Monthly Library Feature

April 2021: Finding Beauty in the Shards

During the past year we have endured an abundance of brokenness. How do we respond? How does God teach us to respond? Typically, our culture wants to throw away broken things or at least cover them up so the damage is no longer seen.

There is a Japanese art that challenges us to think differently. Kintsugi is the art of restoring a broken ceramic piece by highlighting and repairing the break with lacquer and precious metals. The result is a beautiful piece that honors the broken history.

Author and artist Makota Fujimura suggests we “look with compassion and love on broken lives and broken systems as the starting point of repair, reform, or healing. I actually think that there is virtue in being able to see the brokenness and fractures, as painful as they may be. Through the pandemic and other disasters of the past year, we are given clear vision to see the reality beneath the facades of institutional power and leadership that have betrayed God’s design.”

This month, we feature Fujimura’s new book, along with other suggested titles to help us challenge and center our thinking as we move forward. Read the full article here.

March 2021: How Did We Get Here?

Our country’s Founding Fathers were spiritual people. Benjamin Franklin was among the early progressive Christians. In the late 1700’s, Franklin penned a revised, modern version of the Lord’s Prayer to “better reflect what he thought the true meaning of the prayer was.”  While the language may not sound modern today, the sentiment is not lost.

Heavenly Father
May all revere thee,
And become thy dutiful Children and faithful Subjects.
May thy Laws be obeyed on Earth as perfectly as they are in Heaven.
Provide for us this Day as thou has hitherto daily done.
Forgive us our Trespasses, and enable us likewise to forgive those that offend us.
Keep us out of Temptation, and deliver us from Evil.

 As our country continues to struggle with race and political polarization, it is our personal responsibility to become a student of these issues. We cannot have honest conversations without understanding history. We cannot discuss or defend our point of view without understanding the facts of how we got to where we are. See a list of books to provide some understanding in the full article here.

February 2021: Lent - An Opportunity

Lent presents an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect. An opportunity to ponder. An opportunity to come to terms with the human condition. An opportunity to accept our need for a Savior. An opportunity to take responsibility for our own faith.  

The books below, including one for children, offer an opportunity to create a daily devotional time during Lent for personal growth in faith. Read the full article here.

December 2020: Christmas - A Distraction

I don’t know about you, but I really want to forget about the pandemic and politics for a minute.
Enter Christmas! A very welcome distraction.
Oops. Wait. Is that it? Has Jesus just become a distraction and Christmas is simply a reason to decorate our homes and forget about life for a minute (pause to think about that)?

Welcome Advent. The season of prayer, giving us the opportunity to reset our hearts and minds and prepare for the greatest gift of all. Jesus. There are many great books, devotionals and DVD’s for adults, children and families that will help your Christmas become the main attraction and not just a distraction. Read the full article for some suggestions.

November 2020: I Am Thankful For…?

It’s November. A time of Thanksgiving. A time to gather with family and friends. But this year will be different. Smaller gatherings, if we gather at all. And give thanks for what? A global pandemic? A country divided? Ongoing racism? Riots? Polarizing political views?With all that has happened in 2020, we seem more eager to wallow in our sorrow than to give thanks. Yet even in our tragedy and trials, there are moments of hope and love. It is important to take time to identify and celebrate those moments.

November Challenge:  Answer this question at the end of each day: “Where did I see God today”? 

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, you will have created your list of reasons to be thankful. This month we feature books on recovery and hope in the full article.

September 2020: Pandemic Blues

Some days are fine. Other days are not fine. Cases are going up. Cases are going down. Cases are going up again. So many questions:  should we send our children to school? should we go to the park? can we get by without going to the grocery store this week? can I meet my friends for coffee or a walk?

During all the uncertainty, a regular daily meditation or devotional time to listen to God may help set a better course for each day. This month, we feature books to support your daily practice. All are available from the HSLC Library when it reopens, or available for purchase online. Some may also be available from the public library. Read the full list here.

August 2020: White Privilege and Racism

The hard thing about white privilege? People that have it don’t even know they have it. I didn’t. Until recently. Until Black Lives Matter really made me sit down and take stock. I like to think I am not a racist person, but by remaining silent in my whiteness, maybe that makes me part of the problem. I would rather be part of the solution. Let our actions today make for a better tomorrow.

Click here to learn more about books for all ages to continue the work of learning on this important matter.

July 2020: Black Lives Matter

The events in our city and nation over the last couple weeks make our heads spin and our hearts heavy. Now is an important time to listen. Really listen. And to be curious. To become a student and learn. Really learn about Black history and systemic racism. It is important. And while all lives do matter, the message must not be lost that now is the time to focus on black lives. We have a constantly-updated list of anti-racism resources here. The library has written an article on the same subject here.

June 2020: Traveling Along Your Road

We all travel our own unique road through life. As you travel on your road, who do you bring along? What are your thoughts on the road? When you reach a fork, how do you decide which way to go? 

This summer, we suggest books to guide you as you travel along your road. Read here.

May 2020: Blessed Contradictions

This month, Eric Peterson offers a review of Pastor Mike’s new book. The Library will have several copies available for check out once our building is back in operation. In the meantime, the book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.  Read here.

April 2020: Ancient Words, Ancient Beliefs: Outdated or Relevant?

This month, we feature books that take us back to the ancient history of Christianity. These authors will help you see how understanding the past can enlighten our perspective on the present. Read here.

March 2020: A Journey to Deepen our Faith

As part of your Lenten journey, take a trip downstairs to the library. You will find an incredible collection of Lent and Easter books to support your faith journey. Whether you are looking for a daily devotional/meditation book, a book that will inspire spiritual practices, or one that offers stories and reflections, there is something available to expand your Lenten journey. Read here.

February 2020: Forgiveness

How do you forgive someone that has wronged you or your loved one, especially with hateful intention and steeped in racial bias? This month’s featured book “Grace Will Lead Us Home” provides a profound example of the struggle of forgiveness. Click here to read the full article.

January 2020: The Power of Connecting

With 2019 behind us and 2020 stretching before us, it’s time to think about how we will shape the year ahead. This month’s feature book offers some ideas on the power of connecting with one another, celebrating each other’s successes and lifting each other up so we too can be lifted. A powerful set of ideas for 2020 and beyond. Click here to read the full article with book reviews.