Sierra Pacific Syno d  Resource Center

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August 1, 2017


Thank you God for a restful and invigorating summer. As we slowly move into fall, developing study plans for ourselves and our congregations, give us new eyes to see what you have in store for us, open hearts and courage to try something new and different, and please bless our ministries. Give us wisdom to take care of ourselves, to give ourselves needed rest and hydration for a healthy move into the new school year, and bless us in all we do. Amen.

 
Here are a couple of upcoming opportunities from Augsburg  Fortress:

Host a Reformation 500 Bookstore!
The deadline to sign up is AUGUST 15. 
It's free, you get 20 books (some are new!) to keep for free, but you must sign up. 
Here is a link for more information:  Reformation 500 Bookstore
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"By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther's Small Catechism" 
will be released August 15. "By Heart" is a richly illustrated, in-depth exploration of the Small Catechism. It is suitable for group discussion, an adult study or personal enrichment. There is an accompanying facilitator guide and a DVD that highlights the book for use in a 7-session course. 
Pre-order today, quantity discounts available when ordering 6 or more.
For more information or to pre-order, please click here:  By Heart 
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REMEMBER to order your fall study materials soon, fall is coming, ready or not!

For your Children's Ministry we have Spark, Holy Moly, Connect, and the entire WHIRL program available for check-out. It is a great way to try something new, borrowing from your Synod Resource center!


Here are some recommended adult study materials, 
if you are looking for something a little different.

"Fierce: Women of the Bible and Their Stories of Violence, Mercy, Bravery, Wisdom, Sex, and Salvation," by Alice Connor.

Women in the Bible aren't shy or retiring; they're fierce, funny, demanding, and relevant to the 21st-century people. Click here for more information, including a downloadable free reading guide, and a short video trailer.
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"Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing," 2nd Edition, by Dennis A. Jacobsen.

Doing Justice introduces people of faith to congregation-based community organizing rooted in the day-to-day struggles and hopes of urban ministry. Dennis, A. Jacobsen weaves theological and biblical warrants for community organizing into concrete strategies for achieving justice in the public arena and discusses fundamental organizing principles like power, self-interest, and agitation. This second, updated edition includes a new preface and forewords, new sidebars by Grant Stevensen that draw the reader into conversation, an expanded list for further reading, and updated contact information on organizing networks and relevant websites.


A resource for you, for Reformation 500, comes from one of our congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod!

****A member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Modesto, Mike Clarke, ****
 was featured in the Living Lutheran online. The event: an original play, 
You Were There-The Reformation, performed as a 1940s radio broadcast.

Send me an email if you would like to learn more about obtaining a copy of Michael Clarke's script(s) for personal, group, and/or congregational use: [email protected]

And a word from Traveling Luther..... 
(Share your pics with us on Facebook or email a copy to [email protected])

Bobblehead Luther met up with Traveling Luther and they agree with Bishop Eaton,
"Working hard doesn't make God love us more." Living Lutheran, August 2017, page 50.

Photo courtesy of Pastor Scott at Holy Cross Lutheran, Reno.

To order your own copies of Traveling Martin Luther for yourself or your congregation, click here. Let the fun begin!  (Let's give Flat Stanley a challenge!) Have members take Traveling Luther on vacation, take a picture and post it on our Facebook page: resource center for the sierra pacific synod - elca.

  
Luther's Small Catechism pamphlets are still available for you.
                                                                                                                                          
We purchase these for y
ou and your congregations. 
With Reformation 500 just around the corner, starting LESS THAN 3  MONTHS  AWAY,  this is a great time to have a class on  Luther's Small Catechism.  We'll supply you with Luther's words! 
Just ask, via email at [email protected]
  
To date  we have sent out over 3,000 Small Catechism pamphlets  to our Synod congregations!  Join the excitement, as our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, suggested by  "dusting off the catechism and taking another look at the basics of our faith." 

And, if you want to go beyond our free offering,  Augsburg Fortress now offers Luther's Small Catechism, Study Edition and an enlarged print edition.

A translation of Luther's explanation along with other study helps such as prayers, worship rites and Luther's introduction. This edition uses the NRSV and the  Evangelical Lutheran Worship texts for the wording of the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, and the included worship rItes. This anniversary study edition includes a letter from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, a revised introduction by Timothy Wengert and features new illustrations by artist Gertrud Mueller Nelson. 

***And don't forget***

 You can download the FREE "Luther's Small Catechism" App on your iphone and android devices. 
It comes in BOTH English and Spanish! Get this on your smart phone! 

 
We appreciate your calls and e-mails about resources!

The Resource Center is your lending library! You are helping us to do a better job when you recommend the specific resources you are looking for.  Keep telling us what you want, at [email protected]   This is how we know what to purchase.

  
Please note that the  Synod Resour ce Center of the Sierra Pacific Synod  is eligible to receive  your Choice Dollars from  Thrivent Financial. 
We are sincerely grateful to Thrivent Financial and those individuals who designate their Choice Dollars to us for the support of the Synod Resource Center. THANK YOU! 
For more information  email Janet  or contact your Thrivent Representative.
  
  
Synod Resource Center hours for August and September:

PLEASE NOTE the Synod Resource Center will be closed on Monday, September 4th, Friday, September 10, and from September 22-30th.

Monday - 3pm-5pm (Closed Sept. 4 and 25)
Tuesdays - 8:30am-10:30am (Closed Sept. 26)
Fridays - 8:30am-10:30am (Closed Sept. 10 and 29)
 
Additional hours are available by appointment, please contact me. You can always reach me by email: [email protected]

To order materials through our website, 
please visit us at:   www.resourcecenterspselca.org. 
Click "Resources" and then click "Request Manager for the SPS Resource Center." You will then be on our online catalog page!
Let me know if you have any questions or problems. Blessings! 
 

J anet Lane, 
Synod Resource Center Director
Call 559-345-2725 (ext 120 if asked) and leave a message,  or send an email:  [email protected]

This is your Synod Resource Center; 
                              I am happy to serve you.