Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.

Worship was held on Sunday April 30, 2023 @ 10:30 a.m. in person and interactively here on the Internet using Skype. Download the Order of Worship with weekly announcements: RIGHT CLICK HERE. See the Facebook post of the recording of the worship, RIGHT CLICK HERE.

The Sermon begins at 33:35 on the recording. I mistakenly said Jesus gave the sermon on Pentecost Day. I meant to say Peter gave the sermon. There is some background on the origins of the Pentecostal denomination, and the particular expression called the “Jesus Only” movement. There is even a Jesus Only Pentecostal denomination that is primarily LGBTQ. Taking the cue from Acts 2:38 where it appears people were baptized in the Name of Jesus, the Jesus Only church sets a Dogma that the Trinitarian formula of baptism (In the Name of God, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit) is not Scriptural. We also speak of some of the development of some of the Pentecostal denominations, including the Church Of God In Christ. The Psalm is the #23, The Lord Is My Shepherd. We discuss following numerous things in our lives. Are we following God? To say, God, you are my Shepherd is a really big statement of faith. It is very difficult to hear God’s voice in modern society. In the Gospel the two shepherds are discussed, one comes to give life abundantly, and the other comes to destroy. We talk about suicide and speak out against the teaching that those who suicide are bound for hell. This is not true. There is a great website that tracks how many countries are at war: https://wisevoter.com/country.../countries-currently-at-war/ . Listen to the sermon for answers to these matters and more.

Ray Of Hope Church strongly supports Trans persons, Trans education, Trans medicine, and the professionals who assist Trans persons. We are very critical of the attempts we see in the Church and the State that make things difficult for Trans people and any person of any sexual orientation or gender expression.

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The Music in today's worship event included:

Music Prelude played by Ed Askins. "Surround Me" Words and Music by Clint Brown. © 1996 Curb Dayspring Music (Admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.) CCLI Song # 931965. Used with permission through our Christian Copyright License Incorporated License Number 706121 and Christian Copyright License Incorporated Streaming Plus License 21787152.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks G&P 389 Contributors: Donald Fishel Text: Donald Fishel, b.1950, © 1973, Word of God Music. Tune: © 1973, International Liturgy Publications Text: © 1973, International Liturgy Publications. Onelisence Song # 71342 Ritual Song 581 Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278

SECOND SONG: "Shepherd Of Souls, Refresh and Bless" G&P 501 Text: CM; verses 1, 2, James Montgomery, 1771–1854; verses 3, 4, anon. Music: John B. Dykes, 1823–1876. Onelicense Song # 84164 Glory and Praise 2nd Edition 501 Used with permission. Onlicense # 81048 Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278

I Am The Bread Of Life. Words and Music by Suzanne Toolan, RSM, b.1927 Contributors: Suzanne Toolan Tune: © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Based on John 6 and 11; © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Onelicense Song # 00044 Lead Me, Guide Me 2nd Edition 755 Used with permission. Onlicense # 81048 Used with Print Permission and Streaming License A-741278

"REMEMBER ME" Words and Music by Gerrit Gustafson and Martin J. Nystrom © 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music. c/o Integrity Music, Inc., P.O. Box 16813, Mobile, AL, 36695. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. CCLI Song # 451177 Used with permission through our Christian Copyright License Incorporated License Number 706121 and Christian Copyright License Incorporated Streaming Plus License 21787152.

Visit our main webpage www.rayofhopechurch.com.

Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/lgbtqsia2ssByYou/. Visit our new TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@rayofhopechurchlgbtqsia...

***WOKE*** Conservatives have taken over the expression "woke" popularized by African-American young men. African-Americans used the word to mean staying awake and alert, to have been "woke" up and paying attention to the cultural and religious movements of the past, present, and potential futures. The Ray Of Hope Church Statement of Purpose calls us to stay "woke" at all times, paying attention to the world of religion, politics, and society.

We did not start a new kind of Christianity. Ray Of Hope Church teaches the same Christian faith of ancient ecumenical consensus. St. Vincent of Lerins, a fifth-century monk and theologian, described it as "what has been believed always, everywhere, and by all."

To our LGBTQSIA2ss+++ friends out there, we like to say: We are the church made by you, and for you, because we ARE YOU! You are as welcome here as Christ Jesus, Himself. Today you will find persons of every sexual orientation and every gender expression in our congregation and in our leadership.

To donate and assist with our expenses, use our secure PayPal link: http://rayofhopechurch.com/DONATE_RAYOFHOPE.htm. You may also donate by sending your donation to Ray Of Hope Church 380 W. 1st St. Elmira, NY 14901, with the attention Treasurer. We always say give what you can but never give your last. Thank you, and God bless you.