Hope Is Our Song. 340pp. Spiral bound. NZ Hymnbook Trust. $30.00.

Reprint now back in stock

158 new hymns, carols and songs from Aotearoa NZ.

Featured composers and writers include: Colin Gibson, Shirley Erena Murray, Marnie Barrell, Jillian Bray, Barry Brinson, Bill Bennett, Jocelyn Marshall and Bill Wallace. There is extensive indexing by: theme, church season, type of worship service, scripture reference, composer, title and first line.

The music setting is very clear, with the words of the first verse and refrain shown between the staves. Ideal for choirs, congregations, organists and all who prepare worship services.

Also available:

• Alleluia Aotearoa. Music Book $27.95. CD $27.95.

• Faith Forever Singing. Music Book $27.95. CD $27.95.

• Carol Our Christmas. Music Book $24.95. CD $27.95.

"Gaze on him, consider him, contemplate him, as you desire to imitate him." This advice from St Clare of Assisi is the key to unlocking the door to the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Her words provide a pattern of meditation that brings alive the Gospel reading for every Sunday in Year C of the RCL.

Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps for a Fulfilling Life. Christopher Jamison. 224pp Phoenix. $24.99.

Jamison turns to monastic wisdom and Benedictine tradition to offer answers to the eternal question: "What does it mean to be truly happy?" He also looks at the demons that make us unhappy, providing guidance and generous insight on our search for contentment.

Also by Jamison: Finding Sanctuary. $29.99.

Angels are part of the magic and sparkle of Christmas. This book provides lots of ideas on how to borrow some of the angels’ legendary sparkle for making decorations, cards, gifts, treats and more. Step-by-step instructions make it easy for everyone to get great results using paper, paint, glue, and - of course - foil, glitter, sequins, tinsel, and anything else that sparkles!

Other Christmas craft books available:

·         I Can Make Things for Christmas. Christina Goodings. Lion. $12.99.

·         I Can Make Starry Things for Christmas. Jocelyn Miller. Lion. $12.99.

·         Christmas Make and Do. Gillian Chapman. BRF. $19.99.

 

Upper Room Disciplines 2010. 384pp. Upper Room. $27.99.

Thoughtful reflections and spiritual nurture for people seeking God. Each day offers a selected Bible reading, a meditation on that scripture and a closing prayer or suggestions for reflection.

Also available:

• Upper Room Disciplines 2010 Discussion Guide (for small group study.) 64pp $15.99.

• Upper Room Disciplines: Enlarged Print Edition. $33.00 (Allow 4 weeks for delivery)

 

Harrington bridges the gap between modern biblical scholarship and Christian spirituality. In addition to a brief narrative analysis of the Gospel of Luke and essential background information on the Evangelist, this book includes suggestions for ways we might pray Luke’s Gospel and live out its transforming message in our daily lives.

Also edited by Harrington: Gospel of Luke (Sacra Pagina Series) Liturgical Press. $53.00

Make your Christmas good and green with this fantastic craft book. Use natural, leftover and recyclable materials – simply fewer materials – to make cards, gifts, wrapping and decorations that give a fresh eco-makeover to the best of Christmas traditions.

Joy to the world - and peace to planet earth.

An excellent resource for sermon preparation, with:

• Lectionary-based sermons for each Sunday and special liturgical event of the year, and

• Commentaries on the lectionary passages not used in the weekly sermon.

The CD Rom features extra prayers, affirmations of faith and classic sermons.

Using a theme idea based on the lectionary readings, each week’s offering of prayers and litanies follows a regular pattern. There are also alternative ideas for praise sentences and gathering words for those who work in contemporary worship settings.

Also includes several communion liturgies.

Turn to The Minister’s Manual for:

• Sermons for the entire year

• Lectionary messages and worship aids to expand Sunday services

• Children’s sermons and musical suggestions, based on the lectionary texts.

• Instructive articles on preaching, worship and homiletics.

Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas. Beth Richardson. 128pp Upper Room. $29.99. (Arriving soon)

"Advent is often the busiest time of the year," writes Richardson. "And yet, we are called to make time and space to prepare our lives for the coming of the Christ child. What a challenge. …No matter how busy we may become, God is waiting to break through our endless tasks and distractions to remind us that we are not alone." The Uncluttered Heart offers four weeks of guided reflection through the weeks of Advent on through Epiphany. Each day provides a quotation, scripture passage, reflection & prayer. Includes a study guide for groups.

Where did Mary and Joseph shelter in Bethlehem? What did the shepherds see on the hillside? What made the wise men look up at the sky? Peep through the holes in the pages of this book to discover the story of Christmas.

Open The Christmas Bible Storybook to meet Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds, wise men and, most of all, Jesus!

It features full-colour photographic spreads of the much loved Bible Friends characters from the award winning Big Bible Storybook ($49.99). As a full coloured board book, it is perfectly sized for small hands, with short text for a parent or carer to read to the child.

Order these other Bible Friends titles by Maggie Barfield from Scripture Union:

·         Little Bible Storybook. $24.99

·         Jesus Bible Storybook $19.99

·         Easter Bible Storybook $14.00

 

An ideal gift book for toddlers and early readers. With six giant spreads this simple re-telling of the Christmas story follows Mary and Joseph’s journey through to the Wise Men bearing gifts. Children will love exploring the book, by pulling the tabs and lifting the flaps. The final spread is a double page giant pop up of the stable scene complete with Baby Jesus, the manger, shepherds, Wise Men and foil star glittering on the top of the stable.

The Story of the Nativity. Anna Milbourne. Padded large Hbk. 24pp. Usborne. $24.99.

“Once upon a time, long, long ago, an angel flew down from Heaven….” So begins this charming re-telling of the Christmas story. Luminous pastel illustrations bring the story to life. An ideal gift for grandchildren.

Sunday School prize books – Order now.

·         Beginner's Bible: The Very First Christmas. Zonderkids. $4.99. (Arriving soon)

Children will learn one of the most wonderful stories of all time, the birth of Jesus. By the end of the story, children will understand why we celebrate this special day. Age 2-5.

·         No Tree For Christmas: The Story Of Jesus' Birth. Marilyn Lashbrook. Candle. $3.99 (allow 1 week)

Invites children to join in the fun by pointing, repeating, filling in, making sounds and answering questions. Age 3+.

·         My First Story of Christmas. Tim Dowley. Candle. $4.99 (allow 1 week)

Helps children to understand why we give gifts at Christmas. Simple sentences and endearing illustrations. Age 4+

Preaching, Worship & Devotional resources for 2010 / Year C