A New Book on the Beatitudes...

I am happy to announce the publication of a new book of which I am one of the authors:

The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? by John A. Dalles, Anna L. Liechty and Phyllis Vos Wezeman

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This book offers a thematic approach for communicating the message of the Sermon on the Mount and the eight teachings of Jesus known as the "Beatitudes." The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? explores in depth the famous teachings of Jesus in Bible times, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the eight Beatitudes as a whole (Matthew 5:3-11), and each statement as a challenge for Jesus' followers to live by today. The book provides helps for congregations to use to create a focus on the Beatitudes within worship, during education, and for nurturing children, youth, and adults.
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Worship leaders, pastors, music directors, Christian educators, teachers, small group leaders, and parents will be able to use The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? to help others deepen their understanding of Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount. The ideas in the resource can be used for a variety of worship, study, and congregational life experiences. Through their participation, people of all ages will experience the Beatitudes as a way for Christians to find a "handle" on happiness. They will connect Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount with both the high calling and the joy of discipleship. They will understand that what may seem contradictory and puzzling about the statements Jesus makes in the Beatitudes can make perfect sense when they join the throng who gather at Jesus' feet to see with new eyes and hear with new ears.

The book includes a series of new hymns that I wrote, one for each of the Beatitudes.

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Wekiva Presbyterian Church members will be glad to know that the book includes portions that were first presented here at our church.

To read more or to order the book, follow this link:

http://leaderresources.org/thebeatitudesprint

The Messiah's Star - A Service of Lessons and Carols for Epiphany

Yesterday we had a worship service of Epiphany scripture and songs, a sort of Lessons and Carols for Epiphany, called "The Messiah's Star", that I had put together from various sources and included all the expected Epiphany hymns plus two new ones of my own making. It was a nice way to stay with the liturgical calendar in an age where, after Christmas, such things as Epiphany are soon forgotten.

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Epiphany (meaning "appearance" or "manifestation") is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as fully human in Jesus Christ. Epiphany falls on January 6 (and can be marked on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8). On the day of Epiphany, we commemorate the visit of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, remember the star that announced Jesus' birth, and therefore, Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles.

This celebration was also a good way to enjoy beloved and inspirational music on our organist, Bob Joyner's last Sunday at Wekiva. Bob began at our church three months after I arrived, that is in August of 1997. His musical gifts have added so much to our worship for nearly fourteen years, and we will miss him. For his last Sunday with us, he had great hymn introductions to the many Epiphany hymns we sang, as well as some lovely duets with Joan Grace and Olivia Signer. We also had great singing from the congregation as well as from the choir of the morning, "Sanctuary" with alumni from "Ransomed and the Worship Band".

The service was perfect for the occasion, even though I had planned it since about this time last year and had not a glimmer of a notion that we would be marking Bob's last Sunday with this event.

I was STILL not able to say where Bob is going because they had not yet told the congregation where he was going that this change was about to take place. Because Bob had asked me not to mention it at all, until last Sunday, and because the transition time came over the Christmas holidays, there were some in worship yesterday who were hearing it for the first time, and some who are still not back from vacation who will return to the news that Bob is gone. The timing is awkward, to say the least, but there is nothing to be done about it.

The Hospitality Committee and the Human Resources Committee had a lovely reception for Bob after both services. Many thanks to Ilene and Julie and their helpers, including their family members, for making it a festive morning! There were gifts and cards wishing Bob well in his new endeavors, and the choir presented him with a gorgeous handmade quilt by our church member and master quilter, Linda Leathersich, at the noon reception, after which Bob did at last tell the congregation he will become the organist at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church. I mentioned to some of our church members that we will think of Bob as a musical missionary whom we have sent out to serve in a new place.