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What is a blue Christmas service?

You may have some Elvis Presley lyrics running through your head right now. “I’ll have a blue Christmas with you. I’ll be so blue just thinking about you.” That gives you a hint about what a Blue Christmas worship service is. Think “blue” as in having the blues or feeling blue. A Blue Christmas service creates a sacred time and space for people feeling sad, alone, depressed or heart-broken during the holiday season. For many people the Christmas season does not always bring the joy and happiness that’s advertised on TV or in greeting cards. Maybe they are experiencing ...

Who’s giving Americans spiritual care?

The conversation When Americans picture a chaplain, many of them likely think of someone like Father Mulcahy, the Irish American priest who cared for Korean War soldiers in the classic TV show “M.A.S.H.” The reality is much more complex. Today’s chaplains are diverse in gender, age, religious background and sexuality. They serve people from all backgrounds, including those with no affiliation. And their roles may become more significant as more Americans step away from traditional religious congregations. Three in 10 adults in the United States say they are atheists, agnostics ...

The Santa Gospel and the True Gospel

Several years ago my wife purchased a book for our family titled When Santa Learned the Gospel. It is a fun little children’s book that was written by an Australian author named Simon Camilleri. In an interview Camilleri explained his inspiration to write the book. Back in 2013 I witnessed something very funny at a local community carols event. As expected, at the end of the evening, Santa came out on stage and asked the kids “So, who’s been a good boy or girl this year?” All the kids raised their hands and said “Meeee!!” The funny thing was, when he asked them, “And ...

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. ••• UMC to host Bible study LEWISTOWN — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a Bible study every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ...

Private school vouchers open faith options for children of color

MILWAUKEE (AP) — On break in the hallway between St. Marcus Lutheran Church and its attached school, eighth grader Annii Kinepoway had no hesitation in explaining what she’s learned to love best here — the good Lord and good grades. “I like knowing there’s somebody you can ask for help if you need it. Somebody is there and looking over you,” she said of her newly found faith, while proudly wearing the tie indicating her academic honors. Annii’s mother could only afford this educational opportunity because of school choice programs, which 94% of St. Marcus’ 1,160 ...

Behind the meaning of the rosary, importance to the Catholic faith

The conversation It’s one of the most famous moments in modern Catholicism: the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. The Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to three Portuguese children in 1917, when much of the world was engulfed in World War I. Over a series of six appearances, Mary emphasized to these young shepherds that to bring peace, they should pray the rosary every day. Devotion to the rosary already had a centuries-old history, and the Marian apparition at Fatima only deepened it. So what is a rosary, and why is it so important to many Catholics? Centuries of meaning As an ...