Sierra Pacific Synod Resource Center


 
April 12, 2016

He is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Have you noticed that Jesus really is alive and active in our world, today? He is, and I challenge you to take notice! If we don't bear witness to Him, who will? I was at Trader Joe's the other day and was in line to pay. The cashier asked the person in line ahead of me, "How was your day?" and the person responded, "Terrible. I was in the hospital all day, and just found out I have cancer." The cashier stopped and said, "I am sorry." But that wasn't enough for that 20 something year old cashier. He tapped a co-worker to bag up the groceries and ran over to the flowers, digging through them to find the right ones, came back, handed them to the person and said, "Here, I want you to know that you matter." He was Jesus to the person. The risen Jesus!!!!!!! Not me, I didn't even think to go and get her flowers, but Jesus did, through the heart and soul of a young cashier. Jesus IS alive. He IS risen. Please share your stories with others. Bear witness to our Savior who is very busy in this world we are journeying in these days. 

He IS risen!
He IS risen INDEED!

A Prayer of Illumination, by Walter Brueggemann

Truth-telling, wind-blowing, life-giving spirit:
we present ourselves now
for our instruction and guidance;
breathe your truth among us,
breathe your truth of deep Friday loss,
your truth of awesome Sunday joy.

Breathe your story of death and life
that our story may be submitted to your will for life.
We pray in the name of Jesus risen to new life -
and him crucified.  Amen.

from Prayers for a Privileged People

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What is new and thought provoking at the Resource Center??

We now have a copy of Volumes 1 and 2 of the new Annotated Luther, published by Fortress Press. This is a brand new 6 volume series, and only the first 2 volumes are in print at this point, and we have them!
 
Volume 1: "The Roots of Freedom" contains many of the writings that defined the roots of reform set in motion by Martin Luther, from the Ninety-Five Theses through The Freedom of a Christian. Included are a variety of compositions produced between 1517 and 1520 that reveal Luther's pastoral and theological commitments, his earliest confrontations with Rome, and his defense of views that led to his excommunication.

Volume 2: "Word and Faith" contains a number of the writings categorized under the theme Word and Faith. Luther was particularly focused on what the word "does" in order to create and sustain faith. In the treatises in this volume we hear Luther's understanding of Scripture and theology as he continues his growth as teaching theologian, pastor, Biblical exegete and apologist for the faith.


Don't miss out on reading these amazing collections of writings! 
To read them, contact Janet and request The Annotated Luther. 
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Still looking for some ideas for your VBS this summer?

VBS resources are 'out there' and in here, at your Resource Center!
It IS time to begin considering and planning for his summer's VBS!

The Resource Center can help you in many ways.
We carry lots and lots of old VBS kits for your use, including a few great ones from Group:
"Weird Animals" and "Everest!" AND MORE! We can loan you one of these kits for a few months! 

If you are looking for something brand new this year, please send me an email, 
I would love to help you decide what VBS is best for you. 2016 has no shortage of VBS programs!!!!
We do have the 2016 Group Cave Quest at the Resource Center for hands on viewing
Email me if and when you will be in Fresno! 
There are also some excellent interactive websites where you can get a good picture of what is new and exciting! I do my best to stay up-to-date on all current VBS programs and am willing to share with you, 
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Embracing the Prophets, DVD and Workbook curriculum by Walter Brueggemann
Do the Prophets speak to contemporary culture?

Walter Brueggemann, arguably America's leading Old Testament scholar and theologian, takes us on a wild ride through the poetic prophecy of the Hebrew Scripture, identifying cultural contexts, putting a framework to Israel's history, and most significantly (and at times most challenging) drawing connections between Israel's sociological, economic, and spiritual status and that of America today.

Session 1: Moses, Pharaoh, the Prophets and Us
Session 2: The Prophets as Uncredentialed Purveyors of Covenant
Session 3: Moral Coherence in a World of Power, Money and Violence
Session 4: The Shrill Rhetoric that Breaks Denial
Session 5: The Grief of Lass as Divine Judgement
Session 6: The Promissory Language that Breaks Despair

Ready to give this study a try? Contact Janet.

  

REMINDER:
Your Synod Resource Center now has a masterful three-volume biography on Martin Luther.

These books are returning with great accolades! If you are interested in learning more about the life and development of Martin Luther, you will LOVE this series!
Click here to Email Janet your request. Get your name on our waiting list. Reading this series is a great way to get excited about Reformation 500!!!! It's coming, ready or not! Here's your chance to really dig in to Luther's theology and the time in history that he lived.
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****And, here's a link for another very exciting resource related to Reformation 500!!!!****
Do you sense change in our world? Let's all pray for that!

Here is a downloadable guide to "Common Prayer: From conflict to communion" encouraging Lutherans and Catholics to join hearts and voices in intercession. 
  

Luther's Small Catechism pamphlets are still available for you.
  
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 1,500 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."

Luther's Catechism is relevant today! 
Take the First Commandment: You shall have no other Gods.
What does this mean?
We should fear, love and trust God above all things.
(Stop and think on that, feel the peace implied in those simple words.)
Our Lutheran heritage has SO much to offer each one of us, each day.
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And, our Luther quotes for the month:

"For what is certain in this life?
Today we stand; tomorrow we fall.
Today one has the true faith; tomorrow one falls into error;
today one hopes; tomorrow one despairs...
Here we stand...."

"God wants us to work together with him and does us the honor of desiring to accomplish his work with and through us... Although God alone is blessed he still wants to give us the honor and not be blessed by himself but that we share that blessedness with him."

 
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.
 Please, 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.
THANK YOU Thrivent for this wonderful opportunity! 
For more information email Janet or contact your Thrivent Representative.
  
Resource Center office hours for March and April: 

Mondays - 3pm-5pm
Tuesdays - 8:30am-11:30am
Thursdays - Hours and dates vary, please email me in advance if you plan to come in on a Thursday.
Fridays - 8:30am-11:00am, We will be CLOSED Friday, April 29.
 
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 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! 
 
  
Janet Lane, Synod Resource Center Director
           Call 559-345-2725, (please leave a message)
           or send an Email rspselca@pacbell.net
 
           This is your Synod Resource Center; 
               I am happy to serve you. 

  
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SPS Resource Center | 2311 E Shaw Ave | Fresno | CA | 93710