|
Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center
 
November 2014
|
|
www.resourcecenterspselca.org
ADVENT MUSIC PLANNING - with Prelude Music Planner
From Augsburg. In this 30-minute webinar, you learn how quick and easy "Prelude Music Planner" makes your Advent music planning. Could be especially helpful to new users of "Prelude." Two opportunities coming up: Mon., Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m PST, Fri., Nov. 21, 10:00 a.m. PST. Go to augsburgfortress.org, bottom of first page to contacts and click webinars to sign up. Free. You may also check out Augsburg/Fortress for new piano and organ collections for fall, Advent, and Christmas.
ANOTHER INTERESTING NEW WEBINAR
also from Augsburg
"Using Video to Engage Kids-Adults"
Explore best practices for using video in faith formation settings including: Instructional vs. Non-Instructional Video; Selecting Video that Supports Learning; and Pre-Viewing, Within Viewing, and Post-Viewing. This is offered Wed., Nov. 19th, 8:30 a.m. PST.
(augsburgfortress.org, bottom of page to contacts, then click webinars to sign up. Free.
LOOKING FOR SOME ADVENT IDEAS?
We have a number of Advent books, pamphlets, how-to ideas, crafts. Take a look at our online catalog and explore, www.resourcecenterspselca.org, or contact us at rspselca@pacbell.net.
HOW ABOUT A SIMPLE FAMILY DEVOTIONAL TIME?
HOW ABOUT A FAMILY PROJECT?
HOW ABOUT AN ADVENT WREATH?
HOW ABOUT SOME SPECIAL FOODS?
....How about adopting an ELCA Good Gifts project?
....Tell a story to the children each Sunday relating to the concept of "waiting" or "hope."
....Use the hymn "Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness" and call up images of rejoicing
as elements of worship.
....Provide a time and place of solace for those who have lost loved ones or are living with life-altering circumstances, by offering a service of "longing and hope" near winter Solstice.
....Include a quiet time of "centering prayer" during Advent worship services.
----------
We recently shared a new book, "Autopsy of a Deceased Church."
Its author, Thom Rainer, says this about
"The #1 Reason for Decline in Church Attendance."
"Few people will argue that church attendance in many churches in America is declining. Our own research indicates that the majority of churches in our country are not growing. Most of us have ideas about this development. Many suggest that our nation is shifting away from its Christian roots. Thus, churches are declining as a smaller proportion of our country follows Christ. I will not argue with that premise. Certainly attendance declines are related to massive cultural shifts in our nation. But I would also suggest that one reason for declines has a greater impact than others:
"The frequency issue.
"Stated simply, the number one reason for the decline in attendance is that members attend with less frequency than they did just a few years ago. This matters -- a lot.
"If the frequency of attendance changes, then attendance will response accordingly. For example, if 200 members attend every week, average attendance is 200. But if one-half of those members miss one out of four Sundays, the attendance drops to 175. Did you catch that? No members left the church. Everyone is still relatively active. But attendance declined more than 12% because half of the members slightly changed their pattern. This phenomenon can take place rather quickly, leaving leaders scratching their heads because the behavioral change is so slight it is almost imperceptible. We rarely notice when someone who attends four times a month fades to three times. Nor do we typically catch it when the twice-a-month attendee becomes a once-a-month attendee.
"Of course, the heart of the problem is not declining numbers but waning commitment. Membership is becoming less and less meaningful in many churches. When this happens, commitment wanes."
Other books on this topic at the Resource Center:
"I Am A Church Member" - Thom Rainer
"Authentic Congregations" by William H. Hopper, Jr.
"Mission Under Scrutiny" (confronting contemporary challenges) - J.Andrew Kirk
"Who is the Church?" - Cheryl M. Peterson
"Living Lutheran - Renewing your Congregation" - Dave Daubert
"Why Nobody Wants to Go To Church Anymore" - Thom & Joani Schultz
"Reclaiming the 'C' Word - Daring to be Church Again" - Kelly A. Fryer
|
|
We appreciate your calls and e-mails about resources!
Our office hours in the coming weeks....
Nov. 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25 Dec. 3, 4, 5
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or by appointment - 559 345-2725 Note from Margie Back: My term as Interim Director of the Resource Center will be ending December 31st. It has been a challenging and enjoyable experience. The job description and financial arrangements for a new director are being worked out, but if you have an interest in this position or know someone who might, please make contact with Ed Nelson, Synod Council Liaison, ednelson@csufresno.edu.
|
In honor of Martin Luther's Birthday:
"This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness,
Not health, but healing,
Not being, but becoming,
Not rest, but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it,
The process is not yet finished, but is going on.
This is not the end, but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified."
--Luther's Works, vol. 32
We have in the Resource Center words and music to a delightful composition entitled
"The Reformation Polka" sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistric-expialidocious." Ask for it.
|
t
Luther's Small Catechism - pocket size
Our offer still stands! We are pleased to support Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton's
call to "dust off our Small Catechisms and take another look at the basics of our faith."
We have sent out somewhere nearing 900 copies of the Small Catechism over the past few months, and are happy to keep sending them out, either to individuals or to groups in your congregation.
No cost to you.
(We also have copies of Channing L. Bete Co.'s pamphlets: "About Being a Lutheran," "About the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper," "About the Sacrament of Baptism," and "What it Means to be a Lutheran." which you can check out. Have you read "The Lutheran Handbook"?)
Just send us an email: rspselca@pacbell.net
|
|
 Margie Back, Interim Director 559 345-2725 If you reach the synod office, ext. 120 This is YOUR Resource Center; YOUR lending library! Never used the Resource Center? You are missing out!
|
|
|
Call us or email us today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
