and meetings year-round. Click the facilities tab above, or give us a call for more information!


Wedding Day Attire
The couple exchanged their vows at Our Lady of Perpetual Help within the sacrament of mass. The beauty of the church and the meaning of the madd helped point to what commitments they made to each other that day.
The couple enjoyed a beautiful reception at the Lookout Mountain Club, where food and drinks were provided . The cake was made by Federal Bake Shop. Guest enjoyed a photo booth by Chattanooga Photo Booth Co. and danced the night away with music from DJT3. The Beautiful florals were done by Humphrey’s Flowers.
We are so happy we could take part in this special day! Thank you to all the wonderful vendors listed below for making this day magical.


His Last Words is an intergenerational Home Group based curriculum through John Chapters 13-16. In these chapters, we see Jesus having a conversation with his disciples. These are the last words he's sharing with them before his impending death and glorifying resurrection. These are intimate settings and statements that challenge his disciples for a mission that awaits them.
Our home group time will be in the months of February and March. Pastor Josh will be doing a recap of the previous weeks, before everyone is shipped off to the host homes. It is of utmost importance that you (as leaders and participants) are prepared for the evening when you come in.
This website is designed to help you as a Home Group participant/facilitator be as prepared as possible for the students on a Sunday evening. You'll find resources here for the curriculum and a video to help you best prepare for the upcoming week.
If you would like a hard copy of the curriculum, please let me know and I'll get that for you.
Suggestions for Preparation:
- Make sure to spend approximately 1-2 hrs in preparation each week. I'd encourage you to do more, but that is up to you. Please try to do at least 1 hour of preparation.
- Don't prep on Sunday afternoon the week of. You will not be ready.
- NOTICE: Some weeks require you to have materials in advance. So if you're reading this on the Sunday afternoon before Small Group time, then you are probably not going to be as prepared as you should.
- I make many spelling and grammar mistakes. Sorry.


What Our Customers Are Saying About Us
"The following testimonials are from campers, KP students, public and private school students, parents, ministry leaders, etc.
"I am thankful for all the help KP has given me over the years."
-KP Black Belt
"It was such a blessing to have you as the high school camp speaker! Thank you so much fo rsharing God's Word with them and impacting their lives for Christ!"
-a Colorado Church Pastor
"Thank you for helping me grow in my Christian walk."
-KP Adult Male
"Dear Karate Plus,
We like the Christian element, context and attitude, relationships and mentoring..."
"Thanks again for all you have done for (our son) all these years. We really thank God for your influence in his life."
"I am very grateful for you helping me to rain my body and mind."
"Thank you for your work with the children and pointing them toward a strong relationship with Christ."
"I thank God for the blessing you have been in my life."
-KP Adult Black Belt


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Filed Under Antebellum & Civil War
O'Rorke Catholic Cemetery
Prominent layman John O’Rorke donated land to the Catholic Diocese for this cemetery, the oldest historic resource in the city associated with Raleigh’s Catholic community. Established at a time when prevailing Protestant thought often made life difficult for Catholics, the cemetery retains twelve monuments and plot borders dating from 1865 to about 1931. The cemetery operated as Raleigh’s Catholic cemetery from 1858 to 1931; in 1938 the cemetery was ceded to the city for the burial of itinerants and the “less fortunate.” Beginning in 1941 the city operated the property as a paupers’ graveyard until the cemetery was fully utilized in 1986.


This letter was published in the Daily Telegraph on 25 July 2017. If you would like to support the original signatories in this Movement for a Renewed Orthodox Anglicanism, please sign below.
All those who sign will receive updates on future developments.
SIR – Recent actions in the General Synod in pursuit of a culture that denies biblical ethics, as they have been practised and understood “at all places and in all times”, have caused many Anglicans great concern.
There are times, particularly in the face of social disintegration, when it is the duty of the Church to be counter‑cultural. The failure of the House of Bishops to uphold the teaching of the Bible and of the Universal Church in this area is very disappointing, if not surprising.
Booing of traditionalists and the levels of personal abuse aimed at them during the Synod have only deepened mistrust between the different sides.
There are now effectively two opposed expressions of Anglicanism in this country. One has capitulated to secular values, and one continues to hold the faith “once delivered to the saints”.
We and others stand with the majority of faithful Anglicans across the globe, in prioritising Scripture and the unanimous teaching of the universal Church over secular fashion. We note the results of this same conflict in North America, even as we look for and pray for a similar renewal of orthodox Anglicanism and of Anglican structures in these islands.
Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali
Bishop of Rochester, 1994-2009
Rt Rev John Fenwick
Bishop Primus, Free Church of England
Rev Gavin Ashenden
Former Chaplain to the Queen
Rev Mark Burkill
Chairman of Reform
Andrea Minchello Williams
CEO of Christian Concern
Rev William Taylor
Chairman of Renew
Rev Nigel Atkinson
Vicar of St John’s, Knutsford
Rt Rev John Ellison
Executive of Anglican Mission in England (AMiE)
Rev Lee McMunn
Mission Director of AMiE
Rev Tim Chapman
Minister of Christ Church, South Cambridgeshire
Rev Paul Darlington
Vicar of Oswestry, Holy Trinity
Chairman of Church Society
Member of General Synod
Rev Dick Farr
Chairman of Church Society Trust
Fr Martin Hislop
St Luke’s, Kingston upon Thames
Rev Canon Nigel Juckes
Incumbent, Parish of Llandogo
Rt Rev Josep Miquel Ferrer
Free Church of England
Rev Steven Hanna
St Elisabeth’s Church, Dagenham
Rt Rev Paul Hunt
General Secretary of Free Church of England
Rev James Paice
Vicar of St Luke’s, Wimbledon Park
Trustee of Southwark Good Stewards Trust
Rev Dr Peter Sanlon
Vicar of St Mark’s, Tunbridge Wells
Convener of Anglican Partnership Synod
Rev Dr Andrew Symes
Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream
Rev Melvin Tinker
Vicar of St John’s, Newland
Rev Robin Weekes
Minister Emmanuel Church Wimbledon & Chairman of Reform Southwark
If you are having difficulties signing this form, please click here.


Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Men's life group with focus on discipleship and wholistic transformation.
First Saturdays Men's Breakfast @ 8am - 9:30am
We gather on the first Saturday of every move to eat break, hangout, and encouraged each other! Please feel free to join us.
Brotherhood Life Group
Get Connected. Go Deeper. Be Transformed
Every Saturday we connect and do life together through a zoom call.


The last Wednesday of term began with our annual Big Band Christmas assembly. The fantastic band entertained the school with Let it Snow and Santa Claus is Coming to Town as well as slightly less seasonal (but no less enjoyable) numbers, including Tequila! and Sweet Caroline. The assembly was also the opportunity to discover the results of this year’s Christmas Carol competition which gives the opportunity to anyone in the school to submit an original Christmas Carol. This year saw three winners – Caitlin (L6H) wrote a jazz inspired number entitled Gospel of Great Joy which was performed on Wednesday by Caitlin and Jess (U6C) and Isobel (L6A) composed a 2-part choral piece The Lord is Here which Ensemble Bar 61 performed on Friday. During the assembly, the whole school were taught to sing Isabella's(8L) winning carol The Christ Child and the school sang this together, accompanied by First Orchestra, in the final assembly of term on Friday.
Wednesday was also the occasion of school Christmas lunch – a delicious traditional Christmas meal prepared by chef Olivier and his amazing team. Brass Band entertained the school with a range of carols and Christmas melodies as everyone enjoyed the food and festivities.


The St. Joseph Worker Program empowers women committed to social change to respond to the needs of the times.
The St. Joseph Worker Program fosters the self-empowerment of women through the values of the leadership, spirituality, social justice, intentional community and living simply, to allow them in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph, to serve where the need is greatest.
Women ages 21-30 are welcome to become St. Joseph Workers. Every volunteer is matched with a placement, where they spend a thirty-six hour work week. One night a week is designated for Sharing of the Heart, in which each household spends an evening with spirituality, listening and learning from one another. In addition, the program includes weekly community nights, multiple retreats, social justice opportunities, and other development activities to make the year a truly transformative experience.
Forming small intentional communities, St. Joseph Workers focus on living simply and building respectful relationships. Weekly Sharing of the Heart evenings (a Sisters of St. Joseph tradition spanning hundreds of years) allows household members to share and learn from each other. This program informed by a Sharing of the Heart is proven to be highly transformational in terms of personal growth.
Justice related work placements (thirty six hours a week) are in the areas of social service, health care, immigration, education and social change and, as the Sisters of St. Joseph have said for nearly 500 years, care for the “Dear Neighbor.” Placements are intended to provide opportunities to serve and learn about direct service and systemic action: the “two feet of justice.”
Women are encouraged and supported in growing their spiritualty and are invited to experience the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph who focus on love of God and neighbor without distinction. This spirituality extends beyond religious denomination, recognizing that all living beings are recognized as sacred and deserving of our love and respect. Love of God and neighbor without distinction is the foundation that moves the Sisters into social action.
Everyone leads differently. A well rounded experience in leadership benefits career development, activism, community and civic engagement. Through experiences such as trainings, intentional conversations (one-to-ones), mentorship at service sites and unique leadership opportunities, the St. Joseph Worker Program supports women as they strengthen their individual leadership skills.
All women, ages 21 to 30, are invited to apply to the St. Joseph Worker Program.
- Volunteers are matched with a placement site where they serve full-time (36 hours per work week)
- One night a week is designated for “Sharing of the Heart.” This CSJ tradition provides Workers with an opportunity to develop spirituality, listen and learn from each other.
- Community nights, retreats, social justice opportunities, and other personal development activities help make the year a truly transformative experience.
St. Joseph Workers receive:
- Room & Board
- Health insurance (premiums and some additional funds toward copays and other medical expenses are covered)
- Transportation to and from placement site
- Living allowance
- Spiritual mentor
Additional benefits may include:
- Graduate or undergraduate course credits through St. Catherine University (some exclusions apply -- please ask)
- College loan forbearance or deferment
- Professional networking and mentor possibilities
The St. Joseph Worker Program is an 11-month program (typically August to June) based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota, U.S.A.
Workers live in intentional community in dedicated St. Joseph Worker houses with other St. Joseph Workers. Currently, St. Joseph Worker houses are located in the Phillips neighborhood


Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her… “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5: 25, 31-32
The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves an intimate communion of life and love, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. The Sacrament of Marriage signifies the union of Christ and the Church. The grace of this sacrament perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble union, and sanctifies them on the journey to the kingdom of God. Husband and wife help one another attain holiness in their married life. Christ gives them strength to take up their crosses and follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to love one another with tender and fruitful love. Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to sacramental marriage.
Divorce separates what God has joined together. Separated and divorced Catholics are not separated from the Church. Remarried couples from a living, lawful spouse stand in need of pursuing a possible annulment of the original union. An annulment attempts to prove the absence of the sacramentality of the union. Remarried Catholics (with their first spouse still living) are encouraged to participate at Mass, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They are obliged to educate their children in the Catholic faith.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Numbers 1660-1665
In the Latin tradition, the spouses are the ministers of Christ’s grace mutually conferred upon each other in the sacrament of Matrimony. The Church holds the consent between the spouses as the indispensable element that makes the marriage. The marriage is based on the free consent of the spouses so they may live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love. It is fitting that this sacrament be celebrated publicly in a church, before a priest (or a witness authorized by the Catholic Church), two witnesses, and the assembly of believers.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Numbers 1623, 1626, 1662, 1663
How to Prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage at the Cathedral Parish
Couples planning to marry at the Altoona Cathedral notify the Parish nine months prior to the proposed date of the marriage. Couple receives Marriage Preparation Handbook stating policies and directives at the Cathedral Parish; they are asked to read the Handbook.
4.Meetings with Priest or Deacon to Witness Marriage
Meeting One: Clergy and couple get acquainted. Explain norms and requirements for marriage. Give couple schedule for marriage preparation program. Administration of FOCCUS Inventory (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study).
Meeting Two: Discuss couple’s understanding of the faith and faith practice. Review results of FOCCUS Inventory. A date is set for the rehearsal the day before the wedding.
Meeting Three: Explain Church’s vision and understanding of marriage. Complete the Pre-Marital Investigation Form; couples meet individually with clergy. Recently issued baptismal certificates are presented. If baptized at church other than the Cathedral Parish, Catholic candidate for Marriage must obtain a recently issued baptismal certificate from the church of Baptism. Call that Church giving: full name, date of birth, and full name of parents.
Meeting Four: Plan the wedding liturgy. Couple received a book containing prayers and readings for the Sacrament of Matrimony at the Marriage Preparation Program. Options are reviewed: entrance procession; selection of prayers; selection of Scriptural Readings; selection of vows and nuptial blessing; and other options. NOTE: Music for the wedding is arranged with the Director of Music Ministry at the Cathedral Parish reached at 814-944-2044.
2.Setting the Wedding Date
A definite date for the wedding is set only after the priest or deacon who will witness the wedding has determined that the couple is ready and free to marry. A Contract of Understanding is signed at this time, confirming the date of the wedding and agreeing to the directives for the celebration of marriage at the Cathedral Parish.
The day prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Couple must give the official Marriage License to the clergy at the beginning of the rehearsal.
3.Marriage Preparation Program:
Couples planning to marry must participate in an approved diocesan marriage preparation program. The following are possibilities: Engaged Encounter Weekend or Parish Based Sponsor-Couple Program (five meetings) or Marriage Preparation Sessions (three sessions offered throughout the Diocese during the year; one always offered at Cathedral Parish).
Cathedral available following the Noon Mass around 12:45 P.M.


Snow Make-up Day
Monday, January 22nd is now a snow make-up day. There WILL be a full day of school on this date.
The second quarter awards assembly will be held on Thursday, January 25th immediately following the 9:00 Mass.
National Catholic Schools Week
National Catholic Schools Week will be observed during the week of January 28th through February 2nd. There will be several activities going on each day that week to celebrate and honor all of the people that are involved in making St. Ann the great place it is. Look for more information to be put out regarding all the specific activities.
During Catholic Schools Week, on Wednesday, January 31st, the bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh will be here to celebrate Mass with the students. Bishop Zarama will be here for Mass at 1:00. Parents are welcome to attend Mass with us on that day. As a result of this visit, students will not attend Mass on Thursday of that week. They will need to wear Mass uniforms on Wednesday instead.
There will be a Valentine's Dance for students in grades 5-8 ONLY on February 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Chaperones and people to help decorate are needed. Please contact Danielle Hart if you are able to help. (910) 309-1260 or email...firstname.lastname@example.org
The SVO is looking for volunteers to help organize a Daddy/Daughter dance to be held in the future, as well as a scavenger hunt. Please contact Danielle Hart for more information or to volunteer.
Car Magnets and Boxtops
St. Ann School car magnets are available now for $5. Also, we are still collecting box tops. Please send in any that you have collected.
The Positivity Project
This year at St. Ann, we have been using the Positivity Project in our classrooms as a way to teach our students about the character strengths that they possess. Each week, there is a new character strength that the students learn about. The motto Other People Matter is the foundation for the program. Look here each week for information about the character strength of the week. Next Friday, January 26th, in addition to there being a kick-off for National Catholic Schools Week, students will also be involved in a Positivity Project assembly. Parents are more than welcome to attend the assembly and learn more about what we are doing with this program. The assembly will take place in the afternoon during the time usually set aside for hall prayer.


Israeli settlements on nearby land
Statue of a shepherd above Shepherds' Fields
Shepherds came from these fields to help with the birth of Jesus in a nearby manger.
Chapel in the Milk Grotto
Jesus spent his earliest days in this place.
Painting in the Milk Grotto
The floor of the Grotto is white because some of Mary's milk spilled on it.
An altar in the Milk Grotto
Milk Grotto altar piece.
The Holy family in the Milk Grotto
Descending into the cavern at the Church of the Nativity
BLACK Mary and Jesus at the Church of the Nativity
The star marks the spot of the birth of Jesus.
An explanation of the numerology of the bible synchronous with the birth of Jesus
Separation wall graffiti.
Separation wall graffiti and watch tower.
Former refugee camp, now housing.
Separation wall with Banksy graffiti. and our tour group