"This is the body of Christ. This is the blood of Christ." It's Communion Sunday. The service is a little longer, and the sacrament is observed with gravity. You know it's important, but the wonder is lost. What does it all mean, really? According to the results of a survey, you're not alone. United Methodists have a strong sense of the importance of Holy Communion, but they also lack a meaningful understanding of the theology behind it. Reclaim a richer sacramental life in your congregation through a group study of This Holy Mystery. In 2004, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted an official interpretative document on Holy Communion. For the first time in our history, the denomination has an official, comprehensive statement of the practice and theology of the Lord's Supper. Now, it's time for congregations to help members understand the observance. "We believe that study of this document will yield increased appreciation for the sacrament in the worship experience and enable United Methodist people to draw nourishment and strength for their ongoing journeys of faith," writes Felton. This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion is a study guide of the General Conference–approved document. An all-in-one resource, this book is for both participants and leaders. It's divided into 7 sessions, providing commentary on the history, practice, and principles of Holy Communion in United Methodist congregations. It also points to implications of the sacrament for ministry and mission. We come to the Table of the Lord, seeking to have our spiritual needs met. The benefits include forgiveness, nourishment, healing, transformation, ministry and mission, and eternal life. Renew your appreciation for the divine grace made available through this sacrament.

By Water and the Spirit, a 6-session study guide for use in small groups, contains the full text of the paper "By Water and the Spirit," which describes the United Methodist understanding of baptism approved by the 1996 General Conference. This booklet serves as a resource for congregational leaders who are helping members make connections between the baptismal covenant and discipleship in daily life.

Anderson provides a brief, user-friendly introduction to the meaning of Holy Communion as understood and practiced in The United Methodist Church. He addresses basic questions about Holy Communion.

"The Mystery of Christ is well-written, displays ample knowledge of issues discussed concerning covenant theology by Baptists and paedobaptists, grounds its arguments in scriptural exegesis and theology, recovers old arguments for a new day, presents a cohesive map of the covenants of Scripture, and exalts our Lord Jesus Christ, the last Adam, throughout." -- from cover review by Richard C. Barcellos

This intriguing and fun book investigates 12 mysterious, inexplicable cases that have happened in the history of the Catholic faith, some of which still continue to happen or remain today.

The voices of great saints and holy teachers of the past ring out clearly in a unanimous chorus of praise and adoration for the supreme sacrament of the Eucharist. In Mystery of the Altar: Daily Meditations on the Eucharist, Kenneth J. Howell and Joseph Crownwood have brought together these voices to demonstrate the unwavering faith of the Church in the Real Presence of Christ. Aligning daily readings with the liturgical calendar, Mystery of the Altar will enlighten and enliven readers as they contemplate the wide-ranging applications of Eucharistic truth to their lives. A worthy companion for Eucharistic adoration or personal prayer, Mystery of the Altar will ignite love for the Eucharistic Lord in the hearts of all who savor its wealth of meditations.

With the increased interest in the practice of spiritual direction, both from people feeling called to be spiritual directors, and from those seeking direction, this books addresses the need to train the supervisors of spiritual directors. This collection of essays is one of the first books in the field that help with the training of supervisors. Written by spiritual directors who have years of experience in supervision between them, this book engages some of the leading voices in the field in an exploration of a wide variety of issues, including: gender and sexuality; ethical dilemmas; working with diverse racial ethnic constituents; working with the differently abled; the parameters of supervision; the supervision of beginning directors, and more. An excellent textbook for those who feel called to the role of supervisor, as well as an important book for those who are already practicing in the field.