Join us Sundays at 8:00 or 10:30 am!
Join us Sundays at 8:00 or 10:30 am!
Five Resources to Draw Nearer to Jesus this Advent & Christmas.
From the EDOW website
The Episcopal Church
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
The Book of Belonging: Bible Studies for Kind & Contemplative Kids
Access the Episcopal Church’s curated list of free Advent and Christmas resources based on invitation, the Way of Love, racial reconciliation, faith formation, and more.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources/
The Book of Belonging: Bible Studies for Kind & Contemplative Kids
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
The Book of Belonging: Bible Studies for Kind & Contemplative Kids
The Book of Belonging is a Bible storybook that reflects the diversity of God’s people and presents an expansive and wondrous view of God. Its portrayal of the Advent and Christmas stories is particularly powerful and inviting. Access a free slide deck created by the authors of these stories for use by churches, families and individuals this holiday season.
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
Those who experienced the first Advent had to travel through great darkness to reach hope. This book investigates those stories in Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in light of the political, social, and economic dimensions of first-century Palestine. It also puts the texts and their context in conversation with experiences of contemporary Palestinians. A free discussion guide is available on the publisher’s website.
https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506474793/The-First-Advent-in-Palestine
We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments
We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments
The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope
This young readers’ adaptation of Bishop Mariann’s book, How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith is replete with relevant examples of folks heeding the call to be brave in challenging times. While not strictly an Advent resource, it may be interesting to focus on bravery as an aspect of God’s call to us in the season of expectation and hope.
“What Do You Fear?”: Insisting on Hope this Advent
We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments
“What Do You Fear?”: Insisting on Hope this Advent
This is a downloadable bundle of 13 multimedia ministry resources for the first week of Advent–Epiphany. Each resource is also available separately. This Advent series takes seriously the angels’ message and trusts that Christ’s birth truly is good news of great joy for all people. The resources look closely at the fear and terror looming in the background during the time of Jesus’ birth and invites us to consider the fears we hold now. Explore how naming fear may help us see more clearly how God is breaking in and where God is at work.
As we journey through Advent, these five resources offer rich opportunities for prayer, reflection, and connection—both with God and with one another. Whether you are lighting candles at home, engaging with scripture, or exploring creative practices with your community, may these tools help you prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. Remember, Advent is a season of holy waiting and hopeful expectation. Wherever you find yourself this year, know that you are part of a wider Christian family walking together in faith, longing for the light that shines in the darkness.
The Rev. Amanda Akes-Cardwell
Director of Formation and Discernment