Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 16

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

STORMS AS WRATH OF GOD?

RELIGION BRIEFS

Some see punishment in natural disasters, but most disagree

The Dallas Morning News, USA

After Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, an e-mail from a former Grapevine evangelist caused a storm of a different sort around the country. It contained an eerie “prophecy” from the evangelist, Kim Clement, who claimed to have predicted at a meeting in Houston in July - more than a month before the hurricane - that doom and destruction would be visited upon New Orleans for its “transgressions” against God and his people. “O New Orleans, God speaks to you from Houston tonight and says enough of this,” Mr. Clement said. “For ajudgmentis coming ...’’And while “men that have stood in faith” would be spared, Mr. Clement predicted, sinners wouldn’tbe so lucky: “Bodies will even rise and they will come forth on the water ...” In the aftermath of Katrina, Mr. Clement wasn’t the only preacher to assert that the hurricane was an act of retribution by God. Many conservatives who hold that view regard New Orleans as a city of depravity, aplace that not only tolerates but welcomes gamblers and prostitutes, hedonists and homosexuals. “New Orleans flaunts sin in a way that no other places

Louis Farrakhan

do,” said the Rev. Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington. There’s an audience in America for the view that God uses natural disasters to punish evil - notwithstanding that most religious leaders and scholars reject the notions espoused by Mr. McKissic and like-minded conservatives. “I’m not sure that we can say that New Orleans is any more wicked than Paris or Los Angeles or New York or even Dallas,” said Bishop T.D. Jakes, senior pastor of the Potter’s House. “There were children who died. Innocent babies who died. Aged nursing home patients who died. To say that God is judging New Orleans and that these people died and some felons escaped, I personally have a problem with it,” said Jakes. “I think what people should do is focus on God’s love and mercy.... To point a finger in the faces of people who are burying folks and say, ‘This is why they died,’ I don’t see that.” Louis Farrakhan, leader ofthe Nation of Islam, spoke in Dallas last week and called Katrina - along with Hurricane Rita - punishment for America’s warmongering and racism. Mr. McKissic said that for all his talk of God’s retribution, he does believe that victims of the hurricane deserve compassion. His church has donated $200,000 to the evacuees. “When they got off the bus, we fed them,” he said. Still, he added, sin cannot be overlooked, just as it wasn’t in the biblically damned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Bishop Jakes, however, said many people miss a key point in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. “God always brought the righteous out before he destroyed the city,” he said.

Abyssinian revival coming The Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Floyde L. Carson, is sponsoring a Fall Revival, which will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 12 and Thursday, Oct. 13. Each service will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The featured speaker will be Rev. Joel Day of Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church. Persons who need transportation to the event can call (317) 258-7913. For more information about the event, call (317) 5421630 or send a message to [email protected]. "We certainly look forward to hearing the word of God," said Carson. “There will be choirs each, and we are especially inviting youth and young adults of the Martindale-Brightwood community." Mt. Zion jubilee service Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3500 Graceland Ave., will host its Jubilee Service on Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. This year's featured guest will the Mighty Voices of Thunder of Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. For more information call (317) 924-4748 ext. 19. Seminary names 3 to board Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) has named three new members to its board of trustees. They are: Anita J. Harden, president of Community Hospital East; G. Thomas Landis a Certified Public Accountant; and Raymond Brady Williams, a dean of Wabash College and director emeritus of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. Author latest in religion lecture series Jean Bethke Elshtain will the deliver the 2005 lecture during the latest installment of a series entitled The Role of the Public Intellectual in American Society, sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religion & American Culture. Elshtain is the author of

Public invited to Franklin College activities Special to the Recorder

To celebrate diversity and discourage intolerance and hate, the Office of Multicultural Services at Franklin College will, for the second consecutive year, host Hate Out Week. “Hate Out Week focuses on combating intolerance in any form, including homophobia, sexism and racism,” said Gina Lopez Ferguson, multicultural services coordinator. “The hope is to raise awareness and help students recognize oppressive and discriminatory behavior so that they can take an active role in helping make our campus community a place where all individuals feel safe and valued.” Activities will begin Monday, Oct. 10, and continue with a series of events through Oct. 13, including a presentation from TJ Leyden, a former neo-Nazi who has become one of the nation’s strongest advocates for diversity and cultural appreciation. Hate Out Week activities are free and open to the public.

The Indianpolis Recorder wants to hear

CHRIST OUR KING CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2701 N. CALIFORNIA ST. INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46208

A Chance to Testify

Please, provide your signature along with a

contact phone number ^ where you may be reached for potential follow-up questions.

about your Acts of Faith. These typed two-paged letters should reveal

the rolle faith has played in helping you to overcome any trial or tribulation

in your life.

Third (3rd) Anniversary and Founders Day Celebration. Three Days of Praise

Friday, October 7. 2005 - 7:00 pm - Anniversary Service Our Guest Speaker will be Rev.Jack Atkins, Pastor of Gershom C.M.E. Church Saturday, October 8. 2005- 7:00 pm - Talent Showcase Bring on your talent(s) and let’s get busy. Sunday, October 9, 2005 - 10:30 am -Homecoming/Anniversary Morning Worship Service. Our Guest Speaker will be Elder Anne Henning-Byfield A.M.E. District. Dinner will be served immediately following. 3:00 pm - Afternoon Program Our guest will be M.L. Allen and Magic For information call 490-1481 Senior Pastor: Rev. Hallie Showers Black

Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World, and Democracy on Trial, among other controversial books. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 in Room 152 of IDPUI's Informatics and Communications Technology Complex. For more information call (317) 2784564 or (317) 274-2195.

A New Book Ministry Available at Berea “BattleCry.com” by Ron Luce

Deaconess Charlene Johnson

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 1535 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue Indinapolis, IN 46202 Rev. Jack Reed, Interin Pastor Assisted by Care Giver Sister Linda C. Sanders Pleasant Union Missionary Baptist Church 1202 Eugene St. 46205 Rev. Charles Harris,Sr. Pastor

New Revelation Hnptist Church .Hu nil ay School All Day Program October 9, 2005 Gnest Speakers: 11:15 A.M Rev. Justin Williams Mt. Olive M.R.C. 4:00 P.M. Rev. Andrae Anthony Serenity Tabernacle of Faith. Everybody is Welcome Rev. W.C. Grows, Sr. Pastor 1806 V Alabama

Funeral Directors Association

STUART MORTUARY, INC.

“Open To Serve"since 1948 Providing Memorials Within The Means Of All

niejimimt • family 0ml ant Operate:

uamo DIRECTORS • MARA A. SWART • BROOKS f. CUNNINGHAM • KEVIN McMICHEL • HAROLD C EVERETT, SR.

Charles E.Q. SlUf'U. Joseph S. Stuart (1927-2002) ff-Tl (1921-1999) W 11 Winner 2004 Consumers Choice Award For Business Success

Thank You Indianapolis! (317)925-3000 2201 North Illinois Street www.stuartmortuary.com

Laveiia, Saith, and Suuers Howe For Fucrals 5811 E. 38th Street (317)547-5814 Call about our funeral service packages “Our Service Sacred Trust” Funeral Home Directory WASHINGTON PARK NORTH tEMETERU FUNERAL CENTER 2702 Kessler Blvd. West Drive (317) 259-1253 Mortuary 251-5959 Call about pre arrangement Programs “A Family Serving Families" ELLIS MORTUARY 1503 Columbia Ave. *955-1193 Darryl Ellis, Owner With Dignity and Qiudity Care”

Pleasant Union Itlissionnry Baptist 1202 Eugene Street Indianapolis, IIS 46208 \<317) 925-1:182 Theme: Stop Trippin, and Come on Hark Home Luke 15:11-2 October 10-13,2005 (Mondny-Thursday) 7:00 p.m. Nightly (Guest Youth Choirs and Drill Teams Nightly) All youth are invited. Minister Frankie Morton, Youth Minister Rev. Charles W. Harris, Sr., Pastor ************************************************* Ordination Services for Minister Frankie A. Morton Please join the Pleasant Union Missionary Itaptist Church Family in this special and historical ordination service that will be held on: Friday, October 14, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Guest Preacher: Dr. Edward L. Wheeler, President Christian Theological Seminary Rev. Charles W. Harris, Sr., Pastor

Order Of Service

WORD & WORSHIP. CENTER

New Worship Center Location: 4751 Century Plaza Road (Former luews Theater. Next to Lafayette Square Mali)

SUNDAY

New Bible Study Series “Traveling the Romans Road”

9:00a.m.

12 Steps for Christians

9:30 a.m.

Sunday Bible School New & Prospective Member Orientation

10:45 a.m.

Worship Service Children’s Church

WEDNESDAY Noon & 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study

6:00 p.m.

Power Hour! Prayer

7:00 p.m.

Youth Bible Study

Study of Romans Contact Us Admin Office 5525 Georgetown Rd.-Ste A Indianapolis, IN 46254 (317) 280.8077 www.hswwc.com

satisties. Thomas and Lady Carol Hill

Come See For Yourself!

TIGHT

OFTHE

WORLD CHRISTIAN CHURCH rNtripbt Of Chriu EST 1S66

A City On A Hill SUNDAY

Worship Services: 9:00am and 12:00pm Sunday Classes: 10:45am-11:45am Children's Church: 12:00pm Nursery Available TUESDAY NIGHT Youth and Young Adult night 6:00pm-6:30pm Youth Bible Study 6:30-7:30pm Boys to Men Girls to Women 7:00pm-8:00pm Young Adult Study 7:30pm-8:30pm Spirit ofthe Light Youth Choir Rehearsal 8:30pm-9:00pm New Light Ensemble Young Adult Rehearsal 8:00pm & 9:00pm Exercise Classes WEDNESDAY 6:30pm-8:00pm Teaching with Tom Benjamin 6:30pm-8:00pm Respect Program for the Children (5-12) Voices of the Light Choir Rehearsal: 8:00pm New Member's Class 5:45 - 6:30pm Childcare Available SATURDAY 8:00am-9:00am Prayer Warriors

Radio Outreach Ministry

Saturdays

Unity In the Community

12 noon

WTLCAM 1310 The Light

Sundays

Worship Service WTLCAM 1310 The Light 10:00 a.m.

Television Outreach Ministry Saturdays Living for the City WDNI Channel 65 at 9:00 a.m. Sundays Living for the City WRTV-6 at 5:30 a.m. Worship Service WHMB-TV Channel 40 Walk In the Light at 3:00 p.m.

PMJjapmi Tom Benjamin > Senior Pastor & Resident Bishop , Ij 4646 N. Michigan Rd. 1 Indianapolis, IN 46228 317-254-5922-Phone 317-202-7507- Fax www. lig htoftheworid.org Bishop & Lady T. Carrott Benjamin, Jr. www.tombenjamin.com

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Your Invitation to Attend FAITH TABERNACLE PRAISE and WORD CENTER 5502 East 36th Street Indianapolis, IN 46218 Behind Wes Montgomery Park

Padtor Jeffrey N Brown Sr., Sifter Sherleyn D. Brown You Are Our Honored Guest At These Services Sunday Service - 11:30 AM Hour of Power Bible Study - Tuesday , 7:00 P.M. (317) 501-7333

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CYAN MAGFNTA

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