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Savior Leader Guide: What the Bible Says about the Cross (Savior)
by Magrey deVegaThe cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. But what exactly did Jesus do to save us from our sins? Why was the cross necessary, and what does it mean for us today?In Savior: What the Bible Says About the Cross, Magrey deVega faithfully describes the need for reconciliation between humankind and a holy God through Jesus’ death on the cross. The Bible uses many images to understand the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection, and deVega guides us through these images to achieve a richer understanding of the Christian faith. By exploring the mystery of salvation through the cross, we can deepen our love for God and others and strengthen our commitment to follow JesusThe small group Leader Guide contains session outline for each group meeting with Scripture, prayer, opening activity, discussion questions, activity, and ending call to action.
An Unlikely Advent Leader Guide: Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story
by Rachel BillupsExpect the unexpected this Christmas.This four-week Advent study focuses on the experiences of four sets of often overlooked characters in the Nativity story. During this Advent season, Rachel Billups guides readers through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace by sharing the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. Additional components for the four-week small group study include the book and DVD/Video Sessions featuring Rachel Billups.
Pastor as Counselor: Wise Presence, Sacred Conversation
by John PattonThis very practical book offers no-nonsense instructions for pastors,chaplains, and ministers whose real specialty is the practice ofrelational wisdom. Patton provides a helpful, step-by-step template forpastoral counseling sessions and clear guidelines for understanding whento defer and how to refer—all while remaining faithful to the basicpastoral calling to connect persons seeking help with the relationshipsand resources they need to deal with their lives. "In a societyof specialists, John Patton’s Pastor as Counselor is a bold reminder ofthe healing potential of 'care-full' attending to lost and separatedpersons through the unique relational wisdom of the generalist pastor.This is vintage Patton, written with gentle wisdom and generous counselsummarizing decades of practicing and teaching pastoralcounseling."—Herbert Anderson, Emeritus Professor of Pastoral Theology,Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL, and Faculty in PracticalTheology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA "John Pattonwrote this 'how-to' book for ministers without specialized training inmental health issues. Ministers are good at developing and deepeninghuman relationships, and that is exactly what they need in order tobecome skilled short-term pastoral counselors. Concrete, down-to-earth,and quintessentially practical, this is a book that should be on thesyllabus of every seminary’s introduction to pastoral care andcounseling. It is the fruit of a lifetime of reflection and embodiedrelational wisdom at its best." —Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, CharlotteW. Newcombe Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton TheologicalSeminary, Princeton, NJ "When it comes to counseling, our firstport of call is often the mental health professions. In this book JohnPatton carefully draws out what is special about pastoral counseling.With theological depth and wise practical utility, he offers a clearguide for pastoral counselors as to what it is that gives them theiridentity and what that looks like in practice. This is a wise and deeplypractical book that will inevitably be transformative." —John Swinton,Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies; School of Divinity, History andPhilosophy; University of Aberdeen; Aberdeen, UK "John Pattonhas acquired unparalleled wisdom over decades of providing, supervising,teaching, and writing about pastoral care. This most gifted and deeplyreflective thinker has crafted a primer that will become a classic,spelling out what’s central for those new to the vocation, reminding themore seasoned of what really matters."—Chris R. Schlauch, AssociateProfessor of Pastoral Psychology and Psychology of Religion, BostonUniversity School of Theology, Boston, MA"Patton's book nicely parallels what he asks pastors to do in counseling others. Through a well-developed structure, he offers wise presence, spiritual conversation, and relational wisdom. His book would be a valuable resource in an advanced pastoral care course in a theological school. Similarly, a peer group of pastors would benefit from collective engagement with insights it provides as they assess their pastoral counseling relationships." Kenneth J. McFayden, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Va. (Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology 71(4)
Lie Down in Green Pastures: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #3 (Psalm 23 Mysteries)
by Debbie ViguieEven though they work right next door to each other, Cindy and Jeremiah come from two different worlds. Cindy is a church secretary; Jeremiah is a Reformed rabbi with a mysterious past full of danger and excitement. Together they have faced down a serial killer at Easter and a murderer of homeless people.The two unlikely companions continue to forge a strong friendship as they explore personal history and faith with each passing adventure.This third volume in the Psalm 23 Mysteries series finds Jeremiah and Cindy matching wits with an unscrupulous land developer. In a fast-paced story set around St. Patrick's Day, murder invades an idyllic landscape, challenging them to save hundreds of teens even as they try to discover the source of their unexpected danger.
Immersion Bible Studies: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
by Linda B. HintonJourney inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty (Beautiful Already)
by Barb RooseMost women know that God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn’t care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn’t kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up. Enough Already will: Elevate the soul-freeing, spiritual truth that God is the Creator of beauty and that women are called to appreciate and care for themselves as his own. Enable women to accept God-given beauty so that when they look in the mirror they see his handiwork, not their flaws. Equip women to win the ugly struggle with beauty once and for all.
Breakthrough - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Finding Freedom in Christ (Breakthrough)
by Barb RooseLet go of feeling like you are not a “good enough” Christian and find freedom in Christ by studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians in Breakthrough by Barb Roose.Have you ever felt that being a good Christian means you’ve got to follow a bunch of rules and measure up? If so, you aren’t alone! In this six-week Bible study of Galatians, Barb Roose shows us that even the believers in the early church struggled to let go of rule-keeping and performance in order to embrace God’s free gift of grace. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul pours out his heart and faith to set them straight, addressing so many of the same questions and problems we still face today, such as…- Who has led you to believe you have to follow rules and “measure up”?- Why do you think you have to be perfect for God?- Does God only show up or love you when you “get it right”?If you’ve ever struggled with these questions or felt trapped by rules or religion, this study will provide a path to discover your freedom in Christ.Through this study women will learn to:- Stop trying to measure up and embrace God’s grace- Distinguish between lies and truth- Embrace God’s promise of freedomComponents for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook, a Leader Guide, and video sessions with six 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
Joshua - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Winning the Worry Battle (Joshua)
by Barb RooseBe Victorious Over Worry in Your Life!Have you ever tried to fight worry with faith and felt you were losing the battle? Have comments like “God’s got this!” or “Just pray about it” only left you feeling more burdened? We know we shouldn’t worry, but the reality is that we all do at times. Whether it’s personal worries about loved ones and daily circumstances or broader concerns about what’s happening in the world, we long for something more than platitudes that will help us put real feet to our faith and win the worry battle.In this six-week Bible study on the Book of Joshua, we will join God’s people as they arrive on the edge of the promised land only to find themselves in hostile territory, faced with fear and uncertainty. As we dig into the story of how Joshua and the Israelites claimed God’s promised victory, we’ll discover that winning the worry battle requires more than having faith; it requires learning to fight in faith! Following their bold, courageous footprints, we’ll learn how to fight in faith as we internalize God’s promises, draw strength from God’s faithfulness, act in obedience to God’s commands, and believe what our limitless God can do. Through in-depth study of how God gave the Israelites victory over their enemies and generously blessed them, too, we’ll be equipped with biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools that will enable us to overcome our daily worry struggles as well as the bigger battles of fear that we face.The participant workbook includes 5 lessons for each week with space for recording reflections and answers.Other available components, each available separately, include a Leader Guide and DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions (with closed captioning).
Jesus Apprentice Leader Guide: Doing What Jesus Did
by Jeff KirbyWhen Jesus taught the disciples, his message was simple and clear. In this illuminating study, Jeff Kirby sweeps aside the clutter of our daily lives and takes us to the heart of Jesus’s message. With Jesus as our teacher and mentor, we explore Christian belief through Christian action, following in the footsteps of our Lord. Jesus’s message is explored in four chapters:1. The Day I Met Jesus2. Announcing Good News 3. The Ministry of Healing 4. Praying for Self and Others This Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the Jesus Apprentice Bible study program. It includes session plans and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Holy Contradictions: What's Next for the People Called United Methodists
by Brain K. MilfordHow might United Methodists bear witness to graceful and mutually respectful ways of living in the Wesleyan tradition amid enduring disagreements about same-gender relationships and related church practices?The contributors engage the question by asking themselves:• How do I approach this question in light of my particular social location?• What do I believe is most at stake, most at risk, and most needed at this time in the life of The UMC?• How does my understanding of scripture and our theological task shape how I envision how we might best live into the future?From the Faultlines collection, resources intended to inform conversations around human sexuality and the church.
Sign & Say: 36 Bible Verses for Children
by Daphna FlegalWith illustrations and instructions for hand gestures, Sign & Say Bible Verses for Children is a resource for teaching favorite Bible verses using signs from American Sign Language. The volume features verses from both the Old Testament and the New Testament Children's Deep Blue Common English Bible. This updated resource contains easy-to-understand instructions and clear illustrations, and can be used with children ages 3-12.
American Methodism: A Compact History
by Russell E. Richey Kenneth E. Rowe Jean Miller SchmidtIn this engaging and artful overview, Russell Richey, Kenneth Rowe, and Jean Miller Schmidt, some of Methodism’s most respected teachers, give readers a vivid picture of soulful terrain of the Methodist experience in America. The authors highlight key themes and events that continue to shape the Church. Knowing their history, Methodists are better positioned, prepared, and inspired for faithful witness and holy living.
Voices for Good Friday - eBook [ePub]: Worship Services with Dramatic Monologues Based on the Gospels - Year C
by Amanda BurrThese interpretive, dramatic monologues give voice to selected characters from the Gospel of Luke. Presented in a reproducible, copy-friendly format, the monologues provide a creative way to present Good Friday/Tenebrae services and to tell the story of the passion of Jesus Christ. The monologues can be presented as a collective work or can be used individually as sermon helps, Bible study presentations, and in other creative ways in worship settings. It has a central theme and contains a suggested worship service outline. Dialogue and stage directions allow for easy stage setup, short prep time, and few rehearsals.
The Ministry of Administrative Assistants (CRMG)
by Sue ThompsonThis ministry guide has been written to provide information about how to provide support ministry to the people with whom you work. This guide is also for people who work in many different ministry settings, a church or denominational administrative office, a small or medium size church, a parachurch or missions focused organization, and large churches. It will assist them with how they look at their ministry, and the level of support that is needed for their particular setting.A call to ministry is an important thing to understand for an administrative assistant; your heart and the way you deal with people and tasks are different if you understand your position as a call to ministry rather than a job for a paycheck. If you understand that you represent not just your pastor and your church, but Christ to every person who calls, stops by, e-mails, etc., you approach your tasks and people differently. Working as the assistant to a pastor, or any person in ministry, you have to approach your tasks with an understanding of who you are serving, and you are serving Christ and his people.The position of Administrative Assistant is a vital part of the over-all ministry of your church and the congregation. You are the gate-keeper, bridge-builder, keeper of the “information”, soother of wounded feelings, and the deliverer of unwanted news. You are the person who has your finger on the pulse of your congregation and your community. You are the person people will come to for answers. You will handle thousands of details related to dozens of different projects and commitments for your pastor. You will help make your pastor’s ministry seamless.While all of these descriptions may make your head spin, this is a part of the ministry of being an assistant. You can look at each day as a challenge or an adventure. If you understand your job as a ministry and understand your call to this ministry you are ready for a great adventure. Begin each day with a prayer for wisdom and strength, surrender your mind and will to God, and prepare yourself to work with the heart of a servant.As Christ walks alongside you in your daily life, you will learn to walk along side your pastor and to be a partner in their ministry.
After Christendom: How the Church Is to Behave If Freedom, Justice, and a Christian Nation Are Bad Ideas
by Stanley HauerwasLiberal/conservative and modern/postmodern concepts define contemporary theological debate. Yet what if these categories are grounded in a set of assumptions about what it means to be the church in the world, presuming we must live as though God's existence does not matter? What if our theological discussion distracts us from the fact that the church is no longer able to shape the desires and habits of Christians? Hauerwas wrestles with these and similar questions constructing a theological politics necessary for the church to be the church in the world. In so doing, he challenges liberal notions of justice and freedom.
Following Jesus Leader Guide: Steps to a Passionate Faith
by Carolyn SlaughterFirst produced by Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, this 12-session group is perfect for groups just beginning their faith walk or for anyone looking for a deeper foundation. Following Jesus leads adults to rediscover Jesus, grow in the spirit and learn to live in faith and in service to the church, community and world.The Leader Guide includes guidance in setting up and teaching the entire series with flexible teaching plans, a varity of teaching activities, discussion questions, additional commentary. Includes a fruits of the spirit inventory, membership interview form and other helpful tools.Session topics for the study:Part 1 - Rediscovering JesusJesus the Messiah Unique Characteristics of JesusSavior of the World Our Lord Part 2 - Growing in the SpiritThe Holy SpiritUnderstanding Spiritual Fruit Understanding Spiritual Gifts Sharing the Spirit Part 3 - Living in Faith and ServiceSession Nine: Spiritual Disciplines: Keys to God’s Heart Session Ten: The Church Session Eleven: Understanding God’s CallSession Twelve: God’s Place for You Also available:Following Jesus: Steps to a Passionate Faith (participant book)
Brain-Savvy Leaders: The Science of Significant Ministry
by Charles StoneLeadershipdemands constant reframing and reappraisal of the situation at hand. Itrequires focus, objectivity, honest appraisal of self and others, andevaluation of available resources. An effective Christian church leadermust also align the congregation’s vision and practices with God’svision and the teachings of Christ. Perhaps most importantly, the churchleader must love others.AuthorCharles Stone uses recent neuroscience research to show how basic brainprocesses affect leadership. He writes in layperson’s language, withmemory-boosting illustrations and acronyms, helping readers to increaseproductivity, handle stress, create and sustain healthy teams, andmanage change in the church. Brain science complements and reinforcesChristian teaching on life and leadership; Brain-Savvy Leaders equips readers to use that science as a tool for improvement for life and for the church. Brain-Savvy Leaders is……the best book I have read on the brain science of healthy thinking andeffective leadership. Dr. Stone has done an incredible job of balancingmodern brain science with Biblical truth, making complex ideas simple tounderstand and providing practical tools to enhance mental performance.--Timothy R. Jennings, M.D, FAPA; President, Tennessee PsychiatricAssociation; Vice President, Southern Psychiatric Association; author, The God Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life…an engaging and fun read that's also insightful, informative, andpractical. A valuable resource for spiritual leaders. --Golnaz Tabinia,neuroscientist and assistant professor, Carnegie Mellon University…will help you with emotional regulation, personal productivity, teamcollaboration and change management. It's a winner! --Dan Reiland,Executive Pastor, 12Stone Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia; author, Amplified Leadership…shares helpful tips on how to master leadership in the church. I neededthis book. --Ron Edmondson, Senior Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church,Lexington, Kentucky…can help you take your church to the next level and help you betteralign your leadership with God's desires. It will help you achievegreater focus and design more cohesive and collaborative teams. I highlyrecommend it. --Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., author of You Are Not Your Brain and Brain Lock
Three Simple Rules for Christian Living Leader Guide: A Six-Week Study for Adults
by Rueben P. Job Jeanne Torrence FinleyThis small-group study by Jeanne Torrence Finley is based on Rueben P. Job's book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living. Six sessions provide extended reflection for adults on three principles ofChristian life: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Eachrule has a session to help you understand the rule and a session to helpyou explore ways to practice the rule. The Leader Guide containseverything needed to guide a group through the6-week study, including session plans, discussion questions, and otheruseful information for organizing, leading, and publicizing your studygroup.
Bible Lessons for Youth Spring 2021 Leader: Holy
by Mary Bernard Jacob Fasig Julie Conrady Mike Poteet Jason SansburyThis trust curriculum has been refreshed, while keeping everything you love about the resources. Bible Lessons for Youth is a comprehensive 6-year Bible-to-life curriculum that helps teens apply the Bible to their real-life. Its teacher-friendly format is built around a step-by-step sequence with thought-provoking activities designed to help youth understand Scripture and apply it to their individual experiences.Designed to make teaching Bible Lessons for Youth to your youth easy with each session broken up into small segments. The student book is reproduced as the center piece of each session in the leader guide and is surrounded by the minute-by-minute teaching plans printed in the margin. The instructions are provided for student book activities, discussion questions, illustrative games and short drama skits. Complete Scripture texts are printed in all books. (No need to pause while everyone hunts for the appropriate verse.) At anytime during the quarter you can refer back to the convenient Overview section found at the front of the guide and also take a moment to read the “Teaching Tools” article provided at the back of the guide. Don’t forget to check out the “Out and About” activity that will allow your students to take what they learn in Sunday school outside the classroom, enhancing their faith journey.BeginThe Bible Lessons for Youth format of “Explore,” “Focus,” and “Connect” is an intentional learning approach to help teens FOCUS on the original context, EXPLORE how the passage speaks to their lives, and CONNECT with how to live out God’s Word in their daily lives and in the world.Key VerseTaken from the passage printed in the student book, this verse can be used to emphasize Scripture memorization in your class.Take-AwayThis is the basic point of the lesson and is summed up in a short sentence. It’s the big idea you want your teens to grasp from each week’s session.Bible LessonFor easy access, the Scripture passage your class or group will explore is taken from the Common English Bible, and are coordinated with the Uniform Lesson Series. Contains options for younger and older youth.Spring Theme: HOLY
Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: 1 - 2 Kings (Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries)
by Gina Hens-PiazzaEngages the reader by amplifying the biblical resonances echoing in our own world today by disclosing how God's Word is embodied and made known by those we least expect. The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation, to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves.This study of the Books of Kings unfolds with attention and sensitivity to the immense literary artistry that craft these narratives. While setting forth the literary and theological significance of these traditions concerning the major figures in these canonical books, i.e. Israel's Kings, this commentary consistently trains our attention upon the minor characters also resident in these stories. Fixing upon these individuals as well as the prophets, the exegetical discussion often discloses how God's Word is embodied and made known by those we might least expect. While steadfastly avoiding analogical readings, the theological and ethical exposition skillfully engage the reader by amplifying the resonances in these texts echoing in our own world today. The present volume gives an up-to-date, readable commentary on the books of 1-2 Kings. The commentary covers critical issues section by section while emphasizing the larger theological and literary issues in Kings and illustrating its relevance for modern readers.
Holy Nomad: The Rugged Road to Joy
by Matt LittonWe drown ourselves with monotony, possessions, and obligations. However, from Abraham to Jesus, the essence of faith is found in the idea that we are moving, changing, progressing as a people, and if we are faithful to this process, then we will be moving the world toward the Kingdom of God—living a dynamic faith.Holy Nomad is a deeply motivational call for readers to live a radical, relentless, and raw life of faith. Author Matt Litton explains how and why God wants to liberate so we can live a life of absolute freedom and fulfillment.Holy Nomad calls for readers to divest themselves from all the things that hold us back in order to go on this nomadic adventure, that will challenge us and reward us on this rugged road to joy.
Methodism and American Empire: Reflections on Decolonizing the Church
by David William Scott Filipe Fernandes MaiaLiving into a less colonial way of being together.Methodism and American Empire investigates historical trajectories and theological developments that connect American imperialism since World War II to the Methodist tradition as a global movement. The volume asks: to what extent is United Methodists’ vision of the globe marred by American imperialism? Through historical analyses and theological reflections, this volume chronicles the formation of an understanding of The United Methodist Church since the mid-20th century that is both global and at the same time dominated by American interests and concerns. Methodism and American Empire provides a historical and theological perspective to understand the current context of The United Methodist Church while also raising ecclesiological questions about the impact of imperialism on how Methodists have understood the nature and mission of the church over the last century. Gathering voices and perspectives from around the world, this volume suggests that the project of global Methodism and the tensions one witnesses therein ought to be understood in the context of American imperialism and that such an understanding is critical to the task of continuing to be a global denomination. The volume tells a tale of complex negotiations happening between United Methodists across different national, cultural, and ecclesial contexts and sets up the historical backdrop for the imminent schism of The United Methodist Church.
Ready-to-Go Devotions for Mission and Service
by Mark RayReady-to-Go Devotions for Mission and Service is a toolkit of daily devotionals for youth mission trips. The devotions in this book address every aspect of the mission experience, from leaving home and sleeping on the floor to dealing with language barriers and grumpy teammates. Each devotion includes a relevant Bible story, a commentary that connects that story to the mission experience, and a section that challenges the reader to take specific actions on the trip, back home, or both. The book includes devotions in preparation for, during, and after the mission trip or service project. The ready-to-go format allows the youth worker to quickly assemble a customized devotional journal for participants, matching each day’s selection to what’s likely to happen that day. The devotions could also be used in a group setting, which would allow the youth worker to pick devotions based on what has happened during the trip or event. Either way, the devotions point to the larger biblical and personal significance of mission trip or service project happenings . What if you held a mission trip and nobody changed? It’s a haunting, daunting question, one that youth workers and researchers across America are beginning to ask. Short-term mission trips (STM) have exploded in popularity since the mid-1990s, thanks in part to the Internet, which makes connecting with mission agencies and mission recipients easier than ever. Sociologist Kurt Ver Beek estimates that the number of North American short-term missionaries grew from 125,000 in 1989 to as many as four million in 2003. Many of those short-termers are teenagers. According to Christianity Today, more than two million American teens enter the mission field every year. Pollster George Barna reports that 15 percent of U.S. Christian teens have done a short-term mission trip, while the National Study of Youth and Religion found that 29 percent of all teens had participated in a short-term mission trip or religious service project. Unfortunately, the impact of short-term mission trips may be short-term as well, both for those who go on mission trips and for those who receive mission teams. Ver Beek recently surveyed North Americans who worked in Honduras after a 1998 hurricane, as well as those who were served by them. He found that the North American work teams had "little or no lasting impact" on the communities they served and that missionaries reported only "a small, positive, lasting change" in their own lives. The situation isn’t hopeless, however, according to Robert Priest, associate professor ofmission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. "In research with Ph.D. students at Trinity," he wrote in Christianity Today, "I’ve been impressed that while STM may not always or automatically produce desired results, the right sorts of STM, carried out in the right sorts of ways, and accompanied by the right sorts of reflections, have potential for good." Unfortunately, youth workers don’t always build "the right sorts of reflections" into their mission trips. At best, they allot time in the daily schedule for reflection or debriefing. At worst, they just hope and pray that their students will somehow be transformed by the mission experience. The existing literature isn’t much help. Books on mission-trip planning offer plenty of advice on selecting a mission agency, raising money, coordinating transportation, handling emergencies, entering closed countries, and re-entering the "normal" world, but they offer precious little advice on using the mission experience to impact the participants’ lives. The handful of available mission-focused devotional guides offer some assistance, but they typically take a one-size-fits-all approach. Usually presented as mission journals, these guides assume trips will be a certain length or include certain elements, such as dealing with non-English speakers. Ready-to-Go Devotions for Mission and Service fills the void, offering targeted, topical devotionals that can help
One Surprising Night
by Peg AugustineOne Surprising Night retells the story of Christ’s birth as the fulfillment of a promise God made to his people long ago. Yet, Jesus’ arrival brought – A surprise to Mary & Joseph when an angel announced his coming A surprise to the shepherds tending their flocks A surprise visit from traveling wise men from the east. (Each page opening of One Surprising Night features story segments in both English and Spanish so that more children may be included.)
God's People at Prayer: A Year of Prayers and Responses for Worship
by John R. KillingerSpiritually rich, easy to use prayers and responses for the community at worshipResponsive Prayer for EpiphanyLeader: Today, O God, we remember the wise men who came to see the Christ Child at his birth.People: We remember their gifts and wonder what we ourselves can give.Leader: We think of our time, our talents, and our money. People: But there must be something special each of us can bring.Leader: Perhaps a life of renewed devotion or a special act for someone who needs us.People: Whisper in my heart, O God, the unique gift that is mine to offer.Leader: Help me focus on that gift and present it now as a promise to you.People: Then help me fulfill that promise in the days ahead and know the joy of serving you.All: For you are the Lord of all life, and we worship you by sharing ourselves in the most creative ways we can imagine. Through Christ our Lord. AmenYou will turn to this helpful anthology of original prayers and responses for many worship services throughout the year. The prayers are organized in three sections. Prayers for Holy Days and Seasons includes, for example, Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, and Lent. Prayers for Civic Holidays includes such events as Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day, and Fourth of July. Prayers for Special Days in the Church Year includes prayers for baptism, Bible presentation to children, sending out mission teams, stewardship, graduation, and so on. All the prayers may be reproduced for congregational use. Suggested scripture readings for each special day are also provided.Once again, John Killinger has wordsmithed a masterful collection of prayers. I have already incorporated some of these spirit-filled prayers in Wilshire's worship. This particular collection is one of the best of all the collections I have seen. It is a collection all pastors should have at their fingertips. --Rev. Donald B. Colhour, Senior Minister, Wilshire Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Los Angeles, CaliforniaKillinger's rich pastoral experience in a variety of congregations is evident in these prayers. Reading them opens our eyes to the needs and concerns of all who look to us for spiritual guidance.--Blair Gilmer Meeks, author of Season of Ash and Fire: Prayers and Liturgies for Lent and Easter and Season of Light and Hope: Prayers and Liturgies for Advent and Christmas. John Killinger, who taught Preaching, Worship, and Literature at Vanderbilt Divinity School for fifteen years, has pastored large churches in Virginia and California. He is the author of several books, including Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise and Enter Every Trembling Heart.