Christmas with A Phenomenal Llama

It has been observed that a lot of stuff tends to lie downstream of culture. Well, here is one way to improve the culture of Christmas, and hopefully mitigate the legacy of one Clement Clarke Moore. If you are looking for a fresh angle on the Christmas story or for new pageant ideas, this is a sweet, delightful, imaginative story that is fun to read aloud. 

Ideas:

1. Check out the good reviews, and order copies early for your Sunday school teachers, educators, pageant planners. Here, under "From the Author," is a bit of background.

2. Order two readers' copies to break it into voices for a dramatic reading at Christmas.

3. Design costumes for one pastor (narrator), a lead llama (Gregory), St. Francis, Noah, a camel, reindeer, a donkey, cows, sheep, any number of other animals (lions, peacocks, monkeys), ... and of course, plenty of extra llamas.

4. Make sure to get a copy of the e-book so you can project the lovely illustrations for the congregation.

5. Schedule a fireside reading at home with the family or for a fellowship night.

6. Consider sending a copy to your families with children, or letting a copy serve as your Christmas card to the congregation. 

7. Visit A Phenomenal Llama on FB, give it a Like, or better yet: "Share."

8. Post a review on Amazon or your favorite online bookstore or book review site.

9. Spread the word to neighboring churches, pastors, parents, and friends.

10. Ask for your local bookstore to carry it.

Time to get a jump on Christmas. I hope you, you family, and your families of faith enjoy A Phenomenal Llama.

Interesting trend

With the new liturgical year coming quickly ...

... this is a good time to order:

[Paperback]

 

[or e-Book]

 

A freedom better than independence

Now that the Independence Day celebrations are behind us for another year, why not read about and celebrate the far greater, eternal freedom promised by the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Trinity Sunday (Year B)

Isaiah 6:1-8

Psalm 29

Romans 8:12-17

John 3:1-17

Prayer of Confession [from WHEN HEAVEN STANDS OPEN: LERW, YEAR B]

Holy God, we confess that we live unclean lives among unclean people. Unless you touch us we are lost, unless you save us we are condemned. Yet you have declared that your purpose in sending Christ Jesus is not for condemnation, but for our salvation, and this salvation is not only for us, but for the whole world.  Free us, O God, from our countless fears. Forgive us, O Lord, for our tendency toward the flesh. Impart to us your Holy Spirit, that Christ might be formed in us for your glory and majesty and honor!

Penitential Rite for Pentecost (Year B)

Excerpts from When Heaven Stands Open: Liturgical Elements for Reformed Worship, Year B.

CALL TO CONFESSION

God alone has the power to breathe life into the dead, to redeem for vital service those who are otherwise lifeless due to the weighty burden of guilt and sin. This God who turns slaves into prophets, the young into visionaries, and the old into dreamers of the future glory, can be trusted with the truth about our sin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Spirit of the Living God, we confess that change fills our hearts with sorrow, loss stirs up doubt and fear, and our memories of past unfaithfulness often make life unbearable. Yet you are more than faithful in providing for us and for all creatures under heaven. You are good to renew all things with your Holy Spirit and to give countless blessings with your open and generous hand. Forgive us, O God, for our shortsightedness, our lack of faith, our timidity. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to proclaim your good works and to do your will in all things, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

Surely all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved! The God, who takes care to proclaim the gospel to all peoples in their mother tongue, has made provision for forgiveness for every believer under heaven and redemption for the whole of creation under the governance of Jesus Christ. Receive the good news, even as you receive anew the promised Holy Spirit, for in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

And now a word from Google Trends ...

Jesus was and is "without sin." (Note the period)

Well, you can't blame the sad results of Q3 on the lectionary, since we frequently use Heb 4:15 in the liturgy—though evidently not as often as we should—and it does come up as a reading once in Year B and every year at Good Friday. Dear denizens of depravity, as the voice said to Augustine: "Pick it up. Read it."