Book of the Month

Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. Karen Armstrong. Hbk. 222pp. Alfred A. Knopf. $44.00

One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world gives us an impassioned and practical book that can help us make the world a more caring place. Karen Armstrong believes that while compassion is intrinsic in all human beings, each of us needs to work diligently to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. Here, in this straightforward, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book, she sets out a program that can lead us toward a more compassionate life.

The twelve steps Armstrong suggests begin with “Learn About Compassion” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she takes up “compassion for yourself,” mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” Throughout, Armstrong makes clear that a compassionate life is not a matter of only heart or mind but a deliberate and often life-altering commingling of the two. 

Also by Karen Armstrong:

·         Case For God: What Religion Really Means. $39.99 (1 copy in stock) Random House, US. isbn 9781847920355 Item Ref 228453 Theology.

·         Battle For God: Fundamentalism In Judaism, Christianity & Islam. $22.99 (1 copy in stock)  HarperCollins. isbn 9780006383482 Item Ref 138925 Theology

·         Buddha. $38.99 (1 copy in stock) Penguin Books. isbn 9780143034360 Item Ref 163895 World Religions

·         Great Transformation: The World In The Time Of Buddha, Socrates, Confucius And Jeremiah. $29.99 (3 copies in stock.) Penguin Books. isbn 9781843540564 Item Ref 194780 Theology

·         History Of God: From Abraham To The Present: 4000 Year Quest For God. $34.99 (1 copy in stock) Vintage, UK. isbn 9780099273677 Item Ref 100623 Theology

·         Muhammad: Prophet For Our Times Hbk. $36.99 (1 copy in stock) HarperCollins. isbn 9780007232451 Item Ref 212060 World Religions

·         On The Bible: (Books That Shook The World Series). $29.99 (2 copies in stock.) Allen & Unwin. isbn 9781741148985 Item Ref 199166 Theology

·         Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out Of Darkness (Pbk). $25.99 (Allow 7-10 days) HarperCollins. isbn 9780007122295 Item Ref 166760 Church History/Biography

·         Through The Narrow Gate: A Nun's Story. $25.99 (1 copy in stock) Flamingo, UK. isbn 9780006550549 Item Ref 139284 Church History/Biography

Other featured titles

Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century. Joan Chittister.  310pp. Crossroad. $36.00.

Complete text of The Rule, updated by Joan Chittister, who interlaces her own commentary between each section. She relates The Rule's principles to spiritual living in a secular world and makes these ancient instructions relevant for us today. 

Also on this topic:

·         Living Well: Finding a Rule of Life to Revitalize and Sustain Us. Alan Hargrave. 136pp. SPCK. $34.99.

Through absorbing stories, honest and often very funny accounts of his own personal struggles, and the provision of many useful exercises, Hargrave helps us find our own ‘rule of life.’ A rule that will not only sustain us, but allow the light that may have gone out of our eyes to shine once more! And as the energy we need to look beyond ourselves returns, so we will discover new and creative ways to express the love of God to our wonderful, needy world.

Out of Babylon. Walter Brueggemann. 178pp. Abingdon. $33.00.  [More stock arriving mid-February 2011]

Babylon was the centre of learning, commerce, wealth, and religion, a privileged society. But, there was also injustice, poverty, and oppression. Brueggemann challenges us again to examine our culture, turn from the idols of abundance and abuse, and turn to lives of meaning and substance.

Have a Little Faith. Mitch Albom. 249pp. Sphere. $27.99.

An 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy. Albom also meets a Detroit pastor who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof. This story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds, two men, two faiths and two communities, will inspire readers everywhere.

Creative Ideas For Alternative Sacramental Worship. (With Data DVD.) Simon Rundell. 137pp. Canterbury. $57.00.

Rundell, an Anglican priest and Fresh Expressions expert, provides examples, vision and practical know-how to enable readers to create and engage in alternative worship which is innovative, missionary and creative. DVD includes liturgies in the book and video presentations.

A Heart for Creation: Worship Resources and Reflections on the Environment. Chris Polhill. 238pp Wild Goose. $48.99.

Prayers, worship resources and reflections to help individuals and groups effect change. From our love for God and love for creation we can grow in our care for the earth as exhorted in the Bible. Includes a six-week challenge suitable for Lent.

Prayers for an Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare. 188pp. Church Publishing. $39.99.

Prayers for each Sunday and most major festivals in the church’s year, together with additional material for each season. Covers three years of RCL readings. Shakespeare uses expansive and inclusive language and imagery to address and describe God, to describe God’s presence and action in the world, and to describe the people of God. Ideal for use at weekday celebrations.

Original Sinners: Why Genesis Still Matters. John Coats. 235pp. Simon and Schuster. $32.00.

In this vivid, original interpretation of Genesis, former Episcopal priest Coats takes readers on a journey through the ancient text, inviting them to see its characters in a new light, not as religious icons, but as people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are like our own.

Why Jesus? William Willimon. 137pp. Abingdon. $29.99.

Jesus continues to fascinate and compel us, in spite of all the attempts to domesticate his message and put distance between us and the call to follow. In his radical teachings, his self-sacrificial death, and his liberating life beyond death, this Jesus teaches and shows us the true meaning and purpose of our own lives.

 

Walking The Labyrinth: A Spiritual and Practical Guide. Sally Welch. 138pp. Canterbury. $35.00.

This accessible and inviting illustrated guide:

·         Traces the history of Christian labyrinths

·         Explores how groups and individuals can use a labyrinth for prayer and reflection

·         Gives instructions for creating labyrinths based on well known designs

·         Provides spiritual exercises using the labyrinth.

Also available:

·         Labyrinth: Illuminating the Inner Path. Brian Draper. 48pp Hbk. Lion. $16.99.

This compact book, illustrated with labyrinths of many designs from different locations and ages, is an inspiring, meditative guide to this ancient and modern spiritual practice.

Mrs Noah's Vegetable Ark. Elena Pasqualie. 32pp colour. Lion. $16.99.

While Mr Noah is busy building his ark, Mrs Noah has a sudden thought, “What about my vegetable garden and fruit trees? They’ll get washed away when the rain comes!” So she collects seeds and cuttings. Her garden gives everyone onboard plenty to eat, and later helps the world grow green and new.

The Encyclopedia of Bible Crafts: 187 Fun-filled, Easy-to-do Craft Activities for Children. Laurie Castaneda. 220pp large format.  Barnabas. $39.99.

Tried-and-tested crafts designed to fit into any Bible-based children’s work programme, whether on a Sunday, midweek, or a one-off special event. Every book of the Bible is covered, with crafts to illustrate many key Bible passages. The crafts are easy to prepare, easy-to-do and require very little equipment or materials. Designed to inspire and enthuse leaders and children alike as they explore the Bible together.

Missing Motorcycle. Paul Clark. Even Before Publishing. $8.50.

When Muscles the motorcycle goes missing some of the cars in the car park are worried, but most just figure he is ok. When Old Mr T shares the parable of the 100 rent-a-cars but one is missing, the cars realise how important finding Muscles is!

Also available:

·         Car Park Parables - Old Mr T. and Friends DVD Four Stories. $15.00.

Gathering: 2011 Lent Easter Pentecost. A4 copied sheets, 92pp. United Church of Canada. Single issue $21 + $2.00 p&p. Or Annual Subscription - 3 issues $58 including p&p.

Resources for worship planners. Includes service outlines, prayers, plays, music and seasonal ideas, and section on Children in the Worshipping Community. Covers 9 March to 12 June 2011.

Pastoral Prayers To Share Year A: Prayers of the People for Each Sunday of the Church Year. David Sparks. 244pp. Wood Lake. $68.00.  

Based on the RCL, these prayers are responsive, written for one or two leaders and a congregational response. They all allow for the inclusion of local and worldwide current events, and individual and congregational concerns. Sparks usually uses the weekly Gospel reading as the broad theme for the prayers and divides them into four easily identified sections:

·         world

·         suffering

·         church

·         ourselves

The “how to use” section covers preparing to offer pastoral prayer, and offers 12 ways to “do” pastoral prayer. Other features include:

·         Thematic Index

·         Scripture Index

·         Icons in the margin to enable quick identification of prayer sections and alternate suggestions

·         Data CD with text files for Year A included with the print version

Recent Titles

We have one copy of each of these new books in stock. Time to supply additional copies is shown below.

Reflections for Daily Prayer: Advent 2010 to Christ the King 2011. 313pp Church House. $54.99. (Allow 6-8 weeks)

Follows the Common Worship Lectionary. Covers Monday to Saturday each week (not Sunday). Ideal for use with churches collectively and for anyone who wants to read insightful, thought-provoking daily reflections from respected Christian authors.

Numbers and Deuteronomy for Everyone. John Goldingay. 206pp. SPCK. $34.99 (Allow 3-4 weeks)

The third release in a major new series of guides to the books of the Old Testament written in an accessible and anecdotal style. The series is suitable for personal or group use and the format is also appropriate for daily study.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. Diarmaid MacCulloch. Hbk 1161pp. Penguin. $40.00. (2 in stock) Now in paperback. (Allow 6-8 weeks)

MacCulloch describes not only the main ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organisation and spirituality, but how it has changed politics, sex, and human society.

Curating Worship. Jonny Baker. 175pp. SPCK. $37.99. (Sample now sold. Allow 4-6 weeks.)

Curation, a term usually used in the art world, is now being adopted by people in alternative worship. It involves negotiating between institutions and artists, and making do with what is to hand, to create something brilliant.

Shining Light: 26 Children's Sermons with Activities. Randy Hammer. 74pp. Pilgrim. $38.00. (Sample now sold. Allow 4-6 weeks.)

A collection of positive, original stories and lessons, with activities for clergy and lay leaders to use in preaching to children.

From a Mustard Seed: Enlivening Worship and Music in the Small Church. Bruce Epperly, Daryl Hollinger. 210pp. Alban. $31.00. (Sample now sold. Allow 4-6 weeks.)

Grounded in a solid theology of worship, the authors provide tried-and-true approaches to congregational music and singing, worship planning, liturgies that transform, and healthy partnerships between pastors and church musicians.

Sunday Intercessions: Following the Common Worship Lectionary. Rupert Bristow. 429pp + CD ROM. Kevin Mayhew. $86.99. (Allow 4-6 weeks.)

It is a privilege, but also daunting, to lead intercessions in church on a Sunday and at the great Christian festivals. Here is fresh wording to enrich intercessions at your church. Covers Years A, B & C.

Preaching for Church Transformation. Bill Easum. 112pp. Abingdon Press. $29.99. (Sample now sold. Allow 4-6 weeks.)

Easum knows that true church growth is about the consistent making of new disciples. He believes it, has done it, helps others do it, and in this book shows you how to do it.

Presiding Like a Woman: Feminist Gesture for Christian Assembly. Nicola Slee & Stephen Burns eds.178pp. SPCK. $50.00. (Allow 4-6 weeks.)

What does it mean to preside like a woman? Do women do it differently, or should they? How do lay women and men experience women’s priestly ministry? This is an accessible, broadly popular book, pushing the boundaries in new and unusual ways.

Green Christianity: Five Ways to a Sustainable Future. Mark Wallace. 182pp + video DVD. Fortress. $49.99. (Allow 4-6 weeks.)

"Christian animism! God fully embodied within the natural world! Great! What a radical message, grounded in tradition and designed to inspire Christians to lift their spirits, celebrate their bodies, and above all, save the planet -- whose crisis is also spiritual. " Norman Habel, Flinders University

Living by the Rule: The Rule of the Iona Community. Kathy Galloway. 150pp. Wild Goose. $29.99. (Allow 4-6 weeks.)

Explores the Community’s history, inner life and public witness. “The Rule is, for us, a source of freedom and, in its outworking, contains something of our prophetic edge. It is not so much that I keep the Rule, as that the Rule keeps me.”

The Word is Very Near You: Feasts and Festivals, Years A, B & C: A Guide To Preaching The Lectionary. John Pridmore. 108pp. Canterbury. $28.99. (Allow 4-6 weeks.)

A companion to, The Word is Very Near You - $56.99, the main volume covering the Sunday readings in years A, B & C. This invaluable book covers all the principal feasts and festivals that do not, or do not necessarily, fall on a Sunday.

Wisdom: From Philosophy To Neuroscience. Stephen Hall. 333pp. Univ. of Queensland. $45.00. (Allow 3-4 weeks.)

Hall gives us a dramatic history of wisdom, from its sudden emergence in the fifth century BC to its modern manifestations in education, politics and the workplace. He explores the neural mechanisms for wise decision-making and how we can learn to optimise our future choices and future selves.

Straight to the Pointlessness: A Christian Account Of Life And The Universe. Mark Hart. Continuum. 132pp. $40.00. (Allow 3-4 weeks.)

Christianity too often seems both limiting of personal freedom and fraught with intellectual and moral difficulties. Hart shows that in fact freedom lies at the heart of the Christian faith and constructs a comprehensive overview of Christianity without avoiding deep and difficult questions.

Join our Book of the Month Club

Sit back and let us take the hard work out of book selection. A year of stimulating reading is guaranteed.

We will send you our Book of the Month from February to November 2010. Purchase these 10 books from us during the year and we will send you the December book of the month free.

Email sales@epworthbooks.org.nz to join the Club.

Textbooks for SGM & EIDTS

Are you studying with SGM - Spiritual Growth Ministries or EIDTS - Ecumenical Institute of Distance Theological Studies in 2011?

Ask us about new and second hand prices for your textbooks.  

CRE - Christian Religious Education 2011

“… helping students make good life choices.” 

Epworth Books distributes this curriculum in New Zealand.

The CRE curriculum is biblically faithful, educationally sound, student focussed, theologically clear and contextually appropriate. Created by practicing classroom teachers across Australia and New Zealand, CRE materials are designed for use with both single and multi-aged classes.

Would you like to know more about this programme? Click here:

http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/CRE/CRE_Intro.htm

Please email sales@epworthbooks.org.nz if you would like us to send you a catalogue.

2011 - Year A: Preaching, Worship and Devotional Resources

Bookstalls

Ask us to supply books for your next synod, conference or other gathering. We will send you an interesting selection of titles to suit your event.

The person who organises the bookstall and sells books on our behalf receives a 10% commission on total sales.

Summer Specials

We’re having a big clearout with lots of titles specialled this month.
Priced to clear at 50-70% off. 

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

 NB. Specials are only available at these prices while stocks last. Don’t delay!
(Normal p&p charges apply).

Ordering

To order please email sales@epworthbooks.org.nz with details of the titles you require.

Availability and price may have changed since any web page was last updated.

Postage and Packaging

For New Zealand orders please ADD:

·         $5.50 for 1 or 2 items

·         $7.00 for 3 or more items

Orders over $200.00 are post free.

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