Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center

December 15, 2015

The Synod Resource Center wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Let's do all we can to shine the Light of Christ into our world each day of 2016.

We can change the world, one smile at a time.

Here is a Christmas Prayer titled In Violence and Travail by Walter Brueggemann.

We give you thanks for the babe born in violence.

We give you thanks for the miracle of Bethlehem born into the Jerusalem heritage.

We do not understand why the innocents must be slaughtered;

we know that your kingdom comes in violence and travail.

Our time would be a good time for your kingdom to come,

because we have had enough of violence and travail.

So we wait with eager longing, and with enormous fear,

because your promises do not coincide with our favorite injustices.

We pray for the coming of your kingdom on earth as it is around your heavenly throne.

We are a people grown weary of waiting.

We dwell in the midst of cynical people, and we have settled for what we can control.

We do know that you hold the initiative for our lives,

that your love planned our salvation before we saw the light of day.

And so we wait for your coming,

in your vulnerable baby to whom all things are made new.

Amen

Your Synod Resource Center now has a masterful three-volume
biography of Martin Luther.

The first volume, "Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation, 1483-1521."
The second volume, "Martin Luther: Shaping and Defining the Reformation, 1521-1532."

The third volume. "Martin Luther: The Preservation of the Church, 1532-1546."

Send me an email if you'd like to read one of these incredible books! Click here to Email Janet your request.
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We also have some great Lenten studies from Augsburg Fortress. (Plan early, Lent begins February 10th) There are 5 options available from the Augsburg Fortress series:

*Seven Wonders of the Word, by Kathryn A. Kleinhans
*40 Days with the Lord's Prayer, by Henry F. French
*Water Marks, by Diane L. Jacobson
*Marks of the Christian, by David L. Miller
*Beyond Question, by Eric Burtness

Send me an email if you would like to check any of these out, for personal, group, or congregational use: rspselca@pacbell.net

We continue to keep a good supply of Luther's Small Catechism pamphlets on hand.

We purchase these for you and your congregations.

With Reformation 500 approaching, 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 rspsecla@pacbell.net

To date we have sent out over 1,400 Small Catechism pamphlets.

Join the excitement, as our Presiding, Elizabeth Eaton, suggested

by "dusting off the catechism and taking another look at the basics of our faith.

Some Martin Luther quotes to ponder:

"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say."

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all;
but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

"The fewer the words, the better the prayer."

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 and others are looking for.

Keep telling us what you want, at rspselca@pacbell.net

This is how we know what to purchase.

Please note that the Synod Resource 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.

For more information email Janet or contact your Thrivent Representative.

Our hours for December and January:

**We will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, AND January 1-8)**

Mondays - 3pm-5pm (Dec. 21, 8am-10am and Closed January 4)

Tuesdays - 8:30am-10:30am (Closed January 5)
We are closed on Wednesdays

Thursdays - 8:30am-10:30am (Closed Dec. 24, 31 and January 7)

AND: Thursday, January 28, only open 11:30am-1:30pm

Fridays - 9:30am-11:30am (Closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1 and 8)

Other hours are available by appointment, please contact me. You can reach me by email: rspselca@pacbell.net

To order materials through our website, please visit 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!

Janet Lane, Synod Resource Center Director

Call 559-345-2725 (ext 120 if asked)

or send an Email rspselca@pacbell.net

This is your Synod Resource Center;

I am happy to serve you.

Shhhhh....I will be on a Silent Retreat, January 3-10, and unavailable by phone or internet. I'll be in touch when I return. Peace!