Prayer Book III: Holy Week and the Liturgical Year - 2023.04A

The rhythms of the church year guide us annually through the great stories and themes of the Christian faith. But why do Episcopalians follow a liturgical calendar? Where did the idea come from, and how has it changed through the centuries? How do the liturgies in our Book of Common Prayer express the important themes of faith, and how can they be part of the church’s missional, outward focus? This course will offer an in-depth study of the rhythms and themes of the church year, with particular attention to the liturgies of Holy Week.

Outcomes:

• Familiarity with (and ability to talk about) the liturgical year and lectionary cycles
• Ability to plan and participate in the liturgies of Holy Week, with attention to each faith community’s size and context, and with understanding of theology underlying liturgical choices
• Understanding liturgy, particularly during Holy Week, as both an expression of the faith of the church and also an opportunity for missional engagement with the community

Bibliography - to buy or otherwise have access to:

J. Neil Alexander, Celebrating Liturgical Time: Days, Weeks, Seasons. (New York: Church Publishing. 2014.)
Leonel Mitchell, Planning the Church Year. (Philadelphia: Morehouse. 1991.)
Leonel Mitchell, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the Great Fifty Days: A Ceremonial Guide. (Boston: Cowley Publications. 1996.)
John H. Westerhoff, III. A Pilgrim People: Learning Through the Church Year. (New York: Church Publishing. 2005.)

Available in hard copy or for free online:

• The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
• The Book of Occasional Services (2018)

Students may also want to have access to:

• The Hymnal 1982
• Lift Every Voice and Sing II
• Voices Found
• Wonder, Love, and Praise
• El Himnario
• My Heart Sings Out
• Enriching Our Music 1 & 2

Save these dates and times for Zoom meetings: 

Tuesday evenings -

6:00-7:00 pm CT, April 11 

7:00-8:30 pm CT, May 2 & 23, 2023