I have completed and sent to our printer the proofs for the newest AIC Bookstore publication, The 1928 Book of Common Prayer – Service Book Edition.  The book represents the first modern realization of the potential of a true book of common prayer for use in parishes and in private devotions – as it has been used in the United States.   Provided there are no unexpected delays, the book will be available in time for Advent season.  The finished version will have 298 pages, plus color covers.  The retail price will be $15.00.  This is considerably less than the hardcover versions, enabling new parishes and church plants to be able to afford new books.  And, if my own experience in running a parish is any example, make them easy to replace should any be “lost” or stolen!

Using texts I prepared in my former parish, I have completely reset into Adobe Caslon Pro every word and every rubric (including the little paragraph symbols) from the old Oxford University Press edition for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Holy Communion, plus the Litany and Penitential Office for Ash Wednesday; plus the full text of the Psalter, plus the Prayers and Thanksgivings and Family Prayers.  These are the eight parts of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer which people and clergy actually use in parish worship and for devotions at home. To make this edition interchangeable with existing personal prayer books and any pew editions already in place, all the parts have the same page numbers used in the hardcover editions  and, as noted, all the familiar Anglican-style rubrics.

Other improvements are a slightly larger page size (5.5″ x 8.5″), which makes possible larger type throughout (including for the rubrics).  Other new features are a text for the Imposition of Ashes (p. 63); the words of the Agnus Dei (page 82); and a small glyph at the end of each Psalm to help those who read the services in the parishes from leaving out verses continued on other pages (a fairly common problem everywhere); and, as an Appendix to the Psalter, the KJV text of Psalm 23, which many people find more familiar than the B.C.P. version (page 526).  Since it is placed at the end of the Psalter, any parish not wishing to use it can just ignore it.

I included the Family Prayers (pages 587-600) for ease of use in any parish in which birthdays, anniversaries and other events are routinely acknowledged during the course of a service.  As a help — and additional encouragement for the chanting/singing the Canticles — all the Canticles in Morning and Evening Prayer include Chant notations for breath [|], pause [•] and syllable or word emphasis.   These notations can either be used or just ignored (but, if used, the reader would not need a Hymnal or have memorized the Chant notations.

Further on The Lives of the Saints – Second Series:

I have completed the production and recording of Episodes 1 through 4 in The Lives of the Saints – Second Series.   These are the four celebrations in the month of December (Clement of Alexandria; John of Damascus; Nicholas of Myra; and Ambrose of Milan).  These will be uploaded for public viewing beginning December 4th.

I have also completed the text and slides for the first two episodes for January A.D. 2017 (William Laud and Gregory of Nyssa).  Richard Irwin (www.hymnswithoutwords.com) has once again granted permission to use his music, both as opening and closing themes and also within certain episodes.  The latter is important because both St. John of Damascus (Dec. 4) and St. Ambrose of Milan (Dec. 7) composed notable music which is still used in Anglican worship (and also included in The St. Chrysostom Hymnal).   Throughout the series, the words of the saints themselves will be read (whenever possible and appropriate).

As always, thanks for your support for and interest in the Anglican Internet Church’s online ministry.  May God bless you in all that you do in His Name!  Glory be to God for all things!  Amen!

The final episode in the Anglican Internet Church’s video series, The Nicene Creed is now available.  Episode 8 is focused on the second half of the Creed’s final paragraph, from “who spake by the prophets” through the closing “Amen.”   Continue reading “The Nicene Creed – Episode Eight” →

I was born seventy-four years ago to a middle class family in a small Virginia town with a long history of traditional values.  I was blessed with two living grandparents nearby and some education-oriented cousins who kept in touch.  Both my grandmother and my cousin encouraged me to read and to learn to think for myself.  I had good friends and we watched out for each other.  I’ll be seeing some of them this weekend for the reunion of my high school class of 1960. Continue reading “A Fortunate One” →

Episode Six is the final episode of three on what the Nicene Creed declares concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.  It begins with “And on the third day” and goes through “kingdom shall have no end.”  Illustrations for the various statements/phrases, in order of use, are Christ Victor Over Death, bas relief, Stephandom, Vienna; Christ Resurrected, 6 panels of stained glass, 19th C., location unknown; The Ascension, Eastern Orthodox icon, Bulgaria, 16th C.;  Christ Enthroned, apse mosaic (I seriously altered the original photograph to correct perspective distortion), Basilica of St. Ambrose, Milan, 13th C.; Continue reading “Nicene Creed – Episode Six” →