Hymnals Books

Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities - Year B - 2009

Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Kathleen Harmon, Christopher W. Conlon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Outstandingly comprehensive! 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Living Liturgy has multiple uses. Preachers can use it for both background on the readings as well as contextualizing those readings within the Liturgy...a reality often lost sight of. Living Liturgy--unlike other resources--understands the value of the **appointed psalm** within the Liturgy of any given day. The psalm is often the key to the gospel....

Above all, Living Liturgy helps me to make the connection between PASCHAL MYSTERY and the texts of any one Sunday. The questions provided in the side-bars can be used by anyone, not just for the groups mentioned. ...great for Lectionary based bible sharing groups.

Editorial Review:

An annual resource for parish ministers, liturgists, pastors, and planning committees, Living LiturgyTM offers a practical means for reflection on and celebration of the Mass for Sundays and solemnities as well as select other days. Written by a pastorally experienced team with expertise in Scripture, spiritual direction, liturgy, and liturgical music, Living LiturgyTM teaches that we learn from each other of the fullness of God's mystery, and by learning and worshiping together we enrich each other.

Features: Reflecting on the Gospel, Living the Paschal Mystery, Focusing the Gospel, Connecting the Gospel, Connecting the Responsorial Psalm, About Liturgy, About Liturgical Music, Reflections for various ministers, and groups, Model Act of Penitence, Model Prayer of the Faithful, Includes clip art drawn from the Gospel message

The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women's Work" (Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality)

Kathleen Norris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Practice Makes Perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I am an "old" woman and over the years have come to recognize some of the truths the author has expressed in this book. To have this articulated so well brought tears to my eyes over and over again as I read the 88 pages.
It is so true that what one does -- practices over and over again -- forms the person, makes them who they are. Doing the right thing can change your thoughts.
It doesn't take long to read -- I recommend it, especially to older women who, like me, are more likely to be at the stage at which they can understand it.

real simple, not the magazine. 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I thought this book is a perfect antidote to an over-rated TV show called "bride-zilla" on WE television station. While the women on the TV program focuses on an idealistic wedding, this book celebrates the sanctities in life- not necessarily married life, but the fullness of life where one appreciates the lost art of repetition, of tradition, and of all the things an arrogant society regards as "lowly".

Editorial Review:

The bestselling author of The Cloister Walk reflects on the sanctifying possibilities of everyday work and how God is present in worship and liturgy as well as in ordinary life. Definitely not "for women only."

The Spirit of the Liturgy

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Considered by Ratzinger devotees as his greatest work on the Liturgy, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the "great prayer of the Church" will help readers rediscover the Liturgy in all its hidden spiritual wealth and transcendent grandeur as the very center of our Christian life.

In his own foreward to the book, Cardinal Ratzinger compares this work to a much earlier classic of the same title by Romano Guardini because Ratzinger feels that his insights here are similar with what Guardini achieved in his time regarding a renewed understanding of the Liturgy.

"My purpose here is to assist this renewal of understanding of the Liturgy. Its basic intentions coincide with what Guardini wanted to achieve. The only difference is that I have had to translate what Guardini did at the end of the First World War, in a totally different historical situation, into the context of our present-day questions, hopes and dangers. Like Guardini, I am not attempting to involve myself with scholarly discussion and research. I am simply offering an aid to the understanding of the faith and to the right way to give the faith its central form of expression in the Liturgy."

—Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

Welcome To The Book Of Common Prayer

Vicki K. Black

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A welcome volume 5 out of 5 stars.
65 of 65 people found this review helpful.

The Book of Common Prayer is one of those books that helps shape my life and spirituality. I was once asked to list books that have most influenced my life, vocational discernment and spirituality - I had a list of important books I'd read, but I also inserted a subset of books that continue to be of importance on a regular basis; in this small collection of books, the Book of Common Prayer shared pride of place with the Bible as one that I most frequently read.

I have collected editions of the Book of Common Prayer (with origins in the 1500s, it continues to be updated in various guises in various parts of the word; the touchstone is still is the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, but my most frequently used edition now is the 1979 Book of Common Prayer edition by the American Episcopal church), and also collect books about the Book of Common Prayer. Vicki Black's text is part of a series done by Morehouse Press, a publisher of Episcopal titles, who have introduced a 'Welcome to...' series to help both newcomers and established members better understand different aspects of the church.

Black's book is short and accessible, and follows the 1979 BCP in structure. There are sections of this book that provide introduction and commentary for each of the major sections of the Book of Common Prayer: Baptism, Eucharist, Daily Office, Church Year, Making Vows (Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination), Pastoral Offices, and the 'extra bits'.
While the BCP is arranged in a different order from Black's chapters, the arrangement of chapters in Black's book follow the criteria of 'most-used' - there are parts of the book that are more frequently used than others. Each chapter in Black's book can be read independent of the others for the most part, which makes this a very useful tool for Lenten studies, church groups and others who might want to follow a different sequence.

Black's first chapter opens with a comparison of the Episcopal church in practice to a scene in 'Finding Nemo' - I knew I would love this book at that instant! The main fish characters, Marlin and Dory, are swept up in a current that draws them along, together with a host of others, and it is both the stream and the community that transforms them in their quest. This is analogous to the way the liturgy and the community of the church should draw people in and carry them forward - 'we discover that we are not alone, and this liturgical current of worship, prayer, and praise will indeed take us where we want to go - to union with the God we seek to love.'

After giving a brief, informative and honest history of the origins of the Book of Common Prayer (including some of the political issues that no longer inform the reason for the BCP), Black proceeds to examine the different parts of the book in seven additional chapters. Included in this is a bit of theological analysis, liturgical practice, biblical basis, historical underpinnings, and questions for reflection and discussion (this latter piece is far from comprehensive, as the questions are open-ended to permit further questions to develop). Each of these implicitly draws into an idea of scripture, tradition and reason as the pillars of the Anglican system.

This is a very informative and useful guide, both for those who are new to the Book of Common Prayer, and those who have held the book in their hands through many editions all their lives.

Editorial Review:

In this guide for newcomers as well as lifelong Episcopalians, author Vicki Black helps readers navigate the currents of Anglican liturgy and discover its richness and beauty.

As we use the Book of Common Prayer, Black says, "we discover we are not alone, and this liturgical current of worship, prayer, and praise will indeed take us where we want to go-union with the God we seek to love."

Welcome to the Book of Common Prayer shows readers everything from where to find the Sunday collect to how to pray the Daily Office. But it's more than a how-to. It offers history and background that help make the prayer book a more meaningful part of the worship life of individuals and congregations. With thoughtful reflection questions, this is a perfect volume for parish study groups.

Messiah: The Complete Work, 2 CD Set

G. F. Handel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A well-crafted performance. 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

John Rutter's elegant rendition of Handel's Messiah is terrific. Every selection is flawlessly performed. I truly appreciate the research behind the performance included in the liner notes. The solos are quite nice. I particularly enjoy "Rejoice greatly" and "How beautiful are the feet".
With only thirty singers, the Cambridge Singers are able to deliver this work in a light, buoyant way. Some performances of this work come across as too heavy and ponderous. Not so with Rutter at the podium. Joy exudes from every note.
This is a lyric masterpiece that I am sure will come to be the reference recording for performing groups all over the world.

Editorial Review:

Learn about the rich history and spiritual depth of the most performed music and message in all of history!

Salvation, Peace, Purity, Comfort, Rest, Reformation, Revolution, Spiritual Egalitarianism, Democracy, Redemption, Resurrection, Forgiveness, Restoration, Atonement, Victory, Praises, Eternity, Security, Providence, Brotherhood, Worship.

Handel’s Messiah is a great work for orchestra, chorus and soloists. The text is taken from the Bible and forms a dramatic commentary on the whole prophecy and fulfillment of the redemption of man.

As with all oratorios, Messiah, is divided into three parts. In Messiah, the three parts represent Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection; each part breaking down into a series of arias and choruses, with a Biblical passage as their basis.

Messiah is Handel’s (1685-1759) most famous work and remains immensely popular among concert-goers in the English-speaking world.

The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer A Worldwide Survey

Charles Hefling, Cynthia Shattuck

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

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 for answers."
--(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

African American Heritage Hymnal: 575 Hymns, Spirituals, and Gospel Songs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Wonderful spiritual upbeat music guide. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This song book has wonderful spiritual, God-loving songs. It is a great source for getting your congregation in the spirit of 'singing praises to our King'. Introduce it to your choir or congregation and you will be forever greatful for the joy it will bring.

Editorial Review:

Eight years of inspired work by a committee of more than 30 musicians and pastors, all leaders in African American worship and gospel music, have resulted in this compendium representing the common repertoire of African American churches across the United States. For the first time in an African American hymnal, traditional hymns and songs are notated to reflect performance practices found in the oral tradition of the black church in America. At a time when such traditions are falling victim to modern technology, this book strives to preserve this rich heritage for future generations. Presented are litanies for “Fifty-Two Sundays of Worshipful Celebration” outlining an African American church year, including such special days as Martin Luther King Sunday, Elders’ Day, Mother’s Day, and Men’s Day. Also included are 52 responsive scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments and an extensive index that includes scriptural and thematic cross-references.

The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers And Teachers: Eating With the Bridegroom: Year B

John Shea

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

With a goal of transcendent awareness, John Shea presents this commentary on the Sunday Gospel readings for those who are drawn to The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels. Ideal for Christian preachers and teachers, and Christians who meditate on the Gospels, Shea's book takes a literary-spiritual approach. He analyzes the mindsets of characters and how Jesus complimented, critiqued, praised these mindsets, to inspire meditation, reflection, and spiritual development. On Earth as It Is in Heaven, Year A is the first book of a four-volume set, The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers. This set is a lectionary-based resource that references both Roman Catholic and Revised Common Lectionaries, making it greatly useful and interesting to all Christian denominations. A scripture index makes Shea's insightful reflections accessible for personal reflection on the gospel texts as well as other uses outside of liturgical preparation. With wisdom relevant to our contemporary world, The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers: On earth as It Is in Heaven will find its way to the top of your resource list.

Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance (from Evil Spirits)

Neal Lozano

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Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Many Christians find themselves struggling with a particular sin or dysfunction. They seek counseling, practice confession, and pursue God-centered lives, yet still these genuine believers feel hopeless in finding freedom. Could they be under the influence of evil spirits? Yes, says author Neal Lozano. In Unbound, he reveals Satan's strategies and the sneaky "entrance points" Satan finds to get a toehold in a Christian's life. He helps readers acknowledge the doors they may have opened to evil influence, and shows them how to close those doors and walk in God's freedom and abundance. Lozano's focus on God and his work in the believer's life, not on intimidating aspects of evil spirits, gives this book a balanced and hopeful tone. Because deliverance is part of the ongoing, glorious work of the Holy Spirit, Unbound outlines a plan for tapping into the potent power of the gospel. It also offers guidance on how pastors, counselors, and laity can pray for others who are still bound by evil and help them to gain victory.

Beyond Smells & Bells: The Wonder and Power of Christian Liturgy

Mark Galli

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Liturgy lures us through our senses, grounds us in a great tradition, and plants us in the midst of a diverse community, present and past.

From our beginnings, Americans have tried on various religions, rituals, and philosophies in the quest for a unique and personal spirituality. But recently, we have seen a quiet and steadily growing fascination with orthodoxy, tradition, and the lasting rituals of the Christian faith. Are you attracted to liturgy but don't know why? Are you wondering about committing yourselves to a liturgical tradition? Are you immersed in liturgy and want to grasp its deeper significance? Beyond Smells and Bells answers these questions and more: It explains how liturgy not only broadens our understanding but also shapes our very lives.

In today's individualistic culture, we need liturgy to establish us in community. In a culture that values spontaneity, liturgy grounds us in something enduring. In a culture that assumes truth is a product of the mind, liturgy helps us experience truth in both mind and body. In a world demanding instant gratification and immediate relevance, liturgy gives us patience to perceive a deeper relevance and joy that the larger culture can hardly perceive. In Mark Galli's able telling, liturgy is an intriguing story, full of mystery, that transforms us in body, mind, and spirit.