Tom Jones Goes Gospel

Singer Tom Jones is putting out a gospel-flavored album just weeks after his 70th birthday. Praise & Blame will be released July 27. Jones introduced the album this spring with a version of Bob Dylan's What Good Am I? which was well-received. Jones says, "you could hear a pin drop-which is always a good indication. The single Burning Hell is already being played on U.S. radio stations.

Chaplian Fired over Name of Jesus

An honorary chaplain was removed from his position because he used the name of Jesus in a prayer. Ron Baity is the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He closed a prayer at the state house of representatives by invoking the name of Jesus. House Speaker Joe Hackney took Baity out of the week-long job after a House clerk asked to see a copy of the prayer and saw that Baity intended to mention the name of Jesus.

PCUSA to Consider Same-Sex Marriage - Again

A Presbyterian Church, USA committee is recommending the denomination allow same-sex marriage. Another committee wants the church begin ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians. The church's week-long legislative General Assembly is taking place in Minneapolis where delegates will take up discussion of the recommendations. The committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues voted 34-18 in favor of changing the definition of marriage from a covenant between "a man and a woman" to a covenant between "two people." The regional presbyteries have repeatedly rejected gay-ordination proposals, though the denomination has allowed Presbyterian ministers and churches to bless same-sex relationships since 2000.

25,000 Letters

Members of Chicago's House of Hope church have sent 25,000 letters to U.S. service members serving overseas in honor of Independence Day and the church's 25th anniversary. With some 5,000 people worshiping each Sunday, it took five weeks to reach their goal of 25,000 letters. The number was selected in honor of the mega-church's 25th anniversary. The letters are being sent to U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Video Game Age Restrictions

Video game aficionados might have to enter a credit card or find another way to verify their age before playing a networked game, thanks to a new push from advocacy groups who say they want to protect minors from in-game advertising messages. Not only young children are at risk, but the FTC "should seek ways to provide protections to teens," the coalition recommends. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has claimed that "Grand Theft Auto 3 portrays the brutal murder of women, minorities, the elderly, and police officers." Video games can contribute to "physical and mental-health problems," the American Academy of Pediatrics has warned.