Book of the Month

Undone by Easter: Keeping Preaching Fresh. William Willimon. 116pp Abingdon (2009). $29.99.

 Face the prospect of preaching your next Easter sermon with joy and confidence, rather than worry about finding something new to say.

Preachers dread the arrival of Easter, because these holy days bring the daunting task of finding new ways to tell the old stories everyone's heard so many times before. “But what if it were only we preachers who are bored with these stories?” asks Willimon. What if people keep showing up at Easter because the story of God's victory over death continues to hold power for them? What if the point were not to capitulate to the culture's insatiable appetite for novelty, but to tell the old stories faithfully, trusting in the power of the Spirit to make the text, the congregation, and yes, even the preacher come alive again in the preaching event?

Also by Willimon:

·         Who Will Be Saved? 155pp. Abingdon (2008). $37.99.

·         Acts: Interpretation Bible Commentary. Westminster John Knox (1988) $49.99

·         Calling and Character: Virtues Of The Ordained Life Abingdon Press (2000) $42.99

·         Guide to Preaching and Leading Worship Westminster John Knox (2008) $34.99

·         Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry Abingdon Press (2002) $59.99

·         Pastor: The theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry Abingdon Press (2002) $59.99

Lent & Easter Selection

Click here http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/featured_books/lent_easter.htm for our 2010 Lent-Easter list for those of you who:

·          Are planning Lent and Easter services

·          Wonder what’s new for group study, personal reading and reflection

·          Want some fresh ideas for children’s ministry, including crafts and activities

·          Are looking for Easter children’s story books.

Featured Easter titles

 21st century living is hectic. Getting the right ‘life balance’ between rest, work and play seems almost impossible. Life Balance aims to help groups explore:

·         How to build Sabbath time into the crazy pressures of everyday life.

·         How ‘Sabbath attitudes’ can transform the way we spend our time.

In five interactive sessions are: Time to Pause; Time to Celebrate; Time to Rest; Time to Play; Time to Liberate

Each session contains enough material for a 90-minute session and includes guidelines for group study, with full background notes for leaders, interactive activities, including questions for discussion and multi-media ideas (e.g. film and music) and ideas for practical action. Each member of the group will need a copy of the book. Ideal for Lent, cell and house groups. 

This Lent course explores the ordinary places of the Easter story in which the extraordinary events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection occurred. The five sessions and accompanying meditations lead you to examine the reality of these places which Jesus knew so well, and engage with the Gospel stories in a fresh, informed and imaginative way. You will be encouraged to look at the ordinary places of your own life, and rediscover them as places in which you may meet the living God. Above all, this course leads you on a shared journey through the Easter story towards a deeper understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and the joy which is ours on Easter Day.

A Lent lectionary resource using Tom Wright’s For Everyone Bible translation, this is the first in a three-volume series to cover the three years of the Revised Common Lectionary. For each day of Lent, there is a reading chosen from the Gospel designated for the year, plus a reflection by Tom Wright. The book grows out of a project to encourage Lent reading in the diocese of Durham.

In the first five weeks of Lent, this book follows the Anglican Communion’s five Marks of Mission: Pastoral Care, Care for Creation, Nurture, Evangelism and Social Justice. Holy Week dwells on the Seven Last Words from the Cross. Canon Emeritus Murray has dedicated his book to all School Chaplains and Religious Education teachers. Foreword by Victoria Matthews, Bishop of Christchurch.

Now released in eBook PDF format, this book of reflections and inspiring colour photos will be a valuable resource for worship, personal and group devotions during Lent and Easter.

The eBook is a 3.38mb PDF format file. (You need Adobe Acrobat Reader software version 8 or later installed on your computer to view this book.) We will email the PDF to you when you purchase a copy from us - no postage to pay. You can easily copy and paste the photos and text from the eBook into PowerPoint or other software for presentations in church or other gatherings. 

“This is a volume to lift the spirit, to warm the heart. Anna’s reflective, dramatic monologues embrace the good news of God’s love in Jesus in a charming, conversational, grounded spirit. Be ready for astonishing, wonderful words. Be ready for photographs to fill you with wonder.” John Hunt, author of We Celebrating People. 

My Very First Easter Story. Lois Rock. 31pp. Compact padded hbk. Lion. $9.99

Here is the story of Easter, retold simply and sincerely: the cheering crowds as Jesus rides into Jerusalem; the sad story of Jesus’ crucifixion; and the joyful story of his resurrection, bringing good new for the whole world. Extracted from My Very First Bible ($29.99), this forms part of the hugely popular My Very First range. 

Other featured titles

Grace Notes: Daily Readings With A Fellow Pilgrim. Philip Yancey. 432pp. Zondervan. $29.99

Philip Yancey’s words—captured in his many bestselling books—have influenced the lives of millions of readers by strengthening their faith, building their hope, sparking their creativity, and challenging their comfort zones. Imagine if you could spend a whole year with Yancey in daily heart to heart conversations about God, yourself, the world and everything else. Now you can. Grace Notes gathers the best of Yancey’s writings and offers it to you in 366 powerful daily readings that are certain to make your heart think and your mind feel.

Also by Yancey:

·         Bible Jesus Read** Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

·         Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

·         Finding God In Unexpected Places. Revised ed. Hodder & Stoughton. $29.99

·         Jesus I Never Knew** Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

·         Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? (2008 edition). Hodder & Stoughton. $29.99

·         Reaching for the invisible God. Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

·         Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived The Church. Hodder & Stoughton. $29.99

·         What's So Amazing About Grace** Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

** Ask us about study kits for these three books (DVD + leader’s & participant’s guides.)

·         Skeptic's Guide to Faith (2009) [Previously published as Rumours of Another World (2003)]. Zondervan Publishing. $29.99

Dipping into the Well. Vivienne Ball. 49pp. Vivienne Ball. $20.00

Lower Hutt devotional writer, Vivienne Ball, has subtitled her book “Poems and reflections that offer you thoughtful moments and life giving water to refresh you.” These thoughtful and deep reflections are equally suitable for use in worship or personal devotions. The text is supported by many inspiring colour photos from the NZ landscape.

 

Biblical Literacy: The Essential  Bible Stories Everyone Needs To Know. Timothy Beal. Hbk 343pp. HarperCollins. $49.99.

Beal showcases the Bible stories that have most shaped history and our world and provides the key information we need to know to understand these profound stories. He also delves into the important historical and cultural background information so that readers can fully understand the impact of these stories on the world we live in now. For a quick and fun reference, Beal provides the reader with a complete glossary of common phrases and images that have surprising biblical origins, as well as an easily navigable glossary of biblical keywords. Lucid and engaging.

A Book of Silence: A Journey in Search of the Pleasures and Powers of Silence. Sara Maitland. 311pp. Granta. $29.99

In her late 40s Maitland moved out of the city and fell in love with silence. In this profound and evocative book, Maitland explores this fascination, delving into the darkness and euphoria that silence can bring, and considering its cultural history. She contemplates the experience of silence - from her own nights in the Sinai desert and weeks on the Isle of Skye, to the accounts of travellers and mystics – and argues for its importance in a world increasingly addicted to noise. A deep penetrating book, that lingers on, needling away at the subconscious.

Loving Creation: Christian Spirituality, Earth-Centered and Just. Kathleen Fischer. 211pp. Paulist Press. $41.00

How can we bring about the profound conversion of mind and heart that is necessary if we are to protect and preserve our planet at this critical point in history? Loving Creation shows that only when we are touched by God will we find new ways of relating to all other species and the Earth itself. Rich in tradition, the book draws from ancient and contemporary sources to fashion a holistic Christian spirituality, one that unites ecological concerns with social justice, personal struggles with those of the planet, theological reflection with scientific findings, and everyday grace with global outreach.

Also by Fischer:

·         Courage The Heart Desires: Spiritual Strength In Difficult Times. Jossey-Bass. $34.99

·         Imaging Life After Death: Love That Moves The Sun And Stars. SPCK. $34.99

·         Winter Grace: Spirituality and Aging. Upper Room. $28.00. (Allow 4-6 weeks)

The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life. (Ancient Practices Series). Joan Chittister. Hbk. 216pp. Thomas Nelson (2009). $37.99.

Chittister presents the church year as the spiritual adventure that it is, filled with dramatic events, dynamic characters, and vibrant emotions. She writes with passion and honesty about the sacredness of the liturgical seasons, including the feast and fast days. She covers Sundays, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Pentecost, Ordinary Time, the Sanctoral cycle (saints, heroes) and Marian feasts (pondering being a vehicle for Divine presence).

Also new in the Ancient Practices Series from Thomas Nelson:

·         Finding Our Way Again. Brian McLaren. Pbk. $24.99

·         In Constant Prayer. Robert Benson. Hbk. $29.99

·         Sabbath. Dan Allender. 208pp Hbk. $37.99

·         Fasting. Scot McKnight. 180pp Hbk. $39.99

·         The Sacred Meal. Nora Gallagher. 142pp Hbk. $37.99

·         Tithing: Test Me in This Douglas Leblanc. Hbk.$37.99 (Publishing Feb. 2010)

·         Sacred Journey Charles Foster. Hbk.$38.00 (Publishing April 2010)

The Worshiping Body: The Art of Leading Worship. Kimberly Long. 130pp. Westminster John Knox. $44.00.

The church as the ‘body of Christ’ is an important image. It reminds us of not only how connected we are to Christ, but the degree to which he should define us as a community of faith. By focusing on what presiders do with their bodies, eyes and ears, lips, hands, feet, and heart, Long describes an attitude and style of worship leadership that is both firmly rooted and blessedly free. A wonderful offering for all worship leaders, students, commissioned lay pastors, new pastors, and experienced pastors. Essential reading for anyone interested in how their presence and movement during worship make a difference.

Approaching God: A Guide For Worship Leaders And Worshippers. Christopher Ellis. 200pp. Canterbury. $44.99.

Worship in the evangelical tradition is a blend of prepared and extempore contributions. It generally follows a set pattern, but openness to spontaneity is an essential ingredient. As in other traditions, ministers and worship leaders receive very little training in how to lead worship and this book meets a pressing need.

This very practical resource offers clear guidelines and a theological framework that genuinely embraces the characteristics of evangelical worship. It considers many aspects of worship including:

·         Why do we worship?

·         Who is worship for?

·         Patterns and shapes in worship, types of prayer, singing, preaching,

·         The Lord's Supper

·         The spirituality of leading worship

·         Connections to the whole of life

·         Worship as encounter

·         Worship as pastoral care

·         Worship as evangelism, and

·         Worship as celebration.

 A directory of resources and online worship is also provided.

 Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of Luke. Frederick Schmidt. 124pp. Morehouse. $34.99.

The best of therapy and spiritual direction begins with telling stories that describe where we have been and where we are going. Luke is neither a psychologist nor a spiritual director, but intuitively he understands the importance of storytelling as the key to human growth, change, and healing.

Speaking to the crisis of faith faced by his church, Luke retells the story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection as a means of addressing the spiritual struggles that resurface generation after generation. Touching on issues of belonging, authority, tradition, behaviour, and hope, Schmidt offers a reading of Luke’s gospel that speaks to today’s reader. 

People of the Spirit: Exploring Luke's View of the Church. Graham Twelftree. 269pp. Baker. $49.99.

Today's church faces the challenges of pluralism, globalism, and postmodernity. Seasoned New Testament scholar Twelftree's historical exploration of Luke's view of the church contributes to the current conversation about what the church is and should do. He draws on Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles to show Luke’s profound influence on the church and explain Luke’s thought regarding the church's origin, nature, purpose, and mission. A final chapter proposes Lukan conclusions to such debated questions as the relationship between church and salvation; the relationship between the Spirit, water baptism, and speaking in tongues in Christian initiation; the question of infant baptism; the character of worship; the interplay of Scripture and experience; church structure and leadership; and the nature of Christian mission. 

A Just Forgiveness: Responsible Healing Without Excusing Injustice. Everett Worthington. InterVarsity Press. $36.00.

When serious injury or wrongdoing takes place, we cry out for justice to be done. At the same time, Christian faith calls for forgiveness and mercy. But forgiveness is often seen as letting people off the hook. Is it truly possible to forgive a betrayal, a rape, a genocide? How can Christians forgive without excusing wrongdoing? Psychologist and leading forgiveness researcher Worthington demonstrates how Christians can and must hold forgiveness and justice together. He gives Christian foundations for understanding just forgiveness and dealing with wrongdoers. With concrete examples and field-tested exercises, he shows how just forgiveness can be accomplished in families, churches and the world at large. 

No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality of Caring for Persons with Dementia. Jane Marie Thibault & Richard Morgan. 175pp. Upper Room. $34.00

“What a wonderful gift Richard Morgan and Jane Thibault offer caregivers. Each has previously contributed in major ways to our understanding of spirituality and aging, and here they combine their experience and expertise to create a timely work of loving integration. Biblically grounded and rich in practical suggestions, their book will bring comfort and hope to all those caring for loved ones with dementia. By means of moving personal stories, the authors invite each of us to live from the spiritual convictions crucial to such care: the abiding worth of every human person and the enduring power of even the smallest act of love.” Kathleen Fischer, author, psychotherapist and spiritual director. 

John Calvin, Reformer for the 21st Century. William Stacy Johnson. 144pp. Westminster John Knox. $36.00 (Allow 3 weeks).

Many would argue that a true understanding of contemporary Christian thought is impossible without a basic understanding of John Calvin’s contributions. In time for the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth, Johnson offers this clear and fundamental study of Calvin’s insights as a primer for those with little or no knowledge of his work. Calvin is more than just a figure from history. His life and work - both infused with his passion for the reform of the church - had a continuing impact through the centuries, not only on the church but on society in general. Enhanced with questions for discussion and a handy glossary, this volume will be a valuable resource for those who seek an accessible way into a deeper understanding of Calvin’s role in the development of today’s Christian faith. 

What Luther and Calvin Really Said. Charlotte Methuen. Lion. $24.99 (Publishing March 2009)

This book explores why it is important to know what Luther and Calvin thought - primarily because the 16^th century Reformation began a process of political and intellectual change which not only shapes Western thought today, but which spread to the 'New World' and has deeply influenced American culture too. The book is divided into the following chapters: - Luther and Calvin in context - What Luther said - What Calvin said - Arguments about what Luther and Calvin said - How Luther and Calvin shaped the world. 

A Theology of Women’s Priesthood. Ali Green. 186pp. SPCK. $44.99.

“Intense, passionate and committed to the theology of women’s priesthood, Green confronts the pain of female exclusion, while celebrating the joy of sexual difference. Theology does not have to be intellectually or practically barren. Symbol, ritual and real-life experience play parts in the redemption of the voiceless. Ali’s bold message shows that women and men can speak together in communion and in the re-enactment of traditional Eucharistic prayer.” Pamela Sue Anderson, reader in Philosophy of Religion, Univ of Oxford. 

Methodist Present Potential. Luke Curran, Angela Shier-Jones. 240pp. Epworth. $73.99

With frankness and honesty, the authors discuss the life and faith of the Church they have inherited from previous generations. Their aim is to make explicit the potential they believe can still be found in the present Methodist Church and to state clearly what should be done if the church is to have a future. As a critical and prophetic commentary on Methodism’s past and present approaches to mission and evangelism, Scripture, the sacraments, race and gender, church structures and discipline, ecumenism and the world Church, this book is one which the Church cannot afford to ignore. 

The Puzzle of Sex (new edition). Peter Vardy. 243pp. SCM Press. $34.99.

One of Britain’s best known writers on the philosophy of religion and ethics brings his balanced and expert understanding to the subject. He cherishes the value of lovemaking and emphasises its mystery and depth. Almost everyone is directly affected by questions involving sex and sexual ethics, yet few are aware of the background to current views on topics such as sex before marriage, sex as procreation and fulfilment, homosexuality, sexual abuse, rape and contraception. In clear and entertaining language, Vardy digs beneath complex attitudes to enable readers to think through the most challenging issues of the day. 

Lion Book of Prayers to Read and Know. Sophie Piper. 96pp. Hbk. Lion. $19.99

A bright collection of prayers familiar and new to encourage thankfulness and thoughtfulness in the events of everyday and on special days and occasions. Unique to this volume are 8 'feature' spreads which highlight different aspects of prayer, heading each section, and helping a child come to learn what prayer is. These topics include: Praising God; Thanksgiving; Forgiving and Forgiven; Choosing the Right Way; Praying for One Another; For all the World; Praying as Jesus Taught; and, Blessings. The whole collection is illustrated with Anthony Lewis' cheerful pictures which simply invite the reader in. This is a companion to The Lion Read and Know Bible ($24.99).

Topical Books: Treaty of Waitangi

Pakeha and the Treaty: Why It’s Our Treaty Too. Patrick Snedden. 187pp Random House (2005) $19.99

What does the Treaty mean for Pakeha today and into the future? Snedden discusses what it means to be a Pakeha New Zealander. He deals head-on with Pakeha unease about Maori claims, different world-views, land protests and claims, and the disquiet over the Foreshore and Seabed Bill. Warm, personal and intelligent.

An Illustrated History of the Treaty of Waitangi. Claudia Orange. 346pp Bridget Williams Books (2004) $39.99 (Allow 1 week for delivery)

A wide range of illustrations brings the history to life: the different kinds of people who negotiated and signed the Treaty are vividly presented, the many periods of our past are portrayed; the context of this important document comes to life throughout the book. Features a remarkable summary of the events of the 1980s and 1990s, when the Waitangi Tribunal and iwi undertook massive research, to establish the validity of land claims and major settlements were made.

The Story of a Treaty. Claudia Orange. 80pp Bridget Williams Books (1989) $19.99 (Allow 1 week for delivery)

A fresh look at the Treaty’s origins, history and meanings. Beginning with the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1769, author Claudia Orange takes us through the earliest years of European settlement to the signing of the Treaty in 1840, through the land wars of the 1860s, and into the 20th century. Highly illustrated and simply expressed, The Story of a Treaty provides a concise background to the Treaty for high school students and general readers alike.

Treaty of Waitangi. Ross Calman. 32pp. Raupo (2003). $16.99

How well do any of us know what the Treaty document means?  In this easy-to-follow book Ross Calman looks at the events which led up to the Treaty signing and how this document has played a key role in the nation's history and sense of identity.

The Penguin History Of New Zealand. Michael King. 564pp. Penguin (2003). $30.00

King tells New Zealand’s story in all its colour and drama. The narrative that emerges is an inclusive one about men and women, Maori and Pakeha. It shows that British motives in colonising New Zealand were essentially humane; and that Maori, far from being passive victims of a 'fatal impact', coped heroically with colonisation and survived by selectively accepting and adapting what Western technology and culture had to offer. A triumphant fruit of careful research, wide reading and judicious assessment.

Also available: The Penguin History of New Zealand Illustrated edition. 466pp Hbk. Penguin (2007). $65.00. (Allow 3 weeks for delivery)

Full-colour, illustrated hardback edition, featuring 300 illustrations researched and captioned by David Filer: photographs, early paintings, engravings, maps and ephemera.

IBRA 2010 Reading Notes

Words for Today 2010. Nicola Slee ed. 384pp. IBRA. $27.00. (6 copies left)

This book provides thoughtful, mature Christians with a year’s Bible reading notes in one volume from writers across the globe and from many different traditions. It includes Jewish as well as Christian biblical scholars and presents a lively, fresh and often radical approach to the text. Readers are challenged to act in the light of the readings.

Topics for 2010 include: Resting Places and Sacred Spaces; The Jesus Way; Silence; Moods and Emotions; Old Age; Women of the New Testament; Treasures of Darkness; Readings in Luke, Genesis, Romans 1-8, Micah.

Visit this page for a comprehensive list of Preaching, Worship & Devotional resources for 2010 / Year C: http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/featured_books/2010_Year_C.htm

Visit our 2010 Devotional webpage for a list of resources for 2010:
http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/featured_books/2010_devotionals.htm

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.

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

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).

To order, email sales@epworthbooks.org.nz
 

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