With the July 4 celebrations approaching, patriotic themes lead the way for Parable and LifeWay Christian Stores.

Parable's emailing invites shoppers to support the Operation Worship Bible distribution campaign by purchasing copies of the special Tyndale House editions for just $4.99 each. "Our troops are serving far from their families," the invitation says. "Help them connect with their Heavenly Father."

Also featured is Certain Jeopardy, the new novel by Capt. Jeff Strueker and Alton Gansky, reduced from $14.99 to $13.19. The Parable promotion also offers an online-only 15%-off coupon for any children's item,. Through July 4.

LifeWay's "Summertime Savings" presents Oliver North's American Heroes, reduced from $24.99 to $17.99, and Thomas Nelson's new The American Patriot's Bible, NKJV, marked down from $39.99 to $24.99. The CD, America the Beautiful: Patriotic Songs & Hymns, is reduced from $6.99 to $1.99.

LifeWay's emailing includes two coupons for an additional 33% off, one for a clearance item and one for a regularly priced product. The offers are valid July 2-4.

Family Christian Stores presents two exclusives. Shoppers pre-ordering Max Lucado's Fearless for $17.49 (regular price, $24.99) can get a free download of the audio edition, usual price $17.49, while supplies last. The chain is also offering The Angus Buchan story, a DVD documentary of the South African evangelist whose life is portrayed in the movie, Faith Like Potatoes, for $5, reduced from $9.99.

Mardel Christian & Education Supply's "Bargain Bibles" promotion includes an online code for an additional 25% off other reductions. The offer reduces Nelson's Princess Bible, NKJV to $7.49 (from $24.99 regular retail) and Nelson's Next Generation New Testament Bible on CD to $14.99 ($49.99).

Christian Retail Offers for the week of May 18

LifeWay Christian Stores has announced a one-week sale on Bibles, with may leading editions half-price through May 23, while stocks last.

Among the offers are The Archaeological Study Bible (reduced from $49.99 to $24.99), the NIV Study Bible ($39.99 to $19.99) and the NIV Audio Bible ($99.99 to $49.99).

Others titles whose prices have been slashed are The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV ($39.99 to $19.99), The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB ($49.99 to $22.49) and The NIV Adventure Bible ($21.99 to $10.99).

In addition, LifeWay is offering special prices on low-cost Scriptures for evangelism, with The Invitation HCSB New Testament available in case lots for 50 cents a copy. Almost 20 other bulk evangelistic editions are available, including The Atheist Bible, for $1.75 a copy.

A tie may be a classic gift, as LifeWay Christian Stores notes in an email promotion, but the chain and other retailers suggest Bibles may make a more meaningful gift for Father's Day.

LifeWay offers a $10n saving on The Ryrie Study Bible: Expanded Edition, NASB, which usually sells for $39.99. It also prices Tony Dungy's Uncommon at $19.99 ($5 off) and John Eldredge's Fathered by God at $11.99 ($3 off).

Family Christian Stores offers the same $5 saving on Dungy's book, while presenting three Bible bargains. The Life Application Study Bible is on sale for $44.97, down from $69.99, while Manual: The NIV Bible for Men is reduced from $36.99 to $29.59. An $8 saving is available on the Personal Size Mossy Oak Giant Print Bible, priced at $31.99.

Family's announcement also includes an exclusive pre-buy offer on Mark Schultz's forthcoming release, Come Alive. The chain is giving away a free copy of the singer's Closer DVD with each $11.97 advance purchase.

Mardel Christian & Education Supply knocks a sizable $50 off the regular price of The Archaeological Study Bible, reducing it to $29.99. The chain also offers a $20 saving on the new Men's Devotional Bible (priced at $19.99) and patriotic tee-shirts for $5 each.

Mardel's mailing also promotes Music Madness on Saturday, June 9, when CDs and tee-shirts regularly priced $16.99 or under are on sale for $7.99 each.

Parable Christian Stores' Father's Day promotion offers The Dad's Bible-NCV: The Father's Plan at 50% off, for $20. The email special includes an online-only, $5 off coupon on orders of $40 or more, through Saturday, and a Summer Fun Pack Giveaway drawing of $650 worth of "books, music and more."

Christian Retail Offers for the week of May 4

With Mother's Day just a few days away, moms are naturally the focus for all the major promotions, from gifts to books.

Mardel Christian Education & Supply focuses on Willow Tree's new "Roses in My Garden" line of figurines representing children of different ages and persinaltiires. The individual pieces are on sale for $12 each. Mardel's emailing also presents Love Takes Wing, the latest Janette Oke book to make it to DVD, for $14.99 (down from $22.99) through May 9.

Family Christian Stores offers The Love Dare: Legacy Edition for $18.39, reduced from $22.99, and the movie edition of the Fireproof tie-in for $11.99 (instead of $14.99). The special collector's DVD edition of the film is on sale for $19.99 (usual price $24.99).

Parable stores present "Music for Moms," with Francesca Battistelli's My Paper Heart 20% off for online purchases at $8.39. Kari Jobe's self-titled debut is priced at $10.49. The Parable promotion also spotlights Kate Gosselin's book, Eight Little Faces: A Mom's Journey (Zondervan), with an online price of $12.97 ($14.99 regular).

LifeWay Christian Stores features resources from speaker and author Beth Moore, including Praying God's Word Day by Day (reduced from $14.99 to $11.99) and A Woman's Prayer Life, down from $14.99 to $9.99.

CLC Christian Bookcenters presents a tabletop glass "mom" heart from Dicksons for $10.99, reduced from $15.99 among its gift specials. The Women of Faith Study Bible is reduced from $34.99 to $27.99, while Joyce Meyer's Never Give Up is the Deal of the Week, available for $14.99 ($21.99).