PREFACE

The purpose of the Book of Worship is to preserve unity of spirit with diversity of forms, to maintain decency and order, to promote dignity and beauty, to prevent "irregular and extravagant effusions," to be true to the grace and truth in Jesus Christ, to express the experience of men redeemed by God through the liturgical tradition that is in accord with the Christian spirit, to serve for the edification of the people, to set forth the vital relation of the word and the Sacraments.

The Committee assumes that the pulpit and the altar are inseparable parts of corporate worship, through which the benefits of redemption and sanctification are imparted to the members of the congregation. The Word, read and proclaimed, is confirmed in the heart of the worshipper by the use of the holy sacraments. The Lord's Supper is the crown of worship; a sacrament - the sign and seal of the forgiveness of sins and of life eternal through Jesus Christ; a sacrifice the memorial of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, the consecration of the communicant in soul and body, property and life, to the service of righteousness and love among men in spirit of Him who is the head of his Body, the Church.

According to the Constitution of the Evangelical and Reformed Church "congregations are allowed freedom of worship," but "the forms and order of worship that are set forth in the Book of Worship and in the hymnal shall be followed as accepted norms." This statement is in harmony with the evangelical ideal of worship, which affirms authority without bondage and freedom without license and requires truth, beauty, and propriety in the services of the House of the Lord.

It is desirable in the interest of harmony and fellowship that all the congregations in their common worship follow the Book of Worship in which reasonable scope is given for diversity in the rubrics and in the alternate orders. This ideal, however, cannot be imposed by legal action in the same way as the articles of the Constitution. It must be gradually realized, not by coercion, but by persuasion through education and usage. To this end forms and orders which are ecumenical, not only in time and space, but in content of the essential and changeless truths of the Gospel, are incorporated in the Book of Worship. In the use of them men of every land and time, of every degree and condition, may rejoice together in blessed communion with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; and may praise Him with the holy fellowship of patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, and the whole glorious company of the redeemed of all ages, who have died in the Lord and now live with Him forever.

Among the forms that cultivate the spirit of catholicity are the Magnificat, the Nunc Dimittis, the Beatitudes, the Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Glorias, the Te Deum, the Litany, the Creeds, the Agnus Dei, the prayer, the invocations and the benedictions. In them the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith are transformed "into the language of confession and petition, adoration and thanksgiving, consecration and intercession, joyful praise and solemn sacrament."

Your Committee is aware that the orders and forms of the Book of Worship are not to be considered as final and infallible, and therefore reaffirms the "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, that in his worship different forms and usage may without offense be allowed providing the substance of the Faith be kept entire. … By common consent and authority the forms may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most convenient for the edification of the people, according to the various exigencies and times and occasions.”

Unto Him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever.

George W. Richards, Chairman

Paul Reid Pontius, Secretary

Scott F. Brenner

Charles E. Creitz

Purd E. Deitz

F. Frankenfeld

H. Richard Niebuhr

Henry C. Nott

George L. Scherger

H. J. Schick

Robert C. Stanger

Scott R. Wagner

CONTENTS

I.  WORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP                             7

AN ALTERNATE ORDER OF WORSHIP                   17

THE EVENING SERVICE                             23

THE LITANY                                      28

THE GENERAL PRAYERS                             32

THE PREPARATORY SERVICE                         55

THE ORDER FOR HOLY COMMUNION                    65

AN ALTERNATE ORDER FOR HOLY COMMUNION           81

THE ORDER FOR THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK         88

THE ORDER FOR BAPTISM OF INFANTS                95

THE ORDER FOR BAPTISM OF ADULTS                 99

II.  THE CHURCH YEAR

THE CHURCH YEAR

  INTROITS, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS    104

PROPER PSALMS FOR SEASONS AND DAYS             241

THE HISTORY OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD         242

III.  OCCASIONAL SERVICES

THE ORDER FOR CONFIRMATION                     262

AN ORDER FOR RECEIVING COMMUNICANTS

  FROM OTHER CHURCHES                          267

AN ORDER FOR RESTORATION TO COMMUNICANT

  MEMBERSHIP                                   269

AN ORDER FOR THE VISITATION OF THE SICK        272

THE ORDER FOR MARRIAGE                         286

AN ALTERNATE ORDER FOR MARRIAGE                291

THE ORDER FOR BURIAL OF THE DEAD               295

THE ORDER FOR ORDINATION OF A MINISTER         313

THE ORDER FOR INSTALLATION OF A MINISTER       318

THE ORDER FOR ORDINATION AND

  INSTALLATION OF ELDERS AND DEACONS           321

ORDER FOR CONSECRATION OF COMMISSIONED WORKERS 325

AN ORDER FOR COMMISSIONED MISSIONARIES         329

AN ORDER FOR INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND

  TEACHERS OF THE CHURCH SCHOOL                332

AN ORDER FOR INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS OF

  ORGANIZATIONS IN A CONGREGATION              334

AN ORDER FOR LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF CHURCH 337

AN ORDER FOR DEDICATION OF A CHURCH            342

AN ORDER FOR DEDICATION OF THE LORD'S TABLE,

  THE BAPTISMAL FONT, THE PULPIT, ORGAN, OR

  OTHER APPOINTMENTS AND MEMORIALS             348

IV.  FORMS

THE FORMS OF LICENSURE                             352

THE FORM FOR INAUGURATION OF A TEACHER OF THEOLOG  353

V.  PRAYERS

A TREASURY OF PRAYERS                          354

OFFERTORY SENTENCES AND PRAYERS                390

ASCRIPTIONS                                    391

GENERAL RUBRICS

• The “Amen” printed in italics shall be said or sung by the Congregation. Where the “Amen” is not italicized it shall be said or sung by the Minister and Congregation.

• The Congregation shall rise for prayer; or kneel, especially in penitential acts.

• In the Creeds and in musical settings, “Holy Ghost” is used; elsewhere, “Holy Spirit.”