 | By: Michael (ed) Perham Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group - Mowbray ISBN: 0264674693 ISBN-13: 9780264674698 Released: 23 Jul 1998 RRP: Average Rating:  |
The book shows start & end dates for liturgical years, incorporates liturgical & worship calendars, sets up a three-year cycle of readings for Sundays, & discusses the use of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures in Sunday worship. As the name `Revised Common Lectionary' suggests, there was an earlier lectionary, based largely on the Roman Catholic lectionary development after Vatican II. In the spirit of ecumenical cooperation, a large number of denominations participated in the Consultation that led to this development, with the understanding that it is binding on none of them.
There are titles of Sundays & special days which give the official or proper names as particularly useful in those churches who would like a firmer understanding of Christian history but do not come out of a tradition that has incorporated much. Liturgical seasons such as Advent, Epiphany, Lent & the like are grouped with their respective times in the liturgical calendar.
The three years of the lectionary cycle are largely based on the three synoptic gospels - Year A focuses on Matthew; Year B on Mark; Year C on Luke. John is incorporated in various ways throughout these three years. In Year B, Luke & John are used to supplement some of the Markan readings; in Year C, John is again used extensively. The other books of the New Testament are incorporated as secondary readings & most of the New Testament in fact gets covered in the three year cycle.
After a proliferation of denominationallly-specific lectionaries in response or reaction to the Roman revisions after Vatican II, an ecumenical effort was made to bring churches together more fully in the cycle of readings & preachings. To a certain extent, this continues to hold true as lectionary churches still adhere largely to the cycle of readings. This also aids clergy in working with each other for inspiration, consultation & planning of joint services.
The indexes include a listing of scriptures by Sunday & liturgical year (say, what is read on the second Sunday of Advent in Year B?), as well as a listing of lectionary readings arranged according to the order of the books in the Bible.
This book is a book I use every week as I look to what will be read in my Sunday services. As I put together bulletins & worship booklets, & as I plan ahead for special services, this book becomes an invaluable aid to me. Some texts like the Anglican 'Book of Common Prayer' include their denomination's variant of lectionary; which was produced prior to the advent of the Revised Common Lectionary. Similarly, there are lists available for other denominations. As I have a broadly ecumenical chaplaincy, I have opted to follow, for the sake of being as broadly inclusive as I can be, the Revised Common Lectionary as a rule. This means that the occasional Sunday may differ here & there with mainline denominations, but by & large the cycle is the same for alll of us.
Not a book one sits down & reads, this is nonetheless a very valuable book for any who are in charge of worship services or planning for such, & can be useful for those who want to adopt the spiritual practice for a term of years of following the Bible in the same manner as much of the rest of Christianity.
The Pew edition is very accurate abd well worth buying.
Canon Perham has made an excellent attempt to present alll the relevant information in a logical fashion.
Its' designed for alll sections of the anglican communion in the united Kingdom & includes the different variation for the Church of Ireland
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