Sierra Pacific Syno d Resource Center

December 7, 2018

Have a blessed Advent season, and a Merry Christmas!

When you sing the popular Christmas carol, "Silent Night" this year, think about this:

"Silent Night" initially debuted as a musical piece on December 24,1818, with words by Joseph Mohr, a priest, and music by Franz Xaver Gruber, in Oberndorf, Austria.

Please take a moment to take in the lyrics, penned in 1816.

Silent night, holy night! A ll is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born, Christ, the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love's pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face. With the dawn of redeeming grace.

Jesus, Lord, at the birth. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Happy Birthday Jesus, Happy Birthday "Silent Night."

Peace everyone.

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CHECK OUT THESE NEW RESOURCES

Surviving the Bible: A Devotional for the Church Year 2019

Resuscitate your relationship with the Bible.

Using the annual lectionary as a guide, this 2019 devotional allows readers to read and finally understand the Bible in plain English. Christian Piatt has put together a devotional, that allows us to read major parts of the Old and New Testaments. Every week has four scripture readings, glossary terms, deeper thoughts, and a closing prayer.

Start anywhere. Set it down and come back to it. Use it as an in-depth study or a daily devotional. There's no wrong to use Surviving the Bible. Engage ancient texts in new ways that make sense, here and now, maybe for the first time.

You can check this out from the Resource Center,

or order your own copy from Augsburg Fortress.

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Interested in doing the work to make 2019 a year of health and wellness? Augsburg Fortress has some great resources for you!

Books for Healing

Augsburg Fortress new has a series of Books for Healing, books to help you, your congregation and loved ones cope with grief and loss, manage stress, and navigate life's difficult situations. Click on the title for more information and to order the book directly from Augsburg Fortress. If you prefer to borrow a copy, just email me and I will send you a copy when it is available.

True Connection offers the reader to learn how to repair conflict, move from disconnection to re-connection, and discover God's movement in our life and relationships.

Waiting for Good News is organized around seven questions that those who face serious illness often ask, readers will find tools, tips, ideas and resources for reflection and for obtaining additional support.

Dignity and Grace

offers help to those with impaired memories and their caregivers as they learn to listen to each other.

Jobs Lost, Faith Found helps readers discover a sense of worth and purpose on their way to a new job.

They Don't Come with Instructions offers the reader ways to find companionship and insights for the journey with a developmentally challenged child.

Nurturing Hope offers tips for readers who are training others in pastoral care or developing their own understanding and skills.

Limping But Blessed. After the unexpected, accidental death of his own three-year-old son, Jason Jones went on a long, painful journey searching for answers and hope to keep holding on.

Cancer is Funny. A no-holds-barred, irreverent-yet-faithful take on a disease that touches every family and teaches us all how to stay human in dehumanizing situations.

Good Grief, a classic that offers valuable insights on the emotional and physical responses persons may experience during the natural process of grieving.

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Martin Luther's Christmas Book"

This inspiring collection contains thirty excerpts from Martin Luther's Christmas sermons. In his unique and powerful voice, Luther portrays the human reality of God's birth on earth - Mary's distress at giving birth with no midwife or water, Joseph's misgivings, the Wise Men's perplexity, Herod's cunning. And throughout these sermon-meditations, Martin Luther reminds us that keeping Christmas is a year-round mission of caring for those in need.

Nine elegant illustrations by Luther's contemporaries - including four by noted engraver Albrecht Durer-capture timeless scenes from the Christmas story. And two of Luther's beautiful Christmas carols are included on the final pages of the book.

Renowned Reformation scholar Roland Bainton wrote the introduction, as well as translated and arranged this collection of Luther's sermons. Bainton was a professor of church history at Yale Divinity School and the author of numerous books,including

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

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For th e young and curious reader, we have the award winning

The Birth of Jesus, A Christmas Pop-up Book.

Please email Janet if you are interested in borrowing any of these resources, most are brand new to your Synod Resource Center.

Reformation 501

And an Advent word from Traveling Luther.....

The angel said to them, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day a savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10)

Image result for free nativity scene clip art

"As is here declared by the angel in theses words, you clearly see that he is born for US. He does not simply say, Christ is born, but to YOU he is born. Neither does he say, I bring glad tidings, but to YOU I bring glad tidings of great joy. Furthermore, this joy was not to remain in Christ, but it shall be too ALL the people."

From Advent Meditation: To You Christ is Born, Martin Luther.

The simplicity of the Gospel.....

Thanks be to God!

Luther's Small Catechism pamphlets are available for you.

We purchase these for you and your congregations.

With 2017-2018 being the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, 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 3,300 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.

Please click and order it right here from Augsburg Fortress.

***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:

PLEASE NOTE the Synod Resource Center will be closed on December 24th, 25th and 31st, and January 1st, 7th, 8th and 11th.

Monday - 3pm-5pm (Closed Dec. 24, 31, and Jan. 7)

Tuesdays - 8:30am-11:00am (Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 and 8)

Fridays - 8:30am-11:00am (Closed Jan. 11)

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.