Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.
The LGBTQSIAN2ss+ Pride Activities, and Social Events Center of Elmira, NY.
The only Church in Central New York founded and fostered by the GLBTQSIA2ss+ community for 41 years. October 31, 2024 - 41st Anniversary now in our 42nd year in Ministry.
Artist: Richard Hook (1914 - 1975)
"Head Of Christ"
seen here in our chapel over the Bible.
Read about the artist Click Here.
Announcing the formation of a PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE for 2018. For more information click here.
My House shall be a house of prayer for All People, says the Lord God. (Isaiah 56:7)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
See our new Facebook live videos taken during our worship events by going to our Worship page by clicking in the main navigation bar or right click here.
We are called to do the ridiculous while God provides the miraculous. Stop in for some "R & R" Revelation and Response and experience a real encounter with God. Pastor Benedict
"You are as welcome here as Christ Jesus himself."
Fr. Bartholomew J. O'Brien [born 5-30-1914 - Entered Heaven 11-7-2003].
He always displayed this welcome above his doorbell on a hand typed piece of paper. see Romans 15:7.
We are gay by God, for Christ's sake! It is all God's fault. God started this rainbow parade, God is leading it, and God will bring it all to completion. June 28, 2018 Stonewall 49 ~ Br. Shawn Benedict, Pastor
+ Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ is Christ-centered in all of its teachings, and therefore does not ascribe to the dogmas, teachings, or practices of any denomination, or para-church organization of the Christian Church. Rather, we maintain an autonomous freedom to draw from the two millennia of immense riches known in all denominations of Christianity. Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ is an "independent" local Church. This does not mean we stand alone, as though on pride or arrogance, rather we seek to share an interdependence with other assemblies and fellowships of believers who endeavor equally as hard as we do to bring the Gospel to all people.
(Ray Of Hope Church Statement Of Faith)
All content on the Ray Of Hope Church, Inc. web site is written for intelligent and interested nonspecialists. Academic and professional specialists are invited to contact us at rayofhopechurch@aol.com for information on how to visit our St. Benedict of Nursia Memorial Library where all of the material on this web site is sourced. Our library currrenty has over 6,000 holdings.
Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. is the name of this ministry. The only name associated with this ministry is the "Name above all names." (see Philippians 2:8-11)
8 Jesus humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 Because of this, God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him
the Name above every other name,
10 So that at the name of Jesus
every knee must bend,
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
11 and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.
(based upon the New American Bible - divine office version - 1970 with inclusive language added.)
Listen to the GIVE THEM HOPE speech by Harvey Milk CLICK HERE
Read an essay on who we are as the Church of Jesus Christ that was written by Pastor Benedict in 2017. Click Here.
Ray Of Hope
Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.
is the original Church in Central New York for
ALL People, including but not limited to
persons who are or might be:
Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender,
Questioning,
Intersex, Queer,
Asexual, Pansexual, Heteroflexible.
Anyone who is human!
Married, divorced, remarried, single,
and persons of all gender expressions.
Persons of any faith / religion or
no faith, no religion, or have no idea where to start with religion.
A spiritual home for those who are "spiritual but not religious."
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO TELL Y OU IS WE ARE
the Church by us, for us, 4 U!
The Church made by you because
we ARE you!
Ray Of Hope Church was founded in 1983
and is serving Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira New York.
We are in fact serving the world with live interactive worship services,
Bible enrichment sessions, and meetings
through SKYPE on the Internet.
WE ARE YOU!
We never held a vote to decide if we would be an INCLUSIVE church for you.
WE ARE YOU!
We are not an OPEN AND AFFIRMING church for you.
WE ARE YOU!
We are not a RECONCILING CHURCH or
RECONCILING CONGREGATION for you.
WE ARE YOU!
We are not an OPEN MINDED or ACCEPTING or WELCOMING
church where you can attend as long as you blend in quietly and discretely.
WE ARE YOU!
THIS is the church where YOU belong.
Ray Of Hope Church is the church
by us, for us, and made by You.
* Scroll Window →
God doesn't condemn LGBTQIS+ persons, only churches do that! The Bible does not condemn us, only churches do that! Christ doesn't condemn us, churches do that. There is a difference, unfortunately. Rev. Br. Shawn Benedict, 3/9/2019.
We are a church not because of what we do, but simply because we are here together. ~Br. Benedict
Christ died for everyone so that today, in 2019 we who live might no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and was raised from the dead by God. This resurrection conquered the power of death forever. Now we no longer live to ourselves, nor do we die to ourselves. "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." In fact "Christ is the Lord of both the living and the dead." We are under the authority of the Love of Christ. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God made known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. (see 2 Cor. 5:14,15; Romans 1:4; 14:7-9; 8:39)
Easter Sunday night the chapel was nice and quiet and decorated to proclaim Christ risen and gloriously triumphant forever.
Jesus protected women.
Empowered women.
Honored women publicaly.
Released the voice of women.
Confided in women.
Celebrated women by name.
Learned from women.
Respected women.
And spoke of women as
Examples to follow.
Our Turn.
Check out this great web site
Jesus Women
Each Sunday we read from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt official list of Names during our worship service. Visit the panels, with over 100,000 names on the Quilt virtually: https://www.aidsmemorial.org/interactive-aids-quilt To learn about this 49,000 +(2016 ) paneled wonder and icon, click here. Special instructions on how to navigate the virtual Quilt: Right Click Here.
Our soul is waiting for the LORD, who is our help and our shield.
Our hearts find joy in the Lord. We trust in God's holy Name.
May your love, be upon us, O LORD, as we place all our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
Do you remember when in June, 2015 then President Obama signed a Proclamation LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2015? The words he expressed in that document are timeless. Be inspired and read them again: CLICK HERE.
All we can do is do our best and bless the rest! Pastor Benedict 10-30-19
All things are yours (you, the person reading this, the believer). . . the world, life, death, the present or the future. All of them belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 3:22b-23)
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, always praise the Lord, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in times of plenty and times of want, and with births and deaths. He is Lord of the living and the dead. (Colossians 3:17, Romans 14:9)
Where did the Coronavirus-2019 come from? How was it named? What do the letters in the name stand for? Is this something that just happened or has the World Health Organization known about this for long time? The answers to these questions are here on the World Health Organization's web site. It leaves one wondering why our Government was so late to the Scientific response. Click Here: Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it
World Health Organization Director General MEDIA BRIEFING on COVID-19 April 3, 2020 experts panel presentation. CLICK HERE.
For easy instructions on how to use Skype to participate in our activities click here.
DID YOU LOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS?? DO YOU NEED HEALTH INSURANCE? NEW YORK IS READY FOR YOU. NY State of Health and New York State Department of Financial Services Announce Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured New Yorkers. The deadline for health insurance special enrollment has been extended through December 31, 2020. New Yorkers without health insurance can apply for coverage through the NY State of Health Marketplace, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, or by connecting with a free enrollment assister. Click Here.
Here is a picture to brighten you up. This is Aubree Lucas, daughter of Stephen Lucas, a dear friend of our Congregation. This is a beautiful moment as she prepares The Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation for her entire family as they share worship at home together. May God increase the understanding of the Blessed Sacrament for all of the members of this very good and holy family. May God richly reward the parents of these lovely children with grace where they need it the most.
We Are Family !
We Are Family !
Ray Of Hope Church
of the LGBTQIAS2ss+ people
of Central NY State.
www.rayofhopechurch.com
The church by YOU and for You.
We ARE you!
To read about the 1033 Program and the militarization of local police departments Click Here.
NPR On Point does an interview with author Anna Feignenbaum who wrote the book Tear Gas From the Battlefields of World War I to the Streets of Today. Tear Gas is banned in warfare when on the offensive, but it is regularly used by law enforcement to move crowds during protests. Listen to this interview and see what you think is consistent with our Statement Of Purpose. To hear the interview and read the NPR article Click Here.
17Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17,18) (Verse 18 is from the English Standard Version of the Bible.)
July 4 is the anniversary date of the July 4, 1966 signing into Law of the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA). President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into Law. This law "requires the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government upon request." (Wikipedia. To continue this article Click Here.)
Thoughts from the Pastor of Ray Of Hope Church: Remember, there is one race on this planet, the Human Race. There is one creation on this planet, God's creation; an ongoing and ever increasing act of love. All people are equally and fully part of God's creation. God does not show, design, or imply any priority of one ethnicity or social status over any other. (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34,35) In fact, we are known to be "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16), "children of God," in fact being "born of God." (John 1:13) There is, in fact, one God, Originator of all, "who is above all, and through all, and in all." (Ephesians 4:6) Poetically, Scripture says God "fills all in all" and Christ is "all in all" in these citations: Ephesians 1:23; 1Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 3:11.
This equality in God is realized and put into action in a healthy society. As a Christian Church we are called to openly live these principles by Scripture verses such as this one: "Whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Christ." (Colossians 3:17) These verses taken together, and many other verses in Scripture, are reflected in our social goal of "liberty and justice for all" that we pledge as citizens of these United States of America. These Scripture verses are not chosen as if they are proof texts to support the social goals of "liberty and justice for all." Rather, these social goals reflect the original truth of God revealed in Scripture that we are all equal and loved.
Therefore, it is with ease, with conviction, and without any internal question that we, the Members and Friends of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. promote all of these principles and work for their exercise within our society. We try to provide tools for this work here in our web site. Visitors to our web site are invited to examine the pages linked on the menus across the top and down the left side of every page to find news and tools on the subject of "liberty and justice for all." In these particular times visitors are especially encouraged to visit our Pride pages and our two Black History pages where current information is being added almost daily. Thank you for visiting our web site. May the presence of God be obvious to you. May you experience the blessing of God. Rev. Shawn F. Benedict. July 7, 2020.
* Message on Racism from Pastor Benedict: Scroll Window →
I just heard an intervview with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Mrs. Pelosi said Science is the answer to prayer. Science is of God, God made Science, she said. I must say that is the best explanation I have ever heard. After all, what do Scientists do? Scientists "discover" what is already there. Scientists uncover what already exists in the eternal knowledge of the ever-creating God. There is no conflict between Science and God. 8-25-20, Rev. Br. Benedict, Pastor.
See Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc in the Gay Yellow Pages. Right Click on the page below to see the entire Gay Yellow Pages in a PDF format. To visit the Gay Yellow Pages web site Right Click Here.
Colossians 3:12-17
12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Christ.
Read Pastor Benedict's statment on the January 6, 2021 attack on the U. S. Capital. Right Click Here.
BRIEFING ROOM
Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation
JANUARY 20, 2021 PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Visit our Pride Page for the link to the full text. Right Click Here.
The Rainbow Flag Is God's Gift To Our Community.
Read the sermon by Rev. Br. Shawn Francis Benedict, Pastor: Right Click Here.
Everyone has access to the Holy Spirit, the gift of God to us. Below is a rendering of John chapter 16, verse 7 by the translators of the Amplified Bible that I find particularly enlightening. This verse gives many of the attributes of the Holy Spirit, in English, that are all packed and hidden in the original Greek Word parakletos. Each of the capitalized words in the verse below tells us how the Holy Spirit is ready to help us. All we have to do is ask with a short prayer like this: "Oh God, give me the awareness to know you are with me in all these ways through the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Here is the verse in the Amplified Bible
Jesus taught, saying: "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]." John 16:7
Did you realize the Holy Spirit is with you to bring you all those actions of God? If we understand the Real Presence of God is with us in Christ through the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit, we will experience more confidence, love of ourselves and our neighbors, and be able to feel better about our lived experience. You can have all this and more. Start with that simple prayer above.
Signed: Pastor Benedict, 3-6-21.
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, THE EUCHARIST, AT RAY OF HOPE CHURCH? Read in the scroll box on our Sacraments Page (Right Click Here), or, to read in a PDF Right Click Here.
See in this picture our live Skype session during a Bible Enrichment on a Tuesday night. This is one way to practice social distancing and still worship with fellow believers. It is easy to participate in all of our worship events using Skype. Skype is free and works on any device Apple or PC or Android Phones, etc. For easy instructions on how to participate in all of our activities using Skype Click Here.
See many images of the RAINBOW FLAG: Right Click here and open in a New Tab.
"Blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and live it out."
See Luke 11:28; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25.
Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. 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." For more information visit our Statement Of Faith page: Right Click Here.
This is the FIRST rose from the Monastery here in 2021.
Romans 14:7,8,9: 7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (New Revised Standard Version)
(God's Word Translation):
Romans 14:7,8,9: 7 It's clear that we don't live to honor ourselves, and we don't die to honor ourselves. 8 If we live, we honor the Lord, and if we die, we honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this reason Christ died and came back to life so that he would be the Lord of both the living and the dead.
Are you looking for some volunteer service hours? We need you! If you like to play in the clay and mud, we are adding cement between our building foundation stones. It's therapeutic, simple, fun and easy to do. Call 1-607-280-0374 for more information.
The LGBTQSIA2ss+ Community at Ray Of Hope Church, Elmira, NY experienced a EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE during the celebration of Epiphany, Sunday January 8, 2023. In fact, we made this our theme: We need an epiphany. We actually prayed in the Prayers of the People: "Oh God, thank you for guiding Ray Of Hope through 2022. We ask for your blessing in this new year of 2023. Give us a new epiphany and vision for this new year. In thanksgiving, we pray to the Lord."
We were not prepared for what God had in store for us during the worship event. During our worship service, we had a Eucharistic Miracle as a cross appeared on the host, the wafer, that was about to be received by Ian McLaughlin from his wife, Christina McLaughlin. For more information RIGHT CLICK HERE.
Dear Friends and Members,
The icon, "Virgin of Vladimir" has not been displayed for at least six months 2022 through March, 2023. The original frame came apart one day and sent the whole print, frame, and glass crashing to the floor. When trying to replace the frame we discovered the print is an unusual size. The framed print of this icon was a gift to Ray Of Hope Church by the monks of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA. The artwork has been displayed from the first day it was received at Ray Of Hope Church. ***Continue reading this story: RIGHT CLICK HERE.***
This is our Baptismal Holy Water Font given on September 29, 2013 by John McGee in memory of John Sosadiaz. The Candle Of Hope was dedicated in 1994. Baptized into Christ we are confident to live eternally in the Community of God. Everyone is welcomed to Holy Baptism at Ray Of Hope Church.
Prayer for our Congregation: (revised, 5/28/2023)
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that your Holy Spirit continue to move in our Congregation in new and refreshing ways. We open our hearts to be a dwelling place, a home, a temple of your Holy Spirit. Empower us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used as servants of God, disciples of Christ, and witnesses of God's love and eternal plan. Come, Holy Spirit, and impassion us with your Divine Love. Stir and enkindle within us the flames of compassion, forgiveness, patience, empathy, Joy in believing, thanksgiving and praise, and love for God's holy Will. Build an expectant faith within us with a view of a church full of possibilities and potential. Guide our lives; we pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Refresh each page you visit on our web site by pressing the Function Key
or the symbol in the browser address box. Thank you.
We are proud to be known as the "WOKE" Church of Elmira and Central NY. Popularized by African-American young men, the definition of "woke" is: having or being marked by an active awareness of systemic injustices and prejudices, a liberal progressive orthodoxy, especially promoting inclusive policies or ideologies that welcome and embrace ethnic, racial, and sexual minorities. Awake and aware. Source: Dictionary.com In Theological terms: Awakened by the Holy Spirit, alive in Christ, supporting persons of all Religions and faiths and those with no faith or religion. (11-19-22 11:17 a.m.)
Updated
1:12 a.m.
12/2/24
We stand on the truth that ALL PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED SALVATION AS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD. ALL PEOPLE ARE ETERNALLY SECURE IN GOD'S LOVE AND ARE BY MODERN TERMS, "SAVED." ALL LGBTQSIA2ss+ persons of every sexual orientation and every gender expression are SAVED and are called to live out the fullness of who they are so that God may be praised. Ray Of Hope Church officially took this position on September 18, 2011 and changed the By-laws to secure this position. (see the Statement of Faith)
Who May Receive the Holy Spirit?
Everyone has access to the Holy Spirit, the gift of God to us. Below is a rendering of John chapter 16, verse 7 by the translators of the Amplified Bible that I find particularly enlightening. This verse gives many of the attributes of the Holy Spirit in English that are packed and hidden in the original Greek Word parakletos. Each of the capitalized words in the verse below tells us how the Holy Spirit is ready to help us. All we have to do is ask with a short prayer like this:
"Oh God, give me the awareness to know you are with me in all these ways through the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Here is the verse in the Amplified Bible.
Jesus taught, saying: "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]." John 16:7
Did you realize the Holy Spirit is with you to bring you all those actions of God? Understanding the Real Presence of God is with us in Christ through the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit, we will experience more confidence, love ourselves and our neighbors, and feel better about our lived experience. You can have all this and
more. Start with that simple prayer above.
Signed: Pastor Benedict, 3-6-21, revised 5-20-23.
===================================================
For easy instructions on how to use Skype to participate in our activities click here.
The 40th Anniversary of the founding of Ray Of Hope Church of the LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Community of Central New York State, in Elmira, NY was celebrated on Sunday, October 29, 2023. The Congregation was started on October 31, 1983 on HALLOWEEN, or the EVE of the FEAST OF ALL SAINTS, ALL HALLOWS EVE. It is also the anniversary of the REFORMATION!
"I call on the leaders of all three Abrahamic Religions to summon all parties involved in this war to put humanitarian preservation above all religious Doctrine, Dogma, Teaching, and Practices that some are using to justify war."
(Rev. Br. Shawn Francis Benedict, Pastor. Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. October 15, 2023.)
"Scientific Discovery, Academic Knowledge, the Holy Scriptures, and Spirituality are Universal and Unified." (Br. Benedict 8-5-23)
Roses from
Annie and Gary Davis
WE ARE FAMILY
12-23-23
in our remodeled Tabernacle
booth with the
Blessed Sacrament
Exposed in a monstrance.
See a documentary on John Eastburn Boswell: "Not A Tame Lion" 1:58:32 length by Indie Rights Movies, Treading Yesterday Productions, A film by Craig Bettendorf, Produced by Kai Morgan.. Author of "Christianith, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality" - 1980, and "Same-Sex Unions In Premodern Europe" - 1994. RIGHT CLICK HERE.
Katrina Marie Lourdiane
Baptism 9-29-24
The Tabernacle with flickering candles to indicate the Real Presence of Christ the evening of September 29, 2024.
I (Br. Benedict) like to say "God started this rainbow parade, God is sustaining it, and God alone will bring it to completion; in short, this is all God's fault."
Ian McLaughlin: Thank you for choosing to spend time with us today. In Romans, Chapter 15:7, the Scriptures instruct us to: "Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God."
S U N D A Y W O R S H I P I N F O R M A T I O N
PEOPLE ARE ALWYS WELCOME TO ATTEND FROM ANY FAITH TRADITION and those with NO Faith or Religion. Free-thinkers and Atheists are always welcome here.
"Now has the grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all...."(Titus 2:11)
NOTICE: The Chapel is open to the public. Masks are optional and available at the hospitality table. ** Update on our heating system repair. RIGHT CLICK HERE, and thank you.**
Join us Sunday, Decmber 8, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. We will celebrate Advent Week II, the candle of Peace. We will pray for world peace and discuss diplomacy or the choices for war. Download the Order of Worship (to be added). Download the Music (to be added). We will broadcast from our chapel at 380 W. 1st St., Elmira, NY. You may attend in-person or online using this Skype Link: https://join.skype.com/qt6Y1PQvj04l. You do not need an account on Skype to "enter as a guest" when prompted. RIGHT CLICK HERE for instructions for using Skype. You may also watch the Facebook Live Webcast and you do not need a Facebook account. Here is our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/lgbtqsia2ssByYou/. If you choose to watch from home, consider inviting some friends to join you. You can extend your speakers from your computer to your home stereo system or large-screen television for full sound and a better view. For more Ray Of Hope Church general contact information, RIGHT CLICK HERE. See our calendar of events RIGHT CLICK HERE.
========= past worship recordings ====================
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Decmber 1, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. We celebrated Advent Week I, the first Sunday of the Church Year, and the Observance of the 37th World AIDS Day with the theme, "Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress." (source:https://www.hiv.gov/) Download the Order of Worship RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook recording of the worship RIGHT CLICK HERE.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. We celebrated the Feast of Christ The King, the last Sunday of the Church Year. Download the Order of Worship RIGHT-CLICK HERE. See the Facebook Live Recording: RIGHT-CLICK HERE.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, November 17, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. We observed Transgender Awareness Week, discussed gender and sexual orientation in the Bible, and we started the six week study of Eschatology, the study of the last things. Download the CORRECTED Order of Worship RIGHT-CLICK HERE. See the Facebook Live recording RiGHT-CLICK HERE.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. We honored our Veterans. Download the 5:00 p.m. revised Order of Worship RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook Live recording RIGHT CLICK HERE.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, November 3, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. WE CELEBRATED OUR 41ST ANNIVERSARY AND THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS, that includes you as the Saints of God. Download the REVISED Order of Worship REVISED RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook Live recording RIGHT CLICK HERE.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, October 27, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. Download the Order of Worship RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook recording of the Service, RIGHT CLICK HERE. The sermon starts at 34:15 on the tape. The sermon addresses current events in politics, prophecy, and more. Lisa Frost speaks about N.Y. Proposition 1 starting at 54:38 in the recording.
The LGBTQSIANE2ss+ Church met Sunday, October 20, at 10:30 a.m. for live in-person and online interactive worship. Special readings were selected to celebrate Gratitude, Appreciation, and Thankfulness for everyone's generosity to this ministry, and to God for all good gifts come from God's love through us. Download the Order of Worship RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook Live recording RIGHT CLICK HERE.
We are celebrating our 41st Anniversary on the Feast of All Saints, and the start of our 42nd year
November 6, 2024 (revised 3:50 p.m.) Updated: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Dear Saints,
The Lord is with you!
Here is an update on my pastoral letter from November 6, 2024. As of this morning, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., 89.6 percent of 161.42 million registered voters participated in the November 5th election.
Fortunately, 43.6 percent of registered voters in the USA 70,357,568 (47.9%of those who voted) did vote in line with the principles in our Statement of Purpose.
As of today, 46 percent of registered voters, 74,264,589 (50.5% of those who voted), won the election and rejected some of the principles aligned with our Statement of Purpose.
Additionally, 10.4 percent, or 16,797,843 registered voters, did not vote in this election, a large number of people who perhaps believe their vote does not count.
We are fortunate to be accompanied by 70.5 million people on "our journey into renewal, fresh beginnings, new possibilities, and a renewed embrace of our potential" as we pray at the end of the Ray Of Hope Church Sunday Liturgy. We have 90 million people, approximately 91,062,432, or about 56.4 percent of registered voters, as our mission field, starting with our next-door or downstairs neighbors, co-workers, friends, and families. The heroic mission work is all around us. The harvest is plenty; the seeds are ready to be sown; some that were sown need a fresh drink of the water of the Holy Spirit, and some need some loving care. We know how to do this work, and we understand the message that is needed.
Remember, Scripture exhorts us to:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-24)
In addition to the 70.5 million people who voted for equality and liberty for all people at the National level, we are very grateful for the passage of Proposal 1 in New York State, amending the New York State Constitution to expand antidiscrimination and equal protection rights to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care. Proposal 1 aligns the New York State Constitution more with the Ray Of Hope Statement of Purpose.
The Church is to be present in the world until Christ returns. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Holy Father" (John 17:11)
"14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." (John 17:14-18)
Saints, we are called to be in the world. We know the world system is not motivated to give honor and glory to God, in Christ, and through the working of the Holy Spirit. The goals of the Republican Party, as expressed in Project 2025, and many words that the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect have publically spoken in the last two months have won the support of 50.5% of those who voted on November 5, 2024.
I have warned for all twenty-eight years that you have elected me to serve as your Appointed Pastor, that Postmillennial Theology in its new form that began to take shape in the 1930s but crystallized in the mid-1970s, known today as Reconstructionist postmillennialism, Christian Theonomy, Christian Nationalism, Dominion Theology, Christian Reconstructionism (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmillennialism), and most recently the NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apostolic_Reformation ), with its Seven Mountain Mandate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Mountain_Mandate ) would eventually prevail as it has in this election, and will now be used to attempt to govern our Country. Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson is a prominent participant and leader in this movement. Judges and even Supreme Court Judges participate in the postmillennial movement (as identified by one or all of the names listed above).
The laypeople and clergy in this "Conservative" Theological/political movement are well-educated in its principles. They have won this election, period.
As your Pastor, I will increase my efforts to educate you in a more healthy and honest Theology and give you the tools to inform those who have fallen victim to the idea that being nice, honest, and secular is where leadership will prevail against the current dominant system.
It is Christ's will that we are in the world but not of the world, and we must follow His example and leadership on how to do that.
In closing, the Scriptures exhort us:
9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Moving forward, we are very grateful Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. is here, present, and ready to serve. Take time to appreciate each other and to be thankful for each person who steps up and stands tall for this Gospel of Christ we have been called to proclaim. You are a wonderful, special, generous, and faithful Congregation of Christ Jesus, Our Lord. The Lord is with you, and we will stand up and be counted with Jesus for the Love of God and equality for all.
See you at the Table of the Lord.
Brother Benedict, Appointed Pastor,
Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. (11-6-24, 11-9-24)
FURTHER READING
If you still have any questions about the state Equal Rights Amendment, we've hopefully got you covered. (https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2024/10/prop-1-explained-painstaking-detail/400663/)
Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. (revised 3:50 p.m. 11-6-24)
December 1, 2024, Sunday, is the 37th World AIDS Day. Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. is seen here decorated for the observation. Thank you Glenn Rathbun, Wayne Harris, Katrina Lourdiane, and Kaiden Benedict.
December 1, 2024, Sunday, is the 37th World AIDS Day.
Thank you Glenn Rathbun and Wayne Harris for restoring this original AIDS Memorial posting board made by Members of our Congregation in 1983 - 86. Friends and lovers of those who died of HIV and AIDS posted the names, often in pencil, on these little squares of paper of those who died. Some of the pieces of paper include former Members even Founders of Ray Of Hope. Glenn and Wayne lovingly resurrected this precious treasure and brought it back into service. Now, new names are welcomed to be added.