A joyful tribute to Beethoven
Guest commentary by Jeffrey Myers Presbyterians (and other church folk) who would enjoy sharing in the Beethoven Jubilee Year – the composer´s..
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Summoned and Shaped: Traveling Together Into Our Belovedness
Pat Hoffman Wipf & Stock publishers, 158 pages Reviewed by Dean McDonald Full disclosure: My husband and I have known and loved..
Introducing organ music to kids
As a young organist myself, I feel the responsibility of connecting younger generations to this awe-inspiring instrument. My professor at Mississippi College,..
Elevator music
I feared elevators as a child. In an attempt to lessen my fears, my parents described them as “moving rooms that close..
A sign of God’s mercy (30 years ago)
30 years ago — February 19, 1990 A few days before the remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth, the state of..
Do we mean what we sing?
Much of my earliest faith formation came from singing in children’s choirs. Before learning the words and music of our anthems, we..
Call It Grace: Finding Meaning in a Fractured World
Serene Jones Viking, 336 pages Reviewed by Matt Bussell Throughout her books, articles and essays, Serene Jones makes the point that life..
Every body can sing
First things first: You can sing. You are sound. You are song. You are meant to sing with others. Others are hungry..
Called out into the Kingdom of God: Christian educators “get outside the box” at annual event
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Worship and workshops. Education and evangelism. Mission and ministry. New friends and old friends. From Jan. 29-Feb. 1,..
Spirituals as faith formation
In preparing for Advent, a colleague shared a quote from theologian Thomas Merton that was included in a collection of devotionals, “A..
What’s right about Frankville Presbyterian Church?
Frankville Presbyterian Church — Postville, Iowa Each year the Frankville Presbyterian Women host a Fall Fun Day. Community members, both young and old,..
Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Ten Objects
Jill J. Duffield Westminster John Knox Press, 169 pages Reviewed by Gary W. Charles Feel free to read the entire review, but..
When Kids Ask Hard Questions: Faith-Filled Responses for Tough Topics
Edited by Bromleigh McCleneghan and Karen Ware Jackson Chalice Press, 208 pages Reviewed by Shelby Etheridge Harasty As soon as I opened..
The sound of faith
What does church sound like? If you asked me this, I might say it’s a bell peal before service that holds both..
Gayraud Wilmore
“I saw them withering and unable to step forward and say ‘Let’s be the church.’ I saw no bold action taken on..
20 years ago — February 14, 2000
“Asked to state her opinion of the current status of the PC(USA), she responded: ‘I think it faces a lot of problems...
The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe
Richard Rohr Convergent Books, 260 pages Reviewed by Leslie A. Klingensmith “Homecoming” — that’s the best word I can think of to..
Compassion fatigue and Matthew 25: Theresa Cho speaks to church educators
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — “What are a couple things you can let go?” Theresa Cho, pastor of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in..
Unpacking Matthew 25 with Lisa Sharon Harper
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — “Get out your Bibles.” In order to understand the message of Matthew 25, go back to Matthew 23. This..
4th Sunday after Epiphany — February 2, 2020
Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Ordinary 4A Blessed are … So begins this famous sermon of Jesus. Blessed are …..
The Love of God and the Age to Come: No Eternal Hell
Thomas Ronald Vaughan Wipf and Stock, 152 pages Reviewed by Richard L. Morgan This is a much-needed book on a subject often..
Get out of the box: APCE participants worship and serve in Little Rock
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - What happens when you put hundreds of Christian educators together in a single room? It’s the perfect set-up..
What’s right about First Presbyterian Church?
First Presbyterian Church — Russellville, Kentucky Once a month, First Presbyterian Church invites veterans of all service eras – whether they served..
Presbyterian churches promise to help families experiencing homelessness
When Beth Undercuffler’s phone rang on a wintry morning in 2018, she knew the call likely had to do with the blizzard..
Knowing Our Faith: A Guide for Believers, Seekers, and Christian Communities
Justo L. González Eerdmans, 176 pages Reviewed by Jo Forrest Consider two approaches to writing. One writer presents provocative ideas, dense illustrations..