Discovery Place: Advent Resources

As you prepare for the Advent Season (Sun, Dec 3 – Sun, Dec 24), here are some suggestions for small group or study groups:

Faithful: Through the Eyes of Joseph – DVD 1702 (6 copies available)

From his beginnings as a carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. His courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God’s salvation plan for humanity.

This DVD contains four videos featuring Adam Hamilton teaching about Joseph and what we as Christians can learn from him. The sessions are:

1. A Carpenter Named Joseph (11:58)

2. Whose Child Is This? (8:55)
3. Raising a Child Not Your Own (10:50)
4. The Journey to Bethlehem (10:11)

The videos, when combined with the book and leader guide, provide an engaging -week group study. All video sessions are closed captioned.

Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent – DVD 8950 (3 copies available)

In The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent, pastor and author Susan Robb explores the angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in a four-week Advent experience. In this study, the reader will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel and other angels in the Bible. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now.

Four sessions:

1. Gabriel and Zechariah (10:59)
2. Gabriel and Mary (10:01)
3. Joseph and an Angel of the Lord (10:31)
4. The Shepherds and the Angels (10:31)

Includes DVD, 63-page leader guide, and 108-page book.

Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist – DVD 8961 (4 copies available)

For two thousand years, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In this study, best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts and lives for his coming.

Four sessions:

1. The Annunciation: “God Has Heard Your Prayers” (14:13)
2. Pregnancy, Birth, Circumcision, and Zechariah’s Prophecy (15:36)
3. John’s Ministry and Preaching (14:37)
4. Witnesses, Testifying to the Light (14:56)

Includes DVD, 61-page leader guide, and 157-page hardcover book.

Who Needs Christmas? DVD 9411 (7 copies available)

Are we too familiar with Christmas and Easter? The stories of Christmas and Easter are so familiar that we rarely dig into the details. But what if we did? We might find that they stop sounding like far-fetched fairy tales. In fact, the improbable details of these stories might even start to sound like real life - maybe even YOUR life.

In Who Needs Christmas Andy Stanley explains how the remarkable details of the Christmas story are what make it so believable. And he tells us why, after so many years, it took something unexpected to get people’s attention.

Four sessions:

1. The Story Behind the Story (20:00)
2. The Author of Life (18:00)
3. The Message of Christmas (23:00)
4. Ready or Not…He Is Coming (18:00)

This DVD also includes the sessions for Why Easter Matters, so you could reserve it through March 2024 and use during Lent.

Discovery Place Resource Center

303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

717-766-7968

email  discovery@susumc.org

web  www.discovery-place.org

Discovery Place Resource Center: Get Your Advent Bible Study Resources Now!

By Joni Robison, Director of Discovery Place Resource Center

Discovery Place is ready to meet your needs for resources for small groups or Sunday School classes.  The first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend, so start thinking now about a study for Advent! Order early to avoid disappointment, as quantities are limited.

New to Discovery Place since last year:

 

Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, by Magrey R DeVega, Ingrid McIntyre, April Casperson, Matt Rawle. These four authors connect our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy. 4 sessions. 

The Wonder of Christmas, by Ed Robb, Rob Renfroe, Bert Snyder, Susan Kent. The true wonder of Christmas is explored through four elements of the Christmas story: a star, a name, a manger, and a promise. 4 sessions.

Resources that include an Advent Study and a Lent Study: 

(Borrow now and return after Easter.)

  

The Case for Christmas/The Case for Easter, by Lee Strobel.  Strobel reveals what he discovered as he sought to separate the holiday from the holy day, the facts from the fantasy, and the truth from the tradition. 4 sessions in each study.

Who Needs Christmas/Why Easter Matters, by Andy Stanley. Dig into the details of the familiar stories of Christmas and Easter. 4 sessions in each study.

Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado. In the Advent study Lucado explores how the One who made everything chose to make Himself nothing and come into our world. The Lenten study examines the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion: the cross, the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb. 4 sessions for Advent, 5 sessions for Lent.

General Advent Resources:

  

 

Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, by Adam Hamilton. Jesus was known by many other names throughout his life. Learn the meaning behind the names of Christ and the difference He makes in our lives this Christmas. 4 sessions.  (Also available – study books for children and youth.)

Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton. As the earthly father of Jesus, Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked, but contains valuable lessons for all of us.  4 sessions.  (Also available – study books for children and youth.)

All I Want for Christmas: Opening the Gifts of God's Grace, by James Moore. In the spirit of Christmas, we give and receive gifts, remembering the greatest Christmas gift of all: God's gift of the Christ Child, our Savior. 5 sessions.

The Redemption of Scrooge, by Matt Rawle. Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this study explores the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits, with an eye to Christian faith. 4 sessions. (Also available – study book for youth.)

Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam, by James Moore. This study explores how God comes to us amid chaos and how we can be the light that the world seeks, especially during the Christmas Season. Bethlehem or bedlam…which will you choose this year?  5 sessions.

Many other options for Advent can be found on our website,  www.discovery-place.org. Click on ONLINE CATALOG and do an advanced search by topic Christmas/Advent.  Place an order directly from the catalog, call us at 717-766-7968, or e-mail discovery@susumc.org.

God’s blessings to you as we celebrate the upcoming seasons of thankfulness, joy, and hope!

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison

 

 

 

Drive-Through Christmas Light Show at Mount Asbury

By Sandii Peiffer

For twelve nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas, over 1300 visitors enjoyed the 2nd Annual Christmas Light Show, a drive-through experience at Mount Asbury Retreat Center in Newville, Pa.

Over the course of a few work weekends in the fall, camp staff and around 30 volunteers helped set up five large displays depicting the Nativity story in addition to many smaller displays of Christmas joy along a drive-through path in the woods on the site. "There were too many lights to count!" said Patty Weidman, Center Director. 

A total of 90 volunteers helped during the event nights as more than 400 cars drove through the Christmas Light Show, with some of the guests stopping to enjoy refreshments of hot chocolate (127) and cookies (235).

The event relies heavily on volunteers and donations of Christmas lights or money for lights and other supplies to make the displays.

For more information contact Patty Weidman at pweidman@susumc.org.

mountasbury.org

 

 

Discovery Place: Advent is Just Around the Corner

Discovery Place is ready to meet your needs for resources for small groups or Sunday School classes. The first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend, so start thinking now about a study for Advent! Order early to avoid disappointment, as quantities are limited. Choose from the following titles:

Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, by Adam Hamilton (2020). Jesus was known by many other names throughout his life. Learn the meaning behind the names of Christ and the difference He makes in our lives this Christmas. 4 sessions. (Also available – study books for Children and Youth.)

The Gift of the Nutcracker, by Matt Rawle (2018). Rawle looks at this Christmas classic in a new way: through the lens of faith. He uses the iconic tale to help us understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ child and of the kingdom Christ came to build. 4 sessions. (Also available – study books for Children and Youth.)

The Case for Christmas: Evidence for the Identity of Jesus, by Lee Strobel (2018). Strobel reveals what he discovered as he sought to separate the holiday from the holy day, the facts from the fantasy, and the truth from the tradition. You will learn what the Bible says about Jesus’ birth and how you can know it is accurate. 4 sessions.

Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton (2017). As the earthly father of Jesus, Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked, but contains valuable lessons for all of us. 4 sessions. (Also available – study books for Children and Youth and a large-print book.)

The Redemption of Scrooge, by Matt Rawle (2016). Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this study explores the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits, with an eye to Christian faith. Along the way we will meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come and learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. 4 sessions. (Also available – study book for Youth.)

Because of Bethlehem, by Max Lucado (2016). In this Bible study, Lucado explores how the One who made everything chose to make Himself nothing and come into our world. Jesus’ birth gives us the promise that God is always near us, always for us, and always with us. 4 sessions. 

Who Needs Christmas, by Andy Stanley (2019). The remarkable details of the Christmas story are what make it so believable. And Andy Stanley tells us why, after so many years, it took something unexpected to get people’s attention. 4 sessions. 

Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break, by James Moore (2017). As we journey through Advent, we reflect on the unbreakable gifts God has given us: hope, love, joy, and peace…and of course the greatest gift of all: Jesus. 5 sessions.

Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam, by James Moore (2015). This study explores how God comes to us in the midst of chaos and how we can be light that the world seeks, especially during the Christmas Season. Bethlehem or bedlam…which will you choose this year? 5 sessions.

The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) has published a challenging on-line resource for Advent called Reimagine Advent. Discover the Liberating Christ. Visit www.r2hub.org/premium-resources/p/advent2021 for more information.

Find more complete descriptions of Discovery Place resources at www.discovery-place.org. Click on ONLINE CATALOG and search by title, or use the “Advanced search” (subject: Christmas/Advent) to see a complete listing of all Advent resources we offer. Place an order directly from the catalog, call us at 717-766-7968, or e-mail discovery@susumc.org.

God’s blessings to you as we celebrate the upcoming seasons of thankfulness, joy, and hope!

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison