We have been busy in the Church Library over the summer. We’ve worked on finding new furniture and have continued with the updates to technology to support our database. We’ve also spotlighted some great books for your spiritual journey during Ordinary Time and Vacation Bible School.

The Church Library has many books that reflect the concept of “Ordinary Time” when one can walk through the scriptures. William Barclay’s The New Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of Mark can be your guide. Another resource is The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, Short Stories by Jesus. There are two books titled, Where Jesus Walked. One focuses on the experience of the Presence of God by Ken Duncan and includes contemplative insights from a variety of authors that will reveal a new perspective to Jesus. The second book, also by Ken Duncan, has more of his beautiful photographs of Israel with appropriate quotes from The Bible.

Three novels to enjoy during Ordinary Time include The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford is the first in her Mitford series where you become friends with ordinary people in a special town. The Prayer Chest, A Tale about the Power of Faith, Community and Love by August Gold and Joel Fotinos is a story about the struggle and the strength to find hope through faith.

The theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School, “Step into the Water” focuses on the importance of water in our spiritual life. The Church Library has several books that reflect this theme.

For Adults: The Daily Study Bible Series including, Genesis vol. 1 by John C.L. Gibson and Exodus by H.L. Ellison. There are also volumes One and Two of the Gospel of Matthew by William Barclay in The New Daily Study Bible Series.

For Children: The Beginner’s Bible, Timeless Children’s Stories by Karyn Henley; the Illustrated Children’s Bible by Sandol Stoddard and The Rhyme Bible Storybook by L.J. Sattgast.

Children will enjoy reading In the Beginning There Was No Sky by Walter Wangerin, Jr.; The World God Made, The Story of Creation by Alyce Bergey and God Made the World by Mildred Grenier. Moses parted the Red Sea in The Great Escape, How God Set His People Free by Mary Warner. Children will learn the importance of water as a sign of God’s Love in Old Turtle by Douglas Wood; Signs of God’s Love, Baptism and Communion by Jeanne S. Fogle; and A Very Special Day by Katherine Johnson Hardie. Finally the story of Jesus walking on water is told in The Miracles of Jesus by Father Lovasik and Miracle Man The Story of Jesus, by John Hendrix.