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Hymns for Advent and Christmas (Year A)

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Presbyterian hymn writer, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, composed Advent hymns based on the lectionary Scriptures set to familiar Christmas tunes and other well-loved hymns. Your hymn purchase includes downloads of  a PDF of the lyrics scored with the music for a half-page regular sheet of paper, a second PDF of the lyrics scored with music for a half-page of legal-sized paper (large print) and a document with lyrics only. You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use. Advent wreath hymn “The Candle of Hope”  is a new hymn that is not geared to the lectionary passages. This new hymn follows the themes of each of the Sundays in Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. If you light Advent candles as part of your worship during the season, then this hymn is ideal! The words are set to the familiar tune of “O Worship the King, All Glorious Above.” The Candle of Hope (preview of full hymn text) “The candle of hope we light in this hour, proclaims that the Lord is … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent • Christmas

Advent devotions — Year A (2019)

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Purple-church Advent: 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. This year the focus is on the purple of Advent for the church. Buy 4 weeks of Advent devotions and download now: $19.99 About these devotions: In recent years the color purple has been used as a short-hand way to describe a place or institution that is a mix of people with left- and right-leaning politics. The phrase “purple church” denotes caution: Be careful in preaching and teaching, in small group discussions and fellowship hour conversation because we are a “purple church.” Opinions vary and tensions are high, so tread lightly. But what if instead we in the church stopped adopting the language of politics and instead intentionally used the language of our faith? What if, for us, purple equaled preparation, praise, … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Helping churches talk about racism

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90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar on-demand replay Recorded October 29, 2019 Presented by Carolyn B. Helsel If you are in one of the many predominantly-white Presbyterian congregations across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), chances are that racism isn’t a topic that gets addressed from the pulpit unless there’s a major news event of a hate crime. Many people avoid talking about racism for a number of reasons: worry that they will say the wrong thing, the belief that avoiding the subject will make race less significant or the fear of creating conflict in the church. As a white preacher and professor of preaching, Carolyn Helsel has written two books to help churches begin these conversations, and people of different races have commented on how her books have helped them engage in deeper conversations with one another on racism. During this webinar, she will help congregations start having meaningful conversations about race. On-demand replay— $29.95 (1-6 participants … [Read more...]

Tagged With: race relations

Storytelling and stewardship: How stories form the church into generous stewards

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90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar Recored August 29, 2019 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) – On demand replay Presented by Sean Mitchell Stories are told everywhere — at the dinner table, in the store and in the classroom. Stories shape us and influence our formation and decision-making. And, storytelling informs and shapes practices of discipleship as well. Join Sean Mitchell in this webinar as he presents storytelling as a core practice for equipping the saints to mature as generous stewards. He will discuss examples of stewardship storytelling from Scripture and church history and provide a framework for developing a storytelling model for church leaders. On-demand video replay — $29.95 (1-6 participants from the same church/ministry) Purchase the Webinar Who should attend? If you are a pastor, elder, congregational leader of a stewardship ministry team or involved in planning a church fundraising initiative, this webinar will teach you how and when to tell stewardship … [Read more...]

Tagged With: stewardship

Presbyterian Outlook bicentennial celebration

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Congratulatory ads If you are unable to attend the celebration, you can still be a part of this historic occasion.  Please consider purchasing a congratulatory ad which will be included in our last issue of 2019. You can include good wishes or express your appreciation for the Presbyterian Outlook and its contributors.  Individuals, churches, groups and institutions can purchase an ad.  Ad sales end November 1 and materials are due November 4. On October 5, we celebrated The Presbyterian Outlook's first 200 years. Brian Blount and Ted Wardlaw spoke on the past, present and future role of the magazine in church and culture.  Editor Jill Duffield offered a reflection and moderated a time of questions and answers. Thank you for your continued support of The Presbyterian Outlook's mission and ministry. I am unable to attend but would like to donate. Program:  Morning Keynote address: “Navigating between ‘amen’ and ‘no’: The dilemma and promise of The Presbyterian Outlook” by … [Read more...]

Healing the Wounds of Privilege (webinar)

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90-minute Outlook webinar Recorded January 15, 2019 Presented by Amy Julia Becker On-demand video replay — $29.95 (1-6 participants from the same church/ministry) Purchase the Webinar The social divisions in contemporary culture – divisions of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic class, ability, gender, sexuality  and more – threaten to tear apart communities.  These divisions perpetuate injustice and provoke violence, shame, defensiveness and fear. This web of social problem has spiritual roots, and Christians have an opportunity to apply the spiritual tools of our faith tradition to bring a message and actions of healing and hope in a world often overcome by fear and hurt.  As a white woman who grew up in a small southern town, as an affluent woman who now lives in the northeast and as the mother of a child with Down syndrome, Amy Julia Becker will share personal stories as well as biblical and theological reflection to invite participants to explore their own experiences of privilege … [Read more...]

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