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Using Your Prayer Book
The
first Book of Common Prayer of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States of America was ratified by the Bishops, the Clergy and the
Laity in Convention on October 16, 1789. It represents the most extensive
and thorough revision since the compiling of the first English Book of
Common Prayer in 1549.
The Book of Common Prayer states clearly that the
Holy Eucharist is the principal act of Christian worship. Because we
celebrate the Holy Eucharist at all four of our worship services each week,
and at almost all other services throughout the year, including weddings and
funerals, you may not realize how much more is included in the prayer book.
The liturgy for each service in the
church is included in the Book of Common Prayer - the Daily Office:
Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Compline, Daily Devotions
for Individuals and Families; The Great Litany; Collects (prayers) - both
traditional and contemporary; Liturgies for Special Days - Ash Wednesday,
Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday; Holy Baptism; the
Holy Eucharist, Prayers of the People, Communion under special
circumstances; Pastoral Offices - Confirmation, Marriage, Reconciliation of
a Penitent, Ministrations to the Sick & At the Time of Death, Burial of the
Dead; Ordinations, Celebration of a New Ministry, Consecration of a Church,
the Psalter or the Psalms of David; many Prayers and Thanksgivings; the
Lectionary and the Daily Office Lectionary.
Throughout each of the services are
rubrics, which are in italics. These are instructions for both the priest
and the congregation. Take the time to read these; it will make
understanding the movement of the service much easier. Often the rubrics
will tell you where additional directions for specific services can be
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