Silent Night" is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs and one of the   most popular pieces of holiday music.   During December, it can be heard in malls, churches and concert halls around the planet.   It even briefly stopped World War I. Editor’s Note: The following is the first in a series of three articles about the "Silent Night" Christmas hymn.   Silent Night" is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs and one of the   most popular pieces of holiday music.   During December, it can be heard in malls, churches and concert halls around the planet.   It even briefly stopped World War I.   Ironically, however, the world never might have had this piece of music had it not been for a last-minute crisis at a church in the tiny village of Oberndorf, Austria.   The year was 1818.   Within the Church of St. Nicholas, the mood was hardly one of joy that Christmas Eve afternoon. Curate Joseph Mohr, 26, had just discovered the organ was badly damaged. No matter how much he tried to pump the pedals, he could only bring out a scratchy wheeze from the aged instrument.   By the time an organ repair specialist could … [Read more...]

For the week of December 6, 2001 World of Religion Prayer, fasting movement From two small ethnic Southern Baptist congregations in North Carolina to the Louisiana statehouse, a movement to encourage prayer and fasting among evangelical Christians is spreading. The 130 members of Grace United Community Church and its Hispanic church plant are calling on fellow Southern Baptist congregations to fast and pray for the nation every Tuesday. "This is a call to spiritual arms for our country during this time of crisis, ..." said G.L. Brown, associate pastor of missions for Grace United. "We recognize that this war cannot be won just by military means, but by God’s people being united in prayer. ... This small act gives every citizen a chance to be involved in a personal way and, most importantly, heals our land." News of the church’s effort has spread, Brown reported. Indeed, the call to prayer also has been sounded on the national level by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the House of Representatives passed legislation marking Nov. 21 as a day of prayer, repentance, and reconciliation. The resolution called on citizens "to join in their respective places of worship on this day for … [Read more...]

Ruple Baptist Church in Haynesville recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with a weekend of activities.   The church actually was begun in 1923 as a multi-denominational congregation, with Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Church of Christ meeting on different Sundays each month. Ruple Baptist Church in Haynesville recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with a weekend of activities.   The church actually was begun in 1923 as a multi-denominational congregation, with Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Church of Christ meeting on different Sundays each month. It became a Baptist church with 13 charter members in 1926 and has grown to a membership of 186.   Fifteen pastors have served the church, including current Pastor Jerry Gill, who has served the congregation for 11 years.   The church sanctuary was constructed in 1926, with building additions made throughout the years. In 1977, a baptistry was added to the sanctuary. Prior to that time, new Christians were baptized in a pond. The church now also has education space, an activities building and parsonage.   During recent anniversary celebrations, church members participated in a Saturday song … [Read more...]

Children deal with Sept. 11 events   The day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, leaders at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hammond, noticed something about their children. Children deal with Sept. 11 events   The day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, leaders at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hammond, noticed something about their children.   "Our children were quite disturbed by the events of the previous day," says Terri Johnson, director of the Immanuel children’s choir. "Some voiced concern that no one seemed to want to talk to them about what had happened. Their teachers were crying and ‘different’ at school, according to several, but nothing specific was shared with the children."   Despite talking with parents, many of the children remained frightened and confused, Johnson says.   "It became clear that we, as their Christian leaders, would also need to address the issues," she explains.   During the next four weeks, leaders devoted a portion of choir and missions time for activities designed to allow children to express themselves about the events of Sept. 11.   They also sought to remind children of the power of … [Read more...]

My wife Ellen and I are International Mission Board representatives working as prayer coordinators for part of the North Africa and Middle East region. My wife Ellen and I are International Mission Board representatives working as prayer coordinators for part of the North Africa and Middle East region.   We would like to invite Louisiana Baptists to help us and other IMB representatives end the persecution of Christians in Northern Africa and the Middle East and reach the unreached peoples for Christ. Many persecuted and unreached peoples live in Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Israel, West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. They are unreached because they live in harsh environments, are nomadic, illiterate, with no Scripture in their own language or evangelistic materials. Most are closed to the Gospel due to their belief in Islam.   Many who have converted to Christianity are being persecuted by governments, family systems and Islamic leaders fearful of losing their people and the threat of Christianity.   How can you and others help to stop this persecution and bring the Gospel to these unreached peoples.   In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, "Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute … [Read more...]

For the week of December 6, 2001 Potpourri • RAYVILLE - Woodlawn church: Parable, a drama team from Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry, will lead a youth worship celebration; Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; Alan Miller, pastor. Revival • PONCHATOULA - Eastside church: Dec. 7-8, 7 p.m.; Dec. 9, 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.; Joe Aulds, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Johnny Hernandez, pastor. Ordinations • ZACHARY - First church: Warren Brady, Scott Baudoin, Scott Mankins, Eron Cooper and Mark Cunningham to deacon ministry; T. W. Terral, interim pastor. Licenses • ZACHARY - First church licensed Thomas L. Russell to gospel ministry; T. W. Terral, interim pastor.   • LEESVILLE - Calvary church licensed Herb Rutter to gospel ministry; T. J. Crosby, pastor.     Staff Changes Pastors   • WINNFIELD - Lindsey Burns to First church from First church of Jennings.   Others   • LEESVILLE - Buster Plummer to Calvary church as associate pastor and music director; T. J. Crosby, pastor. Available • CONVERSE - David Cox, available for interim or bi-vocational pastoral work; for information call (318) 567-3695. Youth • EUNICE - Acadian Center youth lock-in, Dec. 21-22; for … [Read more...]

Widespread criticism and calls for an immediate legislative ban greeted the announcement of the first cloned human embryo.Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, a biotechnology firm in Worcester, Mass., revealed Nov. 25 their success in cloning an embryo. Widespread criticism and calls for an immediate legislative ban greeted the announcement of the first cloned human embryo.Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, a biotechnology firm in Worcester, Mass., revealed Nov. 25 their success in cloning an embryo.   While the Advanced Cell Technology spokesperson said they produced a number of embryos, only one progressed to the six-cell stage, where it stopped dividing. The researchers said their goal still is to clone an embryo from which to take stem cells to treat various diseases, a process that destroys the embryo. At this time, they said they do not support cloning to produce the birth of a child.   But that assurance did not silence critics from the White House, Congress and a variety of concerned organizations.   President George Bush called the cloning of an embryo bad public policy and morally wrong.   "We should not as a society grow life to destroy it," Bush … [Read more...]

The American Family Association of Michigan has announced it will redeem - in cash - phony $5 bills a pro-homosexuality group plans to distribute to the Salvation Army during the holiday season.   Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays of Genesee County have vowed to distribute "phony $5 bills" in a campaign against the Salvation Army. The fake bills will be dropped in charity kettles across the state of Michigan, said Mary Scholl, the organization’s president. The American Family Association of Michigan has announced it will redeem - in cash - phony $5 bills a pro-homosexuality group plans to distribute to the Salvation Army during the holiday season.   Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays of Genesee County have vowed to distribute "phony $5 bills" in a campaign against the Salvation Army. The fake bills will be dropped in charity kettles across the state of Michigan, said Mary Scholl, the organization’s president.   "It is to let the Salvation Army know that their policies (against homosexuality) are unacceptable and that we will donate to other organizations instead," Scholl explained. "We want to let them know that their policies are hurtful to our … [Read more...]

The tire needed changing - that night, so the man could leave on a trip the next morning.   However, it was too late to go to any of the usual tire outlets. This was going to be a problem it seemed.   The man decided to opt for a used tire. After all, there was a service station up the road that he thought sold used tires.   He was right. The tire needed changing - that night, so the man could leave on a trip the next morning.   However, it was too late to go to any of the usual tire outlets. This was going to be a problem it seemed.   The man decided to opt for a used tire. After all, there was a service station up the road that he thought sold used tires.   He was right.   The one-man station had about two dozen used tires - including one in the size he needed. It looked good.   "I’ll take it," he told the station operator. "I have the old tire and rim in the back of the truck. Let me get it."   By the time the man returned, the station operator was busy with another customer. The man carried the tire into the station bay and lifted it onto the tire machine.   The station operator walked by to get something … [Read more...]