2015 marks the 30th anniversary of Lee Mitchell's great standard work on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. As his student, protegee, and colleague, Ruth Meyers takes this classic work and updates it for the Church in its current era and for the future.

Comprehensive catalogue of the hagiographical lessons in Sarum breviaries, with key studies of the most crucial elements. Sarum Use was the most widely used form of the liturgy in late medieval England, but its service books were much less standardized than their modern counterparts. The lack of uniformity is particularly marked in Sarum breviaries' lessons on saints, which can vary enormously from copy to copy. This book is the first comprehensive examination of those lessons and the manuscripts that preserve them. It provides a catalogue of over 80 manuscripts and 12 early printed versions, giving a brief description of each one, sometimes correcting previous views of its date and provenance, and identifying each copy's divergences from the standard Sarum roster of saints. The book also identifies the textual families into which the manuscripts fall and the extent of their divergence from the lessons in both the early printed versions and the inadequate nineteenth-century edition on which modern scholars have previously depended. The author's findings offer an introduction to the unexpectedly rich variety of hagiographical lessons that survive, identify some of the sources behind them, and shed new light on the ways in which the Sarum breviary developed and was disseminated in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

First published in 1896, this book presents the complete surviving Latin text of the Sacramentarium Leonianum, which was discovered in the Chapter library at Verona by Joseph Bianchini during the first half of the eighteenth century. The text includes a detailed introduction, extensive editorial notes and three photographs from the manuscript. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in sacramentaries and the history of Christianity.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a French abbot and theologian who was the main founder of the Cistercian order. Originally published in 1910, this book contains a selection from his letters, meditations, sermons, hymns and other writings, translated into English. Covering a variety of themes, it will be of value to anyone with an interest in Saint Bernard and his works.

Spirit and Sacrament by pastor and author Andrew Wilson is an impassioned call to join together two traditions that are frequently and unnecessarily kept separate. It is an invitation to pursue the best of both worlds in worship, the Eucharistic and the charismatic, with the grace of God at the center. Wilson envisions church services in which healing testimonies and prayers of confession coexist, the congregation sings When I Survey the Wondrous Cross followed by Happy Day, and creeds move the soul while singing moves the body. He imagines a worship service that could come out of the book of Acts: Young men see visions, old men dream dreams, sons and daughters prophesy, and they all come together to the same Table and go on their way rejoicing. In short, Spirit and Sacrament is an appeal to bring out of the church's storehouse all of its treasures, so that God's people can worship our unrivaled Savior with sacraments and spiritual gifts, raised hands and lowered faces.

Dads wear many hats. From protector to playmate, confidante to counselor. No matter the role, families rely on dads to lead with strength and faith. And in Pocket Prayers for Dads, Max Lucado offers forty scriptures and guided prayers that will help dads do just that.

This 2009 book provides a comprehensive historical treatment of the Latin liturgy in medieval England. Richard Pfaff constructs a history of the worship carried out in churches - cathedral, monastic, or parish - primarily through the surviving manuscripts of service books, and sets this within the context of the wider political, ecclesiastical, and cultural history of the period. The main focus is on the mass and daily office, treated both chronologically and by type, the liturgies of each religious order and each secular 'use' being studied individually. Furthermore, hagiographical and historiographical themes - respectively, which saints are prominent in a given witness and how the labors of scholars over the last century and a half have both furthered and, in some cases, impeded our understandings - are explored throughout. The book thus provides both a narrative account and a reference tool of permanent value.

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.

A household name in Great Britain, John Betjeman was a public literary figure who openly declared his Christian faith and championed the social and aesthetic joys of Anglicanism as unique to English identity. Through poetry in newspapers and on radio and television broadcasts, Betjeman celebrated the cultural significance of the Church of England well beyond its religious role. Although a steadfast proponent for Christianity and the Church, Gardner explains, Betjeman nevertheless struggled mightily to believe the faith, and he was forthcoming with his own spiritual failures. In this master study of his writings, Gardner deems Betjeman to be the poet of the Church of England--and demonstrates his works to be a vital part of Anglicanism's living traditions.

The quality of the contributors

The bestselling Intercessions Handbook has been written to meet the challenges of the vital task of leading prayers in public worship. Easy to adapt to most situations, this volume contains a wealth of creative suggestions for enlivening prayers. Jane Williams takes each of the lectionary readings for the Sundays in Year B and gives us a way into the themes and concerns at their heart. Concentrating our attention in this way, we gradually deepen our understanding of what God means by faith, love, prayer and good living. 'Through the Son you will see the Father, through the Spirit you will see the Son, through the Father you will see what you are meant to be made in the image of the Son, to share in God's love and delight. God has made it as clear as he can, coming to live with us, sharing our life, so that we can share the life of the Father's only Son.' 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 to both groups and individuals for opening up the Bible and applying its rich teaching and stories. Lectionary Reflections, Year A and Lectionary Reflections, Year C are both currently available, with Lectionary Reflections Year B completing the cycle.

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

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.

Make the most of your mornings and evenings with Spurgeon's classic devotional--presented here in your choice of elegant bonded leather bindings and Scripture translations. Enjoy the original edition with Spurgeon's classic prose accompanied by the beautiful language of the King James Version of the Bible. Or select the gently updated edition which combines a contemporary language text revision with the fresh, meaningful prose of the New International Version. No matter which you choose, you'll appreciate Spurgeon's insight and wise counsel--and his love for and knowledge of the Word of God.Meditating on two portions of Scripture each day--732 in all--with applications relevant for contemporary Christians, Spurgeon's characteristic comments hit home with a wit and style rarely found in other writings. These unabridged editions of his beloved devotional feature gold-gilded page edges, a ribbon marker, and illuminated first letters on each reading. A concise text index lets you discover what Spurgeon had to say on nearly every biblical topic. And a topical index helps you find his thoughts and wisdom on specific issues you're dealing with right now.Morning and Evening is a welcome gift for any occasion--and Spurgeon's reflections bring a special richness to personal time with the Lord, too!

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.

'This journey, of course, is not without its challenges . . . And yet facing those challenges also lends enchantment to the journey.' Join Professor Roderick Strange as he presents the core doctrine of the Catholic faith in a warm and accessible way. Using the liturgical calendar as a roadmap for the journey, Roderick invites us to follow Jesus of Nazareth from Advent through the Church's festivals to Pentecost. Through meditative reflection and powerful personal anecdotes, Journey into Light is the perfect introduction for those new to the Catholic faith.

The Book of Common Prayer runs like a golden thread through the history of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer is the first comprehensive guide to the history and usage of the original Book of Common Prayer and its numerous descendants throughout the world. It shows how a seminal text for Christian worship and devotion has inspired a varied family of religious resources that have had an influence far beyond their use in the churches of a single tradition.
The Guide is unique. In it, experts from every part of the globe and every branch of Anglicanism, as well as from the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Unitarian traditions, provide an unparalleled examination of The Book of Common Prayer and its lineage. Much more than simply a history, this volume describes how Anglican churches at all points of the compass have developed their own Prayer Books and adapted the time-honored Anglican liturgies to their diverse local cultures. In the dozens of editions now in use throughout the world, the same texts--Daily Prayers, the Eucharist, Marriage and Funerals, and many others--resemble each other, and yet differ from each other in interesting ways. A brief look at "electronic Prayer Books" offers a glimpse at how this story of development and adaptation may continue in the Information Age.
From 1549 to the twenty-first century, The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer offers a fascinating journey through the history and development of a classic of world literature.
"A wonderful and useful book. This book asks all the important questions and provides essential material for those who are looking foranswers."
--(The Rev.) Christopher Webber, The Living Church
"It is well conceived physically, graced with both illustrations of historic prayer books and text boxes from the liturgies being discussed, which are a significant help to the reader. This authoritative guide to the Book of Common Prayer as it once was and has now become will well serve anyone interested in Anglicanism or the prayer book tradition."
--Christian Century
"The editors have assembled a roster of authors that is a veritable who's who among Anglican liturgical scholars. [They] have provided a service to the entire Communion by editing this worldwide survey of the Book of Common Prayer."
--Frank C. Senn, Anglican Theological Review
"Hefling and Shattuck have kept a tight hand; they have maintained narrative interest, eliminated overlaps, discreetly filled holes themselves. Excerpts from specimen prayers and documents are given in boxes on the page. In a big book, room has been found for thirty black-and-white illustrations, a chronology, a glossary, a bibliography, a good index, and a world map in the endpapers."
--John Whale, Times Literary Supplement
"Monumental and magnificent! This Guide makes clear why The Book of Common Prayer is both a religious and a literary masterpiece."
--Phyllis Tickle

How does the universal experience of suffering relate to the experience of worship? Questioning how Anglican liturgy welcomes people who are suffering, Suffering in Worship uniquely applies a narrative-ritual model for the analysis of both the liturgical text and worship services themselves. In this book, van Ommen draws on interviews with participants in worship as well as clergy. Highlighting several elements in the liturgy which address suffering, including the Eucharist, songs, sermons and prayers of intercession, he shows the significance of a warm and safe liturgical community as a necessary context for suffering people to find consolation. This book also uses the concept of remembrance to plead for liturgy that attends to the suffering of both God and people. As such, it will be of interest to scholars of pastoral theology as well as clergy.

God's promises are forever. First responders across the globe bravely serve the public every day despite the inevitable dangers their professions present, yet their service does not come without cost. Prayers & Promises for First Responders is the perfect encouraging resource for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel, and everyone behind the scenes. Arranged by theme, this book contains inspirational Scriptures, powerful prayers, and thought-provoking questions to help readers draw closer to God and find strength and peace. Trials and hardship are sure to come, but you can stand proudly on the foundation of God's Word that lasts forever.

Contains all the advice, guidance and resources a church needs to discuss admitting children to Holy Communion before confirmation Includes a ready-to-use preparation course for the whole family Also includes answers to the most common objections from parishes and an outline admission service Authors have many years' experience of advising and resourcing parishes on this issue

This unique new book records and celebrates the extraordinary wisdom and genius of Frederick William Dwelly, the first Dean of Liverpool. His creativity in the use of poetry, of music, of the commissioning of art, and in the use of the Great Space of Liverpool Cathedral set him apart from his peers and won huge admiration from all quarters. Above all, his liturgy was always centred around the value of the human being and he fostered worship that was dignified, imaginative and relevant for the thousands of people who attended services. Peter Kennerley's lively account of the work of a true master of liturgy is set in the context of the story of the cathedral itself, to create this highly readable, beautifully illustrated and fascinating volume.

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.

A year of journaling inspiration through the most beloved hymns, based on the bestselling Then Sings My Soul series. Pastor Rob Morgan's inimitable style will help people reacquaint themselves with the hymns of the faithful. His goal is to keep these traditional hymns vital and meaningful to all generations. Hymns speak to our soul and add depth and meaning as we worship God through song. This year-long devotional journal shares the emotion behind the hymns of faith that have changed many lives throughout history - not only the people whose faith led them to write these wonderful hymns but also the people whose faith has been transformed by reading, hearing, and singing the songs. Designed to be personally reflective and inspire prayer, each week-long experience allows readers to experience the hymn through: reflection questions prayer prompts journaling space historic quotes the actual hymn with music and lyrics its historical background Draw near to God and deepen your prayer life as you make your way through these 52 hymns that center around the theme of joyous prayer in the Then Sings My Soul Prayer Journal.