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(Reclaim News is reprinting a promotion featuring
Dr. David Benke explaining
that it's OK to pray. Reclaim News believes it is OK to pray as long
as the
Synod teaches that prayer is worship. If
prayer is worship then Benke not
only prayed with pagan Buddhist, Sikh, and Hindu clergy, he also
worshipped
with them, which is in opposition to the LCMS Constitution, Article VI.2.
If prayer
is not worship, then it is meaningless, even if it is OK.)
"RISE UP, SAINTS!"
A Weekend of Prayer, Praise & Recommitment Prince of Peace Lutheran,
Orlando
November 1-3, 2002
Featuring the Rev. Dr. David H. Benke
Plan now to join us for a very special weekend at Price of Peace, November
1-3, 2002, with the Rev. Dr. David H. Benke, Pastor of St. Peter's
Lutheran, Brooklyn, NY!
Dr. Benke was one of those asked to pray, at the invitation of NY Mayor
Rudolph Guilliani, at the "A Prayer for America" event in Yankee
Stadium on September 23, 2001, following the 9-11 terrorist attacks our
country. Serving at the time as President of the Atlantic District of the
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Dr. Benke was subsequently accused by some
fellow pastors of the LCMS of violating our church body's
"rules" regarding public displays of fellowship and prayer with
other Christian and non-Christian clergy. Even though he had the
blessing of his immediate church supervisor, LCMS President, Rev. Dr.
Gerald Kieschnick, Dr. Benke, was later suspended from his office of
district president and threatened with removal from the clergy roster of
the LCMS. Dr. Benke has appealed this ruling and is seeking to be
reinstated in his former office. In the meantime, he continues to
serve as Pastor of St. Peter's, Brooklyn, NY, and is accepting limited
speaking engagements throughout the LCMS to champion a cause which many of
us support, namely, "It's OK to pray!"
We are very blessed to have this man of God, with his love for the church
and his courage and integrity, to lead us in this weekend of renewal and
recommitment at Prince of Peace.
BANQUET, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
Please join us at a special evening of fellowship, prayer and praise,
Friday, November 1st (All Saints Day)!
The evening will begin with whine and cheese hors d'oeuvres in the
courtyard at 6:00 p.m. A delicious Italian dinner will follow at
7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Tickets @$15.00/person will be
available following all worship services in October, as well as in the
church office.
Following dinner, Dr. Benke will share with us the important relief
efforts he and others have been involved with in New York since 9-11.
An opportunity will also be given to support these efforts in prayer and
financial gifts, as well as Dr. Benke's own advocacy and defense fund.
This will truly be "a night to remember" as we join hearts and
hands to affirm "It's OK to Pray!"
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND
Pastors and lay leaders from throughout Central Florida's LCMS churches
are being invited to a special presentation by Dr. Benke from 1:00 to 3:30
p.m. in the church sanctuary.
This gather will afford those present to not only hear from Dr. Benke
personally, but to have questions answered. You are cordially
invited to attend!
CONSECRATION WEEKEND WORSHIP
Saturday 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Dr. Benke will preach at all worship services on Saturday and Sunday at
Prince of Peace as we renew our commitments of support to the mission and
ministry of Prince of Peace for 2003.
All members will be given an opportunity to fill out an "estimate of
giving" card, indicated how they intend to "Rise Up!" and
be counted on for the work God has given us to do in Orlando and
throughout the world. We urge your attendance!
In the meantime, please pray for Prince of Peace, our pastors and lay
leaders, Dr. Benke, and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod . that, as
God's saints, we may rise to the challenges of ministry that God is
placing before us at this critical time in the life of our nation and the
world!
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