Michigan

A denominational leader said pastors, teachers and liturgists need to address the issue of suffering in the world and among those sitting in the pews as they plan worship services.

Christians need to be aware of suffering in the world and seek justice for those who are hurting, said the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), at the Calvin Symposium on Worship in Grand Rapids, Mich. earlier this month.

Suffering and finding solutions to it should be a central part of prayers, sermons and songs that occur in churches every week, he contended. more >>

Faith leaders in Greater Detroit launched a national lobbying campaign this week to urge members of Congress to back loans for the city’s Big Three auto manufacturers.

Reaching out to their denominations’ members, the dozen interfaith leaders hope that their nationwide network will add strength to their call for Congress to pass the auto bailout bill that is expected to be between $15 billion to $25 billion.

“Some of us have larger, national denominations and we can contact those members of Congress who are straddling the fence,” said Bishop Charles Ellis of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit to The Detroit News. more >>

Americans throughout the nation will celebrate Veterans Day today in honor of members of the U.S. armed forces who sacrificed their lives to defend their country.

In Jefferson City, Mo., St. Peters Catholic Church will hold an early morning Veterans Day Service, with mass offered for those men and women who died in service to the United States of America.

In Uniontown, Pa., Liberty Baptist Church will plant an American flag for every member of the armed forces who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. more >>

A federal appeals court will today hear a case filed by two Michigan men who claim the Bible verses included in their ads to an unemployment insurance agency were wrongly censored.

Alliance Defense Fund attorney Kevin Theriot will represent Andrew and Glenda Grosjean in the case before the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

The Grosjeans, both Michigan unemployment advocates, allege in the suit that Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency should not have removed Scripture references in their personalized ads that appear in a resource given to unemployed workers who have been denied employment benefits. more >>

Christian publishing giant Zondervan, the company behind Rick Warren’s megahit The Purpose Driven Life, announced last week that it will release the biography of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin next month.

The former little known Alaskan governor raised much curiosity after her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last week where she showcased her no-nonsense attitude, passion and moral convictions.

Now that the entire country is familiar with the name Sarah Palin, people want to know more about the woman that could be second in line to the presidency. more >>