DSubject: New resources for Lent and moreSent: Tue 1/6/2015 5:05 AM
Iowa Religious Media Services
eNews /
January, 2015
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The Annual Meeting of Iowa Religious Media Services will be held Wed., Feb. 4, 2015, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Iowa Conference Center of the United Methodist Church, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines. If you wish to attend, you MUST RSVP to or 515.277.2920 by January 28 so that we may prepare lunch for you.
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Where in the World is the Executive Director?
January 26-28 - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Minister's Institute, Christian Conference Center, Newton - display
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HOW TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT IRMS.
Jason Grow, a member of our Preview Committee from the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) of the Upper Midwest, recently created this promotional video:
Disciples of Christ Churches Use IRMS 2014
Thank you, Jason. We can help others spread the word. Just call us to talk about this.
following us on Facebook.
Visit IRMS on the web at
irms.org
/ We open 2015 highlighting a wealth of new resources to inspire and inform. Our Featured Resources include suggestions for Lent for all ages, from new adult studies to intergenerational ideas, from books for children to artistic presentations of the Passion. If none of these feels just right, we have hundreds of other Lenten options!
Our Resources in Use features a wonderful testimonial to the IRMS eNews. A pastor who serves a congregation representing three of our covenanting denominations shares how he uses the IRMS eNews and what it means to him!
The final section of this eNews includes a popular resource series new to DVD, an innovative new youth resource, plus a book on how to reach youth with "the story." We finish with books to engage and teach children through cooking and play!
As you begin the New Year, we are excited to share this great batch of resources for your consideration. Enjoy!
Peace,
Sharon
Sharon E. Strohmaier, Executive Director
FEATURED RESOURCES: STUDIES FOR LENT
The God We Can Know: Exploring the I AM Sayings of Jesus (DV1293)(New) is a seven-week study that explores answers to Jesus' question: "Who do you say I am?" Filmed in the Holy Land, the resource uses Jesus' statements to reveal his purpose and shape our Christian identity. With downloadable PDF guides for leaders of children and youth, this is a great inter-generational study for any time of year, but particularly for Lent. (Upper Elem. - Adult)
The Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus (DV1304)(New) explains that Jesus didn't come to start a religion. The rebel Jesus came with a renegade gospel to start a revolution, and you are invited to be a part. Mike Slaughter presents Jesus and his challenging message to inspire us during Lent, Easter, and through the year. In addition to the six-week small group study, this family of resources also includes study guides for youth(BK1870)(New) and children(BK1871)(New) (Upper Elem.-Adult)
Listen: Praying in a Noisy World (DV1303)(New) is a 40-day (six-week) prayer journey led by the late Rueben P. Job, former Bishop of the Iowa United Methodist Conference. Created for those new to prayer, as well as those with a prayer routine, the study will help build and deepen a prayer practice. Job assembled a diverse group of individuals to share how they listen for, understand and follow God's guidance. (Young Adult - Adult)
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus (DV1108) takes you to the Holy Land with Adam Hamilton who explores the places where Jesus was baptized, the wilderness where He was tempted, and Capernaum where He healed the sick. You'll ascend the mountain where He gave His most famous sermon, travel the Sea of Galilee and visit the last remaining community of Samaritans. Companion resources include a Youth Study Edition (BK1816), and a Children's Leader Guide (BK1817). (Upper Elem. - Adult)
Final Words from the Cross (DV1059) is a small group study that focuses on Christ's dying hours and his final words, as experienced by those who stood near the cross. In each of seven sessions, Adam Hamilton reflects on one of Jesus' final statements and how its meaning illuminates our lives today. This reflection takes us from the cross, to the road to Emmaus, and on to those who witnessed the Resurrection. (Young Adult - Adult)
What Wondrous Love: Holy Week in Word and Art (DV1109) is a six-session study that makes Holy Week and Easter come alive by combining commentary from Bible scholars with the stunningly beautiful art work of John August Swanson. The discussion guide has thought-provoking questions to spark fresh insight and conversation. (Sr. High-Adult)
The Passion by Joe Castillo (DV1220) brings to life the experience of the crucifixion of Christ. Using sand as his medium, the artist creates a fluid depiction for the events of the passion. The sound track from Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ deepens this experience for all ages. (Lower Elem. - Adult)
Animated Stories: Worthy is the Lamb (DV33)makes the Passion of Christ accessible even to preschoolers. Participants will experience the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, pray with Jesus in the Garden, feel the betrayal of Judas' kiss, endure the trial and crucifixion, and rejoice in the resurrection. (Preschool - Upper Elementary)
Note: The Animated Stories (DV67=DV80=) series is so popular that we have just purchased our third complete 36-volume set. It is especially useful for churches that no longer purchase a regular curriculum.
The Easter Garden: A Lenten Experience for Children (BK1835) is a Lenten event in which children of all ages will hear the stories of Holy Week, while creating a garden, banners for worship and table decorations, plus helping serve a meal to their parents and/or congregation. The resource may also be used to create inter-generational worship with events before or after worship or the entire experience can be presented as a one-day or weekend event. (Lower Elem. - Adult)
Humphrey's First Palm Sunday (BK1861)(New) tells the story of Humphrey, the camel unhappy to be at the back of the pack as the caravan progresses into Jerusalem. But from his position, Humphrey witnesses Jesus entering the city and realizes who He is. The story gently introduces the events of Palm Sunday. (Preschool - Upper Elem.)
RESOURCES IN USE
"Thank you for IRMS eNews," says Rev. Dale O'Connell, Pastor of United Trinity Parish in Humeston, which includes United Methodist, Presbyterian and Disciples congregations.
"I must confess that half the time I move the eNews to my IRMS folder without ever reading it. Did you hear that? I move it to my folder - I keep them for later reference.
"What I like most though is, every time it comes, it triggers an expansive reaction in my brain and I think, 'Oh, what more can I do,' or, 'I wonder what more is out there.'
"Imagine a simple email that I only sometimes read challenging me to think and imagine outside my comfortable daily routine. And, the times I do read it - always something to inspire, encourage or focus on.
"Thanks."
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Q. I know Lent is coming, but resources for this season are not the only ones we need.
A. We continually add new resources to the collection. We have lots of new resources you may not have heard about yet. Just a few are listed below.
The Mayberry Bible Study - Vol. 1, 2, 3
& 4 (DV1285) (New),(DV1286) (New), (DV1287), (New)(DV321)
was immensely popular when it was released on
videotape, and we now have the complete series on DVD! Each volume has four 25-minute episodes from The Andy Griffith Show. With practical applications for daily living and citations of relevant scripture, these vintage television shows address important issues of life. The companion leader guide easily generates lively discussions. (Young Adult - Adult)
Echo the Story (DV1216=)(New) uses storytelling, creative reflection and dialogue to help young people discover meaning and identity in Bible stories. This engaging series from Sparkhouse covers the entirety of Scripture. (DV1270)(New) begins with the creation and ends with Joseph.(DV1271)(New) begins with Exodus and ends with the story of Ruth. (DV1272)(New) picks up with the story of King Saul and ends with verses from Ezra and Nehemiah, and (DV1273)(New) starts with the story of Jesus' birth and covers His baptism and temptation, His followers, His message of hope, miracles and the ways of the Kingdom of God. [Note: The final two volumes in the series have not yet been released.] (Jr. - Sr. High)
Shaped by the Story: Discover the Art of Bible Storying(BK1862)(New) illuminates the methods author Michael Novelli uses to engage youth with Scripture as he does in Echo the Story (DV1216=). With "storying," he sees his students discover meaning and identity in the biblical narrative, in both a deeply theological and experiential way. Effective with groups of all ages, this technique will help engage your group with the Bible in a new way. (Young Adult - Adult)
Bake through the Bible (BK 1865)(New)
helps parents of young children explore the Bible while cooking together. The book includes twenty Bible stories, each supported by a cooking activity that reinforces the main teaching, along with questions to discuss while cooking. For example: sparkly promise cookies remind us of God's promises to Abraham, while spiral tuna wraps for a picnic link to Jesus' miracle of feeding thousands. It's just plain fun! (Lower - Upper Elem.)
Play through the Bible (BK1866)(New)
has twenty stories about Jesus with play ideas to naturally reinforce the message of the story.
For example, make handprint pictures to remember Jesus making people better just by touching them. Tell the weather to change and see if you're as powerful as Jesus. These quick ideas, messy crafts, and noisy games bring Jesus alive. (Lower - Upper Elem.)
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Thank you
Judy
Judy Jaastad, Editor
IOWA RELIGIOUS MEDIA SERVICES is an ecumenical multi-media resource center and lending library supported by six mainline denominations in Iowa and the Upper Midwest.