Sometimes it’s difficult to purchase good Christian literature
locally because South County’s general purpose bookstores have a
limited selection of religious books. Here are a couple of ways to
solve this problem.
Sometimes it’s difficult to purchase good Christian literature locally because South County’s general purpose bookstores have a limited selection of religious books. Here are a couple of ways to solve this problem.
Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave., offered for the past year an innovative ministry called the Resource Center. Dedicated volunteers Pat Golden and Dottie Burmester (plus teen members of the congregation who fill in during summer months) offer parishioners books, music, handmade Christian jewelry and more on alternating Sundays.
The Resource Center consists of an always-changing selection of books, videos, CDs audio cassettes, games and jewelry housed in large rolling carts. These carts are moved into the fellowship hall or the church’s inviting courtyard (weather permitting) between the 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services and also after the later one.
As worshipers gather for coffee and conversation, they can browse through the collection of materials appropriate for the whole family, from study Bibles to Veggie Tales.
When the pastors are preaching a series of sermons on a particular theme or one of the church’s many Bible study or support groups is focusing on a particular area, copies of relevant titles are available at the Resource Center at great discounts from the publishers’ suggested prices. Recently the following books were ordered for a current class on prayer: “The Praying Woman,” “The Praying Parent,” “The Praying Husband,” “The Praying Wife” and “Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days.”
In addition to providing Christian music and literature, the ministry serves another purpose: hospitality for newcomers on Sunday morning. Ms. Golden points out, “It’s more comfortable to glance at books during coffee time than stand around looking like you don’t know anyone.” For more information call 842-3000.
Another local source for Christian literature, gift items and music is Blessings, located at 8955-B Monterey Road in Gilroy. Opened 10 months ago by Morgan Hill resident Dina Flores, the store fulfills a dream she has had since she visited Christian bookstores as a young girl.
Blessings has a wide variety of Christian materials in both English and Spanish. There are many different Bibles, concordances, Bible dictionaries and maps of the Holy Land. Song books, audio cassettes and CDs are available for different styles of music. And there are video tapes, CDs and DVDs on religious topics available for sale and rental.
In addition, the store stocks Veggie Tales stuffed animals, inspirational greeting cards, bumper stickers, playing cards, key chains, refrigerator magnets and Christian art work, as well as Christian tracts on various topics available in bulk quantities for mass distribution.
Flores says that Blessings is more than a business – it is also a ministry. She hopes to have someone available during store hours to pray with customers who need that help.
Current hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday. However, it can be opened on weekends by special appointment. For more information call 842-1696.
