Hymns are a form of worship and prayer that are capable of expressing what mere words alone cannot. Many favorite Christian hymns and their authors have incredible stories that will make you listen to and sing these songs in an entirely different way. Our team spent thousands of hours researching and finding the most inspiring stories that will uplift those who take time to read or listen.

Insights into the stories of pain and hope that are behind the hymns that have inspired generations of Christians. CD and cassette tape include powerful renditions of each song in the book.

Here are the full original texts of 150 of the best loved hymns in the English language. Each is accompanied by a fascinating commentary, giving biographical details of the author (such as the Calvinist creator of Rock of Ages who once calculated that the average human sins 2,522,880,000 times); notes on the circumstances in which the hymn was written; and variant versions. Each hymn is prefaced by an urbanely written and agreeably subjective commentary with a wealth of anecdotes and a few ribald parodies. This charming book should also be required reading for all those responsible for choosing hymns in church. Ian Bradley writes with wit, elegance and charm and is quite exceptionally knowledgeable about his subject.

Church pianists are often asked to provide music that is reflective and meditative in nature. The six hymns in this collection by Martha Mier were chosen because of their beauty and for the messages of comfort and hope that they convey. Titles: * In the Garden * It Is Well with My Soul * Near to The Heart of God * Sweet Hour of Prayer * 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus * What A Friend We Have In Jesus

(Sacred Folio). Family Hymn Sing is the third in the "Getty Kids Hymnal" series which exists to help children learn the Christian faith through singing. With kid-friendly arrangements recorded by the Gettys' band of Irish and American virtuosos and sung by kids, this collection features songs the whole family can sing together! Titles include: All Creatures of Our God & King * Crown Him with Many Crowns * This Is My Father's World * Power in the Blood * His Mercy Is More * Jesus Paid It All * O! For a Thousand Tongues to Sing * He Will Hold Me Fast * In Christ Alone/I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) * How Great Thou Art * Be Thou My Vision * What Wondrous Love Is This?

(Glory Sound Simply Sacred). The increasing treasury of modern hymns and sacred songs by Keith and Kristyn Getty and collaborator Stuart Townend are explored in this new resource designed for choirs of any level. Many of this writing team's biggest successes are included, all lovingly adapted by some of our most gifted arrangers. Music for the entire church year is contained in this collection. Transcending stylistic boundaries, the music and message are home in both contemporary-styled worship venues and traditional programs. Creative instrumental adornments offer additional options for performance while sensitive arranging make this compilation accessible to choirs of any size. Available separately: SAB, Listening CD, Preview Pack (Book/CD Combo), 10-Pack Listening CDs, Instrumental CD-ROM (Score & parts for flute, penny whistle, oboe, acoustic guitar, electric bass, drum set, percussion, violin 1 & 2, viola, cello *Note, instrumentation varies on each song), StudioTrax CD (Accompaniment Only), SplitTrax CD.

The following efforts bear the title Theology of Hope, not because they set out once again to present eschatology as a separate doctrine and to compete with the well known textbooks. Rather, their aim is to show how theology can set out from hope and begin to consider its theme in an eschatological light. For this reason they inquire into the ground of the hope of Christian faith and into the responsible exercise of this hope in thought and action in the world today. The various critical discussions should not be understood as rejections and condemnations. They are necessary conversations on a common subject which is so rich that it demands continual new approaches.