There is a rather common saying that the Book of Common Prayer is composed of 85% bible passages. It is true. As J.I. Packer once said, “The Book of Common Prayer” is the Bible arranged for worship. I like that.
(To learn more about the Book of Common Prayer, read our Rookie Anglican Guide.)
On a social media platform, one priest in the ACNA was looking for an example of a Eucharist that had been cross-referenced to Scripture. I’ve always called that an “Annotated Eucharist.” I have one from my time as the Rector of Christ Church in Plano, Texas. You can download the PDF below.
I believe that this edition was developed by the Rev. Jason Bowman, a priest on my staff. It is Eucharistic Prayer A from the Book of Common Prayer (1979). It was our custom to use this exact service outline during the Season of Lent. It draws attention to the entire biblical narrative.
Here are a few comments about this version.
- Some of the choices of biblical references are subjective. There are many possible linkages.
- These references give credence to the notion that the Scriptures are an integrated whole whose storylines all lead to our Lord Jesus.
- This is from the BCP 1979, it would be a real service to the Anglican congregations and leaders if someone would do this for some of the Eucharistic prayers of the 2019 BCP.
I hope this resource will help all Christians to see the connection between the life of liturgical worship and the story of the Bible.
(If anyone has an Annotated Eucharist for the ACNA 2019 BCP, please let us know in the comments below!)
Fr. David,
I lead a small group who participates in a Compline service every night at 9:00 PM. I love your article and will be sharing it with my group. But I feel the most important part is the downloadable version of your annotated Eucharistic service. I remember you leading a “teaching” Eucharist service specifically dedicated to learning about the responses and where in scripture they originated. Then seeing your annotations in our Sunday worship bulletin. Very valuable…not only to know, but to understand the depth of this sacramental service. Thank you!
Linda Arbolino
Linda, great to hear from you! Yes, I loved having the annotated service.
There is an old joke about a lifelong Anglican reading a Bible and after a few minutes exclaiming, “Hey, there are parts of the Prayer Book in here!”
Thank you!
If 85 percent of BCP is from the bible, then what about the 15 percent of it?
Innocent Mugiraneza
MDiv 3 student
Uganda christian university
The rest of the 15% can be thought of as tradition, theology, biblical ideas, and beautiful grammar.