Thread: TX: Holiday sermons push for immigration reform

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 94254.html

Houston churches unite in a plea
Preachers use topic of American heritage in sermons on immigration
By MOISES MENDOZA
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
July 4, 2010, 10:06PM

Pastor Robert McGee knew he had a special opportunity Sunday — the Fourth of July rarely falls on the week's holiest day.

The leader of Trinity United Methodist Church, in Houston's Third Ward, said he took extra care preparing his sermon.

After immersing himself in the Word and plenty of prayer, he crafted a message integrating biblical teachings with a variety of issues facing America today: the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Gulf oil spill, the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan and, most notably, immigration.

"We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters because all of us here are immigrants," he preached, quoting portions of the Declaration of Independence. "All of us are in pursuit of the impossible dream."
MTO effort to change laws

Across Houston, dozens of preachers like McGee used the holiday, not just to remind their congregations about America's struggle for independence and birth but to push for immigration reform. Part of a coordinated effort by The Metropolitan Organization, a local group that is organizing churches to pressure government to change immigration laws, more than 50 churches took part Sunday.

That included sermons at Catholic, Episcopal and Methodist churches and spanned congregations from primarily Hispanic to African-American and Anglo.

It was a way, pastors said, to show that immigrants are a part of the American Dream and also give new meaning to a holiday that sometimes seems more about fun and fireworks than contemplating what makes us Americans.

Though it was clear TMO and participating pastors were pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, most of the ministers were careful to avoid explicitly discussing the topic of illegal immigration, opting for a softer approach and talking about the immigration experience and its role in shaping America.

At the True Light Missionary Baptist Church in the 7100 block of North Main, the Rev. John William Bowie gave a sermon entitled "A Declaration of Our Independence." He told congregants not to fear immigrant job seekers and said all are dependent on God in the end.

At the True Light Missionary Baptist Church in the 7100 block of North Main, the Rev. John William Bowie gave a sermon entitled "A Declaration of Our Independence." He told congregants not to fear immigrant job seekers and said all are dependent on God in the end.

At St. Paul's United Methodist Church at 5501 Main, the Rev. James Bankston preached that all immigrants deserve to be treated with dignity.
Rights and responsibilities

And at the Iglesia Episcopal Santa Maria Virgen in southwest Houston, Father Uriel Osnaya told his primarily immigrant audience that, along with rights, everyone has key responsibilities.

They include being good citizens, volunteering and staying involved in children's lives at school, he said.

"Let's celebrate this Independence Day for the opportunity we have to live in this country," said Osnaya, speaking in Spanish. "Our culture is a culture of immigrants, and this we have to remember today."

Afterward, the congregation sang America the Beautiful.

Again I like the way the PRO-ILLEGALS and Elitist benefitting from the ILLEGALS CHERRY PICK the scriptures in the COMMENT Section of the source article to promote their PRO-ILLEGAL agenda, how about going down a little further into Leviticus:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 94254.html

Leviticus 25
44 “However, you may purchase male and female slaves from among the nations around you. 45 You may also purchase the children of temporary residents who live among you, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, 46 passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat them as slaves, but you must never treat your fellow Israelites this way.

Does this indicate that the PRO-ILLEGAL Elitist believe it is OK for ILLEGALS to be slaves for the ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS, the Chamber of Commerce, The Church, or any other Elitist Political Contributors for our Elitist Politicians? One may think you benefit financially from the CHEAP LABOR of the ILLEGALS.

NO AMENESTY NEVER. ILLEGAL ALIENS COME HERE WITHOUT VISAS OR OVERSTAY. THEREFORE, NO GREEN CARDS FOR THEM. DEPORT THEM. EVEN IF THE BORDER IS SECURED, WE MUST NOT GRANT AMNESTY. DEPORT THEM NOW.

the catholic church is salivating at the prospect of amnesty for untold millions of catholic latin americans. the attitude of the church is scandalous!

I don't know about anybody else, but it highly offends me when they refer to these people as my brothers and sisters. They are not and never will be. They are from an uncivilized world and we have neither the time nor the resourses to spend to civilize them. We are broke. They need to take their sorry asses back to where they came from. Period.

At our church, the priest only mentioned "immigrants" in a tiny part of the closing prayer. I don't even think anyone heard it since they were rummaging for their purses and keys at the time! Most don't even stay for the closing song!!!

They also ignore this part of Leviticus 19:

11 " 'Do not steal.
" 'Do not lie.
" 'Do not deceive one another.

13 " 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.


These preachers and church leaders are like the money changers Jesus threw out of the temple.

Originally Posted by Bowman

They also ignore this part of Leviticus 19:

11 " 'Do not steal.
" 'Do not lie.
" 'Do not deceive one another.

13 " 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.


These preachers and church leaders are like the money changers Jesus threw out of the temple.

And what about:
[quote]Mark 12:17 “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’sâ€