Report to the 1997 General Convention, from

The Standing Liturgical Commission - Part 2

*PLEASE NOTE* that this electronic version is posted for ready reference only. The only official copy is the paper edition distributed in late March 1997.

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Resolution A075 Supplemental Liturgical Materials: "Enriching our Worship" ADOPTED

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That this 72nd General Convention authorize these editorial changes and additions to Supplemental Liturgical Materials for use during the next triennium; such use always under the direction of the diocesan bishop or ecclesiastical authority; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission is directed to publish this material as Enriching Our Worship.

Proposed changes and additions to Supplemental Liturgical Materials

MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER

Opening Sentences

In addition to all texts in Supplemental Liturgical Materials, pp. 16-17, add:

Advent

Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also. Isaiah 45:8, NRSV

Easter

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSV

Delete all notes, SLM, p. 17.

Absolution

Include SLM text, p. 17; omit note, p. 18.

Opening Versicle

Include SLM text with note, p. 18.

Antiphons

Include all texts in SLM, p. 19.

Replace notes, p. 20, with:

The translation of the second half of these antiphons is taken from the Canadian Book of Alternative Services. The Latin original, "Venite adoremus," contains no pronoun specifying the object of worship; hence the translation is a more literal translation of the original text while still providing the number of syllables required for Anglican chant.

The alternative Lenten antiphon "Today..." is derived from the text of Psalm 95.

The antiphon for Trinity Sunday is similar to the medieval Latin antiphon, "The true God, One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, O come let us worship," appointed for Trinity Sunday.

Invitatory Psalms

Add new alternative text of Venite:

Come, let us sing to the Lord; *

let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving *

and raise to the Lord a shout with psalms.

For you are a great God; *

you are great above all gods.

In your hand are the caverns of the earth, *

and the heights of the hills are yours also.

The sea is yours, for you made it, *

and your hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down and bend the knee, *

and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For you are our God,

and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. *

Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!

The following verses are added when Psalm 95 is used as the Invitatory:

Let us listen today to God’s voice:

Harden not your hearts,

as your forebears did in the wilderness, *

at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,

when they tempted me.

They put me to the test, *

though they had seen my works.

Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *

"This people are wayward in their hearts;

they do not know my ways."

So I swore in my wrath, *

"They shall not enter into my rest."

Note: This text has been revised to use direct address to God, in a manner similar to The Song of Zechariah and The Song of Mary prepared by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (see below, Canticles 15 and 16).

Include texts and rubrics for Psalm 63 and Psalm 67, SLM, pp. 20-21.

Replace notes, pp. 20-21, with:

Psalm 63 is a traditional morning psalm used in many ancient forms of the morning office. It appears as an alternative to Venite or Jubilate in the Canadian Book of Alternative Services.

Psalm 67 is provided as a morning psalm in the new Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours.

Evening Psalms

Add alternative metrical version of the Phos hilaron:

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,

Mirror of God’s eternal face,

Transparent flame of love’s free duty,

You bring salvation to our race.

Now, as we see the lights of evening,

We raise our voice in hymns of praise;

Worthy are you of endless blessing,

Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

(from Celebrating Common Prayer, p. 230)

Include texts and rubrics for Psalm 134 and Psalm 141, SLM, p. 22.

Replace notes, p. 22, with:

Psalm 134 is a traditional evening psalm used as an invitatory in the Alternative Service Book of the Church of England and in the Canadian Book of Alternative Services.

Psalm 141 is the opening psalm in the oldest known forms of the evening office. It occupies this same position in the Lutheran Book of Worship and in a number of other modern service books.

Antiphons for Morning and Evening Psalms

Include texts, rubrics and notes in SLM, p. 23.

Add alternative antiphon and note on Psalm 67 (the current antiphon is the last verse of the psalm):

On Psalm 67

Day by day we bless you; we praise your name for ever.

Note

The text is from Psalm 145:2.

The Lessons

Cross-reference to alternative response to the lessons provided for The Holy Eucharist.

Canticles

Canticle 12: A Song of Creation (SLM, pp. 24-5)

Use the title Song of the Three (used in CCP), instead of Song of the Three Young Men. Omit note, SLM, p. 25.

Canticle 15: The Song of Mary (SLM, p. 26)

Include ELLC text in SLM, p. 56. Include only second and third paragraphs of notes, i.e., those notes which explain modifications of the ELLC text.

Canticle 16: The Song of Zechariah (SLM, p. 26)

Include ELLC text in SLM, p. 55. Omit notes.

Canticle 18: A Song to the Lamb (SLM, p. 26)

Include text in SLM, p. 26. Omit notes.

Canticle 21: We Praise You O God (SLM, p. 27)

Include ELLC text in SLM, p. 54. Omit notes.

Additional Canticle A: A Song of Wisdom (SLM, p. 27)

Include text in SLM, p. 27.

Replace note, p. 27 with:

This is a translation from the original Greek of a text which is also included as a canticle in the Canadian Book of Alternative Services.

Additional Canticle B: A Song of Pilgrimage (SLM, p. 28)

Include text in SLM, p. 28.

Replace note, p. 28 with:

This canticle is from the Mozarabic (medieval Spanish) Psalter and is a new translation from the Latin.

Additional Canticle C:

The Song of Hannah

1 Samuel 2:1-8

My heart exults in you, O God; *

my triumph song is lifted in you.

My mouth derides my enemies, *

for I rejoice in your salvation.

There is none holy like you, *

nor any rock to be compared to you, our God.

Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; *

Only God is knowing and weighs all actions.

The bows of the mighty are broken, *

but the weak are clothed in strength.

Those once full now labor for bread, *

those who hungered now are well fed.

The childless woman has borne sevenfold, *

while the mother of many is forlorn.

God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; *

gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies.

God raises the poor from the dust; *

and lifts the needy from the ash heap

To make them sit with the rulers *

and inherit a place of honor.

For the pillars of the earth are God’s *

on which the whole earth is founded.

Additional Canticle D:

A Song of the Wilderness

Isaiah 35:1-7,10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *

the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

It shall blossom abundantly, *

and rejoice with joy and singing.

They shall see the glory of the Lord, *

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weary hands, *

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to the anxious, "Be strong, do not fear! *

Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you."

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *

and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.

Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *

and streams in the desert;

The burning sand shall become a pool *

and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Additional Canticle E:

A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother

Isaiah 66:10-14

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her *

all you who love her,

Rejoice, rejoice with her, *

all you who mourn over her,

That you may drink deeply with delight *

from her comforting breast.

For thus says our God, *

"I will extend peace to her like a river,

the wealth of nations like an overflowing stream.

"You shall nurse and be carried on her arm,

and you shall nestle in her lap.

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; *

you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

"You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice, *

you shall flourish like the grass of the fields."

Additional Canticle F:

A Song of Lamentation

Lamentations 1:12,16; 3:19,22-24,26

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? *

Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,

Which was brought upon me, *

inflicted by God’s fierce anger.

For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, *

for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage.

Remember my affliction and my bitterness, *

wormwood and gall!

The steadfast love of God never ceases, *

God’s mercies never end.

They are new every morning; *

great is your faithfulness.

"God is my portion," says my soul, *

"therefore will I hope in God."

It is good that we should wait quietly *

for the coming of God’s salvation.

Additional Canticle G:

A Song of Ezekiel

Ezekiel 36:24-28

I will take you from among all nations; *

and gather you from all lands to bring you home.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *

and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.

A new heart I will give you *

and a new spirit put within you.

I will take the stone heart from your chest *

and give you a heart of flesh.

I will help you walk in my laws *

and cherish my commandments and do them.

You shall be my people, *

and I will be your God.

Additional Canticle H:

A Song of Hosea

Hosea 6:1-3

Come, let us return to our God, *

who has torn us and will heal us.

God has struck us and will bind up our wounds, *

after two days revive us,

On the third day restore us, *

that in God’s presence we may live.

Let us humble ourselves, let us strive to know the Lord, *

whose justice dawns like morning light,

its dawning as sure as the sunrise.

God’s justice will come to us like a shower, *

like spring rains that water the earth.

 

Additional Canticle I:

A Song of Jonah

Jonah 2:2-7,9

I called to you, O God, out of my distress, and you answered me; *

out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, *

and the flood surrounded me;

all your waves and billows passed over me.

Then I said, "I am driven away from your sight; *

how shall I ever look again upon your holy temple?"

The waters closed in over me, the deep was round about me; *

weeds were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains.

I went down to the land beneath the earth, *

yet you brought up my life from the depths, O God.

As my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, O God, *

and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

With the voice of thanksgiving, I will sacrifice to you; *

what I have vowed I will pay, for deliverance belongs to the Lord!

 

Additional Canticle J:

A Song of Judith

Judith 16:13-16

I will sing a new song to my God, *

for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.

Let the whole creation serve you, *

for you spoke and all things came into being.

You sent your breath and it formed them, *

no one is able to resist your voice.

Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *

rocks melt like wax at your presence.

But to those who fear you, *

you continue to show mercy.

No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *

but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Additional Canticle K:

A Song of Our Adoption

Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed are you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *

for you have blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Before the world was made, you chose us to be yours in Christ, *

that we should be holy and blameless before you.

You destined us for adoption as your children through Jesus Christ, *

according to the good pleasure of your will,

To the praise of your glorious grace, *

that you have freely given us in the Beloved.

In you, we have redemption through the blood of Christ,

the forgiveness of our sins,

According to the riches of your grace *

which you have lavished upon us.

You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight, *

the mystery of your will,

According to your good pleasure which you set forth in Christ, *

as a plan for the fullness of time,

To gather together all things in Christ, *

things in heaven and things on earth.

Additional Canticle L:

A Song of Christ’s Humility

Philippians 2:6-11

Though in the form of God, *

Christ Jesus did not cling to equality with God,

But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *

and was born in human likeness.

Being found in human form, he humbled himself *

and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Therefore, God has highly exalted him *

and given him the name above every name,

That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, *

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *

to the glory of God the Father.

Additional Canticle M:

A Song of Faith

1 Peter 1:3-4, 18-21

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *

by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, *

we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.

The ransom that was paid to free us *

was not paid in silver or gold,

But in the precious blood of Christ, *

the Lamb without spot or stain.

God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory *

so that we might have faith and hope in God.

(source: Celebrating Common Prayer, p. 222, adapted)

Additional Canticle N:

A Song of God’s Love

1 John 4:7-11

Beloved, let us love one another, *

for love is of God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, *

for God is Love.

In this the love of God was revealed among us, *

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through Jesus Christ.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *

and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, *

we ought also to love one another.

For if we love one another, God abides in us, *

and God’s love will be perfected in us.

Additional Canticle O:

A Song of the Heavenly City

Revelation 21:22-26, 22:1-4

I saw no temple in the city, *

for its temple is the God of surpassing strength and the Lamb.

And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, *

for the glory of God shines on it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

By its light the nations shall walk, *

and the rulers of the world lay their honor and glory there.

Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; *

into it they will bring the honor and glory of nations.

I saw the clean river of the water of life, bright as crystal, *

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

The tree of life spanned the river, giving fruit every month, *

and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.

All curses cease where the throne of God and the Lamb stands,

and all servants give worship there; *

there they will see God’s face, whose Name shall be on their foreheads.

(source: Celebrating Common Prayer, pp. 227-8, adapted)

Additional Canticle P:

A Song of the Spirit

Revelation 22:12-17

"Behold, I am coming soon," says the Lord,

"and bringing my reward with me, *

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *

the beginning and the end."

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,

that they may have the right to the tree of life, *

and may enter the city through the gates.

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *

with this testimony for all the churches.

"I am the root and the offspring of David, *

I am the bright morning star."

"Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride; *

"Come!" let each hearer reply!

Come forward, you who are thirsty, *

let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.

Additional Canticle Q:

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

Anselm of Canterbury

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; *

you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride, *

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *

in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *

by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; *

through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead, *

your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *

in your love and tenderness, remake us.

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, *

for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.

(source: Celebrating Common Prayer, p. 232)

Additional Canticle R:

A Song of True Motherhood

Julian of Norwich

God chose to be our mother in all things *

and so made the foundation of his work,

most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.

God, the perfect wisdom of all, *

arrayed himself in this humble place.

Christ came in our poor flesh *

to share a mother’s care.

Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *

our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.

Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *

until the full time of his passion.

And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *

still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.

All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *

for the love of Christ works in us;

Christ is the one whom we love.

(source: Celebrating Common Prayer, p. 235)

Additional Canticle S:

A Song of Our True Nature

Julian of Norwich

Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *

our trespasses and our humiliations.

Christ also revealed his blessed power, *

his blessed wisdom and love.

He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *

he raises us in spirit

and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.

God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *

God is the true father and mother of natures.

We are all bound to God by nature, *

and we are all bound to God by grace.

And this grace is for all the world, *

because it is our precious mother, Christ.

For this fair nature was prepared by Christ

for the honor and nobility of all, *

and for the joy and bliss of salvation.

(source: Celebrating Common Prayer, p. 236)

The Apostles’ Creed

Include ELLC text in SLM, pp. 50 and 51. Omit notes.

Alternative to the Salutation

Add introductory rubric:

The officiant introduces the prayer with one of the following.

Include text in SLM, p. 29, printed in parallel column with:

Officiant God be with you.

People And also with you.

Officiant Let us pray.

Include note, SLM, p. 29.

Suffrages

Include text in SLM, p. 29. Change "Let not the oppressed be shamed and turned away" to "Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away."

Use only second sentence of note ("Sources are...").

Concluding Sentence

Include text in SLM, p. 30; omit note.

ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR THE EVENING

Opening Acclamations

Revise text, SLM, p. 30, as follows:

The Officiant greets the people with these words

Stay with us, Christ, for it is evening.

People Make your Church bright with your radiance.

In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost

Officiant Christ is risen. Alleluia.

People And has appeared to the disciples. Alleluia.

In Lent and on other penitential occasions

Officiant Blessed be the God of our salvation:

People Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins.

Omit notes.

Evening Psalms

Include cross-reference to Evening Psalms and alternative to the Phos hilaron for Evening Prayer.

Blessings

Include cross-reference to blessings for The Holy Eucharist.

THE GREAT LITANY

Add new text:

It is traditional to use sections I and VI. Other petitions may be added from sections II, III, IV and V. The first petition in section III is used as an introductory petition when petitions are included from section III, IV and/or V.

I.

Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,

Have mercy on us.

Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,

Have mercy on us.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God,

Have mercy on us.

II.

From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred and malice; and from all evil intent,

Savior deliver us.

From sloth, worldliness and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws,

Savior deliver us.

From sins of body and mind; from deceits of the world, flesh and the devil,

Savior deliver us.

From famine and disaster; from violence, murder, and dying unprepared,

Savior deliver us.

In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of our death and at the day of judgment,

Savior deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood and obedience; by your baptism, fasting and temptation,

Savior deliver us.

By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; by the preaching of your reign,

Savior deliver us.

By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; by your precious death and burial,

Savior deliver us.

By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit,

Savior deliver us.

III.

Hear our prayers, O Christ our God.

Hear us, O Christ.

Govern and direct your holy Church; fill it with love and truth; and grant it that unity which is your will.

Hear us, O Christ.

Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world, and to make disciples of all the nations.

Hear us, O Christ.

Enlighten your bishops, priests and deacons (especially ____) with knowledge and understanding, that by their teaching and their lives they may proclaim your word.

Hear us, O Christ.

Give your people grace to witness to your word and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit.

Hear us, O Christ.

Bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived.

Hear us, O Christ.

Strengthen those who stand; comfort and help the fainthearted; raise up the fallen; and finally beat down Satan under our feet.

Hear us, O Christ.

IV.

Guide the leaders of the nations into the ways of peace and justice.

Hear us, O Christ.

Give your wisdom and strength to ______, the President of the United States, ____ the Governor of this state, (and _____, the Mayor of this city) that in all things they may do your will, for your glory and the common good.

Hear us, O Christ.

Give to the Congress of the United States, the members of the President’s Cabinet, those who serve in our state legislature, and all others in authority the grace to walk always in the ways of truth.

Hear us, O Christ.

Bless the justices of the Supreme Court and all those who administer the law, that they may act with integrity and do justice for all your people.

Hear us, O Christ.

Give us the will to use the resources of the earth to your glory and for the good of all.

Hear us, O Christ.

Bless and keep all your people,

Hear us, O Christ.

V.

Comfort and liberate the lonely, the bereaved (especially _____) and the oppressed.

Hear us, O Christ.

Keep in safety those who travel (especially ____) and all who are in peril.

Hear us, O Christ.

Heal the sick in body, mind or spirit (especially ___) and provide for the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.

Hear us, O Christ.

Guard and protect all children who are in danger.

Hear us, O Christ.

Shower your compassion on prisoners, hostages and refugees, and all who are in trouble.

Hear us, O Christ.

Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts.

Hear us, O Christ.

Hear us as we remember those who have died (especially _____) and grant us with them a share in your eternal glory.

Hear us, O Christ.

VI.

Give us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your word.

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One

Have mercy on us.

(Adapted from Celebrating Common Prayer, pp. 249-52)

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Opening Acclamations

Include texts in SLM, p. 31; omit notes.

Add:

as an alternative to "Blessed be the one..."

Celebrant Blessed be our God.

People For ever and ever. Amen.

during Advent

Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.

People You come to your people and set them free.

Omit notes, SLM, p. 32.

Song of Praise

Replace rubric, SLM, p. 32, with the following:

The rubrics of the Prayer Book (p. 356) provide that "some other song of praise" may be used in place of the hymn Gloria in excelsis. The supplemental canticles (pages 000-000) or those in the Prayer Book (pp. 85-96) are among the appropriate alternatives.

Salutation

Replace the text, SLM, p. 32, with the following:

Celebrant God be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Omit note, SLM, p. 32.

Collect of the Day

Add rubric and texts:

During the season after the Epiphany and the season after Pentecost (except the First Sunday after the Epiphany, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Trinity Sunday and the Last Sunday after Pentecost, i.e., Proper 29), one of the following collects may be used instead of the appointed Collect of the Day:

Christ our true and only Light: receive our morning prayers, and illumine the secrets of our hearts with your healing goodness, that no evil desires may possess us who are made new in the light of your heavenly grace. AMEN. (source: Gelasian Sacramentary)

O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.

Holy Wisdom, in your loving kindness you created and restored us when we were lost: inspire us with your truth, that we may love you with our whole minds and run to you with open hearts, through Christ our Savior. AMEN. (source: Alcuin of York, Mass of Wisdom)

God our rock and refuge: keep us safe in your care and strengthen us with your grace, that we may pray faithfully to you and love one another boldly, following the example of Jesus, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives for ever and ever. AMEN. (source: Veronese Sacramentary)

Sun of Righteousness, so gloriously risen, shine in our hearts as we celebrate our redemption, that we may see your way to our eternal home, where you reign, one holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.

Loving Jesus: Protect and sustain us with your hand. Open the door of your love that, sealed with your wisdom, we may be free to serve you with joy. AMEN. (a prayer of St. Gertrude)

Jesus, you are the way through the wilderness: show us your truth in which we journey, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit be in us the life that draws us to God. AMEN. (source: F.B. McNutt, The Prayer Manual [London: Mowbray, 1961], p. 29, adapted)

Jesus, the true bread that comes down from heaven: leaven us with your Holy Spirit, that the world may know the abundance of life in your new creation. AMEN.

God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. (source: A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 569)

Lessons

Add rubric and text:

After each Reading, the Reader may say

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People Thanks be to God.

(source: A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Gospel Announcement

Include SLM text, p. 32; omit note.

Nicene Creed

Include ELLC text in SLM, pp. 51-2. Omit notes, SLM, pp. 51-2; include "An Additional Note on the Nicene Creed," Expanded Edition, pp. 67-8.

Prayers of the People

Include text in SLM, pp. 33-4.

Confession of Sin

Add rubrics and text:

The Deacon or Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins to God.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

God of all mercy,

we confess that we have sinned against you,

opposing your will in our lives.

We have denied your goodness in each other,

in ourselves, and in the world you have created.

We wholeheartedly repent of the evil we have done

and the evil done on our behalf.

Forgive, restore, and strengthen us

through our Savior Jesus Christ,

that we may abide in your love

and serve only your will. AMEN.

Absolution

Retain cross-reference to text in materials for Morning and Evening Prayer.

The Peace

Include text in SLM, p. 34; omit note, SLM, p. 35.

Eucharistic Prayer 1

Include text in SLM, pp. 35-8.

Replace notes, SLM, pp. 38-9, with the following (in reference to all three eucharistic prayers and both Forms for the Eucharistic Prayer):

The use of "all" ("My Blood...poured out for you and for all") in the institution narrative emphasizes that forgiveness of sins is made available to all through Christ’s sacrifice. While the Greek word is literally translated "many," biblical scholars have pointed out that in the context of the passage it means that the sacrifice is made not just for a large number of persons, but for all humanity. (A similar use of "many" occurs in Matthew 20:28, where it is written that Jesus would give his life as "a ransom for many." 1 Timothy 2:6, looking back on the event, says he gave himself as a "ransom for all.") New eucharistic prayers in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church use "all" rather than "many."

Eucharistic Prayer 2

Include text in SLM, pp. 39-42; on p. 40, omit "male and female," i.e., "You made us in your image and taught us to walk in your ways."

Omit notes, SLM, p. 42.

Eucharistic Prayer 3

Presider The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Presider Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Presider

All thanks and praise

are yours at all times and in all places,

our true, loving and everliving God;

through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word,

the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things.

You laid the foundations of the world

and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb;

You brought forth all creatures of the earth

and gave breath to humankind.

 

Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing,

all that you create stands as a sign of hope for our journey;

And so as the morning stars sing your praises

we join the heavenly beings and all creation

as we shout with joy:

Presider 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 the one

who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

The Presider continues

Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all,

your Word has never been silent;

you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations,

you delivered them from bondage

and led them to a land of promise.

Of your grace, you gave Jesus

to be human, to share our life,

to proclaim the coming of your holy reign

and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.

 

Through Jesus our Redeemer,

you have freed us from sin,

brought us into your life,

reconciled us to you,

and restored us to the glory you intend for us.

 

We thank you that on the night before he died for us

Jesus took bread,

and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it,

gave it to his friends and said:

"Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me."

 

After supper Jesus took the cup of wine,

said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said:

"Drink this, all of you:

this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood,

poured out for you and for all

for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me."

 

And so, remembering all that was done for us:

the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension,

longing for Christ’s coming in glory,

and presenting to you these gifts

your earth has formed and human hands have made,

we acclaim you, O Christ:

Presider and People

Dying, you destroyed our death.

Rising, you restored our life.

Christ Jesus, come in glory!

The Presider continues

Send your Holy Spirit upon us

and upon these gifts of bread and wine

that they may be to us

the Body and Blood of your Christ.

Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power,

may be a people of hope, justice and love.

 

Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ,

and in the fullness of time gather us

with [blessed _____, and] all your people

into the joy of our true eternal home.

 

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

we worship you our God and Creator

in voices of unending praise.

 

Presider and People

Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN.

Notes

The underlying pattern of this eucharistic prayer is thanksgiving and supplication. Thomas Talley, Professor Emeritus of the General Theological Seminary, has argued that this basic structure underlies the diversity of classical eucharistic prayers in both the eastern and western liturgical traditions prior to the Reformation (see Prof. Talley’s article, "The Structure of the Eucharistic Prayer," in A Prayer Book for the Twenty-first Century, Liturgical Studies 3 [Church Hymnal Corporation, 1996], pp. 76-101; see also the findings of the fifth international Anglican Liturgical Consultation, which met in Dublin, Ireland, in August 1995: David R. Holeton (ed.), Renewing the Anglican Eucharist [Grove Books, 1996], pp. 25-27).

In this classic pattern of eucharistic prayer, praise to the Creator leads into the Sanctus. This is followed by thanksgiving for redemption, climaxing in the narrative of the institution and leading into a memorial oblation, that is, remembering the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and offering gifts of bread and wine. Following this oblation, the prayer shifts to supplication, with an invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine and upon the gathered community.

To underscore that the institution narrative is part of the thanksgiving for redemption, this eucharistic prayer introduces the institution narrative with the words "We thank you." To strengthen the unity of the thanksgiving for redemption and the memorial oblation, an acclamation by the people follows the oblation and leads into the supplication.

The text of the opening dialogue (sursum corda) is that of the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC), which consists of representatives of major English-speaking churches throughout the world. The final line, "It is right to give our thanks and praise," renders a Latin and Greek text which is literally translated "It is right and just," a wording that seems rather curt in English. "To give our thanks" was chosen as a reflection of "Let us give our thanks" in the previous line; the context makes clear that the thanks and praise are being given to God. The ELLC text has been widely adopted by Anglican churches as well as in other denominations.

Two alternatives are provided for the Sanctus. "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" follows the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible in translating Psalm 118:26 and Matthew 21:9 (and the parallel texts, Mark 11:9 and John 12:13) as "Blessed is the one." However, in the context of the eucharistic prayer the quotation refers specifically to Jesus our Savior and not to everyone who comes in God’s name. For this reason the ELLC text reads "Blessed is he."

The language of the preface is derived from Job 38:4-11 and Wisdom of Solomon 9:1-2. The identification of Jesus as eternal Word and Wisdom, while not widely known in the late twentieth century, is evident in the New Testament and the writings of the early Church. During the intertestamental period (the second and first centuries B.C.E.), personified Wisdom came to be understood as a manifestation of God, an agent of creation and salvation. Some New Testament scholars argue that early Christians interpreted Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in light of the already familiar language and ideas of divine Wisdom. The third-century writers Origen and Tertullian identified Jesus as Wisdom, and two centuries later Augustine of Hippo, in a treatise on the Holy Trinity, named Jesus as Word and Wisdom.

The phrase "Holy One of Blessing" originated in a Jewish congregation as a contemporary reformulation of the traditional Jewish invocation "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe."

Forms for the Eucharistic Prayer

Include Form A and Form B, SLM, pp. 43-6, and notes, p. 47.

Memorial Acclamations

Omit Memorial Acclamation A and B and notes, SLM, pp. 47-8.

Fraction Anthems

Add new introductory rubric:

Any of the following, or a Fraction Anthem from The Hymnal 1982, # S167 - # S172, may be said or sung in place of the anthem "Christ our Passover" (BCP, p. 364).

Include anthems in SLM, p. 48.

Omit notes, SLM, p. 48.

Postcommunion Prayer

Omit text and notes, SLM, p. 49.

Add new texts:

God of abundance,

you have fed us

with the bread of life and cup of salvation;

you have united us

with Christ and one another;

and you have made us one

with all your people in heaven and on earth.

Now send us forth

in the power of your Spirit,

that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world

and continue for ever

in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

 

Loving God,

we give you thanks

for restoring us in your image

and nourishing us with spiritual food

in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.

Now send us forth

a forgiven, healed and renewed people,

that we may proclaim your love to the world

and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

 

Blessings

Omit first and second forms, SLM, p. 49.

Include third form, SLM, p. 49.

Add new forms:

God’s Blessing be with you,

Christ’s peace be with you,

the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,

now and always.

(source: Celtic)

 

The Wisdom of God

the Love of God

and the Grace of God

strengthen you

to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,

in the name of the Holy Trinity.

(source: Celtic)

Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always.

(source: from Saint Clare)

Resolution A076 Test Local Materials ("Rite III") Substitute Adopted

Resolution A077 Funding for Supplemental Liturgical Materials ADOPTED by Convention

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That the Standing Commission on Church Music and the Standing Liturgical Commission be directed to continue to develop, collect an edit supplemental liturgical materials and musical settings; and be it further

Resolved, That the sum of $125,000 be appropriated for this triennium toward the expense of preparing these materials.

Explanation

Since the Expansive Language Committee of the Standing Liturgical Commission has produced materials, such as new canticles, which require musical settings, this Resolution encourages the continuing collaboration between these two bodies in providing further materials for the use of the church. Note: this resolution also appears in the Standing Commission on Church Music report.

Structure

The November meeting of the SLC was held concurrent with a meeting of the Standing Commission on Church Music. In the course of that meeting, a joint session to discuss the report of the Committee on the Structure of the Church was held. Two resolutions were affirmed by the combined membership of the two commissions. One, reported below, dealt with the meeting schedules and working structures for the commissions. A second, concerning the development of liturgical resources, is included in the report of the SCCM.

Resolution A078 Study Merger of SLC and Church Music ADOPTED by Convention

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That the 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Church Music and the Standing Liturgical Commission to schedule their meetings concurrently, arrange their agendas to maximize possibilities of collegial consideration of issues, and to investigate the possibilities of the merger of these bodies into a single Commission on Worship; and be it further

Resolved, That specific questions about the organization of a new Commission on Worship be addressed by a sub-committee representing both commissions, their findings to be reported to the 73rd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That programmatic initiatives requiring the appointment of task-forces and funding of projects be proposed jointly by the two commissions.

Explanation

The Report to the 72nd General Convention from the Committee on Structure has wisely recommended that the work of the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Standing Commission on Church Music would be better facilitated by a single commission on worship, to incorporate the current work of the two existing commissions.

Because of the expectation that these bodies continual produce materials for publication and engage in the development of educational resources, a period of transition will be necessary to assure continuity in the delivery of services as the structure is reformed.

While both commissions recognize the significant advantage of a combined commission, they also see the need to move into the new structure with deliberate care.

The joint session concluded with the adoption of Norms for the Common Life of the SLC and SCCM

- Spend time at each meeting as a praying community.

- Make it a goal to know and to love each other better by the end of each meeting.

- Try to model and mirror what we should be as the essence of our time together.

- Continually acknowledge that we have a ministry of servanthood.

Filioque

In response to Resolution A028a, concurred at the 71st General Convention, the SLC included in that 1996 edition of Supplemental Liturgical Materials, an Appendix C: An Additional Note on the Nicene Creed, which outlines the history of the controversy.

International Anglican Liturgical Consultation

The Episcopal Church participates in conversations about the development and revision of Books of Common Prayer with other Provinces of the Anglican Communion every four years. The fourth meeting on this consultation was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in August of 1991 with 23 Provinces of the Communion represented. The Rev. Dr. Leonel Mitchell represented the SLC. The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers served as a member of the steering committee for the Consultation, and the SLC was also represented by the Rev. Sr. Jean Campbell. The topic considered at this meeting was Christian Initiation. The 71st General Convention commended to the Church for the purposes of study and discussion the Recommendations of the Fourth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (Toronto, 1991): Christian Initiation in the Anglican Communion, the Toronto Statement, "Walk in Newness of Life." (Published in Grove Worship Series No. 118.)

The fifth meeting of the consultation was held in Dublin, Ireland, in August of 1995, with 19 Provinces represented. Representing the Standing Liturgical Commission was the Rev. Dr. Leonel Mitchell. The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers again attended as a member of the steering committee. Liturgical Officer, The Rev. Dr. Clayton L. Morris, was also in attendance. The topic considered at the meeting was the Eucharist. The papers and statement from that gathering are published in Renewing the Anglican Eucharist, Findings of the Fifth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation. (Published in Grove Worship Series No. 135.)

Resolution A079 Fifth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation ADOPTED by Convention

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That this 72nd General Convention commend to the Church for the purposes of study and discussion the Recommendations of the Fifth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (Dublin, 1995): Renewing the Anglican Eucharist, Findings of the Fifth International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (Grove Worship Series No. 135.)

Explanation

As the church focuses on the renewal of eucharistic worship, this sampling of views from around the globe provides expressions of both the unity and diversity characterized by Anglican Christians.

Consultation on Common Texts

The commission has been a regular participant in the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), which is the ecumenical dialogue on liturgical materials in North America. The Revised Common Lectionary has been a major work of this group and is recommended to the Convention. The Rev. Joseph Russell has represented the commission on the CCT. He currently serves as its president. Future work of the CCT includes the development of common eucharistic prayers, Collects for the Revised Common Lectionary, and issues concerned with inculturation.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE 1995-1997 TRIENNIUM

*estimated

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMING TRIENNIUM

The Calendar

Resolution A074a, concurred by the 71st General Convention, set out new guidelines for the addition of names to the calendar in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Notably, those guidelines expect that before a person is considered for national recognition only after a strong, lengthy local commemoration has attracted the attention of neighboring dioceses. Thus, except for those names which will be proposed for inclusion in the calendar, having been adopted for trial use during this triennium (Emery, Luther, Bonhoeffer, Macrina, Stanton, Bloomer, Truth, Tubman, Ignatius, Jones, Crummell, Hildegard, and Becket), no new names have come before the commission. During the next triennium, the SLC will systematically review the material in Lesser Feasts and Fasts, in order to determine whether biographies, collects, and lections require revision. The current calendar will also be examined to determine whether some commemorations should be deleted.

Resolution A080 Approve Commemorations for Liturgical Calendar ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS

Resolution A081 Teresa of Avila ADOPTED by Convention

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That the commemoration of Teresa of Avila, Nun, be moved from October 14 to October 15, in order to conform to the calendars of other churches and provinces of the Anglican Communion.

The Book of Common Prayer and Supplemental Liturgical Materials

At its final meeting in November, the Standing Liturgical Commission agreed that a major focus for the next triennium will be the question of Prayer Book revision. The commission intends to pursue that question in three distinct projects: One will examine and evaluate the Book of Common Prayer, Supplemental Liturgical Materials and Lesser Feasts and Fasts in order to determine how the materials contained in these volumes needs to be edited and what additions or deletions are appropriate. The second project will continue to develop a strategy for the production of liturgical materials for the church of the 21st century. The third project will be the continued collection and publication of liturgical materials, including musical setting.

Liturgy and Music

As a result of the enthusiasm expressed at their November joint session by members of the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Standing Commission on Church Music for a collaborative working arrangement, all work in the arena of worship will be pursued in cooperative ventures between the two commissions.

Racial and Cultural Diversity

In response to Resolution A081a, concurred at the 71st General Convention, the SLC has, in its gathering of liturgical texts and right, made note of the need to ... raise up our racial and cultural diversity... The ongoing work of gathering, evaluating and encouraging the use of new materials will hold this need in mind.

BUDGET APPROPRIATION

Note: Resolution A077 seeks an appropriation of $125,000, in addition to the above appropriation, to support the development of supplemental liturgical materials.

Resolution A082 Standing Liturgical Commission Budget Appropriation Discharged

Resolved, the House of ________ concurring, That this 72nd General Convention appropriate, in the Budget of the Convention for the triennium 1998-2000, the sum of $53,250 for meetings of the Standing Liturgical Commission.

End of Part 2

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