1. New 2008 Liturgical Calendar
2. Protect Biblical Marriage!
3. Please Become a Guardian Angel
4. May We Suggest "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse"?
5. "Christian with a Twist"
6. Adam's Last Word

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Merry Christmas to all!

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Welcome once again to the Chi Rho Connection, the electronic newsletter of Chi Rho Press. Thank you for passing this Chi Rho Connection on to others.

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Please visit our Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com to see our entire lines of books, handouts, videos, tapes, tchochkas, and stained glass.

Direct all other e-mail to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.

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1. New 2008 Liturgical Calendar!

The new Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary is out! The new Church Year started with the first Sunday in Advent, December 2, 2007. Chi Rho Press' annual Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary for 2007-2008 is back from the printer and ready to ship.

The NEW 2007-2008 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary Year A is now on the Chi Rho Press Web site. You may view it and order it at this link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa07_08.html

The 2007-2008 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary sells for $11.95 each, $9.50 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.

The Lectionary in the Liturgical Calendar is from the Revised Common Lectionary, widely used as the ecumenical consensus on readings for each Sunday and holy day in the three-year cycle of the church year. Our Liturgical Calendar is packed with useful information for planning worship and preaching in the local church. It is intended for use by pastors, musicians, altar guilds, teachers, theological students, and anyone using the Church Year as a basis for worship or education. The Liturgical Calendar is spiral bound so it can lie flat for easy use, in the popular 8 ½" x 11" format.

Featured in this new Liturgical Calendar are these sections: A Heading that identifies the day in the church year (for example, the first Sunday of Advent) with alternative descriptions where appropriate. The Revised Common Lectionary readings, including a brief summary of each reading. (These are intended as only a very brief overview to identify general themes as an aid to worship planning. We do not represent them as anything approaching a thorough exegesis.)

The First Reading is usually from the Hebrew Testament, but there are exceptions, such as the use of readings from Acts during the Easter season. These are sometimes selected thematically to fit the Liturgical Calendar, but often are simply being read through key passages over a series of weeks. This is followed by a Response, usually a Psalm. The Epistle Reading is next, like the Hebrew Testament Reading typically a series of key passages from the same book being read over a number of weeks. Finally the Gospel Reading follows the story of Jesus through the Christmas and Easter cycles, plus the teachings of Jesus the rest of the year.

Next is a section called "Worship Planning." This includes suggestions for decorations or symbols for special seasons, such as Advent wreaths; the liturgical color for the day; etc.

Rev. Witt has added lots of Notes in the Worship Planning section, which serve to explain in more detail information about the time of the church year, provide resources for further study and information, and develop liturgical themes to make your worship experience more rich and meaningful.

Then comes a section called "Special Events," which includes any special events occurring that day or that week that you may wish to commemorate, such as World AIDS Day, and some special occasions for celebrations of diversity, such as celebration days for specific cultures (e.g., Cinco de Mayo) and special days for the GLBT community (e.g., a day of remembrance for Matthew Shepard).

As a special added section, we have included alternative readings for the five Sundays of Pride-Tide (June) prepared by the Rev. Gordon McCoy. The five sets of readings for Pride-Tide may be used at any time in the year that the faith community celebrates LGBT Pride. The standard Revised Common Lectionary readings are included for the five Sundays in June as well.

The 2007-2008 Liturgical Calendar will be a helpful aid for anyone involved in planning worship, as well as a useful resource for all who want to know more about the Church year and the rich liturgical life of the Church Universal. We think you will like this Liturgical Calendar.

Order the 2008 Calendar today at this new link: http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa07_08.html

The 2008 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary sells for $11.95 each, $9.50 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.

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2. Protect Biblical Marriage!

As the U.S. Presidential campaign season heats up, one issue we will hear more and more about is a Constitutional Amendment to "Protect Biblical Marriage."

The Liberty Education Forum has come up with the best way to codify this. I agree with them. I mean if you are going to do something I say go all out and do it right! here it is:

Proposed Constitutional Amendment codifying marriage entirely on biblical principles.

A. Marriage in the United States shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Genesis 29:17-28; II Samuel 3:2-5)

B. Marriage shall not impede a man's right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Samuel 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chronicles 11:21)

C. A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

D. Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Genesis 24:3; Numbers 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Nehemiah 10:30)

E. Since marriage is for life, neither this Constitution nor the constitution of any State, nor any state or federal law, shall be construed to permit divorce. (Deuteronomy 22:19; Mark 10:9)

F. If a married man dies without children, his brother shall marry the widow. If he refuses to marry his brother's widow or deliberately does not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Genesis 38:6-10; Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

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3. Please Become A Guardian Angel

Chi Rho Press has a Guardian Angels program and we would love for you to become a member. We are looking for individuals, couples, or families who will become sponsors of the Press and more involved as partners in this ministry.

Our vision of ecumenical, grass roots ministry really takes hold with the implementation of the Guardian Angel Individual Sponsor Program. Won't you become a part of this ministry? We are inviting you to become a Guardian Angel of Chi Rho Press today!

Guardian Angels will

1. Receive a welcome gift of your choice of one of the products on our Web site as a thank you for your support.

2. Be listed as a Guardian Angel Sponsor in Chi Rho Press publications, press releases, eNewsletters, and on the Web page, with your permission.

3. Receive an annual report prepared just for Sponsors.

4. Be informed first about advance sales of publications from Chi Rho Press.

5. And of course, you will remain in our prayers!

And what do we ask from our Guardian Angels in return? Only three things,

1. Please keep the ministry of Chi Rho Press in your prayers.

2. A gift of at least $150 a year to Chi Rho Press from individuals, couples, or families.

3. Keep your friends, family, co-workers, and churches informed about the resources available from Chi Rho Press, our Web site, and our eNewsletter, this Chi Rho Connection and the weekly Chi Rho Reflection.

That's it. For just $150 a year, you can become a Guardian Angel Sponsor of this growing publishing house, serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and seeking community of faith. Chi Rho Press is reaching people with resources that are not available anywhere else, resources that are made especially for our LGBT community.

"Even though we have managed to keep the costs of this special ministry very low, we need your support to grow and to expand our outreach. Won't you help?" asks former Board member and continuing supporter Steve Barchers.

Simply send your check for at least $150 to Chi Rho Press, ATTN: Guardian Angel Program, P.O. Box 7864, Gaithersburg, MD 20898. Or just go to our Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com/sponsor.html and click on the $150 contribution as a minimum to become a Guardian Angel.

If you have specific questions about the Guardian Angel Program, you may e-mail us at Angels@ChiRhoPress.com, or telephone us at 301/926-1208.

Thank you for your support!

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4. May we Suggest "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse"?

"Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse" by Dr. Rembert Truluck is remarkable for many reasons. From a publishing standpoint, it is our largest book to date with over 550 pages. And it is the fastest selling and most popular book Chi Rho Press has ever produced.

The reasons for the popularity of "Steps" are clear.

Dr. Truluck speaks the language of ordinary people of faith, his book is written in plain language that all can understand, and concentrates on the basics, God's creation, love, and redemption of ALL humanity.

He has identified an important and lethal trend in the religious community, the tendency to be legalistic and judgmental and to use the faith and the Bible as a weapon to hurt people rather than a source of healing and love.

Truluck concentrates on the Good News of the Bible, Good News that is for everyone, not just heterosexual white men. Too often LGBT commentators concentrate on defending their position that the Bible doesn't really say anything bad about homosexuality. This is true, and Dr. Truluck does devote four chapters to the pitifully few verses that have been used to condemn LGBT people. He effectively counters those who insist that the Bible condemns Gay people.

But most of "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse" doesn't dwell on a rebuttal to those who use the Bible to attack LGBT people, but rather concentrates on those many passages of the Holy Scripture which speak words of love, understanding, tolerance, and joy for God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and those who love them. Dr. Truluck proves that the Bible is our friend!

Lastly, Dr. Truluck offers a 12 Step program to counteract a history of Bible abuse in effective and joyful ways. The 12 Steps, plus a concluding thirteenth step, lead people through the pain inflicted on us by misunderstanding of the Bible and legalistic, judgmental religion, and on into the peace of God's love and acceptance. "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse" leads people from hate to love, from fear to confidence, and from pain to joy. It is a remarkable journey!

We invite you to take this journey with us! Buy "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse" on the Chi Rho Press Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevStepsToRecovery.html
using your credit card on our secure shopping cart.

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5. "Christian with a Twist"

Here is a selection from our book of reflections, "Christian with a Twist: Reflections on Scripture that are a bit more inclusive, a bit more relevant, and with a bit of a bite," by the late William Gaston.

"Christian with a Twist" is available for $19.95 each, $14.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. You can read more about it and order it at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm

As the subtitle suggests, Bill's writing has a bit of a bite, and we believe you will enjoy his sharp, but loving take on Scripture, life, and faith.

Here is a selection entitled "You Had Better Watch Out!" from the Advent section of "Christian with a Twist."

Please read Matthew 24:36-44

Sometimes we interpret scripture literally not too often, but sometimes. Often we take it metaphorically or we read between the lines. Sometimes we find an ancient or universal truth, and oftentimes we find new meaning in the ancient text for our modern lives. Maybe I am weird. You put up with me, so you be the judge, but sometimes scripture leads me to a way of thinking that really seems almost the opposite of what the author must have intended.

Today's passage does that for me. It very much seems to be a warning, an admonition that we'd better have our repentance up to date because we never know when that final judgment day is coming. Sure, God forgives us for our sins much more readily than we would if we were in God's place but we could always get run over by a bus right after saying dagnabit, or lusting after our neighbor's donkey or something, and then where would we be?

I do not think God is out to get us. Yes, our final day will surely come, and God might have some final, final day in the works for humankind as well, but I think God's forgiveness is even more a part of God's plan. I see God's Grace all around me, and I'm really not worried about not being prepared to meet my maker.

Doing well in the meantime is something I need to think about. Not as a precaution, but rather as getting the most out of the life God has given me. What I need to watch out for is not a final roll call, but rather each opportunity to get to know God better.

Jesus is coming. That is what Christmas is all about. Santa may make us hide away in our beds pretending to be asleep if we want our stockings filled. Jesus would rather have us wide awake and watching.

No, we never know when the next opportunity to know him better will come. We'd better be ready because each one is too good to miss.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm

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6. Adam's Last Word

Happy Christmas to you all! My hope is that this Christmas is filled with every good thing for you and those whom you love, and that 2008 is a year of wonder, promise, and joy.

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Our annual Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary is now available!

Please order now at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa07_08.html

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I really encourage you all to become Guardian Angels of Chi Rho Press. This will help us a lot as we prepare our next books for publication. Just $150 for a year will make you an important participant in this ministry.

Thank you!