Looking for Devotional Books for Prayer and Study in 2006? 

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS, STRAIGHT FROM THE PASTOR'S SHELVES!

• Life After Grace: Daily Reflections on the Bible
• Glimpses of Glory: Daily Reflections on the Bible
  (Carol M. Bechtel, Louisville: W/JKP, 1998, 2003.)
• Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
  (Farmington, PA: Plough Publishing, 2001.)
• The Upper Room Disciplines (2006): A Book of Daily Devotions and
• Journeying Through the Days (2006): A Calendar and Journal for Personal Reflection
  (Upper Room Books, Nashville)

PASTOR JANICE HAS ALSO BEEN ASKED RECENTLY ABOUT BOOKS FOR FAMILIES TO USE.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF REALLY GOOD SUGGESTIONS!

A Children's Guide to Worship (written by Ruth Boling, Lauren J. Muzzy & Laurie A. Vance - Tracey Dahle Carrier, illustrator - Louisville: Geneva Press, 1997)

This delightful resource is best used with younger children (preschool & early elementary) in the Sunday worship setting.  In the afterword, author Ruth Boling plays out the difficulty we have we Sunday worship - where our worship is either well out of reach of young people, or so child-center we neglect the complexity (and mystery) of worship.  So, using a friendly "Church Mouse," the children of God are led through the worship service, identifying for themselves where and when we "hear God's Word," "sing to God," "pray to God," and "give to God."

Come Worship With Me: A Journey through the Church Year (written by Ruth Boling - Tracey Dahle Carrier, illustrator - Louisville: Geneva Press, 2001.)

Once again we meet with our "Church Mouse" who invites us to journey with him through the church year - through all the seasons of the church year.  All the major seasons of the year are introduced to young people in both age appropriate text and beautiful color drawings.  There is also an excellent section at the close of the book which highlights & describes many of the Christian symbols found within the colorful drawings.

Taking Time for God: Daily Devotions for Children and Families to Share (written by Susan R. Garrett & Amy Plantinga Pauw, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002.)

Written by two women who are both moms and seminary professors, this excellent resource is designed for families with elementary age children, and will help the family talk about the biblical story, and about how it touches them in this day and age.  "Making Time for God will set your children's feet on the path to good devotional habits and encourage them to turn to the Bible for answers to real-life situations."

AND THEN THERE WAS THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT PASTOR JANICE HAS BEEN READING RECENTLY.  INCLUDED HERE ARE SOME TITLES WHICH YOU MIGHT FIND ENLIGHTENING! 

Philip Gulley - If the name looks familiar, then you were a part of the Faith Dialogues class this fall.  Gulley co-authored the book we used - If Grace is True.  In Front Porch Tales (non-fiction) he literally tells stories on himself, right there from the front porch.  The sub-title (Stories of Family, Faith, Laughter and Love) tells us about the content, which is rich in humor, and filled with hope.  Gulley also has a fiction series - The Harmony Novels - (the one I have in front of me now is Life Goes On) which takes many of the same themes from his non-fiction work and weaves them into some delightful (and sometimes irritating) characters.  Some of the characters hit close to home . . . especially the Pastor!  Philip Gulley is a Quaker Pastor, and has served churches in Indiana.

William Sloane Coffin - In his book Credo, Sloane Coffin offers us bits and pieces of what it is he believes.  He divides the book into several sections (Faith, Hope and Love; Social Justice and Civil Liberties; War and Peace; The Church; and The End of Life - to name a few) and shares with us his faith, as it has developed through his service as Chaplain of Yale University, senior minister of Riverside church, and as President Emeritus of SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security.  No matter what your theological or political leanings, William Sloane Coffin will give you something to think about!

David Steele - The late Rev. David Steele was "parson" (his choice of words) to a congregation in Marin county (CA) and beloved author and speaker in Presbyterian circles.  Selections from The Next Voice You Hear: Sermons We Preach Together have been used in worship services (often when I am out of town . . . so I miss them!), and have always been well received.  Steele's ability to craft language always amazes me, and the humor which he finds in the stories of our faith are always thought-provoking.  His book of Biblical poetry, Slow Down, Moses: A Lighthearted Look at People in the Bible is likewise a winner!

Jim Wallis - The editor of Sojourner's Magazine hits the church on the head with his book God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It.  Thankfully, no one is safe . . . and this is comforting.  The Faith Dialogues class will be using this book for our time of study in January.  Get it, and start reading now . . . you'll be glad you did.

Faith in Words (edited by Anne Weems and Louis B. Weeks, Louisville: Geneva Press, 2004) is the church at its best!  This collection of essays and poems are the real life reflections of Presbyterians - from the pulpit and the pews!  It is a joy to read straight through, or to pick up and savor a bite here and there!