27 July 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate Issues Anathema to United Church of Christ for Support of Homosexual Unions

[2] Three Pennsylvania PCUSA Congregations Consider Leaving Denomination over Approval of Ordination of Homosexuals

[3] Belfast, Northern Ireland, Free Presbyterian Church Planning Unregistered Protest of LGBT Pride Parade

[4] Coral Ridge Ministries Becomes Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011

[5] Kansas City, Missouri, Library Special Collections Receives Artifacts from
Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church

[6] New Books and Other Publications

[7] Family-Run Christian book Business in Scotland Seeks New North American Customers

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[1] Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate Issues Anathema to United Church of Christ for Support of Homosexual Unions

The Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church on 7 July 2011 issued a Promulgation of an Anathema to the United Church of Christ (UCC) for the UCC’s longtime support for the ordination of homosexuals, as follows:

“At its session on 1 May 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy issued a document N. 2011/XX under the title “Blessing of hetero- and homosexual couples in non-traditional communion of life”. Behind this document is not the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) but the spirit of antichrist. It denies the authority of God and His laws. The authors have thus joined three religious organizations which are no longer Christian Churches but have become the harlot of antichrist and the spiritual Babylon. Your apostatical Church ranks among them.

“Marriage is a sacrament, but cohabitation of two men or two women is an abomination.

“The basic axiom of the time of antichrist is that evil must be accepted as good and promoted in positive terms.

“Homosexuality is evil and an abomination. Perversion and crime has become a fundamental principle not only in the world but even in the Church. Because You have changed the basic moral norms and broken God’s Commandments, You have separated Yourselves from Christ and from His Mystical Body, i.e. from His Church. Your name “Church of Christ” is now a mere mockery. You have been a Church of antichrist already for several years. You no longer have the saving faith since You rejected the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of repentance.

“In 1977, for the first time, You ordained a public lesbian as a pastor. This was followed by next ordinations of homosexuals and lesbians.

“In 1980, You officially approved ordination of active homosexuals.

“In 1991, You broke God’s laws and You give Your so-called blessing to antimarriages. This is public blasphemy against God and a public scandal among both Christians and non-Christians all over the world.

“God punishes homosexuality: “He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by reducing them to ashes as a warning to future sinners.” (2 Peter 2:6)

“Dear members of the United Church of Christ, we hereby call upon You to separate from the anti-shepherds who betrayed Christ. If You want to be saved from eternal condemnation in hell, be separated and come out of this Babylon. “Unless you repent, you will all perish!” (Luke 13:3)

“PROMULGATION OF ANATHEMA ON REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:

“The Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate, by authority of the apostolic and prophetic office, in the name of the Triune God, promulgates before all Christians of the United States of America: The United Church of Christ is no Church of Christ but a harlot of antichrist. It is under God’s anathema – i.e. under a curse (Galatians 1:8-9).

“On behalf of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

“+ Elijah – Patriarch + Methodius - OSBMr + Timothy OSBMr

“Secretaries of the BCP

“Lvov (Ukraine), 7 July 2011”


+ Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, 3 Sosnova St., Lvov -Bryukhovychi, 79491, Ukraine, 38-032-234-63-41, Fax: 38-032-234-63-41, byzcathpatriarchate@gmail.com

+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org


[2] Three Pennsylvania PCUSA Congregations Consider Leaving Denomination over Approval of Ordination of Homosexuals

A 20 July 2011 article by Melissa Nann Burke in the York Daily Record titled “Congregations Consider Leaving Presbytery” reports that three Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) churches in the Presbytery of Donegal, Guinston Presbyterian Church in Chanceford Township, Pennsylvania, Round Hill Presbyterian Church in East Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, and Kennett Square Presbyterian Church in Chester County, Pennsylvania, are in a series of conversations with presbytery officials about whether or not the congregations will leave the PCUSA over the lifting of the denomination’s explicit ban on homosexual ordination earlier this year.

Under a new departure policy drafted by the Presbytery of Donegal, congregations that are dismissed to another Reformed denomination pay the presbytery a lump sum based on the money the church would have contributed to the presbytery over three years according to the size of its membership.

Four other Presbytery of Donegal congregations have left the PCUSA since 2007.


+ York Daily Record, 1891 Loucks Road, York, Pennsylvania 17408, 717-771-2000, jem@ydr.com

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005

+ Presbytery of Donegal, 1861 Charter Lane, Suite 125, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17605, 717-392-4035, Fax: 717-392-8922, erinch@donegalpby.com


[3] Belfast, Northern Ireland, Free Presbyterian Church Planning Unregistered Protest of LGBT Pride Parade

A 26 July 2011 article in the News Letter titled “Church on a Collision Course over Gay Parade” reports that the Sandown Free Presbyterian Church (SFPC) of eastern Belfast, Northern Ireland, plans to protest the 30 July 2011 Belfast Pride parade again this year, but this year without registering with the Parades Commission. The Parades Commission contends that an unregistered protest by SFPC would be illegal, while SFPC contends that the Parades Commission in 2010 ignored SFPC’s position and the commission officially stated that the parade was a great asset to the city of Belfast.

SFPC pastor the Rev. David McIlveen stated: “…it’s no longer profitable to go to the Parades Commission and that it’s a very uninviting place for Bible believers. I’ve communicated that to the commission.” McIlveen added that the SFPC message is not homophobic, but rather is “based on proclamation, a deeply held biblical belief”.

The Belfast Pride parade, in its 21^st year, represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestite (LGBT) communities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.


+ News Letter, Ground floor, Metro Building, 6-9 Donegall Square South, Belfast, BT1 5JA, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-7700, newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk

+ Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland, info@freepres.org

+ Parades Commission, Windsor House, 9-15 Bedford Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT2 7EL, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-5900, Fax: 028-9032-2988, Info@paradescommission.org

+ Belfast LGBT Centre, 1st Floor, 9 – 13 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DX, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-0207, Fax: 028-9027-8654, chris@lovepr.co.uk


[4] Coral Ridge Ministries Becomes Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011

Coral Ridge Ministries became Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011, a transition implemented to aid the outreach as it seeks to advance biblical truth and equip believers to make a difference in their local communities.

The name, determined after more than a year of prayer, planning, consulting with outside organizations, and talking with ministry friends and supporters, was approved in 2010 by the Coral Ridge Ministries Board.

The new ministry name is "a means to reach more people and have a bigger impact on the culture by not just educating people on social issues and biblical worldview, but motivating and activating them to make a difference for the Kingdom," said Hector Padron, Executive Vice President of Truth in Action Ministries.

"We will continue to fulfill Dr. Kennedy's vision of presenting biblical truth in love and without compromise through the media," said Padron.

As part of the transition, "The Coral Ridge Hour" is now "Truth that Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy". In addition, the radio program is being changed from "Truths that Transform" to "Truth That Transforms" to align with the television program. The name of "Cross Examine", a weekly television program launched in 2010 and co-hosted by Dr. Del Tackett, will not change.

The newly renamed TV program, "Truth That Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy", will continue to present pulpit messages from Dr. Kennedy and insightful features on current moral and social concerns. Viewers will be treated to a fresh, more visually engaging opening to the program, which will continue to be hosted by Dr. Jerry Newcombe.

"Having had the privilege of co-authoring fourteen books with Dr. Kennedy, I am thrilled to be part of bringing his biblical and remarkably relevant messages to viewers nationwide each week," said Dr. Newcombe. "America is desperately in need of moral guidance from God's Word--and God's awesome solution to the dilemma of our sin in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Executive Vice President Hector Padron added that "Truth in Action Ministries will bring the truth of God's Word to today's generation in relevant and practical ways. It is our prayer and belief that God will do a great work through Truth in Action as we seek to transform our culture for Christ."


+ Truth in Action Ministries, Post Office Box 1920, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33302, 954-334-5330, Contact Page


[5] Kansas City, Missouri, Library Special Collections Receives Artifacts from
Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church

The Kansas City Library of Kansas City, Missouri, Special Collections recently received a donation of artifacts from the Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) that was established in 1908 to spread the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church to the Italians of Kansas City and to provide a community center for Italian families in need.

The donated materials include photographs, glass slides, sermons, personal papers, church registers, and correspondence.

Appointments to view the Italian Mission collection can be made by calling the Kansas City Library’s Missouri Valley Room at 816-701-3427.


+ Kansas City Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 816-701-3400, 816-701-3401, ask@kclibrary.org

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[6] New Books and Other Publications

-- The Mighty Weakness of John Knox by Douglas Bond – US$12.80


+ Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233

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-- Trust God, Keep the Faith: The Story of Guido de Bres by Bartha Hill – de Bres – US$9.95

-- The True Faith: A Commentary on Lord's Days 1 - 22 of the Heidelberg Catechism by S.G. De Graaf – US$19.95


+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118

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-- Creation on DVD from the 1-5 August 2011 Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (GPTS) Summer Institute - lectures by Dr. Jonathon Sarfati of Creation Ministries International and Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., president and professor at GPTS – US$49.99 prior to 5 August 2011, US$69.99 thereafter


+ Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 200 East Main Street, Post Office Box 690, Taylors, South Carolina, 29687, 864-322-2717, Fax: 864-322-2719, info@gpts.edu

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-- Christ and Civilization by John Robbins – US$5.00 CD audio book or MP3 download


+ The Trinity Foundation, Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692, 423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005, tjtrinityfound@aol.com


[7] Family-Run Christian book Business in Scotland Seeks New North American Customers

Peter and Rachel Reynolds run their second-hand Christian book business from their home in the Scottish Highlands overlooking the sea water of the Dornoch Firth. Peter started the business nearly eleven years ago and it has always had strong U.S. sales, with very competitive shipping due to an international business contract with the British Post Office. But this year has seen somewhat of a downturn in U.S. sales. Peter says: “We don't know the exact reason why 2011 should be a bit different to the previous ten years, whether it is the economic situation in U.S. or the rise of electronic books or a combination of both. But we are certain that there are many more Christians in North America who would value our books but don't realise how easy it is to purchase from Scotland.”

In 2009 Peter and Rachel relocated from Dingwall, near Inverness, to Tain, 25 miles further north, because they needed more space for a growing family. Peter says: “I lived in this area for a few years as a child so in some ways it's like coming back home. We're only a few miles from the birthplace of the renowned John Murray, one of the first professors at Westminster Theological Seminary. And less than a hundred miles drive north is John O'Groats, where the road ends and apart from some small islands it's sea, sea, sea, all the way to the North Pole. By Canadian or Russian standards we should be very cold indeed in winter at this latitude, but because of all the warm water we get from the Americas via the Gulf Stream we rarely get lower than a few degrees below freezing.” But that's still a bit chilly for Rachel who hails from Santa Fe, Texas.

Besides their website, they offer a free weekly email of books newly catalogued. “A couple of our clients are currently supplying us with quite rare Scottish Reformed books. This kind of thing usually gets snapped up pretty quickly, so our customers around the world appreciate getting to know about it early through our weekly list. We also have some more ordinary evangelical and Reformed Christian books, but few of them are from mass-market authors Americans would find in their local Christian store.” As well as shipping individual books, they can accumulate book orders for more frequent customers over a period of a couple of months at a time in order to send a sizeable parcel at the best M-Bag rates, but even then this is always by air mail as nowadays the price using their postal contract is very little higher than that for surface mail, which is slow and occasionally unreliable.

Rachel and Peter have four young children, Abigail, Benjamin, Clement and Deborah. They sit under the ministry of Canadian former ARP pastor John van Eyk, whose congregation also includes some of the folk from nearby Reformed publishing house Christian Focus Publications.


+ Peter & Rachel Reynolds - Used and Rare Christian Books, 23 Jubilee Drive, Tain IV19 1LT, Scotland, 011-44-1862-893236, peter@peterreynoldsbooks.com