THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY FEBRIARY 2, 2007
SPORTS
7B
PICK'EM Kansan sports staff forecasts this weekend's games
Games
RYAN SCHNEIDER
SPORTS EDITOR
ERIN WILEY
ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
MICHAEL PHILLIPS
MEN'S BASKETBALL REPORTER
MARK DENT
BIG 12 BASKETBALL REPORTER
ERIC JORGENSEN
SPORTS COLUMNIST
TRAVIS ROBINETT
SPORTS COLUMNIST
Texas A&M vs. Kansas
8 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
Kansas State vs. Texas
2:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Ohio State vs.
Michigan State
3 p.m. Saturday, CBS
Virgina Tech vs.
Boston College
Noon, Saturday
Baylor vs. Iowa State
5 p.m. Saturday
>> NFL
Churches use Super Bowl Sunday to reach new people
BY MATT SEDENSKY ASSOCIATED PRESS
feel more at home.
MIAMI — Football's faithful will file into house parties, bars and, of course, Dolphin Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday to observe their holiest of holy days. But they also turn out in force at churches across the country, which are tapping the popularity of sports in hopes of saving souls.
Organizers of church-sponsored Super Bowl gatherings see the events as a departure from the formality of organized religion — the type of events that could make someone who doesn't typically attend services
"It's a way of reaching out into our community in a very informal, low-key way where we show people were regular Joes like they are without the pressure of church," said Pastor Luis Acosta of Pines Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist congregation north of Miami in Pembroke Pines.
Pines Baptist has been holding Super Bowl events for a few years and expects about 300 people, mostly men, at its flag football game and watch party this year. The church drew about 250 people to a block party Jan. 13, which featured NFL-themed games, former Dolphins
players signing autographs and giveaways including a plasma television
Acosta said the church doesn't take a heavy-handed approach to nonbelievers who join in such events. There won't be so much as a prayer at the Super Bowl Sunday event. If a guest enjoys himself, a member might invite him to a church social group meeting, then maybe a Bible study, then perhaps an actual service.
"We just follow God's lead." Acosta said.
Pastor Mike Pierce of the non-denominational Poplar Creek Church in the Chicago suburb of Bartlett,
Ill., takes a similar approach. About 100 people will watch the game on the big screen in the sanctuary. Like other church events — including a carnival, a play and a pig roast — it's meant to simply create a friendly, fun environment, but not an overtly religious one.
"We don't turn everything into a spiritual event," Pierce said. "Good, clean fun is still spiritual."
Many pastors agree, simply trying to make their churches welcoming environments for new guests. Carrollwood Baptist Church in Tampa has been holding a Super Bowl gathering for more than 15
years and attendees have become so comfortable at the event that some bring recliners from home.
"I like it because it's very laud back," said Robert Smith, a 32-year-old Rockford, Ill., resident who has attended Super Bowl parties at Dominion Christian Center. "There's no pressure."
Churches also are aware many people are unwilling to do anything other than watch the game on Super Bowl Sunday.
"We can offer a good event surrounding something the culture uses or we can just hold church and no one's going to come," said Jim Waters.
an associate pastor and minister to students at First Baptist Church in Milton, Fla.
Like many other churches holding Super Bowl events, the Milton congregation will screen "Power to Win". a video featuring Christian NFL stars, during halftime.
Some churches are using the Super Bowl as an opportunity to reach the poor.
A number of Nashville churches will host the homeless, feeding them, washing their clothes, letting them watch the game on big-screen TVs and giving them a bed to sleep in on Super Bowl Sunday.
Experimental Vaccine Study
Johnson County Clin-Trials
HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
If you qualify, you may be able to participate in a 13-month research study to evaluate an experimental botulism vaccine.
Must be:
18-40 Years of Age, Male or Female in good health willing to undergo study-related physical exams, blood and urine laboratory tests, as well as other screening procedures. You will also be asked to visit the clinic a total of 13-14 visits over a period of 13 months
total of 13-14 visits over a period of 15 months If you qualify, your participation will be completely voluntary.
You may be compensated for your time and travel. This study is funded by the Department of Defense for the purpose of bio-defense research.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT
Johnson County Clin-Trials - Casey Johnson DO 15602 College Blvd. Lenexa, Kansas
Phone: (913) 825-4400 . WWW.JCCT.COM
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