Perfect lamb, without blemish—all God, and yet all man—He walked and dwelt among us, offering us the bread of life with human hands. The modern practice of Communion, of taking the body of Jesus Christ into the temple of our own bodies, is rooted in the rituals of the Temple of King Solomon, who ruled Jerusalem at the height of its power and greatness. In Bread of Presence, author and artist Roslyn Gatts Alexander lovingly retells the “Bread of Life” story through original prose and artwork, celebrating the history of the temple and how Christ became the focus and true meaning of fellowship with God.
No child should be baptized or take Communion without understanding the foundational truth in Alexander’s beautiful illustrations and deep insights on our relationship with God. Bread of Presence is a worshipful, uplifting journey about God’s covenant of love and His new covenant—Jesus came so we can go before our heavenly Father’s holy throne.
With our body we receive the bread and drink—for fellowship with Christ. With our soul we hunger and thirst for living food, and water—which is offered up to us—within His sacrifice. Christ is the temple of our living God who offers us new life.
Roslyn was born in Columbus Ohio, as the middle child of five children.
She holds a Board of Governor degree with a minor in fine art from Eastern Illinois University and has an Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois. Over the past seventeen years Roslyn has worked with children and adults with special needs teaching and equipping her clients with skills for everyday living, fine motor skills for handwriting and arts and crafts.
Roslyn and her husband Greg are now church planting in the Greater Toronto Area of Canada. Roslyn has been involved in the local church and collegiate ministry along side her husband of 36 years. Greg and Roslyn raised two children and have three grandchildren that have been an inspiration for her books. Roslyn also studied art at Kansas University, Lawrence, Kansas and Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland.
After taking a Photoshop workshop in 2001 at the University of Illinois, Springfield she started creating digital art. Starting in the year 2002 Roslyn showed and sold her work at a variety of venues in Springfield, Illinois. In 2008 she composed the books In Seven Days?, and Blue Earth, with some of her first digital art pieces. Blue Earth is now a digital track anyone can view on line or download at
roslynart.com
Roslyn has also published In Seven Days?
This book is an amazing graphical representation of how Jesus has always been with us; throughout the ages, each article in the Holy of Holies was a symbolic representation of the Messiah and His sacrificial redemption plan.
Andrew N.
This powerful link between the Old Testament temple and New Testament "Bread" is beautifully displayed through words and images. You will be moved by this rich treatment of His Precious Presence, a gift for all who long to enjoy Jesus more.
Mo Thomas
This book takes the very important step of participating in communion and puts it into a visually engaging and beautiful explanation for children. Your child will love looking at the artwork and gaining a deeper understanding of this important part of our faith.
Nikki
Combining her creative, digital artwork with familiar stories from both the Old and New Testament, Roslyn Alexander helps capture the visual imagination of children. In Bread of Presence, important biblical concepts and rituals of Scripture surrounding the practice of communion are translated and visually reinforced to help children understand the larger story of God’s loving provision and eternal presence (communion) with us in the world.
Ken Dibble
Rosalyn Alexander's "Bread of Presence" hit me like a ton of bricks, beginning with the dedication. Up until a few months ago, I didn't really understand the feeling of being persecuted for my Christian beliefs. I found myself living in America, a long-time member of our church, yet at odds with a new theology penetrating our beloved place of worship.
Though written and illustrated for children, this precious book with its clear and concise paraphrasing of the Old and New Testaments served to affirm this senior citizen's stand for Jesus. Broken and bruised from the loss of friendships and our church home, I found comfort and hope in these pages written so beautifully and carefully. The great grace and mercy of our loving God provided a "way" for this sinner and for a sinful world to have eternal life, in spite of ourselves.
"Bread of Presence" came along when I needed its sweet message the very most. It will surely be treasured in our home and will be read to our children and grandchildren. Thank you Lord for inspiring Rosalyn Alexander to gift us with her creativity in presenting this book. What a great and life-giving offering for any child or family!
Debby Robertson
The beautiful images and simple text make reading this book feel like a slow walk in the cool of evening with a best friend.
Connie Taillon
Bread of Presence offers a bright visual uniting the Old Testament and the New Testament. Roslyn Alexander has prepared an instructional feast that lets one read the gospel story in a new way. Her work engages all the senses.
Dr. Jerry Cain
President, Judson University
Jerry Cain
Bread of Presence offers a bright visual uniting the Old Testament and the New Testament. Roslyn Alexander has prepared an instructional feast that lets one read the gospel story in a new way. Her work engages all the senses.
Jerry Cain