Resource Center for Churches

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About Us

The Resource Center for Churches provides quality contemporary resources for educational programs in the local church through an ecumenical partnership. The Center was founded in 1975 as a cooperative resource center for sharing audiovisual materials. Sponsoring denominations are the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples).

There are over 2,500 video resources available for Bible study, small groups, men's groups, retreats, counseling, women's groups, confirmation, youth groups or Sunday School classes.

The Resource Center is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact Information:

Resource Center for Churches, Diane Dunkerson, director

Address:
2641 North 49 Street
P.O. Box 4553Lincoln NE 68504
E-mail: ddunkerson@umcneb.org
Phone: 800-435-6107 or 402-464-5994
FAX: (402)464-6203

Resource Center for Churches offers new videos

As we travel through this brief season of Epiphany, we realize that Lent is quickly approaching and our yearly journey towards the cross will soon begin. Let the Resource Center be a source of learning and inspiration for you this year.

Our newest study series is entitled, Deeper Connections. This series, which contains 3 volumes, looks at the parables, prayers and miracles of Jesus. Each volume contains six sessions and is led by a different professor in different locations. Filmed in both Israel and the United States each session consists of 3 parts 1) A historical and cultural background from Israel 2) A close look at the Biblical text and 3) An application of the Bible's message to today's life. Leader and student guides are included in all 3 studies.

The Parables of Jesus discusses the parables of the weeds and mustard seed, the two debtors, the Prodigal Son, the pearl, the wedding feast and the sheep and the goats.
The six lessons of The Prayers of Jesus are 1) Watch and Pray -- Jesus' Model Prayer Life 2) God Listens -- The Persistent Widow 3) Joining in Jesus Prayer -- The Lord's Prayer 4) Praying to a Good God -- The Friend at Midnight 5) Praying with Purpose -- Jesus' Final Prayer and 6) A Friend in High Places -- Faith, Prayer and Answers.
The miracles that are presented in The Miracles of Jesus are 1) A Bleeding Woman 2) Water to Wine 3) Feeding the 5000/ Walking on the Water 4) A Canaanite Woman 5) Cursing the Fig Tree and 6) Ten Lepers.

If you have read the popular book The Purpose Driven Life and thought it would be great to share its concepts with others, this DVD study series based on the book and led by Rick Warren, is now in our library. Warren discusses the major concepts of his book in six sessions and helps answer the question of what is our purpose on this earth.

John Ortberg's study series are rarely on the shelves in the Resource Center because of their popularity. His newest series, God Is Closer Than You Think, is a 6 week journey that helps people experience God's presence in their busy lives. The sessions are entitled 1) God's Great Desire for People 2) Where Is God In My World? 3) Partnering with God Today 4) Listening to the Voice of God 5) God Wants a Relationship With You and 6) Heaven Breaking Through.

In the Dust of the Rabbi is the 6th volume in the Faith Lesson series. This series was filmed entirely in Israel and Asia Minor and brings the land where Jesus and his disciples walked to life. The study contains 5 lessons and helps us experience what it would mean to be a disciple of Jesus as we walk through Galilee and through Turkey where Paul established the first churches.

If you need a study for just one or two weeks during Lent, Prophecies of the Passion would be for you. This 60 minute DVD discusses the Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament that were fulfilled during the last week of Christ's life. Questions for discussion are included in the bonus features.

Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses is not so much a study as a visual adventure. Produced by Public Television, this is one man's journey through the land of Abraham, Joseph and Moses. You'll visit the slopes of Mt. Ararat, travel the route of Joseph to Egypt, trek to the desert outpost where Abraham heard God's call and scale the mount where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Remember to wear your khakis and bring a good pair of hiking boots for this Lenten adventure!

If you are looking for something different this Lenten season, maybe for a younger adult group, you'll want to give the NOOMA series a try. With 18 DVDs in our library and new ones being produced this year, each DVD uses the experiences of our everyday life, such as anger, forgiveness, noise, guilt, blessings, our breath, unconditional love to teach about the fullness of life through Jesus. Each DVD runs between 10-15 minutes and comes with a discussion guide.

Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God, the newest study series from Living the Questions, is a unique opportunity to travel with John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg to Turkey, Italy and Greece and follow in the footsteps of Paul. This 12 session DVD offers new insights into the life and teachings of Paul. (This DVD will be shipped the latter part of January and be available to preview the beginning of February.)

I hope one of these titles ignites a spark of interest and inspiration. If you are interested in reserving one of these titles, or would like to know about other options and choices from our library contact me at the Resource Center, 800-435-6107 or e-mail me at ddunkerson@umcneb.org.