The familiar biblical psalms are a basic and irreplaceable part of Christian worship but they come from an age so distant from ours that a few are no longer usable and none reflect the experience of Christians over the centuries. Christians have, of course, written hymns, but most of the ones we use come from the last two hundred years and few have the meditative quality of the biblical psalms. In Christian Psalms, Christopher L. Webber has constructed psalms from the writings of the great...

An indispensable resource that supports vestry members and clergy in their ministry.Trusted by tens of thousands of vestry members, wardens, and rectors, The Vestry Handbook is the indispensable guide to the day-to-day functions of an Episcopal parish. The handbook includes explanations of leadership roles and organizational structure, parish finances, building maintenance, tax considerations, elections, the spiritual lives of vestry members, and more....

A meditation on the meaning of Good Friday and the value of silence.Good Friday is not like any other time of the year, and Christians everywhere wonder about the best way to mark the day. Again and again, sermons and meditations have centered our attention on the words Jesus spoke from the cross, but those few, brief words would have needed only a few minutes on the first Good Friday. Seven chapters in this unique book consider the event, and the meaning, of the C...

Become a full partner in the worship of God using this guide which illuminates the theology, history, and practical concerns of the Holy Eucharist.This guide is designed to help newcomers, confirmation classes, and lay members understand and appreciate the Episcopal liturgy. They invite the person in the pew to participate in the service, not merely as a spectator, but as a full partner in the worship of God in community.Developed specifically to address th...

A rich collection of readings, from classic to contemporary authors and thinkers, for devotionals for Advent and throughout the year.“Easter Day is the center and crown of the Christian year, but no season of that year provides us with richer material for meditation than Advent and the twelve days of Christmas.” So writes Christopher Webber in this thoughtful and inspiring collection of meditations from the most gifted Anglican writers of the past six hundred years...

A marriage is a reflection about your love and your faith in God. This practical workbook helps couples to express their commitment while simplifying the many details of the wedding ceremony.Planning Your Marriage Service is the ideal take-along resource for couples to reflect on the choices they need to make. Here are the guidelines concerning the service, music, the entrance and presentation, readings, prayers, communion, and dismissal. A wide selection ...

It has been said that zarzuela means to Spain what operetta means to Vienna, Offenbach to Paris, Gilbert and Sullivan to London, and the musical to Broadway. Zarzuela is Spain's unique contribution to lyric theatre, a mixture of spoken and sung drama with a complex history extending over four centuries.The Zarzuela Companion is a comprehensive guide to zarzuela's most popular and romantic works written after 1850, with chapters devoted to the major Spanish zarzuela compose...

Every year in the Blue Mountains, up to 400 visitors get lost or need rescuing, with many spending an unexpected night in the bush. Most incidents happen in the same locations, within a few kilometres of civilisation. Readers will not only enjoy some gripping adventures, but also learn how to enjoy their trip in the Blue Mountains to the maximum. The over 620 episodes cover from the 1860s to the present day. Most people survived, but there were over 240 untimely deaths. There are in excess...

This useful book falls in the category of resources for structuring liturgies to fit local occasions. In addition to seven complete vigil services inspired by the ancient monastic discipline of nighttime prayer and meditation, there are new models such as "A Vigil in the Presence of God" or "A Vigil for Peace and Justice".Ample notes throughout explain the history of vigils and offer advice for planning small private and large public vigils.

Beyond the Scripture, this book delves into all other aspects of the Episcopalian service, from the vestments and gestures to the church calendar, that result in a deeper appreciation of the faith.The perfect book for newcomers who are often confused by the worship service, Welcome to Sunday is also an excellent book for those who have been sitting in the pews without fully understanding what happens on Sunday morning.Episcopal priest Christopher W...

A foundational volume for seekers in formation programs and a “refresher” study volume for individuals and congregational study groups.We live in a world increasingly separated from the Christian tradition and the basic understanding of the faith that previous ages might have taken for granted. The voices of faith seem increasingly strident and off-putting to many. There is a need for a calmer, basic introduction to faith that recognizes the value of doubt and the ...

"Give me liberty," demanded Patrick Henry, "or give me death!" Henry's words continue to echo in American history, and that quote, and the speech it comes from, remains one of the two or three known to almost every American. The other speeches that have become part of our American collective consciousness all have one theme in common: liberty. These feats of oration seem to trace the evolution of America's definition of liberty and whom it applies to.But what exactly is liberty? It...