'Common Worship Today'

... is the successor of 'Anglican Worship Today' published to accompany the ASB. This new book seeks to do what the original volume did so well - to combine history, commentary and practical advice. The book is attractively produced with pictures and diagrams throughout; text boxes explain the law, quote from the new texts, give practical tips, and those little snippets of information that appeal to those who are interested in liturgy.

The book covers everything that Common Worship embraces, not in as much depth as a liturgical scholar might require but in a way that would excite people to look further who are beginning to understand the nature of liturgy and worship. I can thoroughly recommend it.

'Freedom within a framework'

... is intended to be a user-friendly resource to bring liturgy to life. Tim Lomax is music co-ordinator at St John's College, Nottingham. The book is a series of commentaries and checklists to help worship planners create liturgies that are alive and thoughtful, challenging and stimulating. He has good advice about the use of the visual, music, drama - ways in which all the senses can be engaged in worship. Practical advice takes up half of the book. The other half contains photocopiable service outlines in which Tim applies his principles to the creation of acts of worship.

'Freedom within a framework' would be good to put into the hands of a Parish Worship Group as it seeks to encourage two of the basic principles that lie behind Common Worship - working on shape and texts in worship, and using liturgy as a tool for mission.