In "ELCA Identity" Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson explores what it means to be the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This brief introduction to ELCA identity was produced for and shown at the 2006 synod assemblies. Together with the accompanying discussion guide, it can be an effective educational tool in ELCA congregations.
800.638.3522 ext. 6009 www.elca.org/mosaic Tim Frakes, Producer
Understanding the Roman Catholic Church
The purpose of this video is to help Protestant Christians and others develop a better understanding of the Roman Catholic Church, its history and basic beliefs by listening to Roman Catholics tell their own story.
The 35-minute program is organized into three parts: Roman Catholic beliefs, Church history, Catholic Renewal. The program includes interviews with Roman Catholic theologians, scholars, pastors and lay people. Portions of this program were recorded in Rome, Assisi, Trent and Casino, Italy.
After centuries of mistrust, indifference and even hostility, attitudes between Roman Catholics and other Christians are changing. Dialogue, cooperation and understanding is healing old wounds, locally and up to the highest organizational levels.
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest block of Christianity. In the U.S. 65 million Roman Catholics are organized into 200 archdioceses and dioceses and more than 19,000 local Catholic parishes. Each year over one million infants and 70,000 adults are baptized in U.S. Roman Catholic churches. Yet for all its great size, influence and long history, many non-Roman Catholics understand very little about the largest Christian denomination.
www.elca.org/mosaic 800.638.3522 ext. 6009
Scenes from the Holy Land
This is a collection of video images recorded by Tim Frakes while in the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine/West Bank/Occupied Territories, etc . . .) January, 2006. Sites include Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galileee, Nazareth, Qumran, and the Jordan Valley www.elca.org/mosaic http://timfrakes.blogspot.com/
Lutherans Reflect on God's Mission in the World
The 2008 ELCA Global Mission Event drew more than 1,500 people to La Crosse, Wis., July 17-20. Its theme, "God's Work, Our Hands," was explored through stories, worship and global music. Activities on July 18 focused on the topic of HIV and AIDS. Melissa Ramirez Cooper reports.
After the Floods
More info/to help: http://www.elca.org/disaster When disaster strikes, Lutherans are quick to bring healing and hope. "After the Floods" is a captivating five-minute video about how members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serve as beacons of hope to communities recovering from the 2008 floods and tornadoes in the Midwest. Questions? Write to info@elca.org
Prayer Scrapbooking
If you are like most of us, it can be difficult to keep your mind focused during prayer. We all tend to drift. In this video, we Esther Prabakar. She combines the popular hobby of scrap booking with the discipline of prayer.
What do Muslims believe? Who was the Prophet Mohammed? How does Islam relate to the Christian faith? This video helps your understand Islam.
Islam is among the world's fastest-growing religions. Since September 11, interest in Islam and the growing number of Muslim neighbors in the United States has skyrocketed. MOSAIC visits the oldest mosque in America--located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since 1935--and spends time in the largest Muslim community in the U.S., Dearborn, Mich. The video includes interviews with Islamic scholars and Christian theologians, as well as people on the street.
www.elca.org/mosaic 800.638.3522 ext. 6009
ELCA Celebrating Rural Life
Slightly more than half of the 10,400 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are in rural and small-town settings facing declining membership, agricultural economic change and social change, among other concerns. Luke Tatge reports.
The Life of Apostle Peter Join public television travel host and guide book author Rick Steves as he recounts the story of the Apostle Peter from his early days as a fisherman, through his three-year adventure with Jesus to the tumultuous events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. (more>)
Ready to Forgive: An African Story of Grace This is an African story of God’s amazing grace. Northern Uganda is at war. Those most affected, the Acholi people, endure rape, torture and child abduction. Thousands have died, others are missing. Despite all this, the Acholi people are ready to forgive.
Women in the Early Church Who were the women of the early church? What was their role in the formation of the faith? Why do we know so little about them? Recorded on location in Rome, Italy, the Winter 2004 edition of Mosaic brings a wealth of modern scholarship to your congregation as we tell the story of women in the first three centuries of Christianity. You will learn about women like Perpetua, Helena, Thecla and others. We talk with scholars from Luther College, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Philadelphia and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. "There are a number of women in every epic of church history who have answered the call," adds Cynthia Jűrisson, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. "We know that in the first century there were women in leadership positions,." says Robin D. Mattison, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
The Holy Spirit From creation to Pentecost to our world today, the third person of the trinity blows into our lives like a divine wind, inspiring, prompting and leading us to Jesus Christ.
Discover what the Bible, Martin Luther and ordinary Christians have to say about the Holy Spirit. Learn how the Holy Spirit moves throughout the church in homeless shelters, revival services and a creative, emerging ministry in the most un-churched part of North America.
Join gifted pastor, theologian and Grace Matters radio host Peter Marty on a journey across the Holy Land. From Nazareth and Bethlehem where it all began, to Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Mount of Transfiguration and finally Jerusalem. “Introducing Jesus of Nazareth” is a straightforward, concise re-telling of the Gospel story. Helping Peter Marty tell the story, are a diverse group of pastors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Holy Communion is central to the Christian faith. Martin Luther saw Jesus present in, with and under the sacrament. Featuring the insights of Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago scholars Craig A. Satterlee and Kurt K. Hendel, this DVD explores the biblical foundations for Holy Communion, and reviews the Reformation history that defines modern Christian understandings of Holy Communion
Introducing the Old Testament Who wrote the Old Testament? When was it written? How was it put together? Recorded in Israel, the West Bank and Egypt, "Introducing the Old Testament" combines the biblical narrative, beautiful images and interviews with Old Testament scholars into a clear, useful presentation.
Introducing the New Testament combines Holy Land footage, medieval art and the scholarship of ELCA college faculties to introduce you to the New Testament. Where did we get our New Testament? When was it written? To whom was it written? What is the difference between a gospel and an epistle?
Join noted travel author and public television host Rick Steves in an exclusive, five-program journey through church history and global mission. In “Faithful Travel,” Steves lays out his personal philosophy- and theology-about the nature of “faithful travel.” Steves asks fellow travelers to consider the impact of their travel on the people they meet, to delve deeply into the wonder of God’screated world - and God’s people - and to think carefully about how their travel helps (or hinders) matters of peace and justice.
Katie Luther: The Morning Star of Wittenberg looks at the life of the woman Katie Luther, the woman who helped 16th century reformer Martin Luther change the course of history.
Featuring the insights of noted Luther experts Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and theologian Dr. Martin Treu, Wittenberg, Germany this video sheds new light on an often overlooked partner in the reformation.
Glory to God Alone: The Life of J.S. Bach is an award winning introduction to the great composer. Awarded the DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Award for best in class, the video features scenes from Eisenach, Ohrdruf, Weimar, Kothen, Muhlhausen and of course, Leipzig and showcases insights from noted J. S. Bach scholars Christoph Wolff, Robin Leaver and guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening.
www.elca.org/mosaic 800.638.3522 ext. 6009 Tim Frakes, Producer
Lutheran Roots in America
Who were the first Lutherans in the new world? Why did they come and what did they find when they got here? From Swedes to Danes to Germans and Norwegians, Lutheran Roots in America recounts the dramatic tale of Lutheran migration to America. You will learn about Muhlenberg, the Saxons, Hans Neilson Hauge, the Salzburgers and others. Designed for new member and confirmation classes, this video will help congregations understand their history.
www.elca.org/mosaic 800.638.3522 ext. 6009 Tim Frakes, Producer
Good Grandparenting When your children have children, you become a grandparent. That's the easy part. But what is a good grandparent? What is a faithful grandparent? Today there are more grandparents than ever. Nearly 60 million Americans are over the age of 55, and grandparenting roles once modeled by their grandparents have changed dramatically.
Americans live longer and are more mobile than any generation before. High divorce rates and single parent homes have opened new roles for grandparents as primary care givers and 4 million grandparents are primarily responsible for raising their grandchildren. Some grandparents are legally prevented from seeing, or even contacting their grandchildren.
Other older adults are fulfilling non-biological grandparenting roles by being surrogate grandparents. Given the many changes in our society and in the make-up of the family, many grandparents wonder what their role is? What do children need and how can grandparents use their talents and influence to fulfill those needs?
