Children

August 2009
June 2009
May 2009

March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
September 2008

August 2009 -

For Children

In Milo, the Mantis Who Wouldn’t Pray (DVW-306), a storm destroys Milo’s Snack Shack and he doesn’t know how to talk to God.  Milo thinks he has to get God’s attention for God to hear  him.  Milo finally learns to  pray and finds that God has been helping him all along.  The gang learns about how to trust God after we pray and that His answers come in many different forms.

 

For Youth

In The Lord’s Prayer:  Entering into God’s Country (DVW-532), Walter Wangerin, Jr. explores the petitions and structure of the Lord's Prayer.  He sheds light on what the Lord's Prayer reveals about God's nature and our own nature, and how we should live in relationship with God and one another.  There are 8 segments.

 

For Youth and Adults

In Praying with Color:  The Workshop DVD (DVT-528) Sybil MacBeth demonstrates how to use color as a prayer tool.  Maybe you love color.  Maybe you hunger to know God better.  This new prayer form helps people who struggle with a short attention span, a restless body, or a distractible soul to focus on prayer through praying 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.

 

For Adult Study

In the six thought-provoking and inspiring sessions of Prayer:  Does It Make Any Difference? (DVW-852), award-winning author Philip Yancey helps groups explore and experience the very heartbeat–the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect of  one’s relationship with God:  Prayer.

June 2009 - HEROES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

For Older Children

The latest addition to The Torchlighter Series is The Richard Wurmbrand Story (DVC-310.6).  In war-torn Romania, there is only one way for churches to get the protection of the government:  give their support and allegiance to the Communists, who are in control.  Pastor Richard Wurmbrand chooses to speak up for Christ, thereby placing his own life and the lives of his family in great danger.  When Richard’s choice lands him in a Communist prison, his faith and wisdom are tested to the limits.  His story continues to impact the world today.

 

For Youth/Adults

The 500th birthday of John Calvin inspired the publication of John Calvin:  His Life and Legacy (DVC-552).  World-renowned scholars and Reformed church leaders tell the story of the 16th century pastor.  Using stunning photography and clear insightful scholarship and analysis, this project dispels the myths of, and sets the context and conditions for, Calvin’s effect on the church and the whole course of Western civilization.

 

Billy Graham (DVC-551) tells the story of Billy Graham, who has converted masses of people.  This DVD is a profile of the renowned preacher, focusing on the pivotal events in Graham’s life, including William Randolph Hearst’s decision to publicize Graham’s crusades, his close ties with several presidents, and his refusal to speak out against the Vietnam War or participate in Civil Rights demonstrations. Interviews with friends, family, and famous people further illuminate Graham’s life and trace his development from childhood to the peak of his spiritual career.

.
May 2009 - MEDIA FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

For Children

In Discovering the Kingdom:  Jesus’ Kingdom Parables (VC or DVB-308.6), through The Parable of the Sower and other Kingdom Parables, Jesus explains to people of His time and to all of us what this mysterious kingdom is all about.  Children will discover that they are members of the greatest kingdom ever—the Kingdom of God.

For Youth

VCY-519 is a Bible Study series for youth.  In this series Ted and Lee, a well-known comedy team, bring humor and new insight into familiar Bible stories.  In Episode 2, Big Enough for You:  God’s Amazing Acceptance, Ted and Lee bring to life the Apostle Paul, jailed and struggling with a letter he’s writing to the Colossians.  Paul gets a cellmate, an embezzler named Leon, who unwittingly helps Paul sharpen his letter to its true point:  “Love binds everything together.”  The video includes a music video featuring the “Lost and Found” band.

For Adult Study

FIRST LIGHT:  JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD (DVJ-832) with John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg is a DVD and web-based study filmed on location throughout the Galilee and Jerusalem.  The 12 sessions are: 
    1. The Matrix of Jesus
    2. The Advent of the Messiah
    3. God’s Great Cleanup
    4. Collaborative Eschaton
    5. The Lake as the World
    6. Parables as Lures
    7. Jesus as Lord
    8. Substitutionary Atonement
    9. Demonstrations in Jerusalem
    10. The Crowd and the Crucifixion
    11. Resurrection as Resistance
    12. America as the New Rome.

In WHEN THE GAME IS OVER, IT ALL GOES BACK IN THE BOX (DVW-857) John Ortberg, with his trademark humor and gift for storytelling, shows what it takes to really win at the game of life.  This DVD will help you and your group live with an eternal perspective, keeping your eyes on the true prize--the one that unlocks the game to the Kingdom of God.  The sessions are: 
    1. When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box
    2. Keeping Score Where It Really Counts
    3. Resign as Master of the Board
    4. Calling or Comfort?  Choose Your Moves Wisely
    5. Playing the Game with Greatness and Grace
    6. The King Has One More Move.

March 2009 - MISSION RESOURCES

For Children

Kids Around the World (VCM-308)  will broaden kids’ understanding of the world as they explore the history, geography, and religions of other countries.  Kids will learn about the 10/40 Window, a rect-angular geographic area which spans from West Africa to East Asia.  Most people in this area have never heard about Jesus.

For Youth

Making a Difference (DVY/VCY-528) is a multimedia presentation which guides teenagers to have a servant’s heart by adopting a family to care for, studying Biblical examples, engaging in discussions, journaling, and taking part in creative worship experiences.  A music CD is also included.

For Youth and Young Adults
A Mission Trip to Zimbabwe (DVM-724) records a mission trip of a group of UC Davis students to Zimbabwe.  The first section is a movie of the trip.  The second section is a slide show, and the third section tells of ways to help the people of Zimbabwe.

For Youth and Adults
Signs of Hope (DVM-722) contains four stories of encouragement for people and churches to follow God’s call into mission.  This DVD was sponsored by Seattle Presbytery’s Mission Development Committee to celebrate God’s mission in the Seattle Area and to encourage others to pray, discern, and enact God’s mission.  Although the missions described are Presbyterian, the DVD is very inspirational for members of any denomination.

February 2009 - FORGIVENESS MEDIA

For Children
Mama, Do You Love Me? (DVF-301) is the story of a little Inuit girl who asks her mother the question.  The answer makes for a charming tale of affection, adventure, and wonder in this magically animated adaptation of the award-winning children’s book.  After getting into trouble, Nyla discovers, no matter what mischief a child gets into, a mother’s love is unconditional and enduring.

An “oldie but goodie” is The Promise (VCF-226).  When an 11-year-old girl discovers that her horse is being sold, her father promises to take her for a last ride.  When circumstances cause him to break his promise, the girl learns that she has to trust and forgive her father.

For Youth
VCY-519 is a Bible study series for youth done by the famous Ted and Lee comedy team.
 In .1 Bridge to Forgiveness, youth meet Jacob and Esau, Biblical brothers in need of forgiveness.  Candid interviews with a variety of teens give connecting points for youthful viewers as they learn the process of what it means to forgive and be forgiven.

From the Nooma series (DVG-512), Luggage (.7) youth learn that God created people to be free by forgiving those who have injured them.

For Adults
The Power of Forgiveness (VCP-538) presents four studies that open our minds and our hearts to a new understanding of forgiveness so we can embrace forgiveness as a key to a wholesome and free life.

For Adult Study
From Living the Good Life Together:  A Study of Christian Character in Community (DVW-847),
Forgiveness – Letting Go (.2) helps Christians learn the process of forgiveness.  The five sessions are:
    .1 The Heart of Christian Living
    .2 Crafting Communities of Forgiveness
    .3 The Dance of Forgiveness
    .4 Challenges to Forgiveness
    .5 Go and Do:  Review and a Challenge

January 2009 - SOCIAL JUSTICE

For Youth
Disc 5, The Least of These, in the Revolution 2 series (DVY-538) shows youth that poverty is a worldwide issue that hits closer to home than they would think.  Whether the poverty is in another country or in our neighborhoods, Jesus calls us to care for the “least of these.”  This DVD helps youth learn about poverty and to consider how we can or should respond as followers of Jesus.

For Youth and Adults
How to Make the World a Better Place:  A Beginner's Guide (DVM-721) was produced in San Jose, California. 
    Part 1 - Community shows how people from local churches involve themselves in community activities which promote justice and fight poverty.  One example is a community center which serves homeless and other needy people.
    Part 2 - Leadership explains how community members organized a community garden of over 90 plots where people could plant food or flowers as they wished. 
    Part 3 - Communication describes how hunger programs and other service organizations are formed through communication and people develop attitudes of peace.  The emphasis is that peacemaking begins with individuals' reconciling their differences. 
    Part 4 - Advocacy shows how both adults and children can become advocates for making the world a better place.

For Adult Study
Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace (DVW-844) with John Dominic Crossan has one DVD with four lectures which can be divided into 4 - 12 sessions.
    1. Justice and the World 
    2. History and Jesus
    3. Worship and Violence
    4. Resurrection and Community. 
There is a bonus sermon called Justice as Love.

December 2008 - DVD RESOURCES FOR CHRISTMAS

For Children
Discovering the Baby King:  The Story of Christmas (DVB-308.1) -  This episode follows the search for the Baby Jesus from the prophets of the Old Testament through the hunting by King Herod.  In the end viewers will discover that the answers to God's promises are often found in the least expected places.  (ALSO ON VCB-308.2)

For Children through Adult
The new Advent Calendar on DVD 2: Christmas Carol Edition (DVX-515.2) explores the wonders of Bethlehem revealed in the stories of treasured songs and carols. Viewers will enjoy the new arrangements of traditional Christmas favorites by award-winning composer Steven Bias.

For Adults
Nativity:  The Art and Spirit of the Créche  (DVC-512) – is a truly excellent and inspiring resource for preparing hearts for the Christmas holiday.  This DVD unites theologians and collectors with an astonishing and beautiful array of nativity scenes collected from across the globe.

November 2008 - EXCITING NEW MEDIA

 

For Children

From The Storyteller Series, The Gladys Aylward Story (DVC-310.5), tells of a brave missionary to China.  With war raging around her, she led 100 orphaned children over mountains, 100 miles, to a safe haven.  Her strength and faith are stretched to the limit, all for the sake of the children.

 

For Youth   New from Bluefish TV

In Paul in Rome – Ancient Truths for Today’s Culture (DVN-511), David Nasser uses the life of Paul to highlight how followers of Christ can stand up to cultural “norms” and stand firm in Christ.

1. Culture and Faith in Conflict (8 min.)

2. Not Good Enough (13 min.)

3. Keep the Faith (10 min.)

4. A Picture of Your Life (9 min.)

 

For Older Adults

Coming Fully Alive as You Age (DVG-810) explores the positives of aging and ways to have a healthier, happier life in later years.  The four programs cover the following topics:

Finding Meaning in Life

Being Fully Alive:  Mind, Body, and Spirit

Aging as a Spiritual Journey

Uplifting Power of Humor

Each program is intended to be about 1.5 hours long with a facilitator leading the group exercises included on the DVD.

                                   

For Adult Study

The Invitation to Romans Kit (Disciple Bible Study-DV & VCN-826) has 8 sessions consisting of two parts each.  Part 1 is a narrative presentation of a selection of the assigned readings in Romans, followed by a brief conversation between scholars Bill Leonard and Mark Reasoner.  Part 2 highlights some of the impact Paul’s Letter to the Romans has had over the centuries.  Pastor and storyteller Michael Williams presents historical snapshots of people’s encounters with Romans as a starting point for the group to talk about the continuing legacy of Paul’s great letter to the church.

September 2008 - EXPLORING CHRISTIAN FAITH

For Children
What is the Church? (VCC-309) explains that the Church is the Family of God, a sign of God’s presence in the world, a sign that points out Christ to others.  This video explores the meanings of home church, parish church, and world church, and challenges us to become a faith community that continues to do what Jesus did and taught in caring about others, especially the poor and needy.

For Youth and Adults
In You, (DVG-512.15) a new DVD from the popular Nooma series, Rod Bell discusses the central claims of the Christian faith.  “But maybe a better understanding of the history of the early Christian movement would give new perspective to these discussions.  Maybe some of the claims of the Christian faith that typically are perceived to be unique aren’t really that special.  Maybe we don’t put enough emphasis on the things that really matter in our lives.”

For Adult Study
Living the Questions II:  An Introduction to Progressive Christianity (DVW-850) creates an environment where participants not only interact with one another in exploring the best of today’s theological thought, but together strive to explore what’s next for Christianity.  The DVD kit features 30 of today’s leading religious voices and includes downloadable and presentable session guides with corresponding readings and discussion questions. The DVDs are entitled Invitation to Journey (.1), Reclaiming the World (.2), and Call to Covenant (.3).In Christianity’s Family Tree: 

What Other Christians Believe and Why (DVC-819),   Adam Hamilton presents an inspiring vision of eight Christian denominations and faith traditions, showing that each denomination has a unique, valuable perspective to offer to the Christian faith.  For each group he gives a brief history, outlines major beliefs, and describes some things we can learn from that tradition to strengthen our own Christian faith.