The Book of Common Prayer,
Formatted as the original

This document was created from a text file into WordPerfect for Windows 6.1 and then converted to RTF format. When you convert it to your word processor’s native format it is almost inevitable that these conversions will not be perfect and that some adjustments in the formatting will be needed on your part. In particular, line spacing variations are not preserved. If you have problems, you may e-mail us at the address below and we can send you (via e-mail) this document in a different format. 

While the Book of Common Prayer is typically printed approximately on “half-pages” (5.5 X 8.5"), this is not a common page size for word processors, so you will find it here done on 8.5 X 11" landscape, two columns. You may either reformat it to suit your needs or “cut and paste”.

You may redistribute this document electronically provided no fee is charged and this header remains part of the document. While every attempt was made to ensure accuracy, certain errors may exist in the text. Please contact us if any errors are found.

This document was created as a service to the community by Satucket Software:
Web Design & computer consulting for small business, churches, & non-profits

Contact:
Charles Wohlers
P. O. Box 227
East Bridgewater, Mass.  02333 USA
chadwohl@satucket.com
http://satucket.com

The Sunday of the Passion:
Palm Sunday

 
The Liturgy of the Palms
 
When circumstances permit, the congregation may gather at a place
apart from the church, so that all may go into the church in procession.
 
The branches of palm or of other trees or shrubs to be carried in the
procession may be distributed to the people before the service, or after
the prayer of blessing.
 
The following or some other suitable anthem is sung or said, the people
standing
 
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
  
Celebrant    Let us pray.
 
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our
salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation
of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and
immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
Here a Deacon or other person appointed reads one of the following

Year A    Matthew 21:1-11 
Year B    Mark 11:1-11a 
Year C    Luke 19:29-40
  
The Celebrant then says the following blessing
 
Celebrant 	The Lord be with you. 
People  	And also with you. 
Celebrant 	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 
People  	It is right to give him thanks and praise.
 
It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by
which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ
our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in
triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who
spread their garments and branches of palm along his way.
Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that
we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King,
and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives
and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. 
 
The following or some other suitable anthem may then be sung or said
 
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. 
 
The Procession
 
Deacon 	Let us go forth in peace. 
People  	In the name of Christ.  Amen.
 
During the procession, all hold branches in their hands, and
appropriate hymns, psalms, or anthems are sung, such as the hymn "All
glory, laud, and honor" and Psalm 118:19-29.
 
At a suitable place, the procession may halt while the following or
some other appropriate Collect is said

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
In the absence of a bishop or priest, the preceding service may be led
by a deacon or lay reader.
 
At services on this day other than the principal celebration, suitable
portions of the preceding may be used.

At the Eucharist
 
When the Liturgy of the Palms immediately precedes the Eucharist, the
celebration begins with the Salutation and Collect of the Day.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the
human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take
upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross,
giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant
that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share
in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.  Amen.
 
Old Testament   Isaiah 45:21-25,   or  Isaiah 52:13--53:12 
Psalm   22:1-21,   or 22:1-11 
Epistle    Philippians 2:5-11 
 
The Passion Gospel is announced in the following manner
 
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to_________
 
The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted.

Year A    Matthew 26:36-27:54(55-66)   or 27:1-54(55-66) 
Year B    Mark 14:32-15:39(40-47)   or 15:1-39(40-47) 
Year C    Luke 22:39-23:49(50-56)   or 23:1-49(50-56)
 
The Passion Gospel may be read or chanted by lay persons. Specific roles may be assigned to different persons, the congregation taking the part 
of the crowd.
 
The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion.  At
the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33,
Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33) all stand.
 
When the Liturgy of the Palms has preceded, the Nicene Creed and the
Confession of Sin may be omitted at this service.
 
Preface of Holy Week

 

Maundy Thursday

The Eucharist begins in the usual manner, using the following Collect,
Psalm, and Lessons
 
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before
he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood:
Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in
remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy
mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.  Amen.
 
Old Testament    Exodus 12:1-14a 
Psalm    78:14-20, 23-25 
Epistle    1 Corinthians 11:23-26(27-32) 
Gospel    John 13:1-15,   or Luke 22:14-30
  
When observed, the ceremony of the washing of feet appropriately
follows the Gospel and homily.
 
During the ceremony, the following or other suitable anthems may be
sung or said
 
The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and
had washed their feet, said to them, “Do you know what I,
your Lord and Master, have done to you?  I have given you
an example, that you should do as I have done.”
 
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with
you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
 
I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have
loved you.
 
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with
you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
 
By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That
you have love for one another.
 
The service continues with the Prayers of the People.
 
Where it is desired to administer Holy Communion from the reserved
Sacrament on Good Friday, the Sacrament for that purpose is
consecrated at this service.
 
Preface of Holy Week

 

Good Friday

On this day the ministers enter in silence.
  
All then kneel for silent prayer, after which the Celebrant stands and
begins the liturgy with the Collect of the Day.
  
Immediately before the Collect, the Celebrant may say
 
		Blessed be our God. 
People  	For ever and ever.  Amen.

Let us pray.
 
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your
family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be
betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer
death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
  
Old Testament    	Isaiah 52:13--53:12, or Genesis 22:1-18, 
			or Wisdom 2:1, 12-24 
Psalm    22:1-11(12-21),   or 40:1-14,   or 69:1-23 
Epistle   Hebrews 10:1-25
  
The Passion Gospel is announced in the following manner
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
 
The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted.

John 18:1-19:37    or 19:1-37

The Passion Gospel may be read or chanted by lay persons. Specific roles
may be assigned to different persons, the congregation taking the part of the crowd.
  
The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion.  At
the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha (John 19:17) all
stand.
 
The Sermon follows.
  
A hymn may then be sung.

The Solemn Collects
 
All standing, the Deacon, or other person appointed, says to the people
 
Dear People of God: Our heavenly Father sent his Son into
the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world
through him might be saved; that all who believe in him
might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and
become heirs with him of everlasting life.
 
We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their
needs.
  
In the biddings which follow, the indented petitions may be adapted by
addition or omission, as appropriate, at the discretion of the
Celebrant. The people may be directed to stand or kneel.
 
The biddings may be read by a Deacon or other person appointed. The
Celebrant says the Collects.

 
Let us pray for the holy Catholic Church of Christ
throughout the world;
 
  	For its unity in witness and service 
  	For all bishops and other ministers  
	   and the people whom they serve 
  	For N., our Bishop, and all the people of this diocese 
  	For all Christians in this community 
  	For those about to be baptized (particularly___________)
 
That God will confirm his Church in faith, increase it in love,
and preserve it in peace.
 
Silence
 
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:
Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before
you for all members of your holy Church, that in their
vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you;
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. 
 
Let us pray for all nations and peoples of the earth, and for
those in authority among them;
 
  	For N., the President of the United States 
  	For the Congress and the Supreme Court 
  	For the Members and Representatives of the United 
 	   Nations 
  	For all who serve the common good
 
That by God's help they may seek justice and truth, and live
in peace and concord.
 
Silence
 
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of
peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for
the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 
 
Let us pray for all who suffer and are afflicted in body or in mind; 
  	For the hungry and the homeless, the destitute  
	   and the oppressed 
  	For the sick, the wounded, and the crippled 
  	For those in loneliness, fear, and anguish 
  	For those who face temptation, doubt, and despair 
  	For the sorrowful and bereaved 
  	For prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger
 
That God in his mercy will comfort and relieve them, and
grant them the knowledge of his love, and stir up in us the
will and patience to minister to their needs.
 
Silence
 
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of
all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come
to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all
their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve
them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord.  Amen. 
 
Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ;
 
  	For those who have never heard the word of salvation 
  	For those who have lost their faith 
  	For those hardened by sin or indifference 
  	For the contemptuous and the scornful 
  	For those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and
 	   persecutors of his disciples 
  	For those who in the name of Christ have persecuted others
 
That God will open their hearts to the truth, and lead them to
faith and obedience.

Silence
 
Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and
lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you
as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel
be preached with grace and power to those who have not
heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring
home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there
may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us commit ourselves to our God, and pray for the grace
of a holy life, that, with all who have departed this world and
have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is
known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy to enter
into the fullness of the joy of our Lord, and receive the crown
of life in the day of resurrection.

Silence

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look
favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred 
mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry
out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world 
see and know that things which were cast down are being
raised up, and things which had grown old are being made
new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection
by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
 
The service may be concluded here with the singing of a hymn or anthem,
the Lord's Prayer, and the final prayer on page 282.

If desired, a wooden cross may now be brought into the church
and placed in the sight of the people.
 
Appropriate devotions may follow, which may include any or all of the
following, or other suitable anthems.  If the texts are recited rather
than sung, the congregation reads the parts in italics.
  
Anthem 1
 
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise and glorify your holy resurrection;
for by virtue of your cross
joy has come to the whole world.
 
May God be merciful to us and bless us,
show us the light of his countenance, and come to us.
 
Let your ways be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
 
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
 
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise and glorify your holy resurrection;
for by virtue of your cross
joy has come to the whole world.
  
Anthem 2
 
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
 
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
if we endure, we shall also reign with him.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
  
Anthem 3
 
O Savior of the world,
who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
 
The hymn "Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle," or some other hymn
extolling the glory of the cross, is then sung.
  
The service may be concluded here with the Lord's Prayer and the final
prayer below.
 
In the absence of a bishop or priest, all that precedes may be led by a
deacon or lay reader.

In places where Holy Communion is to be administered from
the reserved Sacrament, the following order is observed
 
A Confession of Sin 
The Lord's Prayer 
The Communion
 
The service concludes with the following prayer.  No blessing or dismissal 
is added.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set
your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death.  Give mercy and
grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy
Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life
and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live
and reign, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Holy Saturday

There is no celebration of the Eucharist on this day.
 
When there is a Liturgy of the Word, the Celebrant begins with the
Collect of the Day
 
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the
crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and
rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the
coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of
life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
  
Old Testament    Job 14:1-14 
Psalm    130,   or 31:1-5 
Epistle   1 Peter 4:1-8 
Gospel   Matthew 27:57-66,   or John 19:38-42

After the Gospel (and homily), in place of the Prayers of the People,
the Anthem “In the midst of life” (page 484 or 492) is sung or said.
 
The service then concludes with the Lord's Prayer and the Grace.