This post originally appeared at revrobschenck.com

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted here in a while.  I’ve been in a sort of self-imposed exile writing feverishly. I am finally doing what so many have asked me do: Put the amazing story of God’s Work in Washington into a book. The result, by God’s grace and help, will be a book that tells the story of how this ministry called Faith and Action came to be.

In connection with three speaking engagements in Florida, I was able to sequester myself for two weeks in the beautiful winter home of two of our most staunch supporters–on Siesta Key along the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast, no less! Don’t be too envious, though–they were two of the coldest weeks on record for otherwise warm and balmy Southwest, Florida! I was glad for it because it kept me inside, doing what I needed to do–exhaustive research and writing.

I hope to have the manuscript done by May and the book released in the fall. Please pray with me. This is not just a memoir of what I or a host of others have done; it’s a record of what God Almighty has wrought, using a few of us as His tools. As I wrote, it proved more than a chronology–it felt like I was producing a chapter in the modern-day Book of Acts!

Oh, I should say you’re as much a part of this story as anyone, so it’s your book as much as mine. Without your prayers, friendship and support, none of it would have happened. Because you’ve been obeident to what God has called you to do, we’ve been enabled to be obedient to what God has called us to do.

I’ll keep you posted on the upcoming “epic” of our pilgrimage together toward God’s purpose here in the nation’s capital.

Blessings,

Rob +

PS Some have already asked what the title will be. I have no idea. If you do, post it here. Who knows?

Faith & Action recently staged the first ever live Christmas Nativity Scene infront of the Supreme Court and across the street from the US Capitol to encourage similar displays around the country. “If we don’t exercise our First Amendment liberties regularly and boldly, we’re bound to lose them,” said Rev. Rob Schenck.

for all photos click here.

Read what LIFE.COM has to say

Read the story at TreeHugger.com here

Zimbio.com has this to say.

Watch as goddiscussion.com covers with live footage!

Recent eyewitness to desert war memorial says federal courts making mountain out of molehill

Rev. Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), who recently visited the controversial Mojave Desert war memorial that’s constitutionality will be considered by the US Supreme Court this Wednesday, Oct 7, will hold a news conference with attorneys and other religious leaders Tuesday, Oct 6, at 11:00 AM.

Rev. Schenck’s organization, Faith and Action, filed a brief in the impending case Salazar vs. Buono, arguing the simple cross along a lonely stretch of desert road comports with the Constitution and reflects long-held American traditions

A federal district court and appeals court ruled against the cross made of common pipes and ordered it covered with a plywood box.

After driving into the desert to see the cross for himself, Rev. Schenck said, “This small, unimposing, humble, almost makeshift tribute to America’s fallen heroes has stood quietly in the desert for 75 years. Because of the complaint of one person, the federal courts have wasted thousands of tax dollars and critical man-hours making a mountain out of a molehill.”

Wednesday’s news conference will take place in front of another contested monument in the garden of the ministry center operated by Faith and Action. Schenck fought a legal battle with the District of Columbia that claimed the 3-foot sculpture of the Ten Commandments violated the so-called “separation of church and state.” Schenck and his group won that contest when the DC Legal Department conceded he had a right under the First Amendment to display the timeless words.

Schenck will also participate in a prayer service in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning just before he goes inside to take his reserved seat for the arguments.

Details:

News Conference on Mojave Desert War Memorial Cross Supreme Court Case (Salazar vs. Buono)

Tuesday, October 6, 11:00 Am

Front garden of Faith and Action Ministry House, 109 2nd St, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Participating: President of National Clergy Council and Faith and Action Rev. Rob Schenck (Amici), Constitutional attorney and author of case brief, Bernard Reese, National Director of Christian Defense Coalition Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney and other religious liberty advocates

Prayer service for Supreme Court justices

Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 AM

Sidewalk in front of West Steps of the US Supreme Court

Participating, National Clergy Council president Rev. Rob Schenck, National Director of Christian Defense Coalition Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney and other religious leaders and First Amendment advocates

For more information or interviews contact Peggy Nienaber of Faith and Action at 202-546-8329, ext 104, peggy@faithandaction.org or mobile 202-236-0953.

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24

by Rev. Rob Schenck

President Obama today issued a statement recognizing the period of repentance, reconciliation and atonement known as Rosh Hashanah, Hebrew for “Head of the Year.” You can read or watch the president’s remarks here.

The holiday begins on the First of the biblical month Tishrei and the year 5770, a New Year, in the the biblical and Jewish sense (Rabbinical scholars calculate the Jewish years from the beginning of Creation.) The Biblical and traditional Jewish calendars have a different set of months from the civil calendar and mark days from sunset to sun-up, rather than the other way around. So, at sundown on Friday, September 18, a new Jewish religious year begins. This is the day when the ram’s horn, or shofar, is sounded in synagogues around the world. It traditionally ushers in a period of reflection and repentance. After ten days pass, called (”Days of Awe”) the most solemn of days on the Jewish calendar is observed, called “Yom Kippur,’ or the Day of Atonement.

Christians should find meaning in these observances as well as Jews because they emphasize the need for repentance from sin and reconciliation with God, the essence of the Gospel. Just as the High priest entered the Holy Place in the ancient Temple to acknowledge the sins of the people and offer sacrifice to secure forgiveness, so Jesus has entered once and for all into the Holy Place, offering Himself as a perpetual sacrifice.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)

We commend the President for calling attention to this important High Holy Day and urge him to call all of us to repentance. Let the Trumpet sound!

L’shana tova–Hebrew for Happy New Year!