Religion

Catholics voice concerns about birth control mandate

BY GABRIELLA LOPEZ

A federal mandate requiring non-profit employers, including some with religious affiliations, to provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan is causing concerns among Catholics both locally and across the country.“Our religious...... Full story

Diocese: Andrews priest took money from church

ODESSA AMERICAN

The bishop of the San Angelo Catholic Diocese has alerted parishioners in an Andrews church that a priest had been taking church funds for personal use.In a letter written on Jan. 16 to the parishioners of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Andrews,...... Full story

Author and columnist Missy Buchanan speaks to senior Odessans during two lecture sessions Tuesday at First United Methodist Church.

Author speaks on aging, faith

PHOTO BY HEATHER LEIPHART

Author and columnist Missy Buchanan speaks to senior Odessans during two lecture sessions Tuesday at First United Methodist Church. "How do you want to be remembered?" she asked during her lecture titled, "Shaping your legacy: how the choices you...... Full story

Switchfoot confirmed for Rock the Desert

ODESSA AMERICAN

Rock the Desert officials confirmed via Twitter Monday that Switchfoot will join Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow in an event April 22 at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland.Tebow will speak at the free event, while Switchfoot and an...... Full story

CHURCH NEWS: Feb. 4, 2012

oalife@oaoa.com

EVENTS Odessa Aglow Lighthouse has scheduled Yolanda Fish to share God’s faithfulness at 2 p.m. today at Full Gospel Covenant Church, 7500 W. 10th St. Odessa Aglow meets the first Saturday of each month and they no longer have meetings on...... Full story

MUELLER: The miracle of grace in the life of Mary from Magdala

By Michael Mueller

“After Jesus came back to life early on Sunday, He appeared first to Mary from Magdala, from whom He had forced out seven demons” Mark 16:9.If it is frightening to contemplate being possessed by a demon, it is much more dreadful to be a...... Full story

NUGGETS: God uses seven spirits

Jannie Linney

And there shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse. And a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might the spirit of knowledge and of the...... Full story

From left, Alix Batte, 17, watches NFL blooper footage with her sister, Abby Batte, 14, Lauren Lossin, 16, Joseph Rodriguez, 15, and the rest of the Grace Christian Fellowship youth ministry attendees Wednesday night . Dr. Les Christie, a veteran youth worker, is scheduled to give a seminar entitled

Church offers seminar to parents of teens

BY LYXAN TOLEDANES

If there’s ever been a phrase more uttered by the teenage population, it’s that “parents just don’t understand.”It seems to happen with every generation – teens start to move away from depending on their parents,...... Full story

Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow kneels on the sidelines before the NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011.

Rock the Desert: Tebow to come to April 22 event

OA LIFE

Rock the Desert confirmed on its twitter feed that Tim Tebow is coming for an event April 22.Are you excited? Rock the Desert festival officials have announced on Twitter that they are in the process of booking Denver Broncos quarterback Tim...... Full story

NUGGETS: 'Spending' isn't just about buying things

By Jannie Linney

When we think of spending, our mind automatically goes to money. When we spend, we no longer have what we spent. We only have the commodity we purchased with the thing we spent. Yes, we spend money but there are many things we spend other than...... Full story

GUEST COLUMN: Jesus provides the gifts that he promises us

By Michael Mueller

After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly (Acts 4:23-33). What if Jesus didn’t work? What if His words and promises fell through? What...... Full story

From left, the Rev. Johnny Touchstone of Vine Baptist, the Rev. Quincy Randall of New Dimensions Worship Center and the Rev. Brian Serrano of Terrace Hills Baptist Church are planning on participating in the New Dimensions Worship Center's Gospel Bowl.

Pastors to gather for nondenominational worship

BY LYXAN TOLEDANES

On the surface, church and football don’t seem to have many things in common. However, while one activity is mainly meditative and the other is based on physical strength, both have the ability to bring people together. As football’s...... Full story

CHURCH NEWS: Jan. 28, 2012

oalife@oaoa.com

EVENTS Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church, 1615 E. Murphy St., has scheduled a Christian Leadership Conference from 9 a.m. to noon today and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. There will be preaching nightly with Jerome Kirby of Mt. Mariah Baptist...... Full story

Downtown Church to host free showing of 'Courageous'

OA LIFE

Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ in Odessa will host a free showing of the popular film “Courageous” 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in the church auditorium, 301 E. Sixth St. The church purchased the licensing agreement to offer a public viewing of...... Full story

CHURCH NEWS: Jan. 21, 2011

oalife@oaoa.com

EVENTS SAN ANGELO Michael Pfeifer, bishop of the San Angelo Catholic Diocese, is requesting all priests pray a Mass for the unborn and asking God to end abortion and he has also scheduled the following visits to mark the 39th anniversary of Roe...... Full story