The third of 12 Bible story books combining written language, artwork and illustrated sign language to teach hearing and deaf individuals is available from Lutheran Friends of the Deaf (LFD), a ministry of the Mill Neck Family
The First Easter Day is the title of the newly released book. Previously released books in the series are Jesus Blessed the Children and The First Christmas.
Initially available with English text and illustrated sign language for those using American Sign Language (ASL), the books of Bible stories also will eventually be available in other written and sign languages such as Chinese, Spanish and Russian.
In addition, a translation team developing the ASL translations for the stories is working on activity companion materials, including story reviews, catechetical instruction and children’s Christian songs and prayers.
Dr. Mark Prowatzke, chief executive of the Mill Neck Family of Organizations, said, “This multilingual series is an exciting tool for Lutheran Friends of the Deaf as we begin an intentional expansion of the scope of our work around the world.”
The Rev. S.R. Schumacher, director of Deaf Ministry for Mill Neck Foundation and leader of the Bible story translation team, said the books will be suitable for a variety of family and educational settings, “whether it’s a family composed of hearing and deaf members or a Sunday school class of hearing and deaf students.
“We strive to design and develop projects and programs that support ministries in proclaiming the saving message of Christ to the deaf around the globe. The Bible stories are examples of our effort to carry out this mission to the deaf by translating the stories into other written languages and their country’s complimenting sign language. Our intent is to address as many situations as possible in order to bring the Good News of Jesus to them,” he added.
Future titles will be Jesus Heals a Deaf Man, A Book of Prayers, Noah and the Flood, Baby Moses, Daniel and the Lions, The Three Men in a Fiery Furnace, Samuel and God’s Call, Jesus and the Blind Man and Feeding 5,000.
The First Easter Day is available for $3 (plus shipping) — which also is the price planned for each of the remaining books. To order any of the available titles, or for more information about the series, call 800-264-0662 or visit www.millneck.org.
Posted April 25, 2012
