“Bear fruit,” says the letter to the Colossians, not as a burden but as our great joy. As our roots go deeper into the word and we soak up God’s saving grace, we grow and bear the fruit of living new lives in Christ – faith, forgiveness, healing, hope, joy, and love. This fruit invites others to experience God’s love and sends the peace of Christ into the world. – “Welcome” from “Bearing Fruit: Devotions for Lent 2016”
With “Too Deep for Words” in 2014, followed by “Grace and Peace” in 2015, congregations have responded enthusiastically to a new devotional format from Augsburg Fortress, distributing more than 35,000 copies of the 2015 edition – an increase of 27 percent over the previous year.
Augsburg Fortress’ new “Bearing Fruit: Devotions for Lent 2016” takes readers through Lent with daily readings from Colossians and features writers Anne Edison-Albright, David L. Miller and Harvard Stephens Jr.
For each day in Lent, “Bearing Fruit” offers a colorful image, a reading from Colossians, a quotation to ponder, a reflection and a prayer. Colossians is one of the New Testament letters read in worship during this liturgical year (Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary). The writers bring their voices and pastoral wisdom to these texts, and offer the voices of other witnesses in the quotations they have chosen for the “To ponder” section for each day.
“Bearing Fruit” is available in pocket-sized, large print and e-book editions, with a quantity discount available with the pocket-sized edition. Lent begins early this year, on Feb. 10, so order soon. Visit augsburgfortress.org/bearingfruit or call Sales & Service at 800-328-4648.
