Advent is a time to think about gifts. Who should receive them? How much should they cost? What do the people on our list "need" most of all? We scramble every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, trying to "take care of our gift list."

These sermons provide a deeper view of the giving and receiving of holiday gifts. Houston reminds us that when all is said and done, it is not us but God who is the gift-giver -- by his rich giving we are graced for life and for eternity. Share with members of your congregation the good news of God's enormous generosity, and look together at the "gift list" God assembled for us once where shepherds watched and angels sang.

Here is a fresh library of resources to help the busy pastor or worship planner prepare for the season of Lent and for Easter Day. Included are orders of worship, model homilies, scripture and hymn suggestions, and historical and theological reflections for:
- Ash Wednesday
- The Lenten Season
- Palm Sunday
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Easter Vigil
- Easter Day
Complete sermons are provided for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Day. Copying privileges are included, so that the original purchaser may duplicate any resource in this book which would prove useful in worship planning in the local setting.
Gary Houston is a United Methodist clergyperson with a prior ordination in the Episcopal Church. He holds a Ph.D. in Tibetan Studies. This unusual background combined with a rural Southern Indiana pedigree flavors all of his books. His other publications include "The Cross and the Lotus "(editor), "Wings of the White Crane," "The Bsam-yas Debate," "Cowherding Christians" (CSS), and "Six Presents From God" (CSS).

If you and your parishioners don't know much about sheep, you might find a shepherding Savior difficult to fathom; but if you grew up on a family farm anywhere in rural America, you might know something about cows. And you just might find it easier to relate to a cowherding Savior. It is this type of familiar, experiential approach to God's word that makes this collection of model homilies so unique -- and so meaningful.
Messages include:
- Where Are the Lilies Now?
- Jesus' Hospital
- Cowherding Christians
- A House for God
and seven more
For use with Common, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic lectionary texts.
Gary Houston is a United Methodist clergyperson with a prior ordination in the Episcopal church. He holds a Ph.D. in Tibetan Studies. This unusual background combined with a rural southern Indiana pedigree flavors all his books. His other publications include "The Cross and the Lotus" (editor), "Wings of the White Crane," "The Bsam-yas Debate," "Six Presents from God" (CSS), and "More Than Conquerors" (CSS).