MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER

NEWSLETTER

SUMMER 2009

It’s “summertime, and the livin’ is easy!” We hope you are enjoying your summertime and that your finding the “livin’ is easy.” We enjoy having more free time with the resource center open only Tues., Wed., and Fri. in the summer and we always end up covering for each other as we head off hither and yon. We know that summertime is usually more relaxed at church also with fewer classes going on; however, fall is not that far away and we want you to be aware of some new resources we have acquired since we last sent out a newsletter. Some of these may be just what you want for that new class you’d like to start up (or something different for your on going group).

For children we have the complete set of the Torchlighters series (DVC-310). This is an animated program (there will be more to come) with strong values and educational content for ages 8-12. The stories tell of true-life heroes from Christian history. We have episodes on John Bunyan, William Tyndale, Jim Elliot, Eric Liddell, Gladys Aylward, Richard Wurmbrand (founder of Voice of the Martyrs), and Perpetua. There are leader’s guides and student handouts to go with each episode. This series has been successfully used in Sunday School classes.

For youth/adult we have added another NOOMA DVD called Corner (DVG-512.23) which is about getting beyond ourselves and finding that helping others actually helps us even more.

Will the Nile War Take Place? (DVM-728). Potential conflicts are brewing between the nations that share the Nile River Basin. Thirteen countries need to come to agreements on how to share the Nile in order to avert war.

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (DVM-729) with Adam Hamilton. This resource will help you rediscover the Bible’s wisdom on prudent financial practices.

Finding My Way (DVP-540) is the story of a curious 13-year-old boy who joins forces with seven All-Star Life Masters. He listens to the wisdom of the ages from a philosopher, yoga instructor, musician, novelist, and biblical scholar.

Praying in Color (DVT-528) Indroduces a new prayer form that helps people who struggle with short attention span, restless body, or distractions during prayer. The

program shows how to teach people to pray with color – drawing is half the prayer; the other half is transporting the visual memories or actual images with you to pray throughout the day. It comes with a guide, journal sample, and children’s edition.

Friends (DVY-549) offers four power-packed sessions with Biblical insight into the most common issues students face in their friendships: loneliness, peer pressure, comparisons, and identity.

Helping Children Experience God: An Introduction to the Children and Worship Program (DVT-527), is an introduction for Christian educators, worship committees, and lay leaders to show an effective worship centered ministry of faith for young children. The program uses the wooden story-telling figures described in the book “Young Children & Worship.” (RBT-27)

Adult studies newly acquired include Good God Threater: Act 1 (Old Testament) and Act 2 (New Testament), (DVB-814.1 &.2). These performances bring to life not only stories from the Bible, but also the big story of God’s love.

Five Bible study series, based on popular TV series, have been donated to the resource center. The studies are The Bonanza Bible Study, (VCB-815); The Mayberry Bible Study, (VCB-816); The Beverly Hillbillies Bible Study, (VCB-817); Gilligans’s Island and the Seven Deadly Sins, (DVB-818); and The Dick Van Dyke Bible Study. (VCB-819).

In The Jesus Creed (DVJ-833), Scott McNight explores the Shema of the Old Testament to provide lessons on how to mature spiritually following the model that Jesus provided for his disciples.

Liquid – The Ten (DVO-812.1 & .2) translates ancient truths into the language of today’s culture. Each DVD presents five 10-minute episodes, each paralleling one of the Ten Commandments. We see the dire consequences for choosing to ignore God’s commandments and see the power of God’s love through the journey of redemption.

Everything is Spiritual (DVW-858) with Rob Bell. Bell takes viewers on a high-energy, whirlwind account of the creation story in Genesis, interwoven with scientific principles. Rather than building a case against modern science, Bell uses science to illustrate the wonder of our Creator God and the complexity of creation.

In case your church is considering changing Sunday School curriculum, we have samples of several possibilities. We currently have available for viewing – we Believe (Presbyterian), gather Round (UCC recommended), Rock Solid (Cokesbury), Live B.I.G. (DVD based) and One Room Sunday School both by Abingdon, Seasons of the Spirit (Logos), and Show Me Jesus (Great Commission Pub.). These samples can be previewed here at the resource center or checked out for just a few days to take to committee meetings.

At FOCUS 2009, Rhonda, learned about MISSION POSSIBLE KIDS where kids change the world. Check it out at www.mpkids.org or 1-877-MPKIDS-1.

We look forward to working with you as the year progresses to help you to create enriching and relevant church programs.

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No. CA Ecumenical Media Resource Center

1675 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA 95008

Tel. 408-378-2532 FAX 408-378-2652 E-mail emrcvideos@aol.com

Website: www.emrclibrary.org