LITURGICAL RESOURCES
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Diocesan Liturgical Commission
The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
By action of Resolution 2018-A068, The General Convention has memorialized “the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as a Prayer Book of the Church preserving the psalter, liturgies, The Lambeth Quadrilateral, Historic Documents, and Trinitarian Formularies ensuring its continued use.”
Therefore, in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer may be used at any time.
Inclusive Language Eucharist (2023) – Trial Use
This optional resource, developed by the diocesan Liturgical Commission, addresses some of the more notable word choices in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, such as pronouns used in reference to God, i.e., “And blessed be his/God’s kingdom.” This trial use liturgy was based on principles of inclusive language agreed upon by the diocesan Liturgical Commission, consistently applied across the entire liturgy, including all Eucharistic Prayers.
In the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, these liturgies may be used without the permission of the bishop. Church precede the table of Scripture readings for the three year cycle.
Enriching Our Worship – Volume 1 (EOW)
By action of Resolution 2018-A046, The General Convention authorized Enriching Our Worship (EOW) for use without the permission of the bishop.
Enriching Our Worship contains 6 volumes of liturgical resources. Volume 1 of Enriching Our Worship contains liturgies for: Morning and Evening Prayer, The Great Litany, and the Holy Eucharist.
In using the Holy Eucharist in EOW Volume 1, the diocesan Liturgical Commission recommends using EOW in its entirety for the whole worship service, to maintain its integrity, rather than “cherry picking” between 1979 BCP and EOW language.
Please consult the guidance document below for further information from the diocesan Liturgical Commission.
All volumes of Enriching Our Worship can be located on the Episcopal Common Prayer website:
Expansive Language Eucharist – Trial Use
By action of Resolution 2018-D078, The General Convention authorized The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two (Expansive Language) for Trial Use, including expansive language versions of Eucharistic Prayers A, B, D, and by action of Resolution 2024-A114, expansive language versions of Eucharistic Prayer C.
Given that these liturgies were approved for trial use, they may be used without the permission of the bishop.
Guidelines from the diocesan Liturgical Commission include caution upon usage, based upon expansive and inclusive language choices.
The diocesan Liturgical Commission also recommends using the Expansive Language Eucharist in its entirety for the whole worship service, to maintain its integrity, rather than “cherry picking” from 1979 BCP language.
For further inquiry, please consult with Bishop Fisher, chair of the diocesan Liturgical Commission.
The General Convention resolutions and related liturgies can be located on the Episcopal Common Prayer website:
Celebrations of New Ministry (2022) – Trial Use
These services were prepared by the diocesan Liturgical Commission and are offered in response to limitations in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Enriching Our Worship (EOW) – Volume 4. They consist of two liturgies: Welcoming of a New Rector (for use on the first Sunday) and Installation of a New Rector (for use when a bishop officiates). The Installation liturgy may be adapted to install ministers other than a Rector. The “Concerning the Service” page in the liturgy includes more details.
{Click for Liturgy Document – pdf}
Service for the Ending of a Pastoral Relationship (2020) – Trial Use
This service for the Leave-taking of a Rector was prepared by the diocesan Liturgical Commission and is offered in response to limitations in the liturgy in the Book of Occasional Services. It is an opportunity to celebrate the shared ministry of the Rector and the People, and to liturgically acknowledge the boundaries present after the conclusion of the pastoral relationship. The “Concerning the Service” page in the liturgy includes more details.
{Click for Liturgy Document – pdf}
Season of Creation
Around The Episcopal Church, there are liturgical resources designed to observe a Season of Creation, generally during the fall, which include different lectionary readings than those in the Revised Common Lectionary.
Please consult with Bishop Fisher, chair of the diocesan Liturgical Commission, to receive permission to utilize these resources, based upon congregational and community contexts, as well as consideration of formational benefits.
Resources for Small Churches
In periodic gatherings of the Small Church Network in the Diocese of Texas, various liturgical and other resources have been collected that are helpful to smaller congregations.
Below is a link to the Small Church Network resources page:
Resources Collected by The Episcopal Church
Episcopal Common Prayer is a website that is curated by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and it was created by the Task Force on Liturgical and Prayer Book and Revision. This site includes various authorized liturgies from around The Episcopal Church.
For guidance, please consult with Bishop Fisher, chair of the diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Below is the link to the website:
