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Looking For A True Church To Call Home
6/21/11 | Me

Posted on 06/21/2011 3:51:29 PM PDT by NoGrayZone

Okay, here's the deal in a long story short. I was raised Lutheran, moved out to Long Island and continued to be raised in St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Aunt Jeannie (my name sake) has been a member since. I decided years ago I wanted back, so I went.

I did not feel Him there, thought it was me. I kept looking around the congregation, thinking it was me. After a while, I realized it wasn't (a couple of things happened after that confirmed it wasn't me).

Anywho, the icing on the cake was my Aunt Jeannie stopped going as well. After almost 30 years she felt the change as well. I looked up our church and saw they were apart of the "accept homosexuals as Pastors" crowd. That was 1 of the things that confirmed it was not me.

But my Aunt Jeannie leaving was the icing on the cake.

Here's our delima. Both of us are July babies. She is the 2nd, I am the 18th. We decided on 7/17 we would find a church to attend (we both want one to belong to and believe in), then go have brunch to discuss.

She is much more open minded than I am, but I promised her I would be open minded, if just for an hour, on that day.

I said to her, during our conversation "how do we know if the "Pastor" is a homo or not. She believes He is with us no matter where we are. I agree....to a point. I don't believe a homosexual can be one of His Shepard's leading His herd if that is so.

There have been so many "demoninations" coming out for homosexual "Shepard's" I have NO idea where to begin.

I have called a few churches and left messages for the Pastor to call back so I can interview Him (no lady Pastors for me).

Any advise to where we can look? Anyone know anything about Presbyterians?


TOPICS: Ecumenism; General Discusssion; Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: bible; church; lutheran; schism; true
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To: NoGrayZone

Let’s be clear here. You understand the norms for receiving the Sacrament in the Catholic Church and, nevertheless, choose to ignore it and do as you please.

At best, that was very rude. At worst...well, I am no authority on the consequences of sacrilege. But, I would not want to be in your shoes.

Obviously, you have a high regard for your own wishes. Good luck in finding a congregation which fits that.


61 posted on 06/21/2011 4:44:28 PM PDT by don-o (Please say a prayer for FReeper Just Lori.)
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To: NoGrayZone

Dittos on the Eastern Orthodoxy, one of Christianity’s best kept secrets. You will find a fair number of us former Lutherans there. I have also run into a number of former Mennonites there too.

Eastern Orthodoxy Churches are run from the bottom up, with Christ our infallible head.


62 posted on 06/21/2011 4:46:38 PM PDT by firebasecody (Orthodoxy, proclaiming the Truth since AD 33)
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To: Former Fetus; madison10
"S. Baptists don’t have confirmations, you would miss that"

Fine....I confess!!! Me and my bff's cheated on our Confirmation tests! There, I said it!

Now with that out in the open, I have learned much more reading my Bible on my own (thanks to the Jehovah Witness's)....yes, the JH's!!

I did Bible studies with them and they taught me how to read the Bible. For that I will ever be grateful.

63 posted on 06/21/2011 4:47:35 PM PDT by NoGrayZone ("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
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To: NoGrayZone

Dittos on the Eastern Orthodoxy, one of Christianity’s best kept secrets. You will find a fair number of us former Lutherans there. I have also run into a number of former Mennonites there too.

Eastern Orthodoxy Churches are run from the bottom up, with Christ our infallible head, just like it was from the beginning.


64 posted on 06/21/2011 4:48:13 PM PDT by firebasecody (Orthodoxy, proclaiming the Truth since AD 33)
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To: NoGrayZone

There’s a very serious fellow in there, as well as a very witty humorous fellow.


65 posted on 06/21/2011 4:48:21 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: NoGrayZone

Lots of info here that may help you discern.

http://chnetwork.org/


66 posted on 06/21/2011 4:56:15 PM PDT by surroundedbyblue (Live the message of Fatima - pray & do penance!)
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To: don-o

But, but, but, but -— I always thought that God was first. Even above our own wishes! >Sarc off


67 posted on 06/21/2011 4:57:13 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
"** She said we could just get a blessing, instead of Christ’s body.**

"Your aunt was correct. You needed to go forward for a blessing and prayer."

And who is this mere man to tell us WE are NOT Christs child and NOT receive his body as a holy offering?

Did Christ ONLY die for Catholics? No, he died for ALL of us. That includes us.

He knew why we took His body. It was pure and simply for Him. We said NO MAN can tell we are not yours.

68 posted on 06/21/2011 4:58:05 PM PDT by NoGrayZone ("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
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To: rabidralph

I bookmarked your link. Thank you. I am in desperate need to get on the right path.


69 posted on 06/21/2011 5:00:43 PM PDT by NoGrayZone ("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
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To: NoGrayZone

God will wait for all sinners to come home.

Don’t you pray,
“Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.

God is waiting for you to come home.


70 posted on 06/21/2011 5:03:32 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: NoGrayZone

For one, do not listen to the Roman Catholics on this thread as far as the supposed “unity” in their ranks. There are just as many liberals seeking to undermine Scripture there, and the Pope tolerates them. Furthermore, the conservative doctrines also undermine the Scriptures. The RCC might look monolithic on the outside, but it is far from on the inside.

You mentioned Presbyterians. If you go to a Presbyterian Church, avoid PC(USA) churches, which are mostly liberal, and become more liberal all the time. I go to a congregation that is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America. There is also the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, which accepts women in the eldership and is less confessional, but is still Evangelical. Also, any member denomination of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) contains mostly faithful congregations. I’d encourage you to do to NAPARC’s website (http://www.naparc.org/) and you can tackle the basics of all the conservative Reformed denominations from there.

Also, as far as Lutheran denominations, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod are faithful.


71 posted on 06/21/2011 5:03:45 PM PDT by RecoveringPaulisto
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To: NoGrayZone

If you truly believe the the Eucharist you received was the Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity of Christ, then you should take a second look at the Catholic Church. We believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

“And who is this mere man to tell us WE are NOT Christs child and NOT receive his body as a holy offering?”

This ‘mere man’ is an ordained priest who was conveying that the Catholic church does not regard the Eucharist as symbolic. Instead, we believe that it actually becomes the Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity of Jesus during the Mass. Therefore, it’s not appropriate for those who do not believe as such to receive Holy Communion. And, no, we don’t think Christ only died for Catholics.


72 posted on 06/21/2011 5:04:04 PM PDT by surroundedbyblue (Live the message of Fatima - pray & do penance!)
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To: NoGrayZone; Conservativegreatgrandma; bcsco
Pay attention to Freeper Charles Henrickson, he will guide you.

Ah Charles. I follow him on the DUFUnnies!

Thank you, bcsco and Conservativegreatgrandma, for recommending me as a contact. And yes, NoGrayZone, I think I could be of help in guiding you to a true church--indeed, a truly Lutheran church (unlike the ELCA churches that could have a woman or homo pastor).

I am a Lutheran pastor, LCMS (Missouri Synod), and we have a number of congregations in Long Island. I used the lcms.org church locator to find some listings, and I was looking for names of pastors I recognized. I came across one church listing (for starters) that looks promising.

Trinity Lutheran Church
5 Durham Road
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
516-354-8883
http://locator.lcms.org/nchurches/c_detail.asp?C633562 http://trinitynewhydepark.org

I know it's a few miles west of Suffolk County, but it is on Long Island, and based on their website, it looks worth checking out. The pastor's name is Rev. Jimmy Coffey. Tell him that I sent you.

Now there may be other decent LCMS churches on Long Island, but this should get you going, at least.

Let me know how it goes, either on this thread or by freepmail.

73 posted on 06/21/2011 5:04:39 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson (Lutheran pastor, LCMS)
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To: NoGrayZone
Any advise to where we can look? Anyone know anything about Presbyterians?

Depends what Presyberians. PCUSA, the big old mainline, is most of what you see out there. They recently caved in to the sodomite agenda.

Smaller Presbyterian and Reformed bodies (see here: NAPARC.org), no. Trouble is, those congregations, outside of some regional concentrations, are few and far between. Alas.

74 posted on 06/21/2011 5:05:04 PM PDT by Lee N. Field ("And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" Gal 3:29)
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To: WestwardHo

Postmark....

I have book marked your link. I am off tomorrow so I can spend my time searching.

Thank you. Please FReepmail me some of your favorites. As I have stated, the road is crooked, narrow, unlit and VERY hard to stay on path.

I want to stay on path and any help would be graciously accepted!


75 posted on 06/21/2011 5:05:57 PM PDT by NoGrayZone ("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
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To: NoGrayZone
For your Aunt Jeannie.

How Old Is Your Church?

If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex- monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," "Pentecostal Gospel." "Holiness Church," "Pilgrim Holiness Church," "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past century.

If you are Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.



76 posted on 06/21/2011 5:06:00 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: NoGrayZone

What area are you in? Or, are you willing to move to find a good Church/congregation?


77 posted on 06/21/2011 5:07:08 PM PDT by RavenATB ("Destroy the family and you destroy the country!" ~Vladimir Lenin)
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To: NoGrayZone; Conservativegreatgrandma; bcsco
I accidentally left out the church's website. Here it is:

http://trinitynewhydepark.org

78 posted on 06/21/2011 5:07:25 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson (Lutheran pastor, LCMS)
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To: NoGrayZone

I wouldn’t recommend the Moonies, or the Scientologists, but, for completeness sake, don’t they deserve a mention here?


79 posted on 06/21/2011 5:12:17 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: Conservativegreatgrandma

I’m just curious about something. The ELCA, or whatever “it’s” name is, that now allows gay and women Pastors.

I believe any Lutheran Church that has disassociated itself with these people should also disassociate itself with the Lutheran name.

Perhaps it is just me, but if you think “mainstream”, they think ALL Lutheran Churches are like that.

Perhaps it is He who is “herding His flock” that allows it. I just think any Lutheran Church that has disassociated itself with the PC should also disassociate itself with the Lutheran name.

I have NO IDEA what is going on with this upside down, right is wrong being, but I want NO part of it.


80 posted on 06/21/2011 5:13:54 PM PDT by NoGrayZone ("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
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