Two New Books with Church of the Holy Cross Connections

REV. PAUL OSUMI’S BIOGRAPHY AND “TODAY’S THOUGHT”

Norman Osumi writes that a new book about his father has been printed and will be in the retail stores around the third week of September.  The book is “Today’s Thought” Rev Paul Osumi: the Man and His Message. It is a 6″ x 9″ softcover book and contains three parts. The first part is a biography of my father from a son’s perspective; the second part is selected and edited “inspirational messages” from his sermons at the various churches he served for all people to read and enjoy; and the last part is a collection of over 300 daily inspirational sayings that were printed in the Honolulu Advertiser for over 35+ years. Included are sermons from the Hilo Japanese Christian Church in the 1930’s. “It has been a long and difficult project for me to put this book together but I believe my father is happy. I hope this book can give people some insight to live a happy and meaningful life.”

Author Norman Osumi adds that he is willing to offer the book to churches for fundraising available for shipment by September 6th.  For details, please contact Pastor Tom Olcott.

A NEW ADVENT RESOURCE FOR THE CHURCH CO-AUTHORED BY REV. JOHN INDERMARK

 Scripture and tradition fill the season of Advent with an abundance of characters, themes, and symbols.  Each casts a slightly different perspective on the meaning of Jesus’ birth and God’s promised realm, the two chief components for which this season bids our preparation.

Advent A to Z offers a resource that provides daily engagings of this season for families, individuals, and groups. Beginning December 1 and running through December 26, each day explores an Advent-related word that begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. This reading is followed by suggestions for activities ranging

from games to discussions, crafts to outreach projects, journaling to devotions.  “Prayerful and playful” captures the spirit of how this book invites you, whatever your age, to journey through the days of Advent.

About the Authors:  Sharon Harding is a Christian educator and writer who has worked in ministries for children and youth at churches in Quebec and Alberta, Canada. Her extensive writing of curriculum materials for children of all ages have included Feasting on the Word, Seasons of the Spirit, and Whole People of God.  Sharon has also written and published children’s sermons in the Minister’s Annual Manual.  John Indermark is a writer and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He is the author of a number of books, most recently Way Words, The Greatest of These, and Gospeled Lives.  John has also written on a number of curriculum projects, including Feasting on the Word, New International Lesson Annual, The Present Word, and Seasons of the Spirit.  John has been a clergy member of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the U.C.C. since 1976. 

Advent A to Z is published by Abingdon Press, and is available online and can be ordered through your local bookstore. For pricing and other information: www.abingdonpress.com