Our current Book of Common Prayer, revised in 1958, was originally compiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, in 1549. We also use selected services from the Book of Alternative Services published in 1985. The Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services are a collection of ancient and modern prayers and worship occasions for times when the community gathers and for individual use as well. It allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guidebook for daily Christian living.
Scripture is the foundation of our worship.
Two-thirds of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Hebrew and Christian Testaments. The primary service is the presentation of our Lord's last supper with his disciples, a service we call the Holy Eucharist or Communion. However, there are a variety of other services including Matins or Morning Prayer which is sung regularly at Holy Trinity. The Book of Common Prayer is meant to compliment daily individual prayers, not to replace them. Every service in the book includes time for personal prayer requests, either silent or aloud.