Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.

LGBTQSIAN2ss+ Community Worship was held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, @ 10:30 a.m. at Ray Of Hope Church, Inc., in person and interactively on the Internet using Skype.

Scientific Discovery, Academic Knowledge, the Holy Scriptures, and Spirituality are Universal and Unified. (Br. Benedict 8-6-23)

Today, August 13, 2023, we answer the question: Who is Satan? Who is Lucifer? Is the Devil real? We used a unique selection of readings chosen for the topic. Reading the Bible using a literal interpretation is the only way LGBT+++ people can answer the "religious people" attacking us. At Ray Of Hope, we aim to educate the general public on Theology. There is no conflict between Scientific research, discovery, and Theology.

LGBTQSIAN2Ess+ Community Worship was held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, @ 10:30 a.m. at Ray Of Hope Church, Inc., in person and interactively on the Internet using Skype. The Sermon starts at 36:01. Christina McLaughlin sings solo and leads the song: "I Love The Lord" at 10:34, and she sings solo on the song: "He Wants It All" at 1:04:04. Download the Order of Worship with weekly announcements: RIGHT CLICK HERE: http://www.rayofhopechurch.com/files/8-13-23%20SUNDAY%20CORRECTED%20Pentecost%20Wk%2012%20Year%20A%20special%20SATAN.pdf. See the Facebook Live recording of the worship event: RIGHT CLICK HERE: https://fb.watch/mugL-N3srS/.

We like to say to our LGBTQSIAN2ss+++ friends: We are the church made by YOU, for YOU, because we ARE YOU! You are as welcome here as Christ Jesus, Himself. Today you will find persons of every sexual orientation and every gender expression in our congregation and leadership.

Two political/religious movements are having a dynamic impact on Politics shaping and reshaping our civil life in the United States. LGBTQS++ people must take the time to understand Christian Reconstructionism (Source: https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/history/timelines/entry?etype=3&eid=27 Christian Reconstructionism - Timeline Movement) and the Religious Right, the "new Christian right, " including the "Moral Majority became the most prominent organization in the religious right soon after Jerry Falwell founded it in 1979. Targeting the Republican base, the organization mobilized voters to elect politicians who would defend their values: supporting prayers and creationism in schools, as well as opposing abortion, pornography, obscenity and other perceived threats to the family.

Though the Moral Majority declined by the late 1980s, the religious right remains active fighting against same-sex marriage and abortion. " source: (https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/history/timelines/entry?etype=3&eid=17 Religious Right - Timeline Movement)

We must educate ourselves about this movement so we may begin to answer the religious and political activists who are convincing others to join their efforts to roll back our rights with more than our feelings. We covered this topic and others in the sermon today. See page 23 of the Order of Worship associated with this video.

(source: The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) strives to democratize access to the best data on religion. Founded as the American Religion Data Archive in 1997 and going online in 1998, the initial archive was targeted at researchers interested in American religion.)

We are proud to be known as the "WOKE" Church of Elmira and Central NY.

Ray Of Hope remains committed to all of the Civil Rights afforded to all people in the United States of America. At Ray Of Hope Church, you are not required to believe any of what you are hearing. Your faith and what you decide to believe is your responsibility. Ray Of Hope Church will teach the Historic Christian Doctrine; that is what the Statement Of Purpose says.

Ray Of Hope Church strongly supports Trans persons, Trans education, Trans medicine, and the professionals who assist Trans persons. However, we are very critical of the attempts we see in the Church and the State that make things difficult for Trans people and any person of any sexual orientation or gender expression.

There is a great website that tracks how many countries are at war: https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war/ .

View our new mobile friendly version of our website, here. http://www.rayofhopechurch.com/P2023-Bookmark.htm

Visit our main webpage www.rayofhopechurch.com.

Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/lgbtqsia2ssByYou/. Visit our new TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@rayofhopechurchlgbtqsia...

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***WOKE*** Conservatives have taken over the expression "woke" popularized by African-American young men. African-Americans used the word to mean staying awake and alert, to have been "woke" up and paying attention to the cultural and religious movements of the past, present, and potential futures. The Ray Of Hope Church Statement of Purpose calls us to stay "woke" at all times, paying attention to the world of religion, politics, and society.

We did not start a new kind of Christianity. Ray Of Hope Church teaches the same Christian faith of ancient ecumenical consensus. St. Vincent of Lerins, a fifth-century monk and theologian, described it as "what has been believed always, everywhere, and by all."

To donate and assist with our expenses, use our secure PayPal link: http://rayofhopechurch.com/DONATE_RAYOFHOPE.htm. You may also donate by sending your donation to Ray Of Hope Church 380 W. 1st St. Elmira, NY 14901, with the attention Treasurer. We always say give what you can but never give your last. Thank you, and God bless you.

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The Music in today's worship event included:

FIRST SONG: Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks G&P 389 Contributors: Donald Fishel Text: Donald Fishel, b.1950, � 1973, Word of God Music. Tune: � 1973, International Liturgy Publications Text: � 1973, International Liturgy Publications. Onelisence Song # 71342 Ritual Song 581 Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278

SECOND SONG: Joyful People, Come and Worship. NTBK #33 Text: June Norris � 1987; alt. with permission, Music Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824; adpt. The Hymnal Project � 1990 MCC San Francisco Used by permission Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278.

SONG: Glorify Thy Name

Words and Music by Donna Adkins CCLI Song # 1383 � 1976, 1981 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Used with permission through our Christian Copyright License Incorporated License Number 706121 and Christian Copyright License Incorporated Streaming Plus License 21787152.

Words of Institution Song: Remember Me

Words and Music by Gerrit Gustafson and Martin J. Nystrom

� 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music. c/o Integrity Music, Inc., P.O. Box 16813, Mobile, AL, 36695. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. CCLI Song # 451177 Used with permission through our Christian Copyright License Incorporated License Number 706121 and Christian Copyright License Incorporated Streaming Plus License 21787152.

Communion Song: I Am The Bread Of Life. Words and Music by Suzanne Toolan, RSM, b.1927 Contributors: Suzanne Toolan

Tune: � 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Based on John 6 and 11; � 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Onelicense Song # 00044 Lead Me, Guide Me 2nd Edition 755 Used with permission. Onlicense # 81048 Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278

Closing Song: Walking Up The King's Highway Words and Music Mary E. Gardner | Thomas A. Dorsey

Words and Music Mary E. Gardner | Thomas A. Dorsey � Words: 1940. Renewed 1967 Unichappell Music, Inc. (Admin. by CURB | Word Music Publishing) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (Admin. by CURB | Word Music Publishing) Music: 1940. Renewed 1967 Unichappell Music, Inc. (Admin. by CURB | Word Music Publishing) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (Admin. by CURB | Word Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 78385 Used with permission through our Christian Copyright License Incorporated License Number 706121 and Christian Copyright License Incorporated Streaming Plus License 21787152.