Resources « SGM Lifewords

Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

Changes to UK ordering

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

If you’re a user of our Inspire range of resources, we have made some changes to the way you order. We’ve recently been investigating ways to make our supporter donations go further – every efficiency can make a difference in today’s economic climate.

One of the savings we’ve made is to switch our warehousing arrangements. By changing the way our resources are packed and sent out, we’ve been able to cut our costs significantly – and at the same time improve our service to you.

You will still be able to order resources and have them delivered to you, on a free / donation basis, as before. The biggest difference is that our booklet resources will now come in packs. (Most) English language titles will come in packs of ten, and foreign languages titles in packs of five. Please call us (020 7730 2155) if you have any questions.

It’s a small change, but one that makes a big difference to our costs. Every penny saved on administration frees up more funds for the important work of speaking, sharing and being life words together. And don’t forget that paying forward the value of any orders you make will also help us to continue providing resources free for those that need them most.

PS – orders made up until the first half of October may take a little longer than usual, as the new distribution system settles in. Once we’re up and running, you can still expect the same fast and friendly service that you’re used to, and all in good time for Christmas

Posted in News, Resources | 4 Comments »

Start school with the Little Book of Help

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Although the summer is not yet over, a lot of us already focus on the coming school term. It is a good opportunity to order The Little Book of Help to share with others (please see some screenshots of its content below). The Bible is full of wisdom, encouragement, and good advice about real life stuff. The Little Book of Help is a taster of what the Bible has to say.

Order the booklet now!

The Bible resources are sent by economy mail – please allow between two and four weeks for delivery. A suggested donation for resources is € 0.5 (booklet). Such contribution covers postage and allows us to develop new products. Anything above the suggested amount enables us to equip Christians in poor countries.

Tags: Bible booklets, Booklets, The Little Book of Help
Posted in Resources, Youth work | 4 Comments »

We are all God’s children

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

When a Pavement Project worker takes a street child through a counselling session, one of the tools at their disposal are the pocket cards – four little cards with a picture and a verse, which remind the child of a key truth. One depicts welcoming hands, another the safety of knowing God. Children can choose the one that speaks to them the most. For some, that card becomes a treasured possession.

This week we heard of the cards being used in quite a different context, as a chaplain wrote to us, surprised to find they were intended for children. “We are all God’s children”, she wrote, “and if you knew how many old ladies I have visited in hospital who say ‘I’ve met you before and you gave me this’, and then extract from their purses one of the little cards… These cards have been such a blessing to so many, just when they needed reminding how precious and loved they are.”

We have a large supply of the four pocket cards, and are currently featuring them in our summer warehouse clearance. You can view and order them here.

If you haven’t browsed the other items in the clearance, the full list is here – including discontinued products, overstock, and old favourites.

Tags: pocket cards
Posted in Pavement Project, Resources | No Comments »

Christian and Who Else Could?

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Christian and Who Else Could? are two long-standing favourites from our Inspire range. Both have now been discontinued and are no longer in the current catalogue, but we still have large stocks in the warehouse.

For a limited time only, we’ve made both titles available for ordering. If you can use any copies, please come and order as many as you need – you’ll be getting resources for your ministry, and helping us clear some space on the shelves at the same time!

To order these titles, and to see what else is in our warehouse clearance, visit our online ordering page.

Posted in Resources | No Comments »

Is the church tired out?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

That’s the question raised recently by a research report from LICC and Spring Harvest. They surveyed 3,000 British Christians to see what kind of issues people faced in their lives, and the challenges they encountered in their faith. 55% of respondents replied that ‘fatigue’ was the main challenge to their walk with God.

The same number of people, 55%, reported that time pressure and stress were problems for them, 45% struggled with long working hours, and 47% wrestle with the so-called work/life balance.

The report was commissioned ahead of the annual Spring Harvest conference, and aimed to pin-point specific challenges to the church in the UK.

What should our response be to this? Perhaps we should be more aware of the pressures that people are under, and think carefully about whether the church lifts burdens or adds to them. We also need to ask some questions of ourselves – the gospel is a message of freedom, and Jesus calls us to rest in him and in his presence. Shouldn’t Christians in the UK be wary of kudos in busy-ness, and be confident enough to live at a slower pace? It is, after all, only when we slow down that we have time for others around us, and time for community.

It was with the issue of busyness and burnout that SGM Lifewords released the booklet Walking in the Desert. It uses the story of Elijah to tell a story of exhaustion and new strength found in God. You can order it here.

Posted in Engage, Resources | 1 Comment »

Inspire your summer

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Posted in Ideas, Resources | No Comments »

Look Around You downloads

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Since the launch of our church tour leaflet, Look Around You, we have had a number of people ask if they can use the words on posters. To save you the trouble of making your own, we’ve now released a downloadable version of Look Around You, ready to print and display in your church.

Just visit our historic churches site to download, or click here to order copies of the Look Around You leaflet.

Tags: look around you
Posted in Historic Churches, Resources | 1 Comment »

Inspiring chaplains

Monday, June 8th, 2009

SGM Lifewords Inspire resources are used by pastoral workers and chaplains around the world as they seek to bring words of hope, healing, comfort and peace to those they encounter. This week, join us in giving thanks for their partnership with us and in bringing them before God in prayer.

Many of you will have read the feature on prison chaplaincy in the latest issue of Interact, which profiled the work of Liberté Harries in HMP Manchester. Her story created quite a stir, and we’ve received a number of enquiries from prison chaplains who are keen to use Inspire resources in their work. Praise God that we have the opportunity to support and resource this valuable ministry, and continue to pray with us for Liberté and others like her as they hold out the Bible’s words of truth and life to prisoners.

Workers from the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA) use SGM Lifewords resources to start conversations, offer comfort, and invite soldiers and airmen into encounter with God. One reported: “Recently, I learned that one of the troop sergeants was mourning the loss of his mother. I was able to lead him in a short thanksgiving service, and gave him the leaflet Living with Loss, guiding him through its sections and encouraging him to take it and read it through later.” Give thanks with us for this story. Pray for all those seeking to live, speak and be life words to those serving in the armed forces.

Hospital chaplains play a vital role in patient care, nurturing well-being, fostering hope and supporting people through the transitions that accompany a period of ill health. Here’s what one of them had to say about how SGM Lifewords resources were equipping them: “Thanks for the great resources that you supply. Daily Strength is an all-time favourite, especially appreciated by many patients that we visit.” Praise God that our long-established pastoral range continues to fulfil the needs of hospital workers. Pray for wisdom, strength and encouragement for chaplains as they offer comfort, support and a listening ear to patients, visitors and staff.

New this month in our Bible resources range: Inspiring Prayer. Find out more at www.sgmlifewords.com, or call us on 020 7730 2155 for a copy.

Posted in Prayer news, Resources, SGM Lifewords | No Comments »

Serving the church in Vietnam

Monday, May 25th, 2009

Despite many obstacles, the church in Vietnam has continued to grow since it was formed several hundred years ago, and now accounts for around 8% of the population. This week, join us in praying for partners in Vietnam and for the church in a wider context.

Despite government promises of religious freedom, many of Vietnam’s Christians continue to live under the threat of persecution, intimidation and arrest. Pray for all those who are suffering for their faith. Pray for God’s protection and strengthening for them. Pray that the Vietnamese church will enjoy a greater freedom to meet together in worship.

Lifewords partner Revd Le Van Khai is the Senior Pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church and has been responsible for planting many new churches in and around the city of Ho Chi Minh. Many of the new church members have come from social projects working with those suffering from addiction, homelessness and persecution. Please pray for wisdom for church leaders and congregations as they seek to practically support and spiritually nurture these new believers.

Lifewords’ Inspire resource Who Cares About Me? has been produced in Vietnamese and distributed by the churches under the stewardship of Revd Khai, along with a small number of Forgiveness Matters. The Being Yourself greeting cards were also used to invite friends and family to the various services over the Easter period. Praise God that we are able to support and resource the Vietnamese church in this way. Please pray for all those who encountered the Bible’s life words for the first time during the Easter period.

Tags: vietnam
Posted in Partners, Prayer news, Resources | No Comments »

SGM Lifewords Inspire

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, the Bible’s life words can guide and inspire positive life choices. All over the world, our range of Inspire resources are helping to equip and encourage people on their journey of faith. This week, join us in giving thanks for the positive feedback we’ve received, and in praying that many more people will be impacted by the wisdom of the Bible’s life words.

We’re always excited to hear about how our Inspire resources are being used and received. So this message from Coleen, a supporter in Guyana, South America , was a great encouragement to us. She’s been reading Who Am I? and wrote to tell us about the impact it’s been having: “Thank you for the inspiring messages of faith. You have been contributing to increase my faith also. I am happy to help people to walk in the light of Scripture”. Join with us in praying that many more people will have a similar experience to Coleen, opening their hearts and minds to the life-changing power of the Bible’s life words.

We frequently receive feedback from the hundreds of Life Changing Words subscribers around the world. Recently, one wrote: “Life Changing Words is my daily bread. It gives you all the tools you need when you’re facing life’s difficulties.” This month, SGM Lifewords Europe will be running a Life Changing Words day to encourage more people to join the service and receive a daily scripture verse direct to their inbox. Please pray that many people will respond to this invitation, and share the experience of being encouraged daily as they make space for the Bible’s story to collide with their own.

In an increasingly busy and stressful world, it’s more important than ever to find the space to pause, reflect and pray. This month, SGM Lifewords is pleased to announce the launch of Inspiring Prayer, the newest edition to our range of Inspire resources. It contains written prayers and creative prayer exercises, and aims to encourage those who are just starting out on a journey of prayer, as well as inspiring those who have been praying for years to find fresh ways of connecting with God. Please pray that this will help people at different stages of faith to discover (or rediscover!) the gift of prayer.

Posted in Prayer news, Resources | 2 Comments »