- Worshipping with the Family of God - Engaging Services for Elementary Children and their Families

by Mark Burrows

Compiled by Mark Burrows, a composer and writer from a Methodist church in Texas, this book came in response to the feeling that children deserved more than just a few minutes devoted to their needs at a normal Sunday service. So Children First aims to create services that are meaningful and enjoyable for children, in the hope that worship will be such a positive experience that worship will continue to play a major part in their lives.
The core of the book consists of 12 acts of worship lasting 40 – 45 minutes, using some conventional themes such as peace and celebration, but also ones on peer pressure and on anger management. As a preface to the section on themed services Mark Burrows explores their key elements, such as the gathering, the singing, the use of puppets, time for reflection, the Bible story and teaching and the offertory.
The role-plays, which are printed in full, make clever use of hand puppets and wooden spoon puppets, which are easily made. The book includes a CD comprising 33 tracks of songs used in the services, and sheet music of some of these. There is also a most valuable selection of responsive, unison and action prayers.
There is inevitably a marked American context to the scripts, and several of the songs are unfamiliar. However the sound basis of the book transcends boundaries. It would be easy to do some re-writing using English scenarios and jargon.
I see this book sparking off ideas and as a resource book not only for those planning family services on a Sunday, but for Sunday school teachers, Holiday Club organisers, and those running after-school family events such as Messy Church. I am sure that children would love to make their own wooden spoon puppets and engage in their own dramas! So here are 96 pages, music and CD to inspire you to create exciting, contemporary and enjoyable worship for all ages.

Review by Margaret Walker (14/02/12)

A4 Paperback
Price: £12.99
Publisher: Abingdon Press from Alban Books
Published: September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-426-70775-9

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Creative Ideas for Sacramental Worship with Children

by Simon Rundell

At long last, a book that many of us have wished for but never put a name to. The difficulties of taking children forward from ‘Bible Stories’ to an involvement with the Church which means something to them and also brings them closer to the sacramental life is one which many have been wrestling with for years. Here now is a book full of ideas and suggestions about how to do this. Even areas where we already involve children e.g. Baptisms, Christingle etc are covered with new ideas on how to make improvements.
The first part of the book outlines the situation in the Church today and leads on to look at some of the basic skills required and how these can be expanded to use methods and technology that children often understand better than many adults. This is then followed by ideas and suggestions for liturgy for use throughout the Church year. These are clearly laid out and explained with examples ready for use and can be used on their own or incorporated into existing sacramental worship. Also included are ideas which set our own (and children’s) creativity flowing.
The inclusion of a CD Rom which allows the download of prayers, songs, short talks and complete liturgies with visuals and videos is a huge added bonus.
I thoroughly recommend this book.

Review by John Theaker (03/02/12)

Paperback with CD ROM
Price: £19.99
Publisher: Canterbury Press imprint of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd
Published: 30 September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-848-25092-5

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Hymns for Prayer and Praise

- Revised Edition Words and Melodies

Published for the Panel of Monastic Musicians

This is a hymnbook by the monastic community for the monastic community, and as such, should find application in both Anglican and Catholic houses throughout the English-speaking world. All the hymns are in English, written in traditional metrical forms, and the language is broadly contemporary. The hymns are arranged in four sections to cover the Daily Office, the Church Year, Saints' Days, and other special occasions. Each item has two tunes:- one plainsong melody and one metrical (for which the full music edition includes harmonies). In addition, there is a section of common melodies for those who wish to use the full range of hymns with a limited repertoire of tunes.
The title means what it says: every item is a hymn. This book is the latest in a line of monastic hymnals which reaches back to the Middle Ages, and it continues that tradition without dilution or diversification.
As for the question 'Is it useful outside of that tradition?', I've made a start, using in smaller gatherings to broaden my church's repertoire of evening hymns, and I can see myself turning to it during Lent and Holy Week too.

Full music ISBN 978-1-848-25063-5, £35

Review by Martin Brasier (03/02/12)

Hardback
Price: £20.00
Publisher: Canterbury Press imprint of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd
Published: 30 November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-848-25062-8

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Serving God's Words

- Windows on Preaching and Ministry

Edited by Paul A. Barker, Richard J. Condie and Andrew S Malone

This book is a festschrift that is a publication honouring a respected person and presented to them during their lifetime. The man in question is Canon Peter Adam, the Evangelical Anglican who is currently Principal of Ridley Melbourne College, Australia. The 12 chapters have been written by pastors and theologians from around the world.
This is a book for preachers. It is subtitled Windows on Preaching and Ministry for good reason. Half of the book is made up of articles discussing how to preach from various books of the Bible. The other half is more general contributions on the subject of preaching.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the 10 commandments, the judgement of God and Charles Simeon but there is food for thought all through the book.
The editors have done an excellent job in giving the book a cohesive feel. The articles complement each other even though written by different people. Those who love God’s word and love preaching from God’s word will enjoy reading this.

Review by Alan Hill (26/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £11.99
Publisher: IVP(Inter Varsity Press)
Published: November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-844-74547-0

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And Now For My 43rd Point

- Giving the Kiss of Life to Your Sermon or Talk

by Nick & Claire Page

This 150-page paperback is a joint effort by Nick Page, a creative consultant who has written over 60 books, and Claire, a director and drama teacher who coaches preachers in voice and communication at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
It offers innovative approaches to preaching the Gospel – weaning the most ardent preacher from his or her ‘monologue’ sermon, with its inevitable text, repeated text, three points (preferably beginning with the same letter of the alphabet), summing up, reprise and an eventual end some 20+ minutes later.
Sometimes provocative – Is the sermon dead? – Did Jesus actually preach? – this book is thought-provoking, positive and a joy to read, with its blend of humour, illustrations and practicality. It covers common complaints about sermons and suggests remedies with hints on presentation, movement, speech and speed, as well as alternative therapies such as using art, drama, discussion and modern technology which involve the congregation in more active participation.
Churchwardens and Council members – don’t all rush out to buy this book as a present for your minister or lay preacher! Be more diplomatic. Make sure your church bookstall, church library and religious bookshop have a copy. Recommend it to those who are training our future ministers. Hopefully they will read it themselves and put it on the reading list for their students. Then they and those who listen to their sermons will all benefit.
And now for my 44th point – This book is highly recommended.

Review by Margaret Walker (26/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Authentic Media
Published: 14 October 2011
ISBN: 978-1-850-78998-7

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The Splendour of the Preachers

by Duncan Macpherson

This is a book for those who preach and those in training to be preachers, particularly in the preparation of homilies in church. Although the author is himself a Catholic, preachers of all Christian denominations will benefit. It is subtitled ‘New Approaches to Liturgical Preaching’ and includes guidelines not only for Sunday services, but also for weddings, baptisms and funerals. It is above all for those whose job it is to proclaim the Word. He deals first of all with the preacher’s role and how to communicate effectively. He then looks at the ideal structure of a sermon, how to adjust the tone and content to suit age, gender and social class and how to interpret and explain the Word of God. A very useful part of the book is the inclusion of examples of several of the author’s own preaching. He ends by saying that everyone is a preacher, that we are all called to be apostles. ‘Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel’ (St Paul).

Review by John Irvine (21/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £8.95
Publisher: St Pauls Publishing from Redemptorist Publications
Published: June 2011
ISBN: 978-0-854-39781-5

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The Church’s Healing Ministry - Practical and Pastoral Reflections by David Atkinson
ISBN: 978-1-848-25077-2 Price: £14.99	Published: 29 April 2011
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Healing Groups - A practical Guide for Christian Leaders by Len Kofler
ISBN: 978-0-854-39799-0 Price: £11.95	Published: April 2011
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Preaching Christ by Edgar Andrews
ISBN: 978-0-950-01291-9 Price: £4.95	Published: July 2005
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Ministry Rediscovered - Shaping a Unique and Creative Church by Mike Starkey
ISBN: 978-1-841-01616-0 Price: £7.99	Published: 2011
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The Journey of Christian Initiation - Theological and Pastoral Perspectives Editor Paul Avis
ISBN: 978-0-715-14237-0 Price: £16.99	Published: 2011
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Everyday Church - Mission by Being Good Neighbours by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
ISBN: 978-1-844-74520-3 Price: £9.99	Published: June 2011
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Being a Chaplain - SPCK Library of Ministry by Miranda Threlfall-Holmes & Mark Newitt
ISBN: 978-0-281-06385-7 Price: £10.99	Published: June 2011
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God’s Care For the Widow - Encouragement and Wisdom for Those Who Grieve by Austin Walker
ISBN: 978-1-846-25199-3 Price: £5.00	Published: 2010
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Exemplary Spiritual Leadership - Facing the Challenges, Escaping the Dangers – Ministry/Mission by Jerry Wragg
ISBN: 978-1-846-25200-6 Price: £7.00	Published: 2010
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Your Church & The Law - A Simple Explanation and Guide – Second edition by David Parrott
ISBN: 978-1-848-25102-1 Price: £17.99	Published: 31 August 2011
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Excellence in Preaching - Learning From the Best by Simon Vibert
ISBN: 978-1-844-74519-7 Price: £8.99	Published: 09 September 2011
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Creative Ideas for Whole Church Family Worship by Jan Brind and Tessa Wilkinson
ISBN: 978-1-848-25086-4 Price: £24.99	Published: September 2011
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How to Make Great Appointments in the Church: Calling, Competence and Chemistry - Library of Ministry by Claire Pedrick and Su Blanch
ISBN: 978-0-281-06419-9 Price: £10.99	Published: July 2011
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All-Age Lectionary Services - Resources for All-Age Worship – Year B by Scripture Union
ISBN: 978-1-844-27545-8 Price: £19.99	Published: May 2011
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