NEW
TITLES FOR THIS SEASON!
Enjoy classic
Christmas stories in an audio book format for your Sunday School students-12 tales are included on 4 CDs, presenting themes
unique to the season: giving and compassion.
CHRISTIAN YEAR –
60 minutes
A video which highlights the
origins, themes, and personal significance of each of the seasons of the Christian year.
In the video there are six 10 minutes segments which can be used individually to introduce these seasons. VHS
CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN
– 37 minutes
This is a Christmas collection
for children. VHS
FOURTH WISEMAN –
72 minutes
Based on Henry Van Dyke’s
classic, “The Story of the Other Wiseman”. Artaban, the fourth wiseman,
takes with him three precious gifts to present to the Messiah. For 33 years,
Artaban and Orantes, Artaban’s servant, pursue Jesus, only to miss him at every turn.
Along the way, Artaban uses his gifts to help people in dire need. He
now has nothing to present to the Messiah when he finds him. The story culminates
on Easter Sunday as Artaban, old and dying, finally encounters the new King, bringing peace to his final moments of life.
DVD
GRANDMA’S ORNAMENT
– 14 minutes
Amy is a clumsy child who
trips and spills and bumps into things, and this year it’s her turn to hang the special decoration on the tree. Grandma brings a new ornament every year; and this year’s decoration is a prized
heirloom, a fragile handmade Christ child resting in a delicate manger. Amy,
understandably, is not looking forward to the event. How she overcomes and wins
out over her clumsiness makes for a very winning and delightful story. VHS
MARY HAD A BABY. AMEN!
– 14:30 minutes
As told by Simon the rhyming
mouse, this animated video for preschoolers to third-graders presents the delightful story of the birth of Christ. Simon invites youngsters to travel back in time with him to experience the first Christmas. Children can relive all the events of that glorious night-Mary and Joseph finding refuge in the stable,
angels and shepherds worshipping the baby Jesus, the wise men bearing gifts, and the Star of Bethlehem leading the way. It’s a story children will want to experience time and time again. Great for the classroom or home viewing. Amen! VHS
MR. KRUEGER’S CHRISTMAS
– 25 minutes
Mr. Krueger, a lonely widower,
finds company in his day-dreams and his pet cat. When a young girl comes caroling
at his door, Mr. Krueger finds not only friendship, but the true meaning of Christmas. VHS
An
Advent Classic! PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS – 60 minutes
This video (using different
styles of animation & real-life actors) in four parts takes us through the Advent season, giving meaning to each of the
four Sundays in Advent. Could be used in church schools, membership classes,
mid-week groups, women’s groups, worship, etc. A warm, informative, delightful
presentation. VHS
RED BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS
– 30 minutes
The video Red Boots for Christmas
is based on a story written many years ago in Germany. Hans the shoemaker learns
about the joys of sharing and fellowship and the spirit of Christmas after he is visited by an angel who brings the promise
of a very special gift. VHS and DVD
ROUGH EDGES –
24 minutes
Two women, worlds apart, one
with plenty and one without, meet by chance on a wintery night and share a park bench and a small portion of their lives. The exchange is more than words-hope is given that the real meaning of Christmas can
be brought back into the heart and in turn help a troubled family. VHS
A
Great Choice for an Advent or a Lenten Adult Study! SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT – 52 minutes
This 52-minute program shares
personal stories of people facing turning points in their lives and asking questions of faith that are all part of the seasons
of the spirit. Connecting these stories to the Christian seasons helps viewers
to reflect on some of their own experiences, both individually and as communities. VHS
SECRET OF THE SECOND BASEMENT
– 30 minutes
In this story, the puppet
friends, Nanny and Isaiah meet for the first time. Nanny a lonely and homeless
little girl discovers the warmth and love of a “family” of homeless people living in a secret church basement.
VHS
Many
Spirit Connection programmes are available in both VHS and DVD format. Make the Faith Connection - use Spirit Connection
Programmes to enhance your group experience.
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER
2002 – 120 minutes
December 8 – Advent:
Telling the Christmas Story Through Music. What better way to celebrate
this joyous time of year, than through music? Two, United Church choirs-one a
youth group called the Liturgically Hip and the other a traditional group from Eglington-St. Georges United Church bring their
own different expressions of the season to you in gladsome song.
December 15-Blessed Among
Women, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the strongest women in the Bible but she is also a figure in the Koran. Spirit Connection looks at the women at the center of the Christmas story and her
place in several faith communities.
December 22-Journey to
Bethlehem, Spirit Connection celebrates Christmas in rural Ontario with a “Journey to Bethlehem. This interactive pagent, complete with carol singing, and marketplace attracts over 600 people each year
to the magical background at Five Oaks.
December 30-A Christmas
Carol, the timeless story of Jesus’ birth, told in familiar carols and drama, moves us to reflect on God’s
relationship with the world. The retelling by a cast of all ages and of multicultural
backgrounds. It’s a Christmas card to share with friends and family.
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER
2003 – 141:50 minutes
Dec.14 – Holly &
Homecoming Advent #1
Dec.21 – Holly &
Homecoming Advent #2
Dec.28 – Blessed Among
Women
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER 2000-Telling
the Christmas Story through music – 30 minutes
What better way to celebrate this joyous
time of year, than through music? Two United Church choirs-one a youth group
called the Liturgically Hip and the other a traditional group from Eglington – St. Georges’s United Church bring
their own different expressions of the season to you in “gladsome” song.
Also: a Christmas message from the Moderator
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER 2001-Mary;
Journey to Bethlehem-60 min.
Dec.11,2001-Blessed
Among Women- Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one the strongest women in the Bible, but she is also a figure in the Koran. Spirit Connection looks at the center of the Christmas story and her place in several
faith communities.
Dec.18,2001-Journey
to Bethlehem-Spirit Connection celebrates Christmas in rural Ontario with a “Journey to Bethlehem”. Marking the 5th anniversary, this interactive pagent, complete with carol singing and a marketplace,
attracts over 800 people each year to the magical background at Five Oaks
A
Classic Spirit Connection Christmas! SPIRIT CONNECTION-CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-29 minutes (VC0394)
This video was
prepared to use with groups to reflect on the spiritual gifts of Christmas. Segments
from various Spirit Connection programs have been assembled, and a study guide will take the group through the process. The segments are: 1. Alternative Gifts for Christmas
2.
Desmond Tutu’s Reflection of “The Lowliness of Christ”
3.
Gary McCauley’s Reflect on a “Family’s Gift of Acceptance”
4.
A true story re-enacted: “The Christmas Miracle Child”
5.
Ruben Nelson’s Reflection on Lent and Christmas
6.
The Moderator’s 1990 Christmas Message
7.
First Grader’s re-tell the Christmas Story
WELCOME THE SAVIOUR
– 21 minutes
This is another Nanny and
Isaiah adventure with the Peppercorn puppets. Two orphans traveling together
on a starry night meet an old shepherd who shares good news that angels have brought to him-a Saviour was born that very night
in Bethlehem. They all want to go meet the new Saviour, but are unsure they will
be welcome. The outcome reminds us that all are welcomed by the Saviour.
VHS
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS –
10 minutes
The story of Christmas in
animation as seen through the eyes of a young boy and his puppy. VHS
ALABASTER’S SONG
– 30 minutes
Alabaster is a little angel,
high atop a Christmas tree, and his remarkable song, is heaven sent. It is the
tender music of the heart that unites a little boy, his father, and a glorious night long ago in Bethlehem. VHS and
DVD
BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
EVER (THE) – 60 minutes VHS & DVD
CHRISTMAS IS –
22 minutes
In this video, cartoon/animated
characters, a boy named Benji and Waldo the dog are up to new adventures. Benji
is disappointed that he has to play the second shepherd again in a school Christmas pageant.
But, then he and his dog Waldo have an adventure and discover the meaning of Christmas. VHS and DVD
CITY THAT FORGOT ABOUT
CHRISTMAS (THE) – 22 minutes
This is an animated feature
in which Benji’s grandpa tells the tale of a city that never celebrated Christmas until a new carpenter in town started
spreading the Good News. Suitable for children ages 4-11. VHS and DVD
VEGGIE TALES: THE TOY THAT
SAVED CHRISTMAS - 30 minutes
CRIPPLED LAMB –
30 minutes
Old Asah knew this well, and
when it came time to teach young Benjamin Goat about life, the old story-telling camel told a tale of little Joshua…
a crippled Lamb who always felt left out. Joshua longed to keep up with the flock,
but God had a very special plan for him-just as He does for everyone. One cold
winter night, Joshua was in the right place at the right time to watch history’s greatest event unfold…and to
play a part in it. VHS
GIFT (THE) –
32 minutes
Late on a wintry evening,
after children are already in bed an dreaming of Christmas, the Storyteller Café becomes the playground for over 65 lovable
toys that come to life! Each night they embark on imaginative adventures inspired
by readings from The Book. But tonight will be the most miraculous adventure
of all... the story of a tiny baby who is sent as a gift from God to save us! Among the toys are a courageous flyer, a helpful horse, an innocent elephant, and a wild cowpoke who knows rope tricks! It's
Christmas at the Storyteller Café! Come meet the tons of
lively and lovable toys and play along with them---but ssshhh! Don't wake the
Baby Jesus! VHS
GOD’S GENTLE GIFT
– 49 minutes
A Christmas Cantata based
on the Gospel of Luke, recorded at Orleans United Church in Ottawa. Words by
Walter Farqutharson, music by Ron Klusmeier. This is the Christmas story, in
words and music, from Luke’s Gospel. VHS
JACOB’S GIFT
– 30 minutes
"The one who builds the best
project will be asked to help build the new synagogue," Rabbi Simeon announces
to the students in his woodworking shop. Young Jacob struggles to choose just
the right project to show his craftmanship, until he finally discovers a great idea.
But harassed by his fellow students for his creativity, and with his father's inn overflowing with guests, Jacob is
pulled away from his woodworking by duties and distractions. In the end, Jacob sacrifices winning the contest to do a kindness for a family with a newborn baby, and
learns an important lesson about giving. VHS and DVD
LITTLE BROWN BURRO (THE)
– 30 minutes
This is an animated musical
story about a forlorn, rejected burro, who, with the help of a desert rat, and through his participation in the events of
the first Christmas, finds self-confidence and pride. VHS and DVD
A
Timeless, Classic Fable - Make it a part of your Christmas Tradition. Now available in DVD format! MARTIN
THE COBBLER – 28 minutes
A retelling of one of the
most beautiful of Leo Tolstoy’s folktales It is used for all seasons, especially
Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. VHS and DVD
OXFORD BIBLD SERIES: THE
FIRST CHRISTMAS – 30 minutes
This is part of a Bible study
series for children on ten video tapes. The illustrated stories include original
text with drawings; each video contains an average of five different stories. The
stories included on this video are: - A Baby called John - The First Christmas - When Jesus Was Young - Jesus's Special Friends - Jesus the Teacher - Jesus Gives the People Food VHS
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER
1995 (VC0766) – 2 hours
Dec.25/95 – Christmas
with a farm family, the Luce family of Alberta.
SPIRIT CONNECTION-DECEMBER
1997 (VC0861) – 150 MINUTES
Dec. 22, 1997 – A Christmas
Theme. The nativity, re-enacted in many cultures and many places, is a testimony
to the power of Luke’s telling of the birth of Christ—a story that resonates across the centuries, bringing the
meaning of Christmas out of the shopping malls and into our lives. United Church
Moderator, Bill Phipps, speaks about the different feelings and the intensity of these feelings that the Christmas season
evokes. He remembers his family’s celebrations when he was a child and
how these traditions continue in his life today. As well as personal and Biblical
stories, we re-tell true stories, like The Christmas Miracle Child, and legends such as “The Story of the Chimes,”
that express the wonder and joy of Christmas.
SPIRIT CONNECTION –
DECEMBER 1998 (VC0908) – 120 minutes
Dec. 21, 1998 -- The Magnificat
- Host Royal Orr listens to Christian women in the Middle East as they read Mary's famous song, The Magnificat, and talk about
the significance they see for women today of Mary's response to her pregnancy. What he found out may surprise and enlighten
you. The land where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth provides the backdrop for
this unique presentation in which commentary and words of scripture are interwoven with music and art. Some of the music used in this program was performed by the choir of Deer Park United Church, Toronto.
SPIRIT CONNECTION –
DECEMBER 1999 (VC0942) – 120 minutes
Dec. 20/99 A Christmas Card -- The timeless story of Jesus’ birth, told in familiar carols and drama,
moves us to reflect on God’s relationship with the world. It’s re-telling
by a cast of all ages and of multicultural backgrounds. It’s a Christmas
card to share with friends and family (and it includes some comments by some of the young angels about what Christmas means
to them.) Hosted by Royal Orr.
STABLEBOY’S CHRISTMAS (THE) – 27
minutes
Ten year old Tammy refuses
to wrap a Christmas present intended for her cousin, hoping to keep the doll for herself.
Later, through a dream, she travels back to Bethlehem to witness a little stableboy's act of unselfish love when he
gives the Christ child his pet lamb. Tammy then realizes how sharing presents
with others is a way of sharing God's love at Christmas. VHS and DVD
RED BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS - 30 minutes
The video Red Boots for
Christmas is based on a story written many years ago in Germany. Hans the shoemaker learns about the joys of sharing
and fellowship and the spirit of Christmas after he is visited by an angel who brings the promise of a very special gift.
VHS and DVD
NEW!Christmas
Shoes and Christmas Blessing VHS and DVD
