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Old ideas that don’t apply to today’s church

They brought him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Luke 2:22 This week we are going to consider a few things which have been brought along from the Old Testament economy, that do not apply to the church today and are not required in Scripture. Some people still observe baby (child) dedication in the local church. They often draw their support for this from the example of Joseph and Mary bringing Jesus and presenting Him to the Lord. If people would be consistent with the text in Luke 2:22-24, they should also bring “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” according to ...

Analysis: Religion shapes vaccine views — but how?

By Christopher P. Scheitle West Virginia University The Conversation Many scientists and public health officials were surprised that large swaths of the public were hesitant or outright hostile toward COVID-19 vaccines. “I never saw that coming,” Francis Collins, a former director of the National Institutes of Health, commented in 2022. Even today, three years after the start of the pandemic, about 1 in 5 Americans have not received a single dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. What could be the reason for such widespread vaccine hesitancy? When it comes to skepticism toward ...

Camp Mount Luther adds new position

MIFFLINBURG — Camp Mount Luther has announced the addition of a new part-time staff member. The new position will support the efforts of Foundations for the Future, a two-million-dollar fundraising campaign. Rev. Barbara J. Collins of Selinsgrove began her work on June 1 as the campaign coordinator. Collins is also serving as campaign co-chair alongside Timothy Apple of Lewisburg. As campaign coordinator, Collins will oversee the administrative work of the campaign and provide support to the camp administration. Collins most recently served as the bishop of the Upper Susquehanna ...

Islam’s call to prayer rings out in more cities — affirming long, growing American presence

By Leila Tarakji Michigan State University The Conversation Minneapolis recently became the first major U.S. city to allow the “adhan,” or Muslim call to prayer, to be broadcast from mosques five times a day. In April 2023, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a change to the city’s sound ordinance, effectively eliminating time constraints that previously prevented the pre-dawn and evening prayer calls from being broadcast. For the citizens of Minneapolis and for many Muslims across the United States, this represents a historic moment. Jaylani Hussein, ...

First Baptist Church of Juniata County to welcome new pastor

MIFFLINTOWN — In its sixty-one year history, First Baptist Church of Juniata County in Mifflintown has had only five senior pastors. In September, the sixth will be welcomed by the congregation. On June 30, Pastor Ron Shupe completed his ministry at the church after thirty-one years. He began his ministry as pastor in September 1992. He and wife Rita feel that Juniata County has been a great place to live and raise a family. “This was a great place to raise our three daughters,” Shupe said. “They graduated from Juniata High School and all three of them went on to ...

Religion Briefs

Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) 248-6741 or by email at living@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 352 Sixth St., Lewistown, PA 17044. Items must be received by Tuesday for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. ••• First Bakers UMC to host Bible study LEWISTOWN — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a Bible study every Wednesday ...