THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (12/28/04)

1. A QUESTION FROM THE EDITOR:

A "traditional" benediction or ending of a benediction that we hear in many churches ends like this:

"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now, henceforth and forevermore. AMEN"

My question? I looked up the word, "henceforth" and it is defined in The American Heritage College Dictionary as follows: "From this time forth." It appears to me that the benediction as stated above is redundant. One might simply choose to say,

"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now and forevermore. AMEN," or,

"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, henceforth AMEN"

Just a question!

And to underscore my question, I looked up the term, "hence," which means, "From this time; from now" and "From this life."

2. RETIRED AME BISHOP SERVED AS GUEST LEADER FOR STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS:

The Rector, Senior Warden, Vestry, and the leadership of Holy Timothy Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee have invited the Right Reverend Frederick Hilborn Talbot, D. Min. and retired Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to serve as the guest leader for its Stewardship Emphasis campaign that was held in December 2004.

Bishop Talbot addressed the parish leadership of St. Timothy on the biblical and spiritual dimensions of financial stewardship with an emphasis on tithing and percentage giving. Bishop Talbot's challenging stewardship presentations and inspiring messages were well received by parish leadership and members of St. Timothy.

Conservation Sunday is an annual event and Bishop Talbot spoke at both the 8 a.m. and the 11 a.m. Eucharistic Services, at which time the members were presented with their pledge cards.

3. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Subject: The Rev. George Thomas
Date: 12/27/2004 8:59:38 PM
From: jrturnerjerry@hotmail.com

It is with sadness that we announce the home going of the Reverend George Thomas, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Madison, WI. Rev. Thomas passed away yesterday (12/27/04).

Funeral Arrangements are pending

"Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal"

St. Paul AME Church
4525 Diamond Drive
Madison, WI 53714
608-242-9728

Mrs. Shirley Thomas, First Lady

Rev. Louis Toney, Presiding Elder
Mrs. Karen Norris, Fourth Episcopal District Minister Spouses President
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Prelate

Please remember the family in your prayers.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.com/