Handy, helpful prayers to use in public worship during Ordinary Time. The collection includes invocations, opening prayers, prayers of confession, and pastoral prayers for the Sundays after Pentecost. Drawn from a variety of traditions, the prayers in this collection will aid any congregation as it worships throughout the journey of this season of the Christian year.

Take a fresh look at the Bible while you experience a new translation. The Common English Bible is relevant, readable, and reliable. The result is a new version that the typical reader or worshipper is able to understand. 115 leading biblical scholars from 22 faith traditions and 77 reading specialists in 13 denominations worked on this translation.

Take a fresh look at the Bible while you experience a new translation. The Common English Bible is relevant, readable, and reliable. The result is a new version that the typical reader or worshipper is able to understand. 115 leading biblical scholars from 22 faith traditions and 77 reading specialists in 13 denominations worked on this translation. Contains Apocrypha books.

Church Leadership Packed with practical tips, reproducible pages, checklists, and suggested resources, this ready-to-use resource will help first-time pastors or those new to an established church get started the first day and the first Sunday. This book leads the new pastor through creative ideas and concrete suggestions for getting started in church ministry by providing worksheets for planning and organizing worship, weddings, and funerals; questions to ask during pastoral visits to help both the pastor and parishioner feel at ease; suggestions for managing conflict; and ways to create opportunities for fellowship, study, outreach, and mission in the church--and much more. "Ward and Brey address the questions a new pastor may not even have thought to ask: 'How do I plan a wedding?' 'How hard can I push for change?' or simply, 'Should I phone first or just stop by to talk?' Their guidance is simple and useful, allowing for a diversity of ministerial styles. The book will be a gift to anyone anxious about starting a pastorate." The Reverend Glenn Schwerdtfeger, Pastor, Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church, Columbus, Ohio "I wish I’d had this resource when I began pastoral ministry over twenty-five years ago. It would have shortened the learning curve considerably. This book cuts across denominational lines as well as different faith perspectives. Like a good constitution it provides a strong framework; in this case, a framework for caring and enduring ministries in the name of Jesus Christ." Frank Ramirez, Pastor of the Everett (PA) Church of the Brethren, Everett, Pennsylvania "Emphasizing self-awareness and purposeful action, Ward and Brey have compiled a helpful set of advice, direction, checklists, and resources. Refreshingly practical, this beginners' book offers detailed insight to successfully working in partnership with a congregation." Mary L Hubbard, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Portage, Indiana "Ready, Set, Lead is packed with practical advice on how to get a good start in ministry with a congregation. It raises the right questions for a new pastor to consider. I commend this book as a primer for ministers of every denomination." Richard L. Hamm, Church Consultant/Coach and former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Steven P. Brey is pastor of Spring Lake United Methodist Church in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Lynda C. Ward is a freelance writer, and holds an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and a certification in Spiritual Direction from Neumann College.

As individuals, we often find peace, comfort, and a close connection to God in a garden. Gardens often provide a space for worship in a neutral setting outside the church for people to gather and share a faith experience. From Easter sunrise services to church retreats, the special worship experiences described in Worship in the Garden can enhance one's experience of God as a congregation worships together outdoors. The beauty of creation enhances these sensitive, meaningful liturgies for Communion, Blessing of the Animals, Healing, Renewal of Wedding Vows, Resurrection/Memorial Services, Graveside, Baptism, Baptismal Reaffirmation, along with other services. Inside you will learn about liturgical gardens and biblical precedents for outdoor worship.

Edited by Vassilios Papavassiliou, the Ancient Faith Prayer Book brings together the most ancient and popular prayers of Orthodox Christians with some additions that address issues of modern life, all rendered in elegant contemporary English and presented in a compact format (4.5 X 7 inches) for ease of use. NOW AVAILABLE WITH A BURGUNDY COVER.

This bundle contains The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise, and Griselda Takes Flight. The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow No longer able or willing to leave her home, the unusual Agnes Sparrow has committed herself to a life of prayer... and it has resulted in numerous miracles, both large and garden variety, including a prize-winning pumpkin. The rural residents of Bright's Pond, a quirky Pennsylvania town, are so enamored with Agnes they plan to erect a sign in her honor on the interstate. Agnes wants no part of it and sends her sister to fight city hall. But when a stranger comes to call asking for his miracle, Bright's Pond is turned on its head and Agnes' feet of clay are exposed, forcing the town to its knees. Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise Newly widowed Charlotte Figg purchases a double-wide trailer sight unseen and moves to the Paradise Trailer Park with her dog, Lucky. Unfortunately, neither the trailer nor Paradise are what Charlotte expected. Her trailer is a ramshackle old place in need of major repair, and the people of Paradise are harboring more secrets than Bayer has aspirin. Charlotte’s new friend Rose Tattoo learns that Charlotte played softball and convinces her to rally the women of Paradise into a team. Reluctant at first, Charlotte warms to the notion and is soon coaching the Paradise Angels. Meanwhile, Charlotte discovers that the manager of Paradise, Fergus Wrinkel, abuses his wife, Suzy. Charlotte sets out to find a way to save Suzy from Fergus and in the process comes to a difficult realization about her own painful marriage. Griselda Takes Flight Now that her sister, Agnes Sparrow, is comfortably living at the Greenbrier Nursing Home, Griselda learns to fly—literally--after a pilot makes an emergency landing and creates quite a ruckus in the otherwise sleepy town of Bright’s Pond. But Griselda’s newfound freedom (and her flight time with handsome pilot, Cliff) is hampered by other happenings in town. Like the gold digger who prances around town and is supposedly engaged to Stella Kincaid’s brother--the lottery winner who is in a coma. And there’s Ivy Slocum’s dog, Al Capone, whose adventures continue long after they should. When Chief of Police Mildred Blessing starts investigating the gold digger, however, things really heat up--for Griselda and all the residents of the unique Pennsylvania hamlet called Bright’s Pond!

God doesn't demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules; he only wants his people to know him more intimately, says top-selling author D. A. Carson. The apostle Paul found that spiritual closeness in his own fellowship with the Father. By following Paul's example, we can do the same. This book calls believers to reject superficiality and revolutionize their lives by embracing a God-guided approach to prayer. Previously published as A Call to Spiritual Reformation, this book has now been updated to connect more effectively with contemporary readers. A study guide, DVD, and leader's kit for the book are available through Lifeway and The Gospel Coalition.

Practical and spiritual insight provided with a counselor’s genius for offering something actionable—this handbook offers nothing less than a changed life, and a radical call. Linda McCullough Moore builds compelling for a life founded on prayer, delivering a well-supported methodical progression of concrete steps to prayer. Beautifully written, evocative, and intelligent, this primer includes stories of transformation that encourage a new way of praying and of living a vibrant faith. Introducing a “Rule of Life” and bringing spiritual and prayer disciplines to real-time life, the author brings readers to a submergence into a radical prayer life, one small step at a time. Includes a prayer guide, useful tools, and “real” prayers—the kind of prayers we pray in private, not on the stage.

Every Quilt Has a Story Featuring tales of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings, the latest Quilts of Love books will delight fiction fans, crafters and quilters, and anyone who loves a good story. Enjoy FREE chapters from eleven titles from popular and bestselling authors Vannetta Chapman, Sandie Bricker, Carla Olsen Gade, Bonnie S. Calhoun, S. Dionne Moore, Angela Breidenbach, Christa Allan, Loree Lough, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Jennifer AlLee. Like what you read? The full copy of each of these books is just a click away. This sampler features chapters from... The Christmas Quilt Raw Edges Pattern for Romance Pieces of the Heart A Heartbeat Away A Healing Heart Threads of Hope For Love of Eli Path of Freedom A Wild Goose Chase Christmas Beyond the Storm