The Presbyterian Outlook

News and Articles from the The Presbyterian Outlook

Top Search/Contact Area

Advent devotions — 2020 (Year B)

by Leave a Comment

Advent time: Devotions for the congregation Are you looking for theologically sound, inspiring and affordable Advent devotions for the congregation? The Presbyterian Outlook is once again offering accessible and inspiring daily devotions for Advent written by editor Jill Duffield. This year the focus is on the time of Advent for the church. Buy 4 weeks of Advent devotions: $20 About these devotions:   We hear often these days that we are living through unprecedented times. Our experience of time has been altered in recent months. Our routines and rhythms, milestones and rituals, are upended. As we enter the liturgical season of Advent, when we are to eagerly prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ and also anticipate his return, how will we mark this time? What will we do to be good stewards of our time?   We will explore being aware of God's presence in the moment even as we anticipate Jesus' incarnation. These devotions will seek to help us recognize … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Holy Imagination + Race: How the Church Can Be a Healing Force in America’s Racial Divide

by 1 Comment

September 15 90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar Presented by Kerry Connelly Sponsored by Presbyterian Publishing — Free of charge to participants View the replay of the webinar here. There is no denying what history makes clear: Systemic racism in America is deeply entwined with the history of the institutional church. Even today, the church must look at our complicity — which at times has been overt, and other times the product of mere silence. The good news – and there is good news – is that church is in the business of redemption and prophetic imagination. That means that the church can lead toward a more just world that truly resembles the realm of God. At the crux of the American race issue is white identity. So many good white people want to do the right thing, yet remain complicit in racist systems because they don’t understand the ways in which whiteness operates in their own psyches and in the world. In order for justice to reign, the construct of whiteness needs … [Read more...]

When grief moves in: Pastoral care for grief and COVID-19 through stories

by Leave a Comment

90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar Recorded May 28, 2020 On-demand replay  Presented by Mindy McGarrah Sharp As 2020 has unfolded, grief has moved into lives, families and communities around the globe. Grief has also moved into the life of faith in new and complicated ways.  While specialized grief counseling with trained therapists remains vitally important, the need for short-term everyday griefwork is also huge.  Narrative methods for griefwork – grieving through the help of stories – is a form of pastoral care that anyone can lead and engage. In this webinar, we will think about three ways that grief has moved into our lives during COVID-19 and some grief work that you can do as pastoral care.  Using a narrative approach, we will think about how grief moves in daily life rhythms, how grief moves in life milestones and religious rituals and how grief moves in ways of understanding the world we share with people everywhere. Understanding the importance of grieving in … [Read more...]

Tagged With: COVID19 • grief

Staycation Bible School 2020: Feet that follow

by Leave a Comment

Presbyterian Outlook Staycation Bible School 2020 Feet that follow: “Awesome are YOUR feet! They carry God’s love wherever you go!" Are you looking for a way to engage children this summer, but struggling with how to connect during social distancing?  The Presbyterian Outlook has you covered with Staycation Bible School! Christian educator Kelly Kaufman has crafted a week of VBS lessons and activities that can be done from home. Theme verse: Isaiah 52:7 (From “The Message”): How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, Breaking the news that all’s well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, “Your God reigns!” Families of elementary-aged children will go on a journey exploring the places Jesus traveled and discovering the ways we can travel and share God’s love while staying right in our own homes! Churches will receive: Introduction for families: Introduce parents and families to the lessons, … [Read more...]

General Assembly bulletin inserts – GA224 in 2020

by Leave a Comment

What's coming to the 2020 General Assembly?  How will you explain the actions of GA to the congregation? The 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meeting in June 2020 is shaping up to be an assembly like no other.  For the first time, GA will be held virtually. This year's assembly will consider critical business and elect a new team of moderators (co-moderators or moderator/vice moderator). Help your congregation know what's coming to GA and give your church members a fast, accurate and fair account of what happened after the votes are taken. We know many congregations are facing unprecedented financial challenges this year.  So, we are offering our balanced, trusted GA bulletin inserts for a special price.  You will receive both the pre-GA and post-GA inserts for the price of one in a full-color, easy to read format that you can easily email to all members of the congregation. Only $20 for congregations of less than 200 members and $30.00 for … [Read more...]

Tagged With: GA224

That the people of God may flourish: Serving as a deacon or ruling elder

by Leave a Comment

90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar On-demand replay Presented by Paul Hooker Recorded March 26, 2020  Are you a deacon or ruling elder wondering what you’ve signed up for? This webinar will explore what serving in the church’s ordered ministries is all about (including what we mean by “ordered ministry”) and how the Book of Order can be an important resource for you in your work. During our time together, we’ll look at what we mean by “church” and why that definition matters. We’ll pry open the historical lid on the early American Presbyterian experience and look at how the commitments of our forebears continue to influence our common life. And we’ll look at the definitions of the orders of deacon and ruling elder as resources for how you serve the church. Who should attend? If you’ve accepted the call of your congregation to be a deacon or ruling elder, or you are sensing the tug of the Spirit to consider such a call, this webinar is for you. On-demand replay— … [Read more...]

CONTACT US: