Book of the Month

Thank God for Evolution!: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World. Michael Dowd. 418pp hbk. Vintage, US. $48.00

Is it possible to believe in both God and evolution? Rev Michael Dowd thinks so.

He presents in a lively and accessible manner:

·         the reasons why it is now possible to view evolution as a divine process

·         how current science shows that evolution is not meaningless blind chance

·         practical methods for using evolutionary insights to achieve greater personal fulfilment and thriving relationships, and

·         how aligning with evolutionary trends can guide activists and others hoping to make our world a better place.

"...brilliant and provocative insights." Diarmuid O'Murchu

Other featured titles

The Shack. William Young.  250pp. Windblown Media, US. $28.99.

William Young's moving novel about tragedy will open reader's eyes to learn more about the truth of our relationship with God.  "...has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good!" Eugene Peterson.

Word Militant: Preaching a Decentering Word. Walter Brueggemann. 212pp. Hbk  Fortress, US. $64.00.

Against the easy assurance of a too-enculturated religion, Brueggemann refocuses the preaching task around the decentering, destabilising, always risky word that confronts us in Scripture — if we have the courage to hear. These powerful essays, were previously available only in journals. Includes a foreword by William Willimon.

Be Fertile With Your Infertility: Creative Ways to Acknowledge the Infertility Journey Using Ceremony and Ritual. Christine Bannan & Winnie Duggan. 194pp. Bateson, NZ. $29.99

Help for people facing infertility in all its stages and forms. This book offers guidance for creating your own ceremonies and rituals, where the hurt and sadness brought about by infertility can be healed. Includes personal stories and examples of ceremonies. Counsellors, celebrants, clergy and health professionals will all find this book valuable.

Also available: 

·         Sasha’s Legacy: Guide to Funerals for Babies. Nicola Daly. 120pp. Steele Roberts, NZ.$24.99.

Abingdon Preaching Annual 2009. David Mosser ed. 439pp. Hbk with CD Rom. Abingdon, US. $49.99.

A comprehensive aid for sermon preparation. Includes:

·         Lectionary-based sermons for each Sunday and special liturgical event

·         Calls to worship, prayers and benedictions.

·         2009 Lectionary readings in one table

·         Searchable CD-ROM with full text of the print edition with a hyperlinked table of contents.

Also available:

·         Abingdon Worship Annual 2009 (with CD Rom) $49.99

·         Minister’s Manual 2009 (with CD Rom). Jossey-Bass, US. $37.99

Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God. Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm. 300pp. Westminster John Knox, US. $45.00

Wilhelm combines biblical scholarship with a close reading of the Gospel text to meet the needs of preachers today. Swift and purposeful, the Gospel of Mark proclaims God’s reign and urges the participation of all God’s people in the witness of the good news that God has transformed human reality through Jesus Christ. This insightful commentary helps that message come alive while providing pertinent suggestions about how preachers can proclaim this message to today’s churchgoers.

Also available:

·         Preaching Mark - Book 1 - Talk outlines for Mark: 1-8. Phil Crowther 80pp. Good Book, UK $17.99

·         Preaching Mark - Book 2 - Talk outlines for Mark: 9-16. Phil Crowther 80pp. Good Book, UK $17.99

·         Following God Through Mark: Theological Tension in the Second Gospel. Ira Brent Driggers. 148pp. Westminster John Knox, US. $49.99

Preaching the Old Testament: a Lectionary Commentary. Ronald Allen & Clark Williamson. 309pp Hbk. Westminster John Knox, US. $51.00.

The authors encourage preachers to rediscover the OT as a vibrant wellspring of Christian faith and life. Notes for each Sunday of RCL years A, B & C.

Also available:

·         Majesty of God in the Old Testament:  a Guide for Preaching and Teaching. Walter Kaiser.  174pp. Baker, US. $29.99.

Upper Room Disciplines 2009. 384pp. Upper Room, US. $25.00

Bible readings, 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.

Other Upper Room Disciplines editions:

·         Enlarged Print edition 2009. $30.00.

·         Discussion Guide 2009. 64pp $15.00. For small groups.

Arriving early November:

·         Words for Today 2009. IBRA, UK. $27.00.

·         Light for Our Path 2009. IBRA, UK. $27.00.

Gazing on the Gospel, Year B: Meditations on the Lectionary Readings. Judith Dimond. 129pp. SPCK, UK. $34.99.

These short reflections for every Sunday in Year B of the RCL, will engage your imagination, mind and heart. Each one concludes with a brief prayer that focuses on helping you to imitate Christ in your everyday life. These meditations provide a lively, different and accessible way to immerse yourself in the Gospel throughout the year.

Fifteen-Minute Retreats to Slow Down Your World. Joseph Juknialis. 135pp. World Library, US. $32.99.

The 30 retreats in this book offer wisdom and prayer for those time sin life when you need a breather or a challenge. Take five minutes for scripture, Five minutes for reading the reflection and Five minutes for prayerful contemplation.

The Protestant Revolution: From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King Jr. William Naphy. 304pp. BBC/Random, UK. $38.99.

When Martin Luther nailed 95 criticisms of the Catholic Church to the door of his local chapel, he sparked not just a religious Reformation, but also unleashed a revolutionary force: the power of the individual to determine his or her own thoughts and actions. Naphy offers a scholarly, readable and intensely interesting history of the role and influence of the ideas associated with Protestantism from 1517 to today. Well illustrated.

Ministry of Administrative Assistants. Sue Thompson. 60pp. Abingdon, US. $16.00.

Providing support in a ministry setting is a ministry itself. This quick and easy guide offers tips for juggling requests from all directions; provides perspectives on responsibilities and expectations, and encourages the pastor and their assistant in their work together as a team.

Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship. Clif Christopher.   123pp. Abingdon, US. $26.99.

Unlike leading non-profit agencies and institutions, churches often fail to convince potential givers that their gifts will have impact and significance. Christopher lays out the main reasons for this failure and offers practical guidance to all who seek to help God’s people be better stewards of their resources.

Also on this topic:

·         Stewardship Services (Just in Time series). David Mosser. 102pp. Abingdon, US. $19.00.

Gathering: 2008 Summer/Autumn (After Pentecost). A4 copied sheets, 92pp. United Church of Canada $20 + $1.60 p&p single issue. $55 annual subscription for 3 issues.

Resources for worship planners. Includes service outlines, prayers, plays, music and seasonal ideas. This issue covers 18 May to 23 Nov 2008.

Massive 5^th Anniversary Sale

Choose from over 250 books and CDs, most reduced by 70%, all $10 or less.

Click here for the list http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/stock/sale.htm

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