2024 the best and brightest review
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In these meditations on the lesser feasts and fasts of the church calendar Sam Portaro asks the question, “What do these saints and commemorations have to say to Christians today?” His answers are often surprising and always thought-provoking, with fresh insights into the lives and teachings of those who have gone before us in the Christian faith. The cycle of the year begins in Advent with St. Andrew and ends in late November with Kamehaneha and Emma of Hawaii. Each reflection looks at the scripture readings for the day and focuses on a distinctive attribute of the saint or feast in the light of contemporary questions of faith, mission, and community.
Saints of the distant past such as Columba and Agnes, Cyprian and Augustine, Thomas Becket and Catherine of Siena are included, as well as those closer to our own day―Charles Wesley and Julia Emery, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Evelyn Underhill and Jonathan Daniels. Following the calendar provided in Lesser Feasts and Fasts, meditations on the holy days of the church seasons are also included, such as All Saints and the Epiphany.”
Brightest and Best is designed for a variety of Christian education purposes, including adult forums, confirmation classes, seasonal presentations, clergy groups, and groups of students and young adults. It is equally useful for individuals seeking varied and interesting devotional reading. Although based on the church year, each chapter is discrete and readers can focus on any event or person and begin at any season. Since these pieces began as homilies in a college setting, they are useful as a preaching aid and could be the basis of a homily at a midweek service.
Publisher : Cowley Publications (January 25, 1998)
Language : English
Paperback : 246 pages
ISBN-10 : 1561011487
ISBN-13 : 978-1561011483
Item Weight : 1 pounds
Dimensions : 7 x 0.56 x 9 inches
Reviewer: Judith A. Heffron
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Homilies on Heros
Review: This book is a wonderful review of the saints of the church---well-written and insightful. Each entry includes a homily based on the appointed scriptures for the day and the life of the saint. Before I retired, I used this book for mid-week church services to educate the congregation on the heroes of our faith.
Reviewer: Joyce Eriksen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Thoughtful writing.
Review: Fine piece of work. We use it in church for weekday service..
Reviewer: JR
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Moments of eternity
Review: This volume is an invaluable resource for folks who want to celebrate each day with an awareness of a world larger than the one which often we tend to create for ourselves. These men and women and the events narrated remind us of the thin place that lies between the divine and the human - a thin place which is permeable and brings insight and grace to us as we go about our the tasks of our daily living and loving.
Reviewer: Hallock Martin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent, new and different insight into the saints of the Church.
Review: As I preach on the Lesser Feasts each week at our Wednesday service,I have found the new perspective that Fr. Portaro brings to the LFF is quite refreshing!.
Reviewer: K Maui
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great inexpensive ordination gift
Review: Looking for a good gift for a friend who is being ordained as an Episcopal Priest. Give them this well written book by Sam Portaro. Some day, when they are preaching a mid-week service and feel that the "well is dry", they'll thank you.
Reviewer: Douglas A. Nicely
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Good Commentary on Saints' Days
Review: I have this book in paperback. I was excited to see it as an e-book. Sam Portaro is a gifted writer whose objective here is to do a little teaching on the meaning behind each of the saint's days in the BCP calendar. I know of no other book that does this as well. It is a good companion to "Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints."
Reviewer: Don Parker
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Stars
Review: The p urchase was perfect in every way.
Reviewer: Tonya Riley
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Stars
Review: Book in great shape, just as expected.