Lent is a time when many Christians approach the cross. This Lenten series approaches the cross from many different directions.
Author Cynthia E. Cowen explores the cross with meditations and orders of service for Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter vigil, and Easter sunrise.
Themes in the series include:
- The cross of repentance
- The cross of salvation
- The cross of destiny
- The cross of commitment
- Crossroads (Easter vigil)
- What's on your Easter menu? (Easter sunrise)
A communion service is provided in the Ash Wednesday order of service.
Cynthia E. Cowen is a resource person for youth, women and clergy/lay ministers. She is mission growth chairperson of the Synodical women's Organization of the Northern Great Lakes synod of women of the ELCA. She is a graduate of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.

A blend of case history, anecdote, history, and spiritual quest, this intimate and fascinating look at the world's oldest and most reclusive monastic order provides a rare understanding of day-to-day Trappist existence.

"At last A practical planning tool for use by those responsible for implementing corporate worship There's just enough information to get you in the mood of each liturgical season, then lots and lots of suggestions for creative and exciting worship."
Fred S. Mortensen, Pastor
Education Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Florida
"This is a carefully planned presentation that offers the liturgist a concise way of journaling through the seasons, keeping record of hymns, lessons, prayers, and themes each year. The special notes allow for "food for thought.""
Hannah M. Howe
Associate Pastor United Congregational Church, Tolland, Connecticut
"My Worship Planner And Organizer" is the best friend of the pastor, organist, church secretary, choir director, and worship committee when it comes to keeping worship records and reference.
Its focus is Sunday worship. Each Sunday has two pages available for taking notes and reference.
You will find Sunday by Sunday:
- Cycle A, B, and C, gospel, first and second lesson lectionary text listings for Revised Common, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic.
- Countless hymn possibilities based on the lectionary.
- Invaluable liturgical information, at your fingertips.
You may record Sunday by Sunday (for three years):
- Hymns used
- Special music
- Sermon titles
- Attendance
- Special notations for any Sunday
Gloria M. Meurant is a Lutheran layperson residing in Delray Beach, Florida.

Shalom means much more than prosperity, more than a sense of well-being, and more than quiet and calmness. It is more than the absence of stress and much more than peace. It is a peace that surpasses understanding; it is a promised gift. This book of eloquent poems, monologues, and worship resources is about the search for shalom.

"Kenneth Burcham... gives abundant information about the background of worship forms. He helps readers approach the parts of a worship service with a good sense of interpretation and meaning. I recommend its use with classes of lay people who are interested in growth in their spirit."
Harriet Miller, Administrator
First United Methodist Church
Dayton, Ohio
"The Wings of Worship" is an excellent introductory study course for congregations to gain a greater understanding of the people's role in public worship.
Ten sessions are offered in the course with each focusing on a different element of worship. Discussion questions conclude each session.
Topics include:
- Traditional worship
- Liturgical year
- Tools of worship
- Sacraments
- Rituals and celebrations
- Creeds and prayers
The book includes evaluation forms, a questionnaire on worship, and a bibliography section.
Kenneth R. Burcham is pastor of the United Methodist Church, West College Corner, Indiana. He is a graduate of Ball State University. Asbury Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. This is his first book published by CSS.

The Psalms are wonderful sources of encouragement, enlightenment, and strength. This series explores the Psalms for Cycle C of the Common Lectionary using New Revised Standard Version of the Bible texts.
Each meditation is in three parts. First is the Psalm itself. Second is the alternate image, offering readers new insights to stimulate their vision of the Psalms. Third is the reflection section, offering a short analysis and comment on the passage.
"Aids to the Psalms" is appropriate for liturgical aids, Sermon starters, personal and group meditation, and Christian education.
Among the Psalms of Cycle C are:
- Psalm 8 -- O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
- Psalm 23 -- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
- Psalm 51 -- Have mercy on me, O God.
- Psalm 100 -- Make a joyful noise to the Lord.
This is part of a three-book set on exploring the message of the Psalms.
Hugh H. Drennan is a Presbyterian minister serving in the Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

Mead takes a broad look at past and present changes in the church, and postulates a future to which those changes are calling us. Denominations, once structured to deliver resources to far-off lands of foreign mission, now encounter the mission field in the layperson's workplace and the community surrounding the local congregation. Thus, the church is called to reinvention for this new mission frontier

This resource will help pastors and visitors in their ministry with the sick and the dying. It is designed for use by any person, ordained or lay, who is engaged in any ministry of care.

The Presbyterian Supplemental Liturgical Resource (SLT) series includes liturgies that were used on a trial basis in preparation for the development of the "Book of Common Worship." Though superseded by the "Book of Common Worship," SLR resources remain valuable, both for the variety of liturgical texts they contain and for the commentary on the text, which contains rich historical, theological, and practical background.

This all new collection of prayers will involve each member of your congregation in an informal, first-person personal style that demands individual accountability (which corporate prayer too often allows us to avoid), and encourages the sense of community upon which Christian worship is built -- affirming "that, as we gather for worship, we are both individual seekers and believers and also the Body of Christ."
Included are original Prayers of Confession for each Sunday, and special days, throughout the church year, developed as a result of the author's nearly twenty years in campus and parish ministries. Whether read aloud or contemplated silently, these tried and proven prayers will add a freshly honest, contemporary texture to your Sunday morning worship -- or provide meaningful insight for Bible study classes and personal devotions.
David L. Wade has served thirteen years as an ecumenical campus minister at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, and is currently a United Church of Christ pastor in Rock Spring, Wyoming.

Relate the themes of scripture to the everyday concerns of modern life with this collection of penetrating prayers written in an informal, personal style. The first-person language encourages individual accountability while affirming our common sins and the sense of community upon which Christian worship is built. Based on lectionary scripture passages, there are original prayers of confession for each Sunday plus several special days in the church year.
Whether read aloud or contemplated silently, these tried and proven prayers will add a freshly honest, contemporary texture to your Sunday morning worship -- or provide meaningful insight for Bible study classes and personal devotions.
"Wade's work reflects a keen and well-grounded theological awareness, a sensitivity to the real-life issues we face, and powerful, daring language that makes available to us the possibility of faithfulness and liveliness in worship. This book of prayers may help the church (and its pastors) refocus so that we can re-engage our mission."
Walter Brueggemann
William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament
Columbia Theological Seminary
"Real feeling, common guilt, cosmic sin, and personal failure are given expression in these prayers of confession that define the human quest for wholeness in God's presence. Worship is enlivened as personal prayers become common prayer."
George W. Otto
Former Executive Director
United Church of Christ Stewardship Council
David L. Wade is a United Church of Christ pastor who has served congregations in Wyoming and Indiana. He also spent more than a decade as an ecumenical campus minister at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

For those outside the cloister Norvene Vest sets the elements of the Rule 'regular prayer and prayerful attention to work 'within the silence which enables us to listen to, reflect on, and respond to God's cal.

Worship ought to be the exclamation point of Christian experience. Given the regularity with which it is shared, however, and the sameness that its practice inevitably takes, fresh approaches are a constant need.
This planning resource addresses the need for new ideas in a familiar setting. Wayne Keller has provided a parade of creative alternatives to liturgy, music, preaching and prayer.
Based on the liturgical worship days on the Cycle C lectionary calendar, these resources can enrich worship in congregations whether liturgical or free. A pastor and worship planning team can use the material every week or choose to use it sparingly. A helpful worship planner page follows each Sunday's resources.
A hands-on appendix by Warren S. Satterlee II offers practical help for the creation of worship banners for the congregation.
Wayne H. Keller is pastor of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Sedro Wolley, Washington. He has throughout his parish ministry self-consciously endeavored to make the worship experience a lively and meaningful event. He indicates that his teenage son never reported to have been bored at worship when his father was presiding. Wayne Keller is also a regular contributing columnist for "Rite Ideas," a monthly worship resource letter published by CSS Publishing Company.
Warren S. Satterlee II is an active lay member of Grace United Methodist Church, Arlington, Texas. His artistic work has recently included teaching art concepts, custom designing, logo designing, banner and visual fabrication, and work in print making.

Thousands of Lutheran pastors, worship planners, parish organists, and music directors have already found "Scriptural And Topical Indices To LBW " by Paul E. Schuessler, Thomas R. Bartsch, and David P. Rebeck to be an invaluable planning tool for weekly services and special events.
Now, users of the Lutheran three-year lectionary will want to add this companion volume, "Lectionary Indices To LBW," to their worship libraries.
Compiled by a Lutheran parish organist, this index is a thorough guide to LBW hymns for each scripture selection in the three-year lectionary. Listed are hymns for all three cycles (A, B, and C) -- including the First Lesson, Second Lesson, Gospel, Psalm, Verse, and Offertory for each week. Hymns are listed by number and title (making this resource useful to many who do not use the LBW, as well), and are arranged chronologically by Sunday for each lectionary year.
If you already have a copy of "Scriptural And Topical Indices To LBW," you will want to make a space on your bookshelf for "Lectionary Indices To LBW." (If you don't have either, you will want to make a space for both )
Until her death, Margy M. Nelson was organist for Swedesburg Lutheran Church, Swedesburg, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa and Iowa Wesleyan College.

Learn how to lay aside fleshly plans and pursuits to experience the true moving of God's Spirit!

Convenient and user-friendly, this one-volume guide provides resources for the entire three-year lectionary cycle, including midweek festival days. Brief comments on each of the three daily biblical texts identify themes for the day, musical settings for the appointed psalm are offered, organ music appropriate for the day is suggested, anthems for the day are graded according to difficulty, and hymns of the day are keyed to several hymnals. Pastors, music leaders, and worship committees will find much practical assistance for worship planning in the "Handbook for the Common Lectionary."

Over 100 responsive prayers are included in this useful resource. They may be used either as beginning "Calls to Worship" or at another place within the service. The author has organized the material in eight categories:
- Christ's Life
- The Holy Spirit
- Christian Values
- Consecration
- The Christian Life
- Gratitude and Praise
- The Church
- Special Occasions
By using one prayer each week, a congregation will have a new prayer for each worship service for two entire years.
Linda J. Werman is a Christian laywoman, active church participant, and freelance writer living in Ashland, Ohio.

Here are five creative worship services for five special days on the Christian worship calendar. Each service involves the congregation in responsive readings, participation in contemporary prayers, and appropriate hymnody, psalmody, and scripture. Each service is accompanied with a highly creative sermon dialog to be shared by 3, 4, 5, or 7 readers.
The services and dialogs lead worshipers down familiar and appropriate paths to confrontation with the living Christ and the God of grace, whom we meet in the Lenten season in a special way.
The Path of Maturity -- Ash Wednesday
The Path of Quality -- Palm Sunday
The Path of Integrity -- Maundy Thursday
The Path of Dignity -- Good Friday
The Path of Creativity -- Easter Day
William R. Grimbol is a Presbyterian pastor, living in Sag Harbor, New York. In addition to parish ministry work he is involved in the larger community and continues an avocation of creative writing.

When he entered Gethsemani Abbey in 1941, Merton embraced a hidden life . By the time he died nearly thirty years later, he was well known as `a witness to life', a friend of people around the world, and a keen observer of both church and society. Those who knew him and who have studied his published works reflect here on his influence on Church and society.

Worship--the central task of the Christian community--is the focus of this thought-provoking book. William Willimon moves from theological understanding to the practical skills needed for preaching and worship leadership. He offers useful guidelines for conducting public prayer and for celebrating the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Focusing on preaching, he describes how to construct a sermon, deliver it convincingly, and evaluate it. He concludes with valuable suggestions for involving the laity in worship.

Merton presents one of the most significant encyclical letters of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, together with an introduction to the life and teachings of the great mystic. "A study that will have to be on the shelves of all libraries and in the personal collections of all who are interested in spirituality" (Catholic World). Index.

"The whole problem of our time is the problem of love. How are we going to recover the ability to love ourselves and to love one another?"

"We cannot be at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we cannot be at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God".

"There is a distinction between a contrite sense of sin and a feeling of guilt. The former is a true and healthy thing, the latter tends to be false and pathological".

"The man who suffers from a sense of guilt does not want to feel guilty, but at the same time he does not want to be innocent. He wants to do what he thinks he must not do, without the pain of worrying about the consequences".

"The history of our time has been made by dictators whose characters, often transparently easy to read, have been full of repressed guilt. They have managed to enlist the support of masses of men moved by the same repressed drives as themselves".

"Modern dictatorships display everywhere a deliberate and calculated hatred for human nature as such. The technique of degradation used in concentration camps and in staged trials are all too familiar in our time. They have one purpose: to defile the human person".

In this book, one of the world's leading scholars on the history of religion in Africa shows how Christianity has been transformed as it has been adopted by black Africans, from the introduction of Christianity in the seventeenth century to the present. Richard Gray finds that Africans have not meekly accepted monolithic Western practices and interpretations but have appropriated Christian faith for specific needs and added to it insights of their own. "Gray's theological conclusions are fascinating, and the book forms a useful contribution to the study of missions in Africa."-Eugeniah Adoyo, Theological Book Review "Gray's most significant contribution is his essay that compares differing concepts of evil in the cosmologies of Christianity and traditional African religions. This compact, well-written volume has extensive footnotes. It is recommended for specialists, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates."-Choice "A thoughtful and informative book, well worth reading."-Joseph C. McKenna, Theological Studies "Concrete and detailed cases support Gray's lucid account of this transformation in Africa."-Wyatt MacGaffey, American Historical Review "The work of a master historian and demonstrates archival detective work and scholarly analysis at its finest. Anyone interested in the introduction and development of Christianity in Africa will find this book particularly valuable."-Roger B. Beck, History: Reviews of New Books "Christianity in Africa has too often been written about by those who recognize only its sociological consequences. Gray . . . writes . . . with insights that are not found often enough in studies of black Christians and white (and black) missionaries in Africa, and this is welcome."-M. Louise Pirouet, International Journal of the African Historical Society