** Now available for pre-order (title will be released on April 29th) **Over the course of the past 25 years, a quiet but persistent revolution has been taking place in English cathedrals, in some larger churches in major towns and cities, as well as the chapels of university colleges. The numbers of people drawn by the distinctive musical character of their worship has risen significantly, with Choral Evensong becoming the locus of this persistent growth in the numbers of worshippers. A significant number of these people are under 40 years of age; and many others have, until now, lived their lives on the edges of the Church - if not completely beyond it.Simon Reynolds believes Evensong is providing a place of sanctuary for people seeking space for reflection in a frenetic world. It is becoming a significant part of the Church of England's mission. Lighten Our Darkness provides the definitive guide to Choral Evensong, and will be a fascinating introduction for newcomers to this historic form of worship, and for clergy and students wishing to explore its roots.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised and with a Foreword by David J. Monge In this great classic, Douglas John Hall analyzes the inadequacies and dangers of the officially optimistic society of North America and its officially optimistic religion. He then appeals to the thin tradition of Luther and Kierkegaard within Christian history as a way into the darkness of our time. He eloquently appeals to this theology of the cross as not only pointing toward a new image of human nature for Christians today but also affording us a glimmer of true light. Students, laypersons, clergy, and many others will find here a gripping critique of modern Western culture and a way toward genuine Christian faith in challenging times. Mind-shaking and spirit-shaking. -- John C. Bennett One of the best and most constructive theological critiques of culture and religion to come along in a good while. -- Larry Rasmussen I believe this is an important book. I know that it is stimulating and provocative--almost maddeningly so. . . .Thoughtful Christians need to reckon with the ideas contained in this book. -- Edgar M. Carlson, The Lutheran Quarterly Douglas John Hall, one of the most respected of North American theologians, is Professor Emeritus of Theology at McGill University, Montreal. Among his many books is the trilogy Christian Theology in a North American Context, which consists of Thinking the Faith, Professing the Faith, and Confessing the Faith. His popular Why Christian? For Those on the Edge of Faith was published in 1998.

This revised, expanded edition of the Common Worship President’s Edition contains everything to celebrate Holy Communion Order One throughout the church year. It combines relevant material from the original President’s Edition with Eucharistic material from Times and Seasons, Festivals and Pastoral Services, and the Additional Collects.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is a treasured resource for traditional Anglicans and others who appreciate the majesty of King James-style language. This classic edition features a Presentation section containing certificates for the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage. The elegant burgundy hardcover binding is embossed with a simple gold cross, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and gift-giving. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer combines Oxford's reputation for quality construction and scholarship with a modest price - a beautiful prayer book and an excellent value.

In this small gem of theological reflection, North America's foremost "theologian of the cross" offers a profound and compelling contemplation on the relevance of the church's most fundamental confession. Hall ponders what confessing Jesus as crucified means in today's context, one that is postmodern, pluralistic, multicultural, and in some respects post-Christian. A digest of his monumental trilogy, this book lays out in brief compass the heart of Hall's theology of the cross, contrasting it sharply with the theology of established Christianity, showing how it reframes classical Christology and soteriology, and drawing the implications for what it means to be human, for Christian ethics, and for the church.

Lighten the Darkness is a collection of scriptures, readings, and meditations on God's entering into our darkness with rays of light. The book contains 37 short devotions, beginning on the first day of December and reaching through Epiphany. This book will light the path for those seeking deeper meaning amidst the busyness of the days leading up to and through their Christmas celebration.Throughout the centuries, Christians in the northern hemisphere have faced the growing darkness of winter days with a certain hope, the advent hope that growing darkness will not last forever.Lighten the Darkness reminds us again that the advent message is one of deep hope. As sure as the reign of the sun wins against the growing darkness of night, there is one who is coming that will lighten the difficulties and struggles that we encounter in our lives. God comes into our broken world to be with us, to heal us, to save us from not only our enemies, but even ourselves. Let these devotions bring a sacredness back to an often harried time. Whether you read these meditations in the early light as you sip that first cup of coffee or read them with tired eyes at the end of each day, may they be a ray of hope for you. And may God increasingly lighten your dark places until you too shine with the light of hope and love.

In a new and hopeful way, with humorous stories interspersed, this vulnerable account brings "grief to life." or may bring "life to your grief," depending on your perspective. Without question, it provides insight into proactively supporting those immersed in grief and mourning, or dealing with your own grief. It's a story of life, loss, humor, and relationships. He overcame emotional odds, including 40 impactful losses of family members, friends, and role models spread throughout his life. Auto accidents, a tornado, miscarriage, sudden and extended illness and more claimed the lives of significant people from age 9 days to 96 years with only one period of "intermission." Now, he acknowledges God's role in helping him become a positive influence despite the grief and mourning. With faith and encouragement, he emerged to find purpose in the darkness and relays his journey of completing college degrees, founding nonprofit organizations, organizing community projects with hundreds of volunteers. He also shares his achieved recognition as a service leader, and promoter of philanthropy, raising millions of dollars for organizations. It's genuine, engaging, and offers a glimpse of the evolution of grief and life in rural America.

An engaging, richly illustrated account of parish churches and churchgoers in England, from the Anglo-Saxons to the mid-sixteenth century Parish churches were at the heart of English religious and social life in the Middle Ages and the sixteenth century. In this comprehensive study, Nicholas Orme shows how they came into existence, who staffed them, and how their buildings were used. He explains who went to church, who did not attend, how people behaved there, and how they--not merely the clergy--affected how worship was staged. The book provides an accessible account of what happened in the daily and weekly services, and how churches marked the seasons of Christmas, Lent, Easter, and summer. It describes how they celebrated the great events of life: birth, coming of age, and marriage, and gave comfort in sickness and death. A final chapter covers the English Reformation in the sixteenth century and shows how, alongside its changes, much that went on in parish churches remained as before.