OCTOBER 2009 IN THE UMC LIBRARY

Our denominational press, Mennonite Publishing House, has new releases for the fall, and there are great choices for all ages.  First, two new additions to our children's library:

Julia's Words [E ROT]  Ages 6-10.  Christina meets Julia, who is deaf, at a coastal campground.  As the two girls spend time together, Christina glimpses what it might be like to be deaf.  She finds out there's more than one way to communicate-and that friendship is deeper than sound.

Walk in Peace [E HES]  Age:  preschoolers.  Each day, children around the world leave home for school, to play, to do chores, to go to themarket and to go visiting.  Moms and dads send their little ones out with a prayer for God's protection and with a loving reminder to walk in peace.

You can look in the worship resources section of the adult library (lower shelf on the last bookcase near the connecting door to the nursery) for two terrific books that are good not only for worship leaders, but also for small groups and personal devotions.

Words for Worship  [WOR 264 BRE] is a dynamic collection of prayers, litanies, and other elements for worship throughout the church year.  Creative use of language and imagery expands the voice of people in worship, increasing their opportunities to connect with God.

Words for Worship 2 [WOR 264 MAR]. This collection is a ready resource to enrich and deepen worship together.  Certain emphases, while churchwide in nature, clearly represent Anabaptist heritage, community, peace and justice, reconciliation, service and obedience, along with themes of adoration, atonement, and assurance. 

Our growing collection of books on Mennonite theology has a new addition: Practices: Mennonite Worship and Witness  [264.09 ROT]  John Roth examines the traditions of Anabaptist-Mennonite worship and reflects on how distinctive Mennonite practices such as baptism, communion, foot washing, and common meals extend beyond the church as a witness to the world.  Very readable yet thought-provoking.

And last, but not least, there's a new volume for the Mennonite church commentary on the Bible, Colossians/Philemon  [227.7 MAR].  Ernest D. Martin takes Bible students into the rich text of the letter to the church at Colossae and the highly personal letter to Philemon.  In commenting on Colossians, Martin highlights a wholistic Christology in contrast to past and present perversions of the gospel.  In the section on Philemon, he draws attention to the social implications of the koinonia of faith for the servants of Jesus Christ.

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