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Religion

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two ...

Humility: The gift we all need this year!

The humble beginnings of our Lord and Savior is present in most minds this time of year. We look around and see the representations of Jesus in the manger everywhere we go. We see Jesus laying there wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger just as Luke described it and we begin to believe we have grasped some part of the humility needed for Jesus Christ to come to this earth and be born among us. The truth is that Jesus could have been born in a palace surrounded by all the riches in all of the world and His Incarnation would still be the humblest action possible in the universe. Jesus ...

Local church briefs

Christmas Program MACKEYVILLE — The Mackeyville United Methodist Church will be filled with lots of music and Christmas treats Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join in this Christmas tradition. December Services LOCK HAVEN — Great Island Presbyterian Church will celebrate Advent in worship every Sunday at 10 a.m., including Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24. The church will also have its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, members will have a “Blue Christmas” service which is "a survival guide for the holiday season. A ...

Great Island Presbyterian Church to hold Blue Christmas Service Dec. 19

LOCK HAVEN — Great Island Presbyterian Church, 12 W. Water St., Lock Haven, will be holding a Blue Christmas Service on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Blue Christmas service provides a quiet and contemplative worship service as an alternative to the more traditional gatherings. A 2014 National Alliance on Mental Illness study reveals 64% of respondents with mental stress found that holidays make their conditions worse. Christmas can be hard for many, who are supposed to be happy and joyful, but have the memory of a lost one, someone who is missing. And it’s beneficial to ...

The reason for the season

There are many traditions associated with Christmas. But if we peel away all the trappings we discover that, at its core, Christmas is a celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world God created. This He did to redeem all who believe in him by giving his life for their lives. This is the message the apostle John presents in the introduction to his gospel. I encourage you to read John 1:1-18. John captures the essence of Christmas in his phrase, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He makes clear that the Word about whom he was writing is none other than Jesus of ...

Church holds annual Hanging of the Greens service in Mill Hall

PHOTOS PROVIDED Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall recently held its annual Hanging of the Greens service. Every year the congregation, during the service, decorates the sanctuary. Items are brought forth, explained and set out for display. Some of the decorations include the ...