Religion

Baha’i Faith
For information, e-mail losalamosla@gmail.com. For general information, call the Baha’i Faith phone at 1-800-228-6483.

Bethlehem Lutheran
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member of the ELCA, 2390 North Road, 662-5151; see a map at www.bethluth.com. Bruce Kuenzel, pastor. Worship services are at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., with coffee and doughnuts served between services during our Education Hour. The preaching is biblical, the music is lively, children are welcome and abundant, and a well-staffed nursery is provided. All are welcome! Come Join the Family!
 
Bryce Ave. Presbyterian

The First United Methodist Church in Los Alamos welcomed a new pastor in June.
Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) E. Trout is a veteran of the United Methodist ministry, having served 32 years in full time ministry in the New Mexico Annual Conference. Trout has served rural and urban, small and large churches throughout New Mexico and West Texas.
He was most recently the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Farmington. Trout is also the chairperson of the Order of Elders for the New Mexico Conference, serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Equipping Disciples Task Force and president of the Board of Directors of UMR Communications (publisher of the United Methodist Reporter).

What is the Orthodox Christian Church? — George P.

Multitudes of names for many differing Christian groups is a relatively recent development within Christianity. The ancient church was one community and thus needed one name — Christian. That one group exists today. The ancient church was founded by Christ and His Apostles and was established on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. The ancient Christians received a lifestyle from Christ, not merely a new moral code; they believed particular things about God and their relationship with Him.

“There seem to be different ideas about what the Bible teaches concerning the environment. What do you think?” — Tim

There are indeed different ideas. Some folks believe that the Earth was given to humans to use as they wish with little regard for conservation or long-term sustainability. They believe that natural resources should be fully utilized, a conviction that has largely driven capitalistic production and trade. This belief, insofar as it looks to the Bible for justification, holds that creation was made for man (Gen. 1 and 2, loosely) and contends that the Earth will one day be destroyed (II Pet. 3:10-12) — there is, therefore, no impediment to expending it.