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| BOOKS FROM THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S LIBRARY 1-6-2009 We are celebrating the season of Advent and preparing for Christmas.Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year. The beginning of Advent is the time for the hanging of the green, when the church is decorated to symbolize the new and everlasting life we received through Jesus.Advent wreath is filled with symbols: the circle of the wreath has no beginning and no end, as God himself is eternal.The evergreensymbolizes newness and renewal. Thelight of the candles itselfto remind us that Jesusthe light of the world coming into the darkness to bRING us life.directs our thoughts to the first coming of Jesus as our Savior and also to his second coming.is a much anticipated time, andanticipation is part of the fun of the celebration.church library has many books about Christmas waiting to be checked out and enjoyed during this special time of year. The New Guideposts Christmas Treasury Guideposts has provided fine Christian literature for many years, and this book contains narratives based on the Nativity, classic stories about Christmas, and newer stories of Christmas. The Treasury is divided into nine sections and is filled with moving stories and poems that will touch theand remain with the reader long after the Christmas season. compiled by the Editors.Guideposts.1988(394.268 New) Book Reviews by Linda Patteson Gospel means "good news," and the four books about Jesus are good news books. The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament and for good reason. The Gospel of Matthew is the longest Gospel and is an authoritative retelling of the life of Christ. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus and proves Jesus is a descendant of King David and is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Among many important lessons, Matthew tells the birth story of Jesus, presents the Sermon on the Mount, provides a version of the Lord's prayer and the instruction by Jesus to his followers to make disciples of all nations. The last section describes the events of the resurrection. Clearly, Matthew is a gospel worthy of study and review. A book available in the church library by a well known writer and lecturer provides readers with insightful commentary on Matthew's gospel. Matthew The Book of Mercy by Megan McKenna. New City Press. 2007 (226.02 McK) The author has taught at many different schools, including Fordham University and the Washington Theological Union, and has authored over thirty books. In this book, the author shows how Matthew sought to create an identity for the new Christian church. This identity is composed of forgiveness, reconciliation and atonement. She focuses on mercy, God's mercy shared, and forgiveness. The emphasis in on forgiving and passing on to others the grace that we have been given. Questions and suggestions for further study make this book useful for group reading or independent spiritual study. ---------------------- | | |
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