Used successfully in Episcopal dioceses and congregations, Total Ministry describes a new way for local congregations (especially small ones) and judicatories to organize their response to God's call and to provide resources, support, and encouragement for ministry-a way that is not dependent only on full-time, seminary-trained, ordained leaders.

Why did Jesus prevent Mary Magdalene from touching Him when He met her after His resurrection? When did Satan fall from Heaven? Were the rituals and sacrifices prophecies of the crucifixion of the Lord? Do the stories in the Bible convey deeper messages than what we normally understand about them? These are some of the questions that many Christians, from times past and even today, have asked themselves. And to a great number, these have remained riddles, if not mysteries. Is there a way to clearly answer what multitudes of believers have asked for countless generations? Is the Holy Bible up to the task of explaining the conundrums that have teased the minds of many? This book is a study about the rituals and sacrifices of the Jews; and it showed that the rites of the ancient Hebrews were actually prophecies of the Lord's sacrifice. But even as the sacrifices were explained, the crucifixion provided insights in deeply comprehending the rituals. The sacrifices, when viewed from the hill of Calvary, have also answered what many of us have asked. But more than these, this book explained the many things that were accomplished when the Son of Man was hung on a tree.

Written by Mark Pierson, one of the pioneers in worship curation, this exciting new book explains why effective worship needs to be seen as an art form made up of a series of art works, rather than a mechanistic task of filling in the gaps in an order of service. At the heart of this new way of thinking about worship is the role of the worship curator. Many practical examples are used to illustrate ways in which worship, both inside and outside the church building, can be curated and delivered for spiritual formation and mission. The Art of Curating Worship provides a new language and practice for designing worship with the potential for transforming our experience of God. The Art of Curating Worship promotes a new vocabulary to help worship curators work out how and why and where worship can best engage their community, inside and outside the church, in transformative encounters with God.

Young children and their parents will delight in this colorful, lovingly illustrated, and simple rendition of the traditional Christmas story. This lift-the-flap book brings the well-known characters of Christmas--angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus--to life for little ones. Sturdily constructed to last for years, this book invites children to take an active role in discovering the mysteries of Our Lord's birth.

Someone's hiding behind the door.
Who it is we can't be sure.
Open the doors and you'll find out.
What Christmas-time is all about
The answer lies on a bed of hay.
An angel will help you on your way

This book makes an excellent gift or family keepsake.

"board book"

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

A collection of over forty new hymns and songs by Rusty Edwards, author of We all are one in mission. The publication also includes detailed topical/thematic, scriptural and metrical indexes.

This illustrated workbook arises out of many years of leading retreats, study and quiet days on the theme of the cross in many contexts from an English Cathedral city to a South African township. The symbol of suffering and sacrifice, the cross also stands for the triumph of love over hate, life over death, hope over despair.
This includes complete outlines with prayers, readings, guided meditations and instructions for making crosses on the following themes: Crosses from around the world, Holy People, Holy Places & Crosses: Bridget, Francis, Andrew and others, Good Friday Pilgrims: living the cross, Making Crosses: yours and mine, Meditating with Crosses, and Following The Way of the Cross.

"Matthew Swaim takes a unique approach to Rosary devotion in exploring the many facets of the mysteries of the Rosary found in the Mass. Follow Matthew as he discovers a new dimension to the traditional devotion of Rosary prayer. Meditations on scripture through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary become ever new and inspirational when connected directly to the celebration of the Eucharist. All twenty mysteries of the rosaries are considered and each chapter offers suggestions at the end to help you deepen your awareness of Christ's love.PaperbackView sample pages.Endorsements""What a beautiful way to connect the two most popular practices of the Church What's more Catholic, in the popular imagination, than the Mass and the Rosary? Matt Swaim shows us a way to integrate them in a life of prayer that's a continuous act of praise. This book is rich, and it's for everybody. Share the wealth."" Mike Aquilina, Executive Vice-President, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, EWTN host""Matt Swaim offers insight and clarity as he explains the significance of the mysteries of the Rosary in our daily lives. As a convert to Catholicism, Matt shares his vibrant, mature faith in a wise and witty handbook to make the Rosary more accessible and meaningful as a form of prayer and meditation. An inspiring new voice in Catholic publishing.""Marybeth Hicks, Columnist for the Washington Times""What a glorious idea -- ""viewing the Mass through the lens of the Rosary, and vice versa "" This book has instilled in me new excitement and wonder for both. Complete with insights from Scripture, sayings of the saints, the author's personal anecdotes and reflections, practical questions and poignant prayers for each and every rosary mystery, this book is an invaluable guide for all who would seek to grow closer to Christ. And coming from Matt Swaim, that The Eucharist and the Rosary: Mystery, Meditation, Power, Prayer is as fun as it is profound, well, that's no mystery.""Dr. Kevin Vost, author of Memorize the Faith and Fit for Eternal Life"

Rudolf Steiner, the often undervalued, multifaceted genius of modern times, contributed much to the regeneration of culture. In addition to his philosophical teachings, he provided ideas for the development of many practical activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, religion and the arts. Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life. Samples of Steiner's work are to be found in this introductory reader in which Matthew Barton brings together excerpts from Steiner's many talks and writings on Easter. The volume also features an editorial introduction, afterword, commentary and notes.

This missal is a brand-new way of looking at the Traditional Latin Mass
* Instead of switching back and forth between the Latin and English sides of a traditional Missal, this one has subtitles for each and every Latin word. In this way, you can hear what the priest is saying AND understand it too
* If you do get lost, a special chart in the front helps you look for clues in order to find your place.
* Each page has notes to aid in comprehension.
* Full color illustrations on every page appeal to young children--even if they are not readers, they can follow along using the pictures that show what the priest is doing at each point.
* Accessible and affordable: it contains the entire common of the Mass--add each week's propers (which can be downloaded and printed from several different websites) and this Missal is all you need
NOTE: This edition is an economy softcover version of our original book. To purchase the original version with thicker, glossier pages and stapled binding, visit the St. Augustine Academy Press website at www.staugustineacademypress.com .

In this engaging and lively little book, Apollo Starmule explores the relationship of human consciousness to Santa Claus and the world inhabited by this legendary being. Many parents will probably want to share this book with their children for, as Starmule explains, "I told myself when I began this document that I was going to try not to cuss, and was going to try to keep my material at a level that could be enjoyed by a general audience, for I realized that some parents would want to share this document with their kids. If you are familiar with some of my other books, you may realize what an unusual approach this is for me." Before you tell your kids the "truth" about Santa Claus, we suggest you find out exactly what that truth is and why it is true. This book gives you a stable platform on which to stand as you address matters of supreme importance to the soul of a child . . . and to your own soul.

The process of living is a journey, and this book is a vehicle that evokes the inner life. Boldly step into the life of the Spirit through this journal workbook.

The Eucharist is central to Christian worship throughout the world. Jesus only left two commandments - to love God and our neighbour, and to share bread and wine in remembrance of him. It is a sacrament rich in symbol and image that takes everyday items and infuses them with spiritual meaning. In this short, reflective companion, Kenneth Stevenson explores some of the Eucharist's many layers of meaning - as sacrifice, memorial, sustenance for the Christian journey, sign of the new creation, anticipation of the heavenly feast - and more. As a basic guide, he uses the Gospel of Luke in which feeding is a particularly strong theme. Taking well known stories such as Jesus eating with sinners, feeding the five thousand, the Last Supper and the evening meal at Emmaus after the resurrection, he grounds our understanding of the Eucharist in scripture and shows how it can shape our entire Christian experience. It is an ideal gift for baptism, confirmation or first communion.

A Pilgrim's Jounral is a spiritual travelogue in which the author tells us much about the union between Christian faith and living in the word, the union between grace and nature. This book helps us to understand that the story of each of us is a journey in faith.

Is there one correct way for the people of God to worship him? It turns out that Scripture offers many models and forms for worship, all of which are acceptable but not necessarily appropriate or functional in a particular setting. Barry Liesch, a professor of music at Biola University, helps his readers to grasp that fact and it's implications for worship in the church today. This is a one-of-a-kind book for many kinds of readers in all kinds of churches. It offers biblical perspective, historical awareness, musical and artistic sensitivity, authentic reverence, and creative stimulation for worship leaders, church musicians, study groups, pastors, worship committees, and a host of others who are interested in appreciating and renewing worship according to biblical models. Within each of the twenty chapters the author shares many suggestions for enhancing and transforming worship in the church today. Not only does he present the various biblical models and offer a wealth of suggestions, he takes up some of the major concerns of worship leaders, planners, and participants -- concerns such as the role of music, uses of symbolism, the appropriateness of dance, modes of celebration, expressions of reverence, and many others.

In an age when religious radicalism was regarded as socially subversive, Bunyan's Grace Abounding describes the spiritual regeneration of one who came from 'that rank that is meanest and most despised'. God and Satan are the chief protagonists in Bunyan's drama: they exist not as theological concepts but as terrifyingly immediate adversaries in the competition for Bunyan's soul. 'What care I,' says Satan to Bunyan, 'though I be seven years in chilling your heart, if I can do it at last?' Bunyan finds his spiritual defences not so much in God as in the Bible, and Grace Abounding charts his passionate and imaginative involvement with this ultimate source of spiritual wisdom.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

The word liturgy is packed with power. For some, it evokes the grandeur and mystery of the church's rich tradition. For others it evokes a rigid and confusing form of obsolete practice. Dan Benedict provides us with a deeper and more satisfying way to understand liturgy and to discuss issues related to worship. In his understanding, readers come to see liturgy as God's means of uniting with the heart, mind, and work of Christ. Liturgy, Benedict says, carries us into the presence of the holy in the same way that those friends in the Gospel story carried their paralyzed friend into the presence of Christ. When our spiritual life is dry and we have difficulty experiencing that presence, liturgy holds that meaning for us until we are ready to return. Liturgy connects us with the communion of the saints and allows us to worship with other believers across time and place. Over time, given faithful participation, the liturgy works to shape our perceptions and create more space for God's grace to find expression. This volume, with original prayers and reflection questions, is an excellent text for a new members' studying worship, or for a congregation's worship committee to read as a preparation for its work. Topics include corporate liturgical practices like Baptism, Communion, and the Christian year, as well as personal practices of daily prayer and scriptural reading.

Use this book to walk a medieval path off the beaten track. This Village to Village guide enables the walker to follow the 1,000 year-old pilgrimage footpath to Santiago de Compostela and to re-enact Europe's most historic journey. This guide is recommended by the Catholic Church to those making the pilgrimage to Santiago on foot. It is a detailed directional guide for the 800 km footpath in Spain. The book contains listings of budget accommodation and other practical information. In the middle ages, a network of foot paths carried pilgrims to the shrine at Santiago from every country. The roads went over the Pyrenees and into Spain, either by way of the great monastery at Roncesvalles, or via that of Santa Cristina and the Somport Pass. Santiago, far away under the mists and Atlantic skies of Galicia, all woods and water in a Celtic landscape of menhirs and lost gods, exerted an appeal that was infinitely pre Christian. The route to Santiago was a Roman trade-route. It was nicknamed by travellers la voje ladee, the Milky Way. It was the road under the stars. The pale arm of the Milky Way stretched out and pointed the way to the edge of the known world: to Cape Finisterre The vast majority of those who walk The Way of St James today, are not experienced walkers at all. Many have never done any serious walking in their lives. and many will never do anything like it again. Most long-distance footpaths avoid not only large towns but even quite small villages as well; the Way of Saint James, on the other hand, because of its historic origins and the need for shelter, deliberately seeks them out. It passes through ancient places rich in art and architectural masterpieces

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper invites Christians to make Jesus the center of the Advent season through 25 devotional readings.

A book of Eastertide resources covering the period from Easter Sunday to Trinity Sunday, it offers prayers, responses, liturgies, songs, poems, reflections, meditations, sermons and stories for a period of nearly two months, including Easter Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Saints' days and Rogation days.