“More than 90% of pastors encourage their congregations to observe Oct. 31 in a particular way, but that ranges from avoiding Halloween completely to inviting people to Halloween-adjacent events at their churches.” - RNS
“1. It’s Sunday. Before anything else, it’s Sunday. This is the day the church gathers for worship. It’s not just Christmas, it’s a little Easter. 2. Christmas is about Jesus, not family.” - Ponder Anew
“The caucus is asking Congress to approve several bills replacing the federal holiday with Indigenous Peoples Day.” - RNS
Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (NKJV, Ge 2:15)
In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. (NASB20, Pr 14:23)
I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense. 31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. 32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 34 and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit. (CSB, Pr 24:30–34)
“Most pastors (56%) say it’s important to incorporate patriotic elements into worship services the week of July 4th to celebrate America, including 27% who strongly agree” - Lifeway
“Juneteenth National Independence Day, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, became a federal holiday last year.” - Pew
“Washington’s birthday was Feb. 22 and was a source of unofficial celebration throughout the 19th century. The celebration was eventually made into a federal holiday after the American Civil War.” - C.Post
In my service for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, one of the things I set out to accomplish this fall was to study the subject of Hanukkah in order to bring special messages on that topic.
With God’s help, I was able to do so in three churches, along with sharing the material in a Bible study group that I teach regularly—and I have greatly enjoyed the experience!
“We speed past the questions that would help us get to know another person’s story and instead immediately look to the places of greatest difference and disagreement.” - Denison Forum
“The church’s Lafayette Living Nativity, which Faith has hosted since 1991, may be one of the few Christmas traditions that go off in usual fashion in a pandemic year.” - BPNews
