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!

Faith Formation

A great resource to subscribe to is an online periodical called "LifeLong Faith" published by John Roberto the same author of "Faith Formation 2020". You can go to http://www.lifelongfaith.com/lifelong-faith-journal.html to download one article without cost. If you like what you read, you can also subscribe to receive this publication on this same page. John Roberto is filled with ideas and energy to help us learn how to better engage our congregations in the Bible, and how build the Body of Christ with faith filled enriched disciples!

Faith Formation

I love to hear what congregations are doing in regarding to Faith Formation.  Some of us are doing lots and some of us are trying to figure out what this actually means. There is a resource that I would suggest that we all read "FaithFormation 2020: Designing the Future of Faith Formation"  (B11381)  by John Roberto  This book will help you understand the new environment in which Christian faith formation operates today and the realization that it requires new thinking, models, practices, resources, and technologies to address the spiritual and religious needs of all ages, families, and generations. 

I not only have read this book twice, but have led a Faith Formation workshop using many of it's models.  I just returned from the Book of Faith Jubilee where John was one of our Plenary speakers and a workshop presenter. He continues to energize me and i continue to learn more about Faith Formation.  

I would love to hear what you are doing, care to share?

Sand Art

Last month on our website I highlighted a resource (B5030) “The Greatest Story: Bible Introduction Sand Stories.”  There is also a Multi-denominational Kit too. This study goes through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and each session is divided into four sections; 1. Telling the Story, 2. Picturing The Story, 3. Singing and Praying the Story, 4. Looking Ahead.

During the time of "Picturing the Story" sand artist Joe Castillo tells the story through his free-flowing sand art, which is awesome!!. If you have never witnessed a story told through sand art, it is a wonderful experience!

Another Resource Center Director, wondered if the sand art video would appeal to children. She showed the sand art DVD to a young boy. He remained absolutely quiet and then all of a sudden he started to jump up and down, tugging on his mom’s pant leg, excitedly shouting, “Mommy! I see God’s hands!” Later the mother shared that this little boy was so excited to share this story with his dad.

We also have another series by Joe Castillo (DV1122=) "SandStory Presents"  which includes 4 DVD's with stories on the Creation, the Passion, the Prodigal, and the Miracle of Christmas.  Consider using this with all ages and discover the story as it is created with sand!  Imagine the faith stories that can take place afterward!! Check out this preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI5mPqJv3Dg

Nature Walk

My church has a group of young adults that have started meeting and today they had a "Discovery Event - 1000 Islands Nature Walk" They opened this event to all members of the congregation and guests who like to be active. They met at the Nature Center in Kaukauna and planned to walk approximately 2- 4 miles all the while observing nature, God's creation. They will gather at the end for reflection. What a great way to share God's message in community and conversation with others and in the environment He created!

Legos and Scripture

Several years ago I held a Rotation Sunday School Workshop and one of presenters demonstrated how legos could be used to teach Bible Stories. It was awesome!! Today we need to find many ways to get our youth to learn and remember these important faith stories told in the Bible. So why not with Legos? The Brick Testament is the largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible in the world with over 3,600 illustrations that retell more than 400 stories from The Bible. Like any other resource, you need to make sure the story and the material provided is appropriate to the age group you are working with.  Check out their website and begin energizing your Bible Teaching with Legos!!  http://www.bricktestament.com/mmaction.html.

Blessings Chain

Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI had a great idea! Instead of focusing on difficult times, they wanted to lift up the Blessings in their lives! People, young and old, wrote down their blessings on strips of paper which were placed on a paper chain. As the chain grew, they did too, in their witness and their faith, they were energized by the many blessings they had. The local newspaper was so intrigued they published an article in their paper. Read and view the pictures of their story by going to: http://www.ecsw.org/mmaction.html.

Remembering Steve

I am saddened to learn that Steve Hall, Steinway Artist, died at the end of March. Steve was my friend and a very gifted pianist. For many years he shared his music and his faith with the people of the East Central Synod of WI in a Fall Concert. We will forever remember Steve, his stories, his humor, his music and his very strong faith in God. Many of you will remember one of his earlier CD's "On Angels Wings" His many CD's can be found in the Resource Center for listening and for sale.