The Book of Common Prayer
n 1549, Thomas Cramner, Archbishop of Canterbury, compiled the Book of Common Prayer (our guide to worship and devotion), and our current version was revised in 1979. More than 70 million Anglicans (Episcopalians) in 163 countries throughout the world, use the Book of Common Prayer in their own language, reflecting our diversity and ethnic backgrounds.
The term, "common prayer" means that we say these prayers together or "in common" when we worship as a community. The book is a collection of ancient and modern prayers and worship services for occasions when the community gathers and for individual use as well. It allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guidebook for daily Christian living.
Since Scripture is the foundation of our worship, two-thirds of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Old and New Testaments. It is meant to complement daily individual prayers, not replace them. Every service in the book includes time for personal prayer requests, either silent or aloud.
The Book of Common Prayer has been a source of comfort, joy and inspiration, a unique treasure in Christian worship for more than 400 years. Join us this Sunday and experience for yourself the love and the presence of God.
For a complete online, Book of Common Prayer, CLICK HERE.
The daily Scripture readings can be found in the Daily Office. For an online version, CLICK HERE.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Word of God
A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
The people standing, the Celebrant says
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People
The Celebrant may say
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
When appointed, the following hymn or some other song of praise is sung or said, all standing
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. AMEN.
On other occasions the following is used
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Collect of the Day
The Celebrant says to the people
People
Celebrant
The Celebrant says the Collect.
People
The Lessons
The people sit. One or two Lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying
A Reading (Lesson) from____________. (Readings include a Psalm, an Old Testament reading, and a passage from the New Testament, other than the Gospels)
A citation giving chapter and verse may be added.
After each Reading, the Reader may say
People
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to__________.
Silence may follow.
Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the G
People
After the Gospel, the Reader says
People
The SermonOn Sundays and other Major Feasts there follows, all standing
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
The Prayers of the People
Prayer is offered with intercession for the Universal Church, its members, and its mission, the Nation and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the local community, those who suffer and those in any trouble, the departed (with commemoration of a saint when appropriate).
Confession of Sin
The Deacon or Celebrant says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. AMEB.The Peace
All stand. The Celebrant says to the people
People
Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy CommunionThe Celebrant may begin the Offertory with one of the sentences on page 376, or with some other sentence of Scripture.
During the Offertory, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer
The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says
People
Celebrant
People
Celebrant
People
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Celebrant and People
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The people stand or kneel.
Then the Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our
Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the
Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
People and Celebrant
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN.The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.
A period of silence is kept.
Then may be sung or said
[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]
Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.
The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words
The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [AMEN.]
During the ministration of Communion, hymns, psalms, or anthems may be sung.
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Almighty and ever living God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. AMEN.
The Bishop when present, or the Priest, may bless the people.
The Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses them with these words
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People
From the Easter Vigil through the Day of Pentecost “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to any of the dismissals.
