This rich season of the church year is prime time for deepening our worship life and living the remarkable drama of new life in Christ. Here are some themes and ideas to consider for your Lenten journey:

Essential for Lenten worship planning is Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days together with Music Sourcebook for Lent and the Three Days from Augsburg Fortress. Preview copies available.

If you’ve found the Nooma films interesting, consider using Lump, Rhythm, Today, Shells, and Matthew during Lent as a way of repeating the themes and inviting conversation about the weekly texts. Call the Resource Center for a list!

For an adult study exploring the lectionary texts for Cycle A, check out the series Signs of Lent DVD. Each of the seven segments is 10-12 minutes and follows a similar format. Themes are sand, wind, water, earth, rock, tree and light all focusing on texts from Matthew and John.

Book of Faith

Heaven on Earth: Studies in Matthew is the newest Book of Faith study. This six- session study from Augsburg Fortress is timely as we begin the new cycle in the lectionary. Preview copies available.

The 40 Day Journey books for small groups or individual use are designed for Lent. This year’s Book of Faith Lenten Journey: Seven Wonders of the Word is by Kathryn Kleinhans. Additional titles include Marks of the Christian based on Romans 12; the Lord’s Prayer; and 40 Day Journeys with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Joan Chittister, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Madeleine L’Engle, and others.

Focusing on Stewardship?

You’re invited to take a look at a stewardship resource ideal for Lent: Mark Allan Powell’s Biblical Stewardship: Our Duty and Delight features seven 20-minute video sessions on DVD, a comprehensive study guide and participant handouts. Session titles include:

• Belonging to God
• What is a Steward?
• Treasures and Hearts
• Motives for Giving
• Duty and Delight
• Cheerful Sacrifices

Bread themes for Lent?

Try a Lenten study called Bread in the Wilderness: Spiritual Famine or Gospel Feast, six sessions about hunger and food. A new six-part bible study called Bread and Broth also invites participants to share soup and bread while learning about Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elisha, John the Baptist and Jesus.

Care of creation theme?

Check out:

• Plymouth Carbon Fast Blog (external link) -  daily thoughts for a carbon fast
• Creation Waits with Eager Longing (external link) – A Lenten journey about climate justice
• Living Earth Series (external link) –   A Lenten Journey: Joining the Hymn of All Creation

Music for Lent?

Jay Beech suggests a replacement for the Alleluia, Not by Bread Alone; hymns that fit the texts and themes of Lent and more. Purchase at Baytone Music (external link)

For a rich Lenten worship experience, consider the new Holden Prayer Around the Cross, a set of resources adapted from Holden Evening Prayer and Prayer Around the Cross by Susan Briehl, Tom Witt, and Marty Haugen. To accompany HPAC, a set of musical resources is available in Singing Our Prayer: Companion to Holden Prayer Around the Cross.

Baptismal themes?

Watch for Washed and Welcome, exceptional new baptismal formation resources from Augsburg Fortress.

Please share what your congregation is doing for Lent! Send a note to Julie at the Resource Center.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Lent 2011

Advent Reflections: I Wonder as I Wander invites readers, congregational groups, and families to observe the four weeks of Advent reflecting on texts and themes of hope, love, joy and peace. It includes ritual, prayer, activities, questions. Very fine and ideal for entire congregational use as part of the Book of Faith family of resources (external link). (AFP)

Christmas, Festival of Incarnation by Donald Heinz is a beautiful overview of the cultural history of Christmas, a call to “authentic celebration.” Additional study resources available online at Fortress Press (external link). (AFP)

Sundays and Seasons, Year A, 2011 This is a must-have for every congregation! As we begin a new church year, the very best resources for worship planning are found here. It includes preparation for each season, weekly texts, seasonal rites, music and so much more. Take a look at our preview copy or subscribe online at www.sundaysandseasons.com (external link). (AFP)

For individuals, groups, families, confirmation students: don’t forget Bread for the Day 2011. This beautiful collection of readings, prayers, table graces, hymns and rituals is a rich companion for the new church year! (AFP)

For midweek worship in Advent, the Resource Center has a variety of services available for loan. They include Flames for the Faithful, The Word Fulfilled, A Place Prepare, A Child is Born in Bethlehem, More Services for the Advent Wreath, and more.

An especially beautiful book for celebrating Advent and Christmas, Winter: Celebrating the Season in a Christian Home by Peter Mazar combines readings, images, and reflections. (Liturgy Training Publications)

Christmas programs are available for many kinds of settings. Call the resource center for help!

For adult study, Sing the Faith: Carols of Christmas is a pleasing way to reflect on five well-known Christmas carols including Once in David’s Royal City, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World and more. Five sessions. (AFP)

Paula Gooder’s The Spirit of Advent: the Meaning is in the Waiting is a lovely book of meditations focusing on the spiritual practice of waiting. Provocative and insightful!    (Paraclete Press)

For daily reflection, I’m eager to read The Christmas Mystery. This “perfect Christmas tale” by Norwegian novelist Jostein Gaarder comes highly recommended!

DVDs for group use include “Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World?”; five compelling 2-3 minute video illustrations about Jesus’ birth in “Advent”; “Advent Calendar on DVD”; “The Christmas Story”; and “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

Life is for Living: Advent Reflections based on the O Antiphons is a beautiful set of reflections by Joan Chittister. (Benetvision)

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Advent …the coming of God!

Announcing a New Resource Blog

The board of the Association of Lutheran Resource Centers has begun a blog! It’s a new opportunity for learning about and highlighting best resources, This is a team effort to serve pastors, teachers, and lay leaders around the church. The blog is best suited to announcements and posts from the board that benefit from “tagging” about different topics. The posts become part of a “feed” that anyone can subscribe to or put on their center’s website. The blog provides a way of categorizing and saving the best resources through posts, pages, and tags. It also makes more public and visible what resource centers have to offer. Unlike a listserv or e-mail group that requires joining, anyone can browse a blog.

You’re invited to visit at http://blogs.elca.org/alrc

Choral Music on Loan

Looking for a piece of choral music? Stop looking and check out The Resource Center in Clear Lake, Iowa. Choral music is available for loan from The Resource Center. You may contact them by phone at 641-357-4451 or email lrc@netins.com Multiple copies of traditional choral music can be found in their online catalog.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Two places for great resources

• The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is a wonderful read about a magical Advent calendar and an incredible journey for individuals and families. (B3457)
• For worship planners and others involved in creating sacred space for Advent and Christmas, be sure to check the updated Sundays and Seasons (external link) from Augsburg Fortress. It includes many more resources for comprehensive planning including music, images, and background information.
• Prophets and Angels: An Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols from AFP includes an audio CD, the service of lessons and carols, and full instrumental score.
• Family Advent-ures is a guide to help families observe each day of Advent. For all ages, it includes scripture, storytelling, and activities. (PR1010)
• Check out Text Week: Year C (external link) for texts, images, articles, preaching helps, reflections and more.
• Check out the Saint Nicholas Center (external link) For unique ideas for giving and celebrating
• Visit www.elca.org and search for Advent resources (external link), especially ideas (external link) for alternative Christmas giving (external link).
• Discover new stories that embrace the joy of the Christ child’s birth while uncovering your own personal Advent stories in In My Heart I Carry a Star: Stories for Advent by Derek Maul. (B3649)
• Resources for midweek Advent worship include Joyous Light by Ray McKeever; Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen; Prayer Around the Cross, a reflective service of prayer and meditation; and Unfailing Light by Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl. Additional options include a midweek service based on the O Antiphons in Sundays and Seasons 2010; and evening prayer in LBW and ELW.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Advent