Liturgical book of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

There have been several liturgical books used in American Presbyterian Churches.

These books are not commonly used in the pews, but are resources for pastors in the preparation for Sunday worship. Portions of these books are frequently found in the church bulletins, which become the liturgical booklet in many Presbyterian Churches.

European roots of reformed liturgies

The use of liturgical service books was slow in coming in the United States of America. Many American Presbyterians regarded such books as nothing more than a collection of 'canned prayers' that reflected Roman Catholic or Anglican traditions. However, Presbyterian and Reformed leaders were very receptive to the use of liturgical service books.

Reformed churches in the sixteenth century used service books. Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer and John Calvin all prepared worship forms for use in the congregations. John Knox, following Calvin, prepared The Forme of Prayers and subsequently a service book, the Book of Common Order, for use in Scotland. Liturgical service books were used throughout Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Holland, England, and Scotland. Early on, Puritans welcomed liturgical books, but eventually came to reject them in favor of a perceived liberty that came without such printed forms. Puritans were very influential during the formation of the Westminster Directory for the Publique Worship of God, which was published without any liturgical texts. This document, created in 1644, was destined to play the dominant role in shaping the worship of American Presbyterians.

The growing call for an American book of common worship

During the 19th Century, individuals began to write service books for use by Presbyterians. Toward the end of the century, northern Presbyterians began to demand the publication of an official worship book. It was the southern branch of the church, however, that was the first to officially sanction the publication of liturgical forms. In 1894 a directory for worship was adopted for use in the southern church that contained liturgical formulas, and liturgies for marriages and funerals were appended to it.

Publications of books in the 20th century

Henry van Dyke and others were influential in the first publication of a liturgical book for American Presbyterians. It was published in 1906, followed by a revision in 1932. Other books have followed every few decades:

*The Book of Common Worship of 1906
*The Book of Common Worship of 1932
*The Book of Common Worship of 1946
*The Worshipbook of 1970
*The Book of Common Worship of 1993