What is the Book of Common Worship?

Answer

The Book of Common Worship serves as the official ministry manual for the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA). While the manual’s subtitle has been omitted in recent editions, the previous subtitle accurately portrays the contents and purpose of the book: Presbyterian Book of Common Worship and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Ordinances and Rites of the Church. By adhering to the order of service outlined in this manual, an individual with limited knowledge of the Bible or theology could lead a service for various occasions using standard liturgical formulas.

The PCUSA’s official website describes the work as essential for Presbyterian pastors, church musicians, liturgical leaders, and anyone interested in worship within the Reformed tradition. It encompasses all the necessary elements for Sunday worship, the Christian year, the sacraments, as well as pastoral and occasional services like ordinations, weddings, wholeness services, and funerals (accessed 5/25/21).

The following condensed table of contents offers a concise overview of the services and occasions addressed in the Book of Common Worship:

The Lord’s Day

The Christian Year

The Season of Advent

The Season of Christmas

The Time after Epiphany

The Season of Lent

The Season of Easter

The Time after Pentecost

Baptism and Reaffirmation

The Sacrament of Baptism

Profession of Faith (Confirmation)

Baptism and Profession of Faith Combined

Reception of New Members

Blessing of Departing Members

Reaffirmation of Baptism for a Congregation

Ministry in the Church

Ordination and Installation

Commissioning t

Service

Conclusion of Service

Occasions in the Life of a Congregation

Mission in the World

Creation and Ecology

Justice and Reconciliation

Interreligious Events

Dedications

Dedication of a Church

Dedication of Other Institutions

Dedication of a Home

Marriage

Service of Marriage

Reaffirmation of Marriage Vows

Prayer at the End of a Marriage

Healing and Wholeness

Service of Wholeness for a Congregation

Service of Wholeness for an Individual

Extended Communion of the Church

Communion in the Home or Hospital

Ministry with the Sick

Death and Resurrection

Prayer at the Time of Death

Comforting the Bereaved

Funeral: Witness to the Resurrection

Daily Prayer

Vigil of the Resurrection

Services of Daily Prayer

Prayers at Mealtime

The Book of Common Worship was first produced in 1906 but has been revised and edited several times since then to keep abreast of the changing times and culture. The original work was a little over 200 pages, while the current edition is well over 1,000 pages. The most recent edition was produced in 2018. The PCUSA website describes the work that was done: “Over the last several years, more than 180 consultants and writers from across the denomination, representing today’s broad, diverse Presbyterian body, gathered for one of six regional consultations to edit existing resources and write new material for the latest edition of the Book of Common Worship. Responsive to the many changes in the church and world since the last revision in 1993, the new edition has been reimagined and redesigned to meet the needs of today’s church.

“This useful revision adds brief passages of practical comme

Commentary before each section and service, as well as additional guidance for those who pray spontaneously or create their own prayers, have been added. New sections on creation and ecology, justice and reconciliation, natural and human-caused disasters, and interreligious worship are included, along with revised marriage and funeral liturgies and updated song suggestions” (ibid., accessed 5/25/21).

One of the more significant changes, in line with the spirit of the times, is a modification in the marriage service that incorporates more “inclusive language” to accommodate same-sex weddings (www.christianpost.com/news/pcusa-updates-book-of-common-worship-inclusive-language-same-sex-marriage.html, accessed 5/25/21).

The Book of Common Worship offers many valuable ideas for organizing services in various denominations for a variety of occasions, and it also provides insight into the practices and beliefs of the PCUSA today.