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In a world of so much hurt, how can we create communities of care and healing? While much of contemporary Christianity careens toward a spirituality of individual salvation and the afterlife, the call of Jesus to create communities that enact justice and bring peace on earth is often tragically ignored. In his revelatory new book Looking Inward, Living Outward, author and student of the spiritual life Daniel Wolpert calls us back to a life of prayer and core spiritual practices that re-orient our gaze outward in acts of social transformation. Drawing from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, one of the most radical speeches in human history, this encouraging and practical guide connects acts of contemplation with action, providing a biblically based and spiritually grounded course corrective for how Christians are called to live as Beloved Community today. Discover how spiritual practices can change the way you interact with the world and inspire lasting social change. Key Takeaways: - Learn practical spiritual practices to live a life molded by a deep spiritual connection. - Explore the nature of the spiritual life and how it can become a guiding force in our daily lives. - Understand the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount as a blueprint for living in community and society. - Discover the importance of communities of practice in reorienting our actions and promoting compassion in a world filled with challenges.

Learn to listen for the voice of God. Our soul speaks ... but can we hear it? In our noisy and overcrowded lives, it's often difficult to find the space to listen deeply to our own inner voice, let alone the voice of God. In Speak, My Soul, spiritual guide Marsha Crockett leads you through seven pathways for slowing down and discerning God's promptings in your daily life. Using the psalms as a spiritual roadmap, the journey will include seven weeks of daily meditations, prayers, practices, and prompts to help you enter and explore the quiet landscape of the soul, speaking to you even now. Speak, My Soul is ideal for both personal and group use and includes the following: - A daily and weekly rhythm for personal devotion, reflection, prayer, and suggestions for journaling - A Small Group Leader's Guide, including tips on developing listening groups, teaching active listening skills, and group dynamics - Speak, My Soul Psalms: Bonus content with reflection questions for six additional psalms - Lenten Retreat Guide - Inner Path Identifiers: a chart of traits, challenges, and disciplines associated with each of the seven inner paths for further reflections

Jesus devoted himself to uplifting the poor, reaching out to the marginalized, and fearlessly challenging systems of oppression. His message resounded with the promise of liberation, equality, and inclusion for all, and he implored his followers to pursue the same. However, the church has often struggled to reflect this good news in its own actions.In Where We Meet, four members of the Intersect network invite you to immerse yourself in the stories of Jesus and the early church. Together, they also explore their own stories, examine past shortcomings of the church, address difficult questions, and envision a brighter future that better reflects the good news of Jesus.Throughout the Lenten season, Rachel Gilmore, Tyler Sit, Matt Temple, and Candace Lewis guide you through a series of daily reflections, exploring a spectrum of critical themes-from diversity and equity to the challenges of the post-colonial church. They will also delve into the vital need for innovation and contextualization in doing the work Jesus had called us to do.Prepare to tackle challenging questions and be emboldened to follow in Jesus' footsteps, pursuing justice and love for all.

Fully Human, Fully Divine is an invitation to an embodied Advent. Over the course of four weeks, it encourages us to embrace the experience of the Advent season fully, with our whole selves and remember that Jesus showed us what it is meant to be both fully human and fully divine. It challenges us to live right here, right now as we await the birth of the Christ Child, the embodiment of God's presence in our midst. During a season that often becomes stressful and overwhelming, we are rarely permitted time to be present in our own bodies. We forget that our bodies are blessed and consecrated. God did not create the body to bring us doubt or shame, instead, God created us as living, breathing human beings who have the ability to live wholly - body and spirit together. In this book, the author, whitney Simpson, suggests practices that will help us focus on the body God created and embrace what it means to be fully human. By letting go of external demands and giving ourselves permission to be present as we listen for God in our lives, we can learn what it looks like to notice and pay attention to our bodies. Each chapter covers one week of Advent and each week focuses on one of the following themes: Slow down and hope, Simplify for Peace, Sit with Joy, and Savor God's Love. Within each week are a rotation of daily practices including breath prayer, mindful movemenet, lectio divina, visio divina (which utilizes beautiful, colorful works of art each week that are included in the book), Christian meditation, creative contemplation, and practicing presence. The book also includes tips on contemplation beyond Christmas, suggestions for small groups and small-group leaders, and advice on creating safe sacred space for small groups.

A wonderful Emmaus agape gift, this booklet was put together by pilgrims for pilgrims. Each of the 60 undated meditations elaborates on one of the 15 themes you heard during your weekend. As you read, your spirit will be nourished on your Fourth Day. You will be encouraged in your daily discipleship. You will find yourself drawing closer to Christ, participating faithfully in your congregation, and living as a Christian on mission to your community and the rest of the world.

Safe Sanctuaries has long been a trusted source of policy and procedural guidance for abuse prevention in the church. First published in 1998, Safe Sanctuaries has guided churches and other affiliated institutions as they implement abuse prevention plans for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. A changing world, however, calls for new and updated approaches to the work of abuse prevention. This new resource, Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities, builds on the strong foundation of past efforts while preparing churches for the work of the future.

Author Anne Cumings recalls growing up in a culture that scrutinized her body as a source of weakness and sin. Her church warned of "slippery slides into debauchery," and modern culture taught her that she must look a certain way to be attractive, acceptable, even lovable--something to which most women will relate. Now, equipped with a body-positive mindset, she has created an engaging and uplifting study, My Body Is Good, to guide readers through a Lenten season of celebrating their bodies.

A strong children's ministry is the foundation for the future vitality of any church - whether it is a small family community or a robust neighborhood church. In *The Most Important Space in the Church**, Rita Hays emphasizes that evangelism and spiritual formation begin in the nursery. It is in the nursery that many visitors first interact with church members and experience an outpouring of warmth and acceptance - known as radical hospitality. By building a rich, spiritually rooted ministry of infants through two year olds and with their families, congregations establish a faith formation pattern that continues through all age levels. Hays presents both theological groundwork and practical applications for strengthening any church's ministry, beginning in the most important space - the nursery.

In an updated version of this timeless book, Steere recommends that we begin to pray by acknowledging our dependence on a God of love and power. He then moves on to more practical aspects of prayer, which he explores with wit and insight.

Patricia Wilson brings her warmth and encouragement to readers struggling with the sometimes debilitating problem of worry. Each devotion helps them focus on God rather than all their concerns. Based on the Psalms, Freedom from Worry emphasizes God's lovingkindness and power to relieve every anxiety. UNIQUE SELLING POINT Patricia Wilson, writing in her typical positive and conversational style, helps readers give their worries to God.

When The Walk to Emmaus event is over, your journey as a Fourth Day pilgrim begins. As you move into Day Four's solo daily practices of piety, study, and Christian action, you will cherish this informative booklet.

In How Great a Flame, James C. Logan connects John Wesley's passion to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ with the current realities of the church. As he shows how grace and the concepts of Wesley's societies invited people into deeper relationships with God, Logan offers practical advice for healthy congregational ministries of outreach and evangelism. Each chapter also offers questions for reflection and small-group discussion.

"When the church embraces the responsibility of living as faith managers of God's vast resources [as Psalm 24:1 teaches], the community of faith will prosper."So begins this practical and theological study of stewardship, both in the context of the African-American church tradition and beyond. After all, a systematic approach to stewardship undergirds the ministry and mission of the church universal.A stewardship consultant, Amerson draws upon his experience to help churchesdevelop a theology of generosity;define stewardship leadership roles;celebrate the offering each week; andestablish endowment giving.While recognizing still-relevant traditions, he also points to newer tactics and strategies convenient to both members and congregations-including electronic giving, contribution statements, and year-end giving.A highlight of the book is Amerson's explanation of the development of a narrative budget/narrative spending plan. He also writes about stewardship education at multiple levels. This book is a solid resource for financial stewardship education.

Drawing from the strength of their previous book, Transforming Evangelism, Henry Knight and Douglas Powe show us a Wesleyan way to form missional communities and congregations. Drawing from John Wesley's own organizing abilities, this will better equip today's congregations to be more transfomational. Each chapter also has study questions.This is the Participant's Book. Click here for the Leader's Guide, Leading Missional Small Groups.

Can you imagine Advent and Christmas without the beloved, familiar carols?Featuring an array of favorite seasonal hymns that reflect a diversity of origin, language, and theology, The Upper Room Book of Christmas Carols is perfect for your church and choir. Discounts are available for purchasing multiple copies.The book features a carol service and 29 Christmas carols, including "Angels We Have Heard on High" "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" "Deck the Halls" "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" "Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come" "O Come, All Ye Faithful" "Silent Night, Holy Night" "The First Noel" "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy" Whether you're a veteran singer or just enjoy making a joyful noise, The Upper Room Book of Christmas Carols will become a treasure you can use every year. Celebrate Christ's birth in song!

¿Por qué sigo aquí? ¿Por qué Dios me deja sufrir tanto tiempo?La fragilidad, la dependencia y el dolor constante pueden conducir a la desesperanza espiritual en las personas adultas mayores. Aunque de vez en cuando nos inspiran las noticias sobre un extraordinario cumpleaños numero cien, es más común afligirse a medida que los seres queridos se debilitan.Con compasión y honestidad, Buchanan da voz a las personas que tienen que depender de otras para que les ayuden en las tareas diarias. Muestra a quienes les cuidan y a sus seres queridos que vivir con un propósito en la vejez es una extensión de los desafíos vividos durante toda la vida: aprender a ofrecer nuestra voluntad a la de Diosconfiar en la gracia de Diosseguir respondiendo con la alegría y la fortaleza de la feBuchanan fomenta la empatía con las personas ancianas frágiles y expresa sus preocupaciones más profundas sin dar vueltas a los temas difíciles. Cuarenta y dos meditaciones breves y reconfortantes ofrecen aliento espiritual a quienes se enfrentan ahora a las limitaciones diarias y al deterioro de la salud.Las meditaciones están escritas en primera persona, lo que permite a quienes las leen hablar directamente con Dios sobre sus preocupaciones. Con cada meditación se incluyen escrituras de apoyo del Nuevo Testamento y de los Salmos. Buchanan escribe sobre las experiencias de las personas cristianas de toda la vida, así como de las personas ancianas no creyentes que están pensando de nuevo en Dios.Ayude a un ser querido a encontrar una razón y una forma de vivir el propósito de Dios a pesar de sus limitaciones.

Four out of ten church members and a majority of pastors report having a significant spiritual experience through a church camp or retreat time. Unfortunately, most pastors have little training in the art of planning or leading retreats. Very few resources develop the practical aspects of retreat planning, and while some resources offer theme ideas they tend to lack any serious biblical or theological underpinning. Now, The Retreat Leader's Manual offers a practical guidebook for those leading retreats, including the nuts and bolts of how to plan a budget, the right questions to ask about a potential retreat site, and ideas for making Bible study and worship memorable for persons of all ages. Written by veterans in the development of camp programs and the operations of camps and conferences, this resource offers the perfect blend of the theoretical and the practical -- the how and the why of leading meaningful retreat experiences.

[Short Catalog copy-83 words] In Unrevealed Until Its Season, author James C. Howell takes us on a 40-day journey through well-loved hymns. A meaningful Lenten devotional guide for individuals and small groups, this book is also a valuable resource and perfect gift for musicians and ministers. Howell ponders phrases from such hymns as "Be Thou My Vision," "Hymn of Promise," "All Creatures of Our God and King," "For Everyone Born," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," "Lift High the Cross," and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

"Trevor Hudson gently but forcibly shows us how to inhabit the Serenity Prayer. His words are extremely well crafted and accessible. You can just enjoy them. The prayer will come to you through his presentations. You can sit with it and let it penetrate your body and soul. If you do that, the gift of serenity will come to you in the grace of God. You an be sure of it." Dallas Willard, author of "The Divine Conspiracy" and professor of philosophy, University of Southern California

Carefully designed and deeply Wesleyan, A Disciple's Journal provides a pattern of daily prayer and scripture reading for people who want to grow-as John Wesley encouraged-in "holiness of heart and life." This daily companion invites readers "to witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit." This edition begins with Advent 2021 and goes through Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday 2022. It can be used for all cycle C years, beginning Advent 2024, 2027, and 2030. The journal includes the following: - daily lectionary readings that correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary - inspirational quotes from John Wesley - excerpts from John Wesley's sermons - hymns from Charles Wesley - orders for prayer in the morning and evening - prayers for each day of the week - a journal for discipleship - a pattern for intercessory prayer - a guide for using the journal in family devotions

This resource, written with the intention to support a new Lay Servant Ministries course, will give readers a general understanding of the developmental needs of the 18- to 26-year-old demographic in the United States; general categories of institutions of higher learning; basic structures for campus ministries and offices of spiritual and religious life on college or university campuses; a framework to discern how United Methodist congregations may be called to serve students in their local context; and tools to begin bridging the administrative structures at the institution of higher learning in question to gain appropriate access to students.

A Disciple's Journal, carefully designed and deeply Wesleyan, provides a pattern of daily prayer and scripture reading for persons who want to grow in holiness of heart and life. It invites readers into a Wesleyan way of following Jesus Christ shaped by the General Rule of Discipleship: To witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This edition begins with Advent 2020 and can be used for all cycle B years, beginning Advent 2023, 2026, and 2029.The journal includes the following: a daily lectionary that corresponds to the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B inspirational quotes from John Wesley excerpts from Wesley's sermons hymns from Charles Wesley orders for prayer in the morning and evening prayers for each day of the week a journal for discipleship a pattern for intercessory prayer a guide for using the journal in family devotions

As John Kurewa and his brother talked about a tragic bus crash that had occurred nearby, his brother said, "Well, that shows when your time to die has come, there is nothing you can do about it."Was it really God's will for all those people to die or be injured in that wreck? By together delving into the meaning of the event, and into God's nature, the author and his brother came to a more profound understanding of God's purpose regarding the events of our lives.Challenged by their discussion, and reminded that theology is for the whole church not just clergy, the author wrote Introducing Theology to Laity to encourage all Christians to engage in the study of God.Although written for lay people, the book doesn't water down its view of Christian theology. Instead, it explores clearly and thoroughly the doctrines of God, creation, humanity, sin, the problem of evil and God's providence, and the Holy Spirit, among others.Introducing Theology to Laity is an invitation to all believers to dig deeper into knowing God-through study and experience. As the author says, "God is not a thing to be scientifically investigated; rather, theology investigates faith-that living relationship in God."