St. Thomas

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St. Thomas Episcopal ChurchVicars
ForumOctober 26, 2008

• Christianity 101
• Whats the Book of Common Prayer?

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From Last WeekWhat makes us unique?

• We worship in the language of the people
• We have a Book of Common Prayer which guides all
  our formal worship
• Descended from the English BCP of 1549, 1552, and
  1662
• Current version authorized in 1979

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Why Is the BCP Important?

• Its actually one of the most important sources
  of authority for Episcopalians
• Lex orandi, Lex credendi we believe as we
  pray.
• So we express our theology in what and how we
  pray.
• Thats why it literally takes an Act of
  Convention to change it! It has the force of
  canon law.
• At St. Thomas everything we do in worship is
  based on the BCP
• You can do any authorized service with just a BCP
  and a Bible.

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So What Do We Pray Then?

• The Holy Eucharist, the principle act of
  Christian worship on the Lords Day and other
  major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening
  Prayer, as set forth in this Book, are the
  regular services appointed for public worship in
  this Church. BCP p. 13
• We celebrate the Eucharist here on every Sunday
  and on the Principle Feasts that do not fall on
  Sundays.
• Occasionally we will offer Evening Prayer.

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Do We Have Sacraments?

• The Holy Eucharist is Mass or Holy Communion
• Begins on p. 355 most of the time
• At St. Thomas 8 AM is said, 10 AM with music,
  every Sunday
• Holy Baptism
• Usually offered 4 or five times a year
• Always a public service, as part of the Eucharist

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Special Times of the Christian Year

• Begins on p. 264
• Ash Wednesday 40 days before Easter (not
  including Sundays)
• Palm Sunday a week before Easter
• Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Holy Saturday
• The Great Vigil of Easter

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Other Services

• Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families p.
  137
• Confirmation p. 413
• Marriage p. 423
• Reconciliation - also called Confession p. 447
• Ministration to the Sick p. 453
• Burial p. 447
• Ordinations p. 511

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Some Useful Stuff for Daily Use

• The Psalter - the Songs of the Church p. 585
• Songs of joy, of complaint, of fear, of praise
• Very human!
• Used in just about every public worship service
• Prayers and Thanksgivings for all sorts of
  occasions
• Beginning on page. 814
• Useful for private or public devotions
• An Outline of the Faith, begins on p. 845
• Complete daily and Sunday lectionary