Preaching pastors, ministers, and priests know how quickly Sundays come and go. The Lectionary Commentary will not slow the pace of the weekly calendar, but it will help assure that sermon preparation begins with a solid engagement with Scripture. Designed to "jump start" the difficult task of sermon preparation, this indispensable three-volume work gathers exegetical essays on biblical texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. Covering every Sunday of the three-year liturgical cycle, as well as Christmas Day, Epiphany, and Ascension Day, the readings are arranged in canonical order so as to be of use to all preachers. Seventy-eight pastors, priests, and teachers from a variety of Christian traditions have contributed their insights to The Lectionary Commentary. Designed to answer the question What does the preacher need to know about this text in order to preach a faithful sermon from it?, each of their essays closely considers its specific biblical text, all the while remaining alert to the contemporary context in which the sermon will be spoken and heard. The result is an invaluable resource that will aid in the difficult task of facilitating a meaningful encounter between Holy Scripture and our modern world. This volume, The First Readings: Old Testament and Acts, provides exegetical commentary on the lectionary readings from Genesis to Malachi, and from the first seventeen chapters of Acts. Also unique to this volume is an excellent essay by Hughes Oliphant Old on preaching as worship. Consulting Editors: Richard A. Burridge Thomas W. Gillespie Colin E. Gunton Robert W. Jenson James F. Kay Hughes Oliphant Old Fleming Rutledge Marguerite Shuster

The Sunday Lectionary examines a key aspect of the liturgical use of the Bible: how the Lectionary puts biblical flesh on the bones of the liturgical calendar and gives paschal shape to the Christian year. Although the current Lectionary has been in use since 1969, its history, purpose, and structure remains relatively unknown to the many who proclaim or hear its readings. The Sunday Lectionary contributes to a theology of proclamation by explaining the principles that underlie the Lectionary's selection of biblical passages and its patterns of reading distribution that structure the Sundays, feast days, and seasons of the liturgical year.

If you love those Hallmark romances, along with mountains, lakes, and small communities filled with good friends and family, you'll find them all here in this novella. Enjoy the hope, adventure, love, and laughter in your visit to Green Mountain. This is book 1 in the Coming Home for Christmas Series and can be read as a stand-alone. Ridge left six years ago in search of the Berkley degree that would allow him to be an architect in the bustling city of Boston. That was his dream, but the other part he looked forward to was coming back home to the family-run Crofton Inn. With his Dad and Mom retiring, he and his brother Roan are taking over the family business. He knew that Sunday would be there, but what he doesn't count on is that she is not right where he left her. Sunday has been at the Crofton Inn since she was an infant, meaning that she grew up with Ridge and Roan. The three amigos were the best of friends. Ridge and Sunday had a bond like no other, both finding love early, so how could he leave her behind without a second thought? He wanted more... That open-ended statement has been filled in a million times. When Ridge comes back home to run the Crofton Inn, he's definitely interested, but there is no way he could love her. Who leaves the girl he loves for six years without so much as a phone call shared during that time? The ideal love story should have made Ridge turn around and come back. He's back now, determined to show Sunday how much he cares, but will he be six years too late? It's pure agony to have her near and not be able to be with her. Ridge was an immature fool once blinded by selfish dreams and unable to see what a mess he left behind. Has he learned his lesson?

What Can I Play on Sunday? Complete Collection is a comprehensive resource of easily prepared hymn arrangements for each two-month period of the year. In addition to seasonally relevant selections for general worship, the book also contains arrangements that are appropriate for major holidays, including Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, the Fourth of July, All Saints Day, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Perfect for busy pianists with limited rehearsal time, this collection fulfills worship-planning needs for services throughout the year. Titles: * All Glory, Laud and Honor * All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name * Amazing Grace * America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee) * America the Beautiful * Be Still, My Soul * Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light * Brethren, We Have Met to Worship * Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation * Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies * The Church's One Foundation * Come, Holy Spirit, Dove Divine * Come, Thou Almighty King * Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy * The Coventry Carol with Away in a Manger * Depth of Mercy with Search Me, O God * Faith of Our Fathers * For All the Saints * God Will Take Care of You * God, Give Us Christian Homes * Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise * Hallelujah! What a Savior * Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * Holy God, We Praise Thy Name * How Firm a Foundation * It Is Well with My Soul * Jesus Shall Reign * Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross * In the Cross of Christ I Glory * Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee * Just as I Am, Without One Plea * Let All Things Now Living * Let Us Break Bread Together * Lift High the Cross * Lord, I Want to Be a Christian * Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? * My Faith Looks Up to Thee * My Lord, What a Morning! * Now Thank We All Our God * Come, Ye Thankful People, Come * O Come, All Ye Faithful * O Come, O Come, Emmanuel * O God, Our Help in Ages Past * O Word of God Incarnate * O Zion, Haste * O, How Joyfully! * Joy to the World * Rejoice, the Lord Is King * Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us * He Leadeth Me * Simple Gifts * The Solid Rock * Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart * O Breath of Life * Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus * The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done * Take the Name of Jesus with You * There Is a Fountain * There's a Song in the Air * This Is My Father's World * 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus * We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder * Were You There? * When I Survey the Wondrous Cross * Where He Leads Me