Library

May 6 Church Library Book Sale

First Church Library is holding another used book sale on Sunday, May 6, before and after worship.

There will be a wide variety of books for sale (fiction, non-fiction, spiritual growth, biographies, self-help, children, youth, etc.).  Pick up a few books to read during your summer vacation.  There will not be another book sale until 2013, so take advantage of the opportunity to stock up.

As usual, all items will not be priced.  You may take as many as you want, and we ask that you give as much as you can (cash or checks only).  All proceeds benefit the First Church Library.

Category Headlines, Library |

Spiritual Memoirs at the Library

Do you ever wonder if the path your spiritual journey is taking is sometimes a little crazy with more than a few twists and turns?  I do.  Perhaps that’s why I like reading spiritual memoirs.  It helps me realize that I’m pretty normal.

If you  like  the spiritual memoirs of writers like Anne Lamott and Kathleen Norris, you might also be interested in the following writers.

After growing up as the children of missionaries, Sarah Miles’ parents left the church as adults and did not raise their children in the Christian faith.  Ms. Miles wandered into a San Francisco church one day and was so moved by the sacrament of communion that she kept coming back.  “Take This Bread” and “Jesus Freak” are about her experience of becoming a Christian and developing her food bank mission.

A common theme throughout Donald Miller’s books is trying to understand what “God the Father” means if you grew up without a relationship with your own earthly biological father.  His best-known book “Blue Like Jazz” is about finding himself (and God) in Portland, Oregon.  You’ll recognize many of his local hangouts and will be intrigued by his stories about small group Bible study at Reed College of all places.  His other books include “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” and “Father Fiction.”

Lauren Winner grew up as the daughter of Christian mother and Jewish father, neither of whom were active in their faiths.  In her late teens, Ms. Winner set out on  spiritual journey to become an Orthodox Jew only to take a detour into Christianity.  She tells her story in “Girl Meets God” and “Mudhouse Sabbath.”

The titles mention above are available at the First Church Library.

Category Library |

Huge Library Book Sale. Stock Up!

Huge Library Book Sale Coming Soon!
Hundreds of books will be on sale Sunday, May 6th. It takes place in Collins Hall before worship and during Coffee Hour after worship on that day. This is your chance to stock up on bargain reading materials to get you through the summer. Titles will be available on all sorts of topics, fiction and non-fiction alike, best sellers, books for children/grandchildren, and more. All proceeds go to purchase new books for the outstanding resource library here at FUMC. All items purchased will be by donation. Take what you want and give what you can in cash or checks only. See you at the Book Sale!

Category Headlines, Library, News |

Living Simply

If you’ve ever thought you had too much stuff, you might want to read Dave Bruno’s “The 100 Thing Challenge.”

Dave Bruno is an average family guy, a husband, and a father of three.  Although he was sure he and his family had not bought into the culture of materialism, he realized one day that their home was filled with things that he himself really didn’t need or wasn’t ever likely to use.  He decided to simplify his life by reducing the clutter so he could focus on the things that really mattered like people and his faith.  That is how the 100 Thing Challenge was born.

I’m thinking Dave Bruno has a point.  I moved to Portland in 2006 with 14 boxes shipped via UPS.  I had done some serious down-sizing before the move.  There was great freedom in getting rid of stuff.  Now almost 6 years later, I look around and see that I have probably accummulated more things after the move than I had before.  Do I really need that big stash of wool yarn for projects I will probably never make?  Why do I have so many pairs of shoes?  Where did all these T-shirts come from?  Are my things reproducing when I’m not looking?

“The 100 Thing Challenge” is available at the First Church Library.  Check it out!

Category Library |

Finding Yourself on Holy Ground

While I was having lunch at a downtown restaurant recently, I couldn’t help but notice  two men sharing a nearby table.  There were plenty of empty tables, so I assumed that they sat together because they knew each other.  Sadly, they were together but alone.  Throughout their meal, one was busy playing with his phone while the other was doing something on his laptop.  Although the restaurant advertises its use of fresh and organic ingredients, I wondered if they even noticed what they were eating.  Their behavior gave new meaning to the idea of breaking bread together.

I was thinking about the two men as I looked for my copy of Barbara Brown Taylor’s “An Altar in the World”, the next First Church Reads book.  Who is Barbara Brown Taylor?  She is an Episcopal priest who has left full-time parish ministry to teach, and Rev. Donna often mentions her writings in her Sunday messages.

The book is all about how taking the time to pay attention can well lead you to finding God in the everyday things you do and see around you.  Little altars to God are everywhere.  The two men at the restaurant may have missed a glimpse of God by simply not paying attention to the other person at the table or the food placed before them.

As Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us, the story of Moses could have been very different if he had been too busy tending his father-in-law’s sheep to stop and turn to take a closer look at that burning bush.  Ah, but because he did, Moses found himself on holy ground.

“An Altar in the World” is a wonderful, engaging book about spiritual practices (vision, prayer, benediction, etc.) as one might carry them out beyond the walls of church.  I plan to re-read a chapter a day (there are only 12) during the first part of Lent.  I should have plenty of time to finish up before the discussion following worship on March 18.

Category Library |

Successful Library Book Sale!

First Church Library’s February 5th book sale was a big success.  The Library volunteers thank everyone who donated books and everyone who picked up books at the sale.  We have plenty of great books left and will have them available at our second sale on Sunday, May 6.

We are accepting donations for the May sale.  Items may be dropped off at the Library on Sundays or at the church office during the week.

The proceeds from both sales will be used to purchase new books and to replace lost or damaged books.  If you have suggested titles that you would like to see in our collection, leave a note with the Sunday librarian.

Category Library |

Church Library Book Sale

First Church Library will hold the first of its two 2012 book sales on Sunday, Feb. 5, before and after worship in Collins Hall. 

There will be a wide variety of titles for sale (fiction, non-fiction, books for children, cookbooks, crafts, Bibles, spiritual memoirs, etc.). 

Even the most die-hard e-book convert might find something of interest.  Books will not be priced.  You may take what you want, and we ask that you give what you can (cash or checks only).

All proceeds benefit the First Church Library.

Category Library |

Stephen Ministry Hosts Library Book Table

Stephen Ministry will be hosting the Library Book Table during coffee hour in Collins Hall on the 3rd Sunday of the month beginning Jan 15 through May 20.

This is the first time our Stephen Ministry books & resources will be on display for the convenience of our congregation during the coffee hour.

Our book collection & local resources will help you find information and positive steps in coping with difficult life issues, such as the death of a spouse, parent or child, coping with aging, breast cancer, suicide, and abuse.

These practical guides are based upon classic research, clinically tested advice, and personal journeys. Our collection includes some books written specifically for children.

Stop by to see us, check out a book or chat with the team on January 15, February 19, March 18, April 15 and May 20!

Category Library, Stephen Ministry |

Donations needed for February 5 Church Library book sale.

First Church Library will be holding the first of its two 2012 book sales on Sunday, February 5.  Book donations for the sale may be dropped off at the library on Sundays or at the church office during the week. 

We accept pretty much anything (fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cookbooks, craft books, etc.), except textbooks and condensed books like Readers Digest. 

This is a great opportunity to clean out your bookshelves to make room for the new books you received for Christmas.  All proceeds from the sale will benefit the library.  If you would like a donation receipt, please ask the Sunday librarian or leave a note.

Category Library |

Advent and Christmas Books

First Church Library has many Advent and Christmas books for adults and younger readers.  Although several have already been checked out, there are still plenty of good reads still available to put you in the spirit of the season. 

One fun book is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” perhaps the best young adult Christmas book ever as the Herdman family–”absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world”–join the rest of the town in the annual Christmas pageant, and in the process put the miracle of the Christmas story on display once again.

Tags: Advent2011
Category Library |

First Church Reads

Do you want to read Gilead but don’t want to purchase your own copy?  To support First Church Reads, there are two copies of Gilead in the First Church Library collection.  If both copies happen to be checked out, you can ask the Sunday librarian to put the book on “hold” for you, and we’ll let you know it is available to be picked up.

Category Library |