Bible Studies


Feasts

Feasts of Faith: Reflections on the Major Feast Days
by Fr. William C. Mills

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Paperback (August 2008)
ISBN-13: 978-1-933275-23-9
Price: $13.95 + S&H (USD)

Feasts of Faith: Reflections on the Major Feast Days is a collection of pastoral reflections on the major feast days that appear in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar. The primary aim of Feasts of Faith is to encourage Orthodox Christians to learn more about the feast days through reading and reflecting on the rich scriptural texts that are associated with these special celebrations. The feast days include beautiful liturgical hymnography, but also prescribed Scripture readings for Matins, Vespers, and the Divine Liturgy which function as a context for understanding the importance of these festal celebrations. Feasts of Faith is not an exhaustive commentary on all the Scripture readings for the festal celebrations, but rather offers the reader an overview of the content and background of these readings. One hopes that by reading and studying the Word of God, the entire Church will be edified, encouraged, and challenged to follow the biblical God, the Father of Jesus Christ. Feasts of Faith is a valuable resource for personal and group Bible study, adult education classes, and sermon preparation.

 
     

Baptize All Nations: Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew for the Pentecost Season
by Fr. William C. Mills

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Paperback (January 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-1-933275-10-9
ISBN-10: 1-933275-10-3
Price: $13.95 + S&H (USD)

Baptize All Nations is a collection of pastoral reflections on the Sunday Gospel readings from the Gospel of Matthew that appear during the Pentecost Season. Pentecost is the culmination of the Paschal season that includes both the feast of Pascha (Easter) and Ascension. During the Pentecost season, we turn to the Gospel of Matthew and hear the many parables, teachings and miracles from Jesus who is presented to us by Matthew as the great Teacher who instructs His disciples in the basic tenants of the Gospel. If we diligently follow His words, we will maintain our path on the narrow way to the Kingdom of Heaven. During Pentecost, we commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church and recall the importance of Jesus' final words to His disciples that they must continue His preaching and teaching ministry until He comes again. Thus, at Pentecost, we are encouraged to reaffirm once again our baptismal calling to live according to the Word of God and proclaim it the best we can in both our words and our deeds, as we are witnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Baptize All Nations is an excellent resource for preaching and teaching as well as for personal or group Bible study.

 
     

Prepare O Bethlehem: Reflections on the Scripture Readings for the Christmas-Epiphany Season
by Fr. William C. Mills

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Paperback (October 2005)
ISBN: 1-933275-03-0
Price: $13.95 + S&H (USD)

Prepare O Bethlehem is a collection of pastoral reflections on the Scripture readings that appear during the Christmas-Epiphany season. At Christmas, we prepare to once again receive Jesus into our lives, fi rst as an infant, but also as our Lord, King and Savior. Ultimately, however, we receive him as the Word made flesh and we have "beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." (John 1:14). Th is Word comes to us through the very words of scripture, for it is here, in the Old and New Testaments where we encounter the good news of our salvation. As we read through the scripture lessons for Christmas, Epiphany, and the Meeting of the Lord we are reminded that we are given the greatest gift of all, who is Jesus Christ himself. Unfortunately, the true "reason for the season" is oft en forgotten as we are bombarded by a myriad of holiday planning, parties, and activities that surround the holiday season. Hopefully we can take a few precious moments out of our busy schedules and patiently read the Word of God as we once again prepare to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 
     

From Pascha to Pentecost: Reflections on the Gospel of John
By Fr. William C. Mills

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Paperback (March 2005)
ISBN: 0-9745618-8-6
Price: $13.99 + S&H (USD)

From Pascha to Pentecost is a collection of pastoral reflections on the daily Gospel readings from John that appear during the Paschal season. According to the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, the feast of Pascha (Easter) is celebrated for a period of fifty days as we commemorate the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, as well as the sending of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost. Reading the Scriptures within a liturgical context reminds us that it is none other than the Scriptural God who speaks to us through the very words of the Bible. The reader will find the daily reflections to be the thoughts and ruminations of a parish priest, who, like his congregation, reads and prays the Scriptures daily, returning to them again and again in order to learn and obey the will of God as it is expressed through the pages of Scripture. The study of God’s Word is never finished since we are called to read and re-read it in its entirety, seeking the truth that leads us to repentance and salvation.

From Pascha to Pentecost can be used as both a personal reference in conjunction with one’s regular Bible reading and within the context of a parish Bible study.

 
     


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