goal. >> reporter: their goal and then some. $2.4 million raised in just a few days after pastor rick warrenual plea on the saddleback church website. last week, warren posted a letter saying they were on target for the year, but then last week, the bottom dropped out, what is normally received. plunging the church into the red. warren said he needed $900,000 by year's end. the donations came pouring in over the internet. small amounts, most under 100 bucks. and that's not even counting what came in the mail. warren shared from the pulpit some of the e-mails. >> even though this has been my worst year financially, i still want to help my church. >> reporter: the tough economy taking a toll on churches across the country, even one as popular as saleback, one which has benefited from the book "the purpose driven life." >> a very tough year financially. >> reporter: but warren said 10% of his congregation is out of work. adding that such dire economic times means that more people are in need. he showed where much of the money will go. >> homeless and ministry. >> reporter: ministries that serve

. >>> mega church pastor rick warren got more than double than what he asked for in plea donations. now his church in southern california took in $2.4 million in just three days. on wednesday, he had made an urgent plea for $900,000 to fill a deficit. warren said the recession and a huge drop in offers over the holiday caused that shortfall. warren is the author of the best-seller "the purpose driven life" and he also gave the invocation at president obama's inauguration. >>> okay. we're taking a broader look at church donations as part of our "your views" topic for the day. here is the question. are you confident that your house of faith spends your donations responsibly, and are you satisfied overall with the way religious organization support your community? all right. let's hear what you have to say. charles says this. i think is there could be some funny math going on here. they like to live high on the hog in good times, and now they want him to support his lifestyle? i say let it fail like any other organization that lives beyond their means. felix says this. i'm confident th

. >>> megachurch pastor rick warren got more than double what he asked for in a plea for donations. his church in southern california took in $2.4 million in just three days. on wednesday, he made an urgent plea for $900,000 to fill a deficit. warren said the recession and a huge drop in offerings over the holiday caused that shortfall. warren is the author of the best-seller "the purpose driven life." he also gave the invocation at president obama's inauguration. >>> forecasters say there is more rain coming in an area where storms caused dozens of mudslides. officials say at least 60 people have been killed since rain started pounding southern brazil on wednesday. mudslides buried entire homes and shut down a major highway. rescuers are looking for survivors sometimes digging with their bare hands. and in one case rescuers celebrated when they dug out a toddler whose entire family was killed at home. but the little girl unfortunately died later in the hospital. >>> folks in rhode island broke out the shovels after seven to ten inches of snow fell over new england. most of the rain

we'll tell you what happened when rick warren asked his con agree xwags for some cash. >> and is it cold enough for you? >> man, oh, man. many parts plea zero. >> much of the country. and reynold wolf has been tracking below zero windchills and knee high snowfall to boot. his forecast when we come back. . a cherry tree with chills. code orange. the late night heat wave. code orange. when the fever is high enough to be a code orange, you need children's motrin. medicine with muscle. the brand pediatricians recommend most... to bring high fever down fast... and keep it down for up to 8 hours. the 103 degree after-school surprise. code orange. tell carl he's coming to new york with me. i thought you said carl was our best presentation guy. [ worker ] he is. just last week he told my team about fedex office print online for our presentations. we upload it to fedex office, then they print, bind, and ship it. the presentation looks good, right? yes, but -- wait, you didn't actually bring carl with you. good morning! but i digress. [ male announcer ] we understand. you need presentations done r

get by living in shelters or subsidized apartments or even with relatives. >>> megachurch pastor rick warrenthan double what he asked for in plea donations. now his church in southern california took in $2.4 million in just three days. on wednesday, he made an urgent plea for $900,000. warren said the recession and a huge drop in offerings over the holiday caused that shortfall. warren is the author of "the purpose-driven life" and also gave the invocation at president obama's inauguration. >>> okay. we thought we'd take a broader look at church donations as part of our your views topic of the day. here's the question for you. your confident your house of faith spends your donations responsibly? and are you satisfied overall with the way religious organizations support your community? all right. let's hear what you have to say. why don't we start with eduardo who wrote on our facebook page saying if you donate you fully agree to what the donation is for. be it for clergy or community or church/building use or education. mack had this to say. our job is to give back part of what god entrusts

goal. >> reporter: their goal, and then some. $2.4 million raised in just a few days after pastor rick warren made an unusual plea on the saddleback church website. last week, warren posted a letter saying they were on target for the year. then this last weekend, the bottom dropped out. the weekly offering, less than half of what is normally received. plunging the church into the red. warren said he needed $900,000 by year's end. the donations came pouring in over the internet. small amounts, most under 100 bucks. and that's not even counting what came in the mail. warren shared from the pulpit some of the e-mails. >> even though this has been my worst year financially i still want to help my church. >> reporter: the tough economy is taking a toll on churches across the country. even one as popular as saddleback which has benefited hugely from sales of warren's popular book "the purpose-driven life." >> a very tough year financially. >> reporter: warren said 10% of his congregation is out of work, adding that such dire economic times means even more people in the community are in need. he sho

what happens when those leaders, people like rick warren at saddleback church, people like bill kibellsin willow creek, built these giant congregations- - what happens when they retire, though? what happens to those congregations? it's really hard to step in to a congregation that's already in process. that's something i'm really going to be looking at. >> abernethy: i want to hear, jason, what you have to say, and e.j., each of you, about kind of the state of religious life and of organized religion in this country today. how is it going? is secularism pushing it aside? what's happening? >> it does seem to me that the new atheist books gave a certain permission to people to claim that they are not religious, that you don't have to have the default be, "oh, yeah, i'm a christian, even though i don't do anything. now it can be, no, i'm not religious. and that seems to be more socially okay." of course, being biased, people in religious institutions-- i spend all my time with religious leaders for whom things are very vibrant, right? but i think we shouldn't overlook the fact that there a

a few days ago, rick warren put on an emergency call for donations to his huge saddleback evangelical church, which was about to end the year in the red. warren was asking for $900,000. today, he announced that his church had received at least $2.5 million. >>> one note from overseas tonight, they are finding more bodies in brazil after massive mud slides. at least 75 bodies have been recovered from a vacation resort and a nearby slum outside of rio. the mudslides were a result of heavy rain that started two days before new year's. >>> coming up on "world news" this sunday, an accused mass murderer is caught after five weeks on the run. how a tv show helped break this case. >>> the arizona sweat lodge deaths. was the self-help guru in charge under the influence of steroids? new evidence tonight. >>> and the incredible story of the laid off auto worker who used his bowling skills to engineer a comeback. water can be good for constipation but drinking more and more may not always help. now you can make water work harder with new dulcolax balance. dulcolax balance combines with water and

. >>> rick warren says that donations to his southern california megachurch total $2.4 million.r donations to meet a $900,000 shortfall. >>> in colorado, dogs can travel in style now. a pet boarding facility bought a hearse and dressed it up as a pet traveler. cheaper than a cab. now to j.c. monahan with the weather. >> we're looking at the warm places in the country. we have to go out west. 78 degrees in los angeles. that's about 10 degrees above average. normally you would be about 68. phoenix, 70. minneapolis, 6 degrees. and a storm backing into the northeast coastline. the winds are the big issue there. back-to-work forecast. yeah, the vacations are over. double digits in minneapolis. got to look for the positive side. >> this weather report has been brought to you by kellogg's special k. kate? >>> the consumer product safety commission has just released new rules for manufacturers of baby products. they're meant to get information out to consumers faster and more efficiently. they come after a rash of recalls from last year. here to help us out, the editor in chief of thebu

. >>> an appeal to parishioners for money this past wednesday by noted evangelical pastor rick warren has paid off in a big way. warren asked for $900,000 to cover an expected shortfall. since that request warren says the southern california mega church has received $2.4 million in donations. the pastor says thousands contributed mostly under $100. >>> still ahead, more on the active terror threat that has forced the closure of the u.s. and british embassies in yemen. we'll have the latest on the investigation next. >>> from the stock market to the real estate sector, what you can expect from the economy this year. also, snooky from "jersey shore" takes a shot at a former sponsor and that company is firing back. a look at how the president's hawaiian vacation may have been anything but relaxing since christmas day. you're watching "msnbc sunday." and special care. nobody knows that better than children's tylenol. it works with little bodies... to reduce fevers while easing aches and pains. for over fifty years, pediatricians and parents have trusted... children's tylenol... to care fo

rick warren's plea for donations to fill a $900,000 deficit brought in a whopping $2.4 million. three days later he reached the $2.4 million mark and donations are still coming in. didn't even have to pass the plate. it's 17 past the hour, that's the news. let's send it back over to lester, jenna and >> is cold out there. even with sunny skies it feels like 0. even with sunny skies it feels like 0. we will probably pick up a for 12 years. >>> now here's jenna. >> all right, janice, thanks. we'll be right back with more of "today" right after this. ...kept coming back... ...or that i could help prevent them in the first place. the problem was that my controller medicine... ...was treating only 1 main cause of asthma symptoms. but there are 2. airway constriction. and inflammation. unlike most controllers, advair treats both main causes. advair treats both main causes. and that helps prevent symptoms in the first place. (announcer) advair contains salmeterol. salmeterol may increase the chance of asthma-related death. so advair is not for asthma that's well controlled on another c

rick warren's plea for donations to fill a $900,000 deficit broughtn a whopping $2.4 million. three days later he reached the $2.4 million mark and donations are still coming in. didn't even have to pass the plate. it's 17 past the hour, that's the news. let's send it back over to lester, jenna and janice. >> he's like wait a minute. maybe that's how we get rid of the deficit. >> ron, thanks. janice is back with our national forecast. >> we've alrve already talked a all the cold weather that's in place. now we'll give you a look at your local forecast. northern tier of states will not reach highs out of the single digits. in parts of minnesota and the dakotas, 9 degrees today in bismarck and 3 above in minneapolis. that's your high for today. it will reach 16 degrees in for 12 years. >>> now here's jenna. >> all right, janice, thanks. we'll be right back with more of "today" right after this. ...kept coming back... ...or that i could help prevent them in the first place. the problem was that my controller medicine... ...was treating only 1 main cause of asthma symptoms. but th

rick warren appealed for donations to cover a $900,000 deficit in the budget for his california megaesterday warren announced he has received nearly $2.5 million. warren calls that amazing. now for today's weather. you don't need a calendar to know it's january. frigid air extends over much of the country. snow is expected in the plains around the great lakes and in new england. in the days to come more cold and more snow. but in the southwest it will be warm and sunny. all week long. next, what defines a defining year? >> hello. hi. thank you for reading me. my goodness. look at your beautiful jacket. >> osgood: later actress patricia clarkson from the big easy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >> osgood: many of us may be looking back on 2009 and ex-claiming, what a year! but there's no telling if history will concur. after all the experts are still arguing over the pluses or minuses of the year 1959. that was 50 years ago. jeff green field reports our cover story. >> reporter: the year 2009 is barely in our rear view mirror, but already we know some events this year will continue to loom large. >>

. >>> well, the prayers have been answered for evangelist rick warren.urch in southern california has raised, get this, a whopping $2.4 million just since wednesday. that is more than enough to cover the church's $9,000 deficit and more is expected to roll in. he made his plea nor donations online. >>> the failed bombing attempt christmas day has put our visa application process under a whole lot of scrutiny, but getting permission to come into the united states is still a hot ticket in many countries. >> yeah, sandra endu takes a look at the process of deciding who comes in and who is kept out. >> reporter: foreign entry into the united states, how difficult is it to get an admission ticket to america? citizens in 35 countries don't even need a visa to gain entry as part of the wee sa waiver program that allows them a maximum 90-day stay, but those from other countries, travelers must apply for specific visas. there are temporary visas for tourists, business travelers, short-term employment and students. each visa-type allows a person to stay in america

rick moranis running around outside before he gets eaten by the lion. >> reporter: tavern on the green and weddings go together too. just ask ruth ann warren>> i had a beautiful dress, it was modelled after diana, princess diana, gorgeous white gone, french lace. we had the white horse and carriage here. beautiful memories, you know? >> what does it mean to you? >> it's sad for me to see this -- i didn't believe it when i heard it wouldn't be open any more. it's a landmark of new york, and i can't understand how they couldn't save it. i still think it will always be tavern on the green. >> always be tavern on the green. what a nice sentiment that is. tavern's new operator has yet to sign a contract with the restaurant's landlord which is the city's department of parks and recreation. if it does reopen, expect a new look and maybe a new name. let's hope they work it out. tavern on the green rolls off the tongue. >>> some of your feedback. a lot of you are talking about this jabbaris crittenton story. let's take some of your comments. bravo for pointing out that 50% of marriages end in divorce. miss williams, showdown in the locker room, are

rick moranis running around the outside right before he gets eaten by the lion. >> reporter: and tavern on the green and weddings go together too. ask ruth ann warrenarried here in the 1980s. >> i had a beautiful dress t was modeled after diana, princess diana, gorgeous white gown, french lace, and had a white horse and carriage here. beautiful memories, you know? >> reporter: was whhat does it to you? >> it is sad for know see this -- i didn't believe when i heard it wouldn't be open anymore. it is a landmark of new york. i can't understand how they couldn't save it. i still think that it will always be tavern on the green. >> it will always be tavern on the green. it is iconic. it is a landmark. sad to see it go. hopefully it will open up again, maybe with the same name, maybe with a new one. they're trying to work that out in court. the restaurant shut early yesterday for at least six months. but the future is still very much up in the air. tavern's new operator has yet to sign a contract with the restaurant's landlord which is the city's department of park and recreation. before we move on, some of you had been tweeting about it. someone said y

warren legal scholar at harvard university. he clerked for the late hofpb rabble vincent pwrod rick for the southern district of new york. he became an assistant u.s. attorney in new york and received a promotion to become chief of the narcotics bureau. in the private sector he was an associate with the firm of cramer, levin, nessen and konkel. he's got incredible background. he's chair emeritus of the columbia college black alumni council. currently he is an adjunct professor at the cardozo school of law and at columbia college where he teaches courses on trial practice and a seminar on the supreme court. this is merely judge greeneaway's resume in one way, a distinguished resume to say the least but it does not do justice to the man. there is an inscription over the tenth street entrance to the department of justice. it reads this way. justice in the life and conduct of the state is is possible only as it first resides in the hearts and souls of men. the two qualities of justice do indeed reside in the heart and soul of judge greeneaway, and he deserves a vote. he grew up in harlem in the northeast bronx. he is accompl