Advent in 2 Minutes

Are you spending time helping understand why we celebrate Advent?   Here is quick wait to help people discover what Advent is Advent in 2 Minutes

Advent in 2 Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA

Faith in a Pluralistic Society

In 2010, I had the pleasure of hearing Eboo Patel speak a the ELCA Communications Conference in Chicago. I was so taken with the message that Eboo brought to us about his life as an American Muslim that I read his book "Acts of Faith". I recommend this book for all people to read, but especially for those involved with youth.  Not only is it Eboo's story, but it is filled with discovery and hope. Hope in the power and passion of our youth and with the interfaith youth movement that Eboo founded.  It is a wonderful testimony to what can happen when different religions can live side by side in peace! 

Courageous

If you have not heard about the movie opening at theaters September 30th, you need to check out "Courageous"  It is a movie about hopes, fears, faith, and parenthood, about getting dad's growing closer to God and their children!  This christian -based family movie is supposed to be excellent!  If anyone goes to see it please post your reviews here.  You can go to here to learn more http://www.courageousthemovie.com/themovie

The Greatest Story: Jesus

Augsburg Fortress has produced another wonderful Bible Study that uses the artistic ability of Joe Castillo to help your group truly picture the story, through sand art before discussion.  This 16 session Bible Study is a journey through Jesus life. The following sessions: Who is this Jesus; God is with Us; This is my Son; Fulfilled in your Hearing; Follow Me; Who then is This: Who Touched Me; Let the Forgiven Forgive; Blessed are You; The Kingdom is Like….; Lost and Found; I Am; Entering Jerusalem; Broken for You; Crucify Him; and  A Sunday Surprise will engage you in His word and help you to find your story in His.

It is awesome study you will need to see. If you have already done "The Greatest Story" you will want to do this one next!

Spark Sunday School Page on Facebook

For those congregations using Spark Sunday School, did you know you there is a Facebook Page for Spark?  It is an awesome page filled with ideas, comments by Augsburg and other congregations. If you have a Facebook account check out "Spark Sunday School" for new information and exciting new ideas shared. Best of all you can network with other congregations who are using the same program.

Prayer - The Power of It

Prayer is such a powerful tool and it is so simple yet so many people are afraid of it.  People feel they need the right words, they need to be closer to God, they need formal training etc.,  As congregations we need to provide opportunities for people to experience prayer. We need to help people understand that prayer is a time of conversation with God.  It is a time to thank God for what he has provided you, provided to others, it is a time to pour your heart out, your fears, and wait for God to direct and guide you to peace.  It is a time to ask God for something, all the while knowing that His answer might not be the one you wanted. It is trusting that God might challenge you, call you, move you out of your comfort zones to be the person He knows you can be.

The time has come for us, as congregations, to help our members become comfortable in prayer.  At the Synod Assembly we created Prayer Stations to help you 'experience' prayer. I am pleased to see congregations borrowing the stations so their members have the opportunity for prayer.  We have many tools to help you immerse your ministries, your members in prayer so give us a call soon.  It is time to discover the Power of Prayer!

The Green Lanterns of Faith

Last night my husband and I took our grandson to see "The Green Lantern" in 3D.  What an experience that was.  The 3D was awesome, but so was the movie.  When the end came and the fight against evil ended, the message that was sent was clear. That if you stay true to yourself, your light, will, and spirit will win and evil will be defeated.  To stay true takes courage, courage to believe in something not seen.  I kept thinking about our faith. We, like the Green Lantern, need to shine our light into to world. We need to fight evil with courage and love, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in all we say and do.  Our faith is something we can't see, but knowing that God, 3 in one, is walking with us every step, gives us the courage to stay the course, fighting off evil along the way. Wow, it was a great night!