This important work engages with a long historical debate: were the earliest Christians under the direction of ordained ministers, or under the influence of inspired laypeople? Who was in charge: bishops, elders and deacons, or apostles, prophets and teachers? Rather than trace Church offices backwards, Burtchaell examines the contemporary Jewish communities and finds evidence that Christians simply continued the offices of the synagogue. Thus, he asserts that from the very first they were presided over by officers. The author then advances the provocative view that in the first century it was not the officers who spoke with the most authority. They presided, but did not lead, and deferred to more charismatic laypeople. Burtchaell sees the evidence in favor of the Catholic/Orthodox/Anglican view that bishops have always presided in the Christian Church. At the same time he argues alongside the Prostestants that in its formative era the Church deferred most to the judgment of those who were inspired, yet never ordained.

Hundreds of traditional prayers are here, all in a compact and durable volume that slips easily into a purse or pocket.

Escrito con el estilo de "Oraciones que derrotan a los demonios," este libro provee ensenanzas sobre el plan de Dios para establecer su reino en la tierra. Incluye ensenanzas sobre el Reino de Dios--un tiempo de gran gozo y regocijo?como lo anunciaron los profetas del Antiguo Testamento. Habla de la proclamacion biblica sobre la proximidad del reino y revela el plan de Dios para el establecimiento de la justicia en la tierra. La segunda seccion del libro contiene oraciones y decretos para aprender a establecer y promover el plan de Dios, todo en un formato identico al libro de mejor venta "Oraciones que derrotan a los demonios."

This collection of stories, meditations, poems and prayers evokes the authentic spirit of Celtic Christianity. Capturing the atmosphere of parables passed down through generations, it shows the human warmth, respect for the natural world and robust, down-to-earth qualities for which Celtic spirituality is so greatly valued. With its rich treasury of material - most of it previously unavailable in modern editions - Celtic Parables offers a fresh, lively introduction to the Celtic world.

This book is one of three volumes that bring together Jane Williams's widely read and much enjoyed Church Times columns. Here, she offers reflections on the Sunday readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for Year C. Each section gives the lectionary references and provides a thought-provoking starting point for exploring the readings, drawing out points of connection between them. Intelligently written in an engaging and inspiring style, Lectionary Reflections will prove invaluable in preparation for Sunday worship or for regular Bible study throughout the year. It will be of use both to individuals and groups for opening up the bible and applying its rich teaching and stories. "'If God really is loving and teasing and forgiving, like he is in the stories Jesus tells, then we all have a chance." Jane Williams

What would you be willing to give up to experience the presence of God in your life again?

Many of us sign up for a physical detox program, thinking that if our bodies are healthier, then we're healthier. But a healthy body doesn't do us a lot of good if we are spiritually malnourished.

Welcome to the 40-Day Sugar Fast, a fast that begins with us giving Jesus our sugar and ends with Jesus giving us more of himself--the only thing that can ever truly satisfy our soul's deep hunger. On this 40-day journey you'll learn how to stop fixating on food and other things you use to fill the voids in life and instead fix your eyes on Christ.

Anyone who runs to sugar for comfort or a reward, who eats mindlessly or out of boredom, who feels physically and spiritually lethargic, or who struggles with self-control will discover here not only freedom from their cravings but an entirely new appetite for the good things God has for us.

Continuing the tradition of centuries, The Divine Office is the Catholic liturgy for morning prayer, prayer during the day, and evening prayer, for every day of the year.

Volume Two of the Divine Office covers the period from Lent to Pentecost, and includes all the prayers, as well as readings.

This edition comes in an attractive binding with ribbon marker.

The Divine Office is the official text for the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, as well as various countries across Africa and Asia.

Renowned pastor and New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller explores the power of prayer. Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act. With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader. Dr. Keller's previous books have sold more than one million copies. His Redeemer Presbyterian Church is not only a major presence in his home base of New York, it has also helped to launch more than two hundred fifty other churches in forty-eight cities around the world. His teachings have already helped millions, the majority of whom pray regularly. And with Prayer, he'll show them how to find a deeper connection with God.

The sanctus (the "thrice holy" of Isaiah 6.3) is found in almost all eucharistic prayer, ancient and modern, and comprises the prayer recited over the bread and wine at the communion service. The origin of the sanctus as a constituent element in the eucharistic prayer is one of the unsolved mysteries of Christian liturgy, and the author of this study makes a careful investigation into its background and the instances of its occurrence in early Christian literature.

At a time when there are often as many adults as young people preparing for confirmation, the concept of notes written in adult language, which the younger candidate can grow into, is particularly appropriate for today's needs. The growing number of adult study groups, working through mutual questioning within group discussions, will find it helpful to have these clear succinct notes about the content of Christian belief and practice. Few books have been more influential in confirmation preparation than Hugh Montefiore's 'Confirmation Notebook', written while he was vicar of the University Church in Cambridge. After five editions, with nineteen printings of the fifth edition alone, the notebook is now in a handy pocket-sized format that includes space at the end of each chapter for notes. Existing chapters have been updated and, in most cases, enlarged, while new chapters have been added on 'Common Worship', Christian festivals and fasts, Christian responsibilities, Christian behaviour, and the Christian view on sex and marriage.

This book charts the life of Arthur Sullivan-the best loved and most widely performed British composer in history. While he is best known for his comic opera collaborations with W. S. Gilbert, it was his substantial corpus of sacred music which meant most to him and for which he wanted to be remembered. His upbringing and training in church music, and his own religious beliefs, substantially affected both his compositions for the theatre and his more serious work, which included oratorios, cantatas, sacred ballads, liturgical pieces, and hymns. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of Sullivan's life-which included several years as a church organist, involvement in Freemasonry, and an undying attachment to Anglican church music-Ian Bradley uses hitherto undiscovered letters, diary entries, and other sources to reveal the important influences on his faith and his work. No saint and certainly no ascetic, he was a lover of life and enjoyed its pleasures to the full. At the same time, he had a rare spiritual sensitivity, a sincere Christian faith, and a unique ability to uplift through both his character and his music that can best be described as a quality of divine emollient.

A guide to liturgy and worship in the Church of England within the framework of 'Common Worship', which combines theory, theology and history with a strong sense of the realities of parish life and pastoral practice. It explores the way in which liturgy can reflect the life of the church and the wider world, and the new opportunities for churches at a local level to own and shape the liturgy they use. This book is essential reading for anyone involved in worship in the Church of England, and who wants the worship of their church to be the best they can offer, based on clear liturgical principles. It is also practical and detailed - Michael Perham covers clothing and colours, children's role in worship, the cycle of the Christian year, the timing of services, the use of church space and other elements that go to make up the feel of an individual church. The book has its roots in two of Michael Perham's earlier works, 'Liturgy Pastoral and Parochial' and 'Lively Sacrifice', though much of the material is quite new, and fills its role as key texts for anyone interested in the liturgy of the Church of England.

Are you ever at a loss for words during prayer? God encourages us to approach Him with confidence, yet often we don't know what to say. We wonder if we'll pray the "wrong" way-or we simply have no words at all. A Prayer for Every Occasion inspires readers with prayer prompts, tips on how to pray, and ways to grow a habit of prayer. Organized by occasion and need, this prayer book offers abundant prayer examples to share with others or pray privately, and includes: Prayers for when you're suffering Prayers during a waiting season Prayers for when you seek growth and transformation Prayers for weddings, funerals, births, and loss Prayers for graduations, praise, celebrations, and more Including beloved prayers from Scripture as well as historical prayers, this lovely gift book teaches us how to pray with passion and joy. With four-color and high-designed interiors, this book is a great gift for just about every occasion--birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas, a loved one grieving, a friend needing encouragement, or someone achieving a milestone. Written for veteran pray-ers as well as for those of us who find prayer intimidating, A Prayer for Every Occasion provides an overview of the most common elements found in well-known prayers-including the words of Jesus-to help us find new confidence in our prayer lives.

Many devout Catholics make novenas. This book is published to accomodate those who would like to make various novenas and who would like to have them in a single volume. A brief instruction or meditation precedes each entry.

Songs of Praise was first published in 1925, and is still an immensely popular hymnbook, particularly in schools. The compilation falls into two parts: Book 1 contains hymns grouped by subject and theme, together with a selection of verses, canticles and doxologies; Book 2 contains general hymns listed alphabetically by first line.

The Divine Liturgy of Saint James is the eucharistic rite of the ancient Church of Jerusalem and the most ancient extant liturgy of the Eastern Church. In recent decades, the frequency of its use has increased throughout the Orthodox Church. This service book offers for the first time a parallel Church Slavonic-English text, suitable for use by clergy and servers. It also contains the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of the Holy Apostle James, which is rarely served today but has been preserved in part in a few Greek manuscripts and in full in several Georgian sources. An introduction by Dr Vitaly Permiakov, a specialist in the Jerusalem liturgy, presents the provenance and integrity of both ancient Liturgical services.

Patricia Wilson-Kastner's wonderfully crafted work views the liturgy as a cosmic drama, enacting a sacred meal that grounds us in the universe, draws us into God's creation and redemption, and poses stiff ethical challenges "deep in our bones" to Christians in community. "Liturgy reconnects us with God and with all creation, rekindles in us the vision of the restoration of all in God, and clarifies and nourishes again in us the hope in which we can live now in justice, peace, and love with each other," she says. Though we don't have all the details of this script, we are deeply implicated in the plot. A gifted preacher and writer, and no stranger to church battles, Wilson-Kastner brings a confident faith in the transforming power of worship. Her rich, ecumenically oriented introduction to the liturgy leverages people's great hunger for spirituality and community into deep commitment to justice within church and society.

This book considers the doctrinal and ecclesiological trends that were present during the construction of the revised Book of Common Prayer of 1927. Through the use of the records of both Convocations and of the National/Church Assembly, it examines the debates that led to the revised Book and the doctrinal shifts that were present in these debates. It challenges the idea that the revision process stalled in the First World War by showing how the birth of the National Assembly that took place during the war was born out of the revision process. Through the Assembly records it shows the integral role the laity played in the revision process. It examines the attempts to get the revised Books through Parliament, the difference between pro and anti-revision speakers, and the radical ecclesiological thinking that followed the rejections.

This 1996 book provides a study and critical edition of the corpus of hymns sung by monks and canons in their services in England before the Norman Conquest. It assembles textual evidence, some of it hitherto unpublished, based on all extant manuscripts. Of these, an eleventh-century Latin manuscript known as the 'Durham Hymnal', with its accompanying Old English interlinear gloss, provides the core of the edition and its base manuscript. An introduction and commentary include descriptions of the manuscripts concerned and discussions of the sources, liturgical use, and music of the hymns, as well as the phonology and vocabulary of the Old English gloss. The text of the hymns is accompanied by a translation of the Latin into modern English prose.

Readings for Weddings is an inspirational collection of Bible quotations, poems, hymns and prose for secular weddings, church ceremonies and services of blessing. Mark Oakley includes such 'wedding classics' as 1 Corinthians 13 and Khalil Gibran's The Prophet, the poetry of Shelley and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, verse by Wendy Cope and other witty, contemporary poets.

'This book, a classic guide to the celebration of the Church's ancient Gregorian Rite in the English-speaking world, will serve priests and seminarians of the twenty-first century--just as it served so many priests of the twentieth--in their pastoral mission, which now necessarily includes familiarity with and openness to the use of the older form of the sacred liturgy. I happily commend it to the clergy, seminarians and laity as a reliable tool for the preparation and celebration of the liturgical rites authoritatively granted by the Holy Father in Summorum Pontificum. 'I congratulate the distinguished liturgical scholar, Dr. Alcuin Reid, for his care and precision in ensuring that this revised edition conforms to the latest authoritative decisions with regard to these liturgical rites. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his letter which accompanied Summorum Pontificum: "In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture." The Gregorian Rite is today a living liturgical rite which will continue its progress without losing any of its riches handed on in tradition. For as the Holy Father continued, "What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behoves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church's faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place." May this book assist the Church of today and of tomorrow in realising Pope Benedict's vision.' Dario Cardinal Castrillon HoyosPresident, Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei This fifteenth edition, revised in the light of Pope Benedict XVI's reforms and expanded and corrected throughout, includes a new chapter on the music of solemn and sung Mass as well as clarifications of questions that have arisen in the light of recent experience. It gives descriptions of the rites of pontifical, solemn and low Mass, Vespers, the liturgical year including Holy Week, the sacraments, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, funerals, episcopal visitation and more.

A timeless collection of prayers, quotes, poems and speeches for every occasion. Complete with a brief introduction to each piece and its author, this book features words and prayers from 300BC to the present day. It provides a great source of inspiration when planning a speech or ceremonial occasion or can be used for personal devotions. This carefully chosen selection of the best loved prayers and words of wisdom is a staple for any bookshelf. The many contributors include C. S. Lewis, Florence Nightingale, St Francis of Assisi, John & Charles Wesley, Mother Teresa, John Stott, Oswald Chambers, G. K. Chesterton and Julian of Norwich. From The Lord's Prayer and Footprints, to excerpts from A Pilgrims Progress and A Christmas Carol, this compilation is a useful for individuals to read and reference, and a great source of inspiration when planning for a ceremonial occasion, speech, wedding or funeral. Each reading is introduced with a brief history to the piece and its author, providing new levels of interest and a sense of context. The 300 hand-picked pieces have been arranged alphabetically, so that selecting a favourite work is easy. This guide is also accompanied by a set of indexes which detail first lines, themes, Bible references, and authors, so that each entry is thoroughly cross-referenced, enabling you to make the most of this fabulous selection.

This prayer-focused journal includes Scripture, a daily Bible reading plan, space to record the names of those you want to pray for, and monthly sections to record insights.With 12 Scripture-based prayer guides, 48 devotional readings, and 12 prayers for your spiritual growth, The Pray Prayer Journal is a unique way to grow your communication with God.