Anglican Office Book - Rector's Rambling for August 17, 2025

     One of the glories of Anglicanism is the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer. When the first English Prayer Book was published (1549) it included the form for Morning and Evening Prayer so that not only the clergy could pray it, but so were those who are members of the congregation.  The previous expectation was that the Daily Office was to be prayed by the clergy and monks/nuns, in latin with instructions that could be intimidating. 

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer continues the Prayer Book formulary of the Daily Offices.  But even in this form finding the proper reading assigned for the day depends on knowing what week of the liturgical year we are currently doing.  This is one of the reasons we republish the lectionary for each week  in this publication (page 3).  Morning and Evening Prayer requires a prayer book and bible, and takes about 15 to 20 minutes prayed alone.

There are also what is known as the minor office, 5 minute moments of prayer which can prayed throughout the day in addition to Morning and Evening Prayer.  They are not in the regular Book of Common Prayer, but available in supplemental texts.

One of those supplemental books is called The Anglican Office Book.    The printed version, available at  https://store.standrewsalmanor.org/collections/books 

This includes the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer, the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible, and the minor Offices, also known as The Hours, of Prime, Terce, Sext, None, and Compline.

Additionally, they now have a free website www.anglicanoffice.com where it automatically knows what day it is, loading up Morning and Evening Prayer for that day with all the appointed psalms and readings for that day.  Just start at the top and pray - no need to go flip back and forth between the office, psalm, and bible readings.  And at the top right corner you can click on the Hours tab and get the minor office for that time.  It is a very convenient way to pray using your laptop or phone.

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 Today we rejoice in the 55th Wedding Anniversary of Andy and Alice Baetz with a blessing before the final blessing at the 10 AM Service.