SPS Resource Center

FIND BOOKS, DVD’S AND VIDEOS

Provides complete online electronic catalog system for you – churches, individuals, and organizations – to help you locate and borrow materials. This online, searchable web catalog allows you to browse and request resources using a link to the catalog. Items may be picked up at Resource Center or shipped to your address (with postage paid return)



Access The Electronic Catalogue
SEARCHNEW RELEASES

Once you have made a selection, your request will be automatically submitted to Resource Center. Watch for an email from web@requestmanager.org confirming receipt of your request and information about availability.


If available, item(s) will either be mailed postage free or you may pick up at Resource Center, 216 A Street, Davis, CA 95616.

Questions, please call (650) 302-0364  or email us.

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ABOUT THE RESOURCE CENTER

The Sierra Pacific Resource Center serves 180 congregations in Northern California and Northern Nevada who comprise the ELCA’s Sierra Pacific Synod.  While its holdings are located on the campus of The Belfry Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry in Davis, CA, its Website, social media presence, and gratis delivery of books, DVDs, CDs, tapes and other media make it a responsive lending library to the entire Synod.

 

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MISSION

Finding God’s Word in All of its Forms

The Vision of the Resource Center is to increase quality and availability of both print and electronic resources to meet the needs of congregational leaders in support of their educational, worship and missional needs; gather, purchase and provide materials that are consistent with Christian theology and Lutheran doctrine and beliefs; and, facilitate circulation of the Resource Center collection even as we grow in the use of digital methods and materials.

 

The Sierra Pacific Synod is committed to centering the voices of those with the most at stake. Those living at the intersections of issues and events must be allowed to speak first, last and longest.

OUR GOALS
  1. Seek to become a more valued partner with congregations through increased, useful communications – newsletters, announcements and email with helpful information and resources;
  2. Develop bonds with host Conference, Deans and Synod leaders to enable better support of our various shared ministries;
  3. Consider ways in which Request Management software can better meet needs for circulating and accounting of RC materials and resources;
  4. Demonstrate digital competence in ways to more efficiently meet the mission of the RC;
  5. Empower a diverse assembly of Resource Center contributors;
  6. And, foster new sources of sustainable financial support for the RC.
NEWS & EVENTS

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 AT 11 AM – 12:30 PM PST

Now Is The Time: A Study Guide For ELCA Declaration To People of African Descent Join a special webinar on March 5, 1-2:30 p.m. CT, to explore “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent.” Please register in advance for this free learning opportunity.Participants will explore the new study guide that helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” and its accompanying explanation. Webinar speakers include the study’s author, Dr. Joyce Caldwell, Ph.D., Leading for Racial Equity, LLC; Judith Roberts, senior director for diversity, equity and inclusion, ELCA; the Rev. Nicolette Marie Peñaranda, program director, African Descent Ministries, ELCA; Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director, Women of the ELCA; Shari Seifert, president, European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice.This study guide provides an avenue for the realization, self-examination and accountability the church requires to “apologiz[e] to people of African descent for its complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally,” in the declaration’s words. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.The webinar is hosted by ELCA Racial Justice, Women of the ELCA and the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing additional information.REGISTER: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/…/webinar-now-is-the…

Recent Posts

Bishop’s Book Review: If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I? (interview with Rev. Dr. Angela N. Parker)

Watch Bishop Megan Rohrer’s interview here. ISBN/ISSN: 9780802879264 Description: (from the Resource Center’s listing) A challenge to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy that calls into question how Christians are taught more about the way of Whiteness than the way of Jesus Angela Parker wasn’t just trained to be a biblical scholar; she was trained to be a White male biblical scholar. She is neither White nor male. Dr. Parker’s experience of being taught to forsake her embodied identity in order to contort herself into the stifling construct of Whiteness is common among American Christians, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This book calls the power structure behind this experience what it is: White supremacist authoritarianism. Drawing from her perspective as a Womanist New Testament scholar, Dr. Parker describes how she learned to deconstruct one of White Christianity’s most pernicious lies: the conflation of biblical authority with the doctrines of inerrancy and infallibility. As Dr. Parker shows, these doctrines are less about the text of the Bible itself and more about the arbiters of its interpretation–historically, White males in positions of power who have used Scripture to justify control over marginalized groups. This oppressive use of the Bible has been suffocating. To learn to breathe again, Dr. Parker says, we must “let God breathe in us.” We must read the Bible as authoritative, but not authoritarian. We must become conscious of the particularity of our identities, as we also become conscious of the particular identities of the biblical authors from whom we draw inspiration. And we must trust and remember that as long as God still breathes, we can too. Age Groups: High School; Young Adult; Adult (30-55)

MLK Speaks to the Church

Do the words of the Reverend Dr. King tend to ring hollow so oft replayed this time of year? Maybe they’ll regain their “zing” if heard from the lips of our own contemporaries. Tune in, won’t you, to the Metro D.C. Synod’s recording from last year of a special event: “A Prophetic Call to the Church: The Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 1963” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=218759536540606

Epiphany – Looking Up!

The end of Christmas rewards us with more than freedom from festive decorations as we discern the revelation the Christ child has profound meaning to the whole of humanity. Have a look at this year’s Living Lutheran article for this holy day. https://www.livinglutheran.org/2022/01/a-time-to-pay-attention/ (photo credit: iStock.com)

Ministry Ideas

A Lenten Devotional eBook

Luther Seminary faculty and alumni have written a Lenten devotional based on the hymn “My Song is Love Unknown” and they offer it freely to all who request (consider donating). Here’s the link to that resource which will come to your email inbox as a 27-page PDF file. Ash Wednesday is March 2. To inspire us, here is the hymn recorded from worship with the choir of Jesus College Cambridge, Richard Pinel, Director.  

Recent Posts

BOOK REVIEWS

RADICAL OUTREACH: The Recovery of Apostolic Ministry & Evangelism by George G. Hunter III

Rated 5 out of 5
February 1, 2022

Find out why, on a clear day you can see tomorrow! Hunter engages us in a wonderful exploration of the church to come. How does it come about. During an easy read through seven chapters we may learn how to keep the church going and keep it alive! Like the ancient city of Corinth, we are vulnerable to multiple threats of violence from within and without…searching people are looking for life… God is calling our churches to love, serve and reach the people of a pluralistic society.” (pp24-26) Hunter expands on the idea that we plant, Mother Nature waters and God provides the increase. He challenges us to reach out to the hopeless, the incorrigible, unredeemable; to welcome and receive them. Chapters 5 and 6 cover specifics of small group ministry as applied to addiction and recovery.
I found Chapter 7 a very helpful starting point for apostolic outreach. Hunter emphasizes ministry, hospitality and conversation. Most importantly specific pointers to help us go about this at times uncomfortable adventure. Can our congregation give a “YES” answer to five key questions (p.187). I can recommend Hunter’s slim volume a a great Council read and a roadmap for outreach travel.

Delores Wright, Lay Minister

Courage to Think Differently by Geo. S. Johnson

Rated 5 out of 5
January 15, 2022

“A collection of essays written by 29 authors including Walter Brueggemann, Bill Moyers, Shane Claiborne, Marcus Borg, Brian McLaren, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others. In his introduction, the editor, George Johnson stresses the importance of asking questions when “we encounter issues and ideas that challenge us to think differently.” The overriding question for Johnson is “Does my way of thinking help me to love God and love my neighbor?” This collection of readings is a good discussion stimulator. Notes are available on request.”

Ed Nelson

“WholeHearted Faith” by Rachel Held Evans

Rated 5 out of 5
December 2, 2021

Completed by writer and pastor Jeff Chu, Rachel’s posthumous book is now available for check-out at the RC. Here are her words describing this book: “I’ve come to believe that wholehearted faith isn’t just about coming to terms with the heart that beats inside me. Wholeheartedness is about seeing and comprehending my place in a bigger family of faith. It is about rising hurt and confusion for the sake of the thing that so many of us seek: belonging. This is an-to-read style which speaks straight to the heart.

Resource Center Staff

Making Sense of Scripture (2009) by David Lose

Rated 5 out of 5
October 26, 2021

There is a leader’s guide and DVD available for each book. The books are well written and generate lots of discussion. David Lose is senior pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He was president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia from 2014 to 2017 and was on the faculty at Luther Seminary for fourteen years. He has written a blog (https://www.davidlose.net/ ) for many years which is the source for very useful commentary.

Ed Nelson

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Rated 4 out of 5
October 2, 2021

Stevenson’s story of his own efforts to bring justice to wrongfully incarcerated Blacks in Alabama, leading to formation of his national Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) organization and legal practice, as well as many successful prisoner releases. Powerful. Made into a movie in 2019 starring Michael B. Jordan. Also excellent.

Sara Soder
RECENTLY-ADDED RESOURCES READY FOR CHECK-OUT
SEND US A MESSAGE

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 AT 11 AM – 12:30 PM PST

Now Is The Time: A Study Guide For ELCA Declaration To People of African Descent Join a special webinar on March 5, 1-2:30 p.m. CT, to explore “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent.” Please register in advance for this free learning opportunity.Participants will explore the new study guide that helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” and its accompanying explanation. Webinar speakers include the study’s author, Dr. Joyce Caldwell, Ph.D., Leading for Racial Equity, LLC; Judith Roberts, senior director for diversity, equity and inclusion, ELCA; the Rev. Nicolette Marie Peñaranda, program director, African Descent Ministries, ELCA; Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director, Women of the ELCA; Shari Seifert, president, European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice.This study guide provides an avenue for the realization, self-examination and accountability the church requires to “apologiz[e] to people of African descent for its complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally,” in the declaration’s words. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.The webinar is hosted by ELCA Racial Justice, Women of the ELCA and the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing additional information.REGISTER: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/…/webinar-now-is-the…

Bishop’s Book Review: If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I? (interview with Rev. Dr. Angela N. Parker)

Watch Bishop Megan Rohrer’s interview here. ISBN/ISSN: 9780802879264 Description: (from the Resource Center’s listing) A challenge to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy that calls into question how Christians are taught more about the way of Whiteness than the way of Jesus Angela Parker wasn’t just trained to be a biblical scholar; she was trained to be a White male biblical scholar. She is neither White nor male. Dr. Parker’s experience of being taught to forsake her embodied identity in order to contort herself into the stifling construct of Whiteness is common among American Christians, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This book calls the power structure behind this experience what it is: White supremacist authoritarianism. Drawing from her perspective as a Womanist New Testament scholar, Dr. Parker describes how she learned to deconstruct one of White Christianity’s most pernicious lies: the conflation of biblical authority with the doctrines of inerrancy and infallibility. As Dr. Parker shows, these doctrines are less about the text of the Bible itself and more about the arbiters of its interpretation–historically, White males in positions of power who have used Scripture to justify control over marginalized groups. This oppressive use of the Bible has been suffocating. To learn to breathe again, Dr. Parker says, we must “let God breathe in us.” We must read the Bible as authoritative, but not authoritarian. We must become conscious of the particularity of our identities, as we also become conscious of the particular identities of the biblical authors from whom we draw inspiration. And we must trust and remember that as long as God still breathes, we can too. Age Groups: High School; Young Adult; Adult (30-55)

A Lenten Devotional eBook

Luther Seminary faculty and alumni have written a Lenten devotional based on the hymn “My Song is Love Unknown” and they offer it freely to all who request (consider donating). Here’s the link to that resource which will come to your email inbox as a 27-page PDF file. Ash Wednesday is March 2. To inspire us, here is the hymn recorded from worship with the choir of Jesus College Cambridge, Richard Pinel, Director.  

BRIDGING THE RACIAL DIVIDE…

Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley formed a discussion group early in 2020 to discuss  racism. Their purpose was to do more than just talk about the subject. They decided to  contact the Bethel AME Church in Marysville since they were a bit connected through previous  experience of having the Bethel Choir sing at their Grass Valley celebration of MLK Day.  The group at Peace has twelve to fourteen people at each meeting, some of them coming from  other churches in our community. Four members of the LDS group in Yuba City joined a book  club headed by Bethel Church, as did four members of Peace Lutheran. Their long term goal   is to end the racial divide by coming together as Christians. Books they have read include  “Caste,” “The Color of Law,” “Just Mercy,” “The Color of Compromise,” “The Vanishing Half,”  and others.  Just happened: Since the movie “The Black Church” was recently shown on PBS, it was  suggested to the Bethel Church that we come together and watch it together. “Dinner and a  movie” took place on Nov. 13, 2021, in Marysville. It was also a fundraiser for the Bethel  Housing and Development corporation, a non-profit supported by Bethel which provides food,  housing and other services for the needy in the Marysville area.   This has been a process of developing trust. It has been a bit slow, but it is working. We are  achieving what we had hoped in that our two churches are working together for one purpose.  Our group is growing slowly, but we hope that this event and those to follow will add numbers  to our group. The Council, Pastor, and Congregation of Peace, as a whole, support our efforts.  We are excited by how well this is being received. After Bethel has completed the series…

Read More

MLK Speaks to the Church

Do the words of the Reverend Dr. King tend to ring hollow so oft replayed this time of year? Maybe they’ll regain their “zing” if heard from the lips of our own contemporaries. Tune in, won’t you, to the Metro D.C. Synod’s recording from last year of a special event: “A Prophetic Call to the Church: The Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 1963” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=218759536540606

Epiphany – Looking Up!

The end of Christmas rewards us with more than freedom from festive decorations as we discern the revelation the Christ child has profound meaning to the whole of humanity. Have a look at this year’s Living Lutheran article for this holy day. https://www.livinglutheran.org/2022/01/a-time-to-pay-attention/ (photo credit: iStock.com)

Advent Vespers

Advent Vespers Service with the Bridges Conference & PLTS Wednesday, December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd at 7:00pm PT ​ Livestreamed via PLTS Worship YouTube ​This Advent season, congregations in the Bridges Conference of our Synod will be hosting evening vesper services on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. The worship services will be streamed live from the host congregations and can be viewed by you via the PLTS Worship YouTube page, here.  ​The congregations will be using the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy in these services.

“Youth Camp” in a time of pandemic

In April 2021 I realized that for a second summer I would be the big, bad youth director that told our kids and youth that we wouldn’t be able to go to summer camp. Although we provide Sunday school, youth group, and other youth events during the year, there’s no denying that summer camp is the pinnacle youth experience at Hope. Our kids wait all year to pack their bags and carpool to go up to Mt. Cross Ministries in Felton, or Calvin Crest Conferences in Oakhurst to experience a special connection with nature, God, and each other. I put on my creativity cap (which, if I may mention, is quite worn out after 2020-2021!) and started to think of an outdoor event that might help youth and their families experience some of the fun of camp. Each Thursday in July 2021 from 6-8pm, families of Hope and The Learning Tree preschool came for Campfire Worship. We started with camp activities like friendship bracelets or a water balloon toss. We built a small fire and began worship together, led by volunteers on guitar and our associate pastor, kids in the congregation, and me. It was a new experience for all, and there was a bit of trouble shooting when the heat in Fresno was extra spicy, and we adjusted some activities for COVID safety. But there is nothing like the smell of a campfire and the voices of youth and families singing “Here I am Lord”. It was a fun and more intimate worship experience! Christiana Slater, Director of Children’s Ministries, Hope Lutheran in Fresno, CA

Hasn’t this last year been a disaster!

Saturday, Nov. 6 Lutheran Disaster Response Emotional Spiritual Care Webinar #1 (free) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lutheran-disaster-response-emotional-spiritual-care-webinar-1-tickets-170328690699?fbclid=IwAR0Rga5emQLX2c4mQLO46mrJTdYtrZh_xb-r-61V8lNWIVZBAaRCYH94Lkk

Bishop’s Book Club – Discussion Group

October Mondays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. or October Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Launched in September, the Bishop’s Book Club has been meeting Mondays and Wednesdays to discuss books of significance to Bp. Megan, Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Hazel Salazar-Davidson, and our synod. The inaugural session hosted two discussion groups centered around the book “If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I?” We met in a Zoom gathering on Mondays with a second group gathering on Wednesdays throughout the month of October. Hope you got to participate! Did you get to join Bishop Megan and Author Angela Parker on Friday, September 24th at 5:00pm PT for our very first Bishop’s Book Club, talking about the book “If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I?” If not, you can view it on the Synod YouTube channel or by clicking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OX3T78z6GU The Bishop’s Book Club is co-hosted with the Synod Resource Center and we register to participate here (same as the first link) https://forms.gle/is6aV51BEub4TA3d7  Want to support more conversation like this? Consider donating to the Sierra Pacific Synod through Paypal: https://tinyurl.com/spsdonation Friday, Sept. 24 at 5:00 p.m. PT

Contact info

SPS Resource Center

C/O The Belfry

216 A Street
Davis, CA 95616
530 756-1550
Catherine Slabaugh, Manager
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