Clinton Attends Church, Hears Sermon on Adultery
BOWLING GREEN, KY. -- Hillary Clinton attended a service at State Street United Methodist Church in Bowling Green this morning that contained a lengthy sermon on the temptations to commit adultery.
The service began as members of the choir rang out "Holy, Holy, Holy" in an echoing symphony on forty golden handbells.
Clinton looked on as a Skip Jenkins, a young father, cradled his daughter Katelyn Elizabeth, who was to be baptized.
"What name shall be given to this child?" asked the pastor, who brought Katelyn down the aisle for the congretation and Senator Clinton to look upon. She smiled, mouth open, as the child was held out before her.
After reciting the Lord's Prayer, Clinton looked at her hymnal as the music offering of "We Shall Behold Him" was played by the congregation's pianist.
The reading was from the book of Matthew.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Pastor Paul Fryman then delivered a sermon about the temptation from thoughts of lust and adultery.
"Have you ever listened to the Devil whispering over your shoulder?" he asked his church members. "I think you have."
Clinton listened as Fryman preached that such thoughts might fly into one's mind like a scattering of birds.
"Too often with those thoughts, we let them create nests in our minds," said Pastor Fryman.
"You will let those birds fly around, but do not let them nest in your mind."
"What do you allow to nest in your mind? Be careful this week."
He then preached about the commitment of marriage, quoting the poet Ruth Harms Calkin.
"Marriage means...two imperfect mates building permanently, giving totally, in partnership with a perfect God."
The sermon and reading had been planned before the church was aware Clinton would be in attendance.
Her husband, former president Bill Clinton, admitted to and apologized during his second term in office for a sexual relationship with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton rose as the service ended and shook hands with members of the church, including baby Katelyn, before she was escorted to the doors by Secret Service.