Worship

Nearly half of all Americans have a close friend or relative who has given his or her life while serving in the military, according to a national survey by Rasmussen Reports released in time for Memorial Day.

The survey shows that 45 percent of Americans said they have had a friend or relative who died while serving the country. It also found that 40 percent of Americans have close friends or relatives currently serving in Afghanistan.

"While those that gave their all are our heroes, I have this feeling that it is the loved ones of our fallen that are our true heroes, the ones that have to endure the sacrifice of one of their own. Our children, parents, grandparents, or friends, it is not easy to accept the loss when it happens," wrote John Kubicek in his blog post, "The Flavor of Freedom," on Sunday. more >>

A North Carolina Presbyterian church's television ministry reached its 50th year of operation, making it one of the longest network programs in the history of the tube.

First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte began filming services for the benefit of those unable to attend their church since 1961, airing traditional church services at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday.

Dartinia Hull, communications manager for First Presbyterian, told The Christian Post that the reliability of the programming had made it last across several decades. more >>

The Book of Common Prayer, a work considered by many to be as influential as the King James Bible and the plays of William Shakespeare, turned 350 this month.

The Rev. Richard Hoyal, vicar of Christ Church in Bristol, England, told a British publication that even in an increasingly secular England the BCP holds an appeal.

"The people who come here to worship do so because they enjoy hearing this traditional form of service – there is a continuity and beauty to it that the more modern versions of Anglican service just don't have," said Hoyal to the Western daily Press. more >>

A departing Anglican congregation held its final services at a Virginia church property that they lost to The Episcopal Church in a years-long court battle.

The Falls Church Anglican, a congregation that broke away from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia years ago over the increasingly liberal theology of the denomination, held two services on Sunday, leaving the property to a much smaller Episcopal congregation.

Jeff Walton, member of the Institute on Religion & Democracy and an attendee of the two services, told The Christian Post that the Anglican congregation's services were "forward-looking" in their focus. more >>

An enthusiastic welcome was given to evangelist Franklin Graham by Ghana President John Evans Atta Mills on the first night of a two-night Billy Graham Evangelistic Association event held at a stadium in Accra.

Mills, along with Ghana's First Lady, made an appearance at the "Ghana Jesus Festival" last Saturday night, BGEA and the country's news services reported.

"We need the Word of God," said Mills, an outspoken Christian, who recently declared a nationwide week of thanksgiving and fasting. "It is my hope and prayer that the message [Franklin Graham] gives us will fall on fertile soil." more >>

While many come to Washington, D.C., to protest or lobby, one group of people will take part in a marathon reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to take part in the 23rd Annual Bible U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon, which begins Friday evening and concludes May 1, ahead of the National Day of Prayer.

Terry Shaffer Hall, one of the directors for the DC Marathon, told The Christian Post that the purpose of the marathon was to promote biblical literacy and understanding. more >>