Howard E. GallyCeremonies of the Eucharist: A guide to Celebration

Galley writes this book to all members of the worship community, especially to those who have leadership and service positions. It is for priests, deacons, singers, the altar guild, etc. The primary purpose of the book is to provide practical guidance for Episcopal churches in their Eucharist ceremonies. Additionally, Galley takes advantage of opportune times to introduce some of the heritage behind the liturgy of the 1979 BCP.The book is simple and easy to read, as such an instructional guide ought to be. He addresses the small items to the most significant items associated with Eucharist. These include the setting up of the space, the roles of participants, music, and each part of the liturgy in detail.This book is useful to give any reader a better understanding of how we worship in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. It also gives the step-by-step instructions, so it serves as a handy resource to have. Galley takes advantage of being the instructor to push forward his own interpretations and preferences for the liturgy. He may exclude other options and disparage some traditions followed by parishes. Therefore, I think it would be good to have a secondary source such as Hatchett's Commentary on the American Prayerbook or Michno's A Priest's Handbook to offer a wider view of the liturgy. Both of these resources are also excellent.This is a book that will be a constant companion for me in the priesthood.

This reference for historical practice, commonly utilized current practice and acceptable alternative choices is incredibly valuable. It will be a guide to me in many, many services.

Being clergy in a denomination that is generally non-liturgical, I have had to seek out sources for liturgical practice, beyond just the BCP. This book provides not only a guide to practice, but also the reasoning and intention behind such practice. This is exactly what I needed and was looking for. This resources has helped to determine what practices are useful in my context, but also what values should be expressed, even if in different ways than the Anglican liturgy provides. While it is Anglican in focus, that works for me as my denomination is "downstream" of Anglicanism and so there is theological relation. Others outside of that context may have a different opinion, but should still find its explanations and historical accounts useful. I will be recommending this book to others.

This book walks Priest, Deacon, Acolyte and lay ministers through the liturgy in a parallel guide, so you can see what each person needs to be doing and what others are doing at the same time. The book also discusses why things are done the way they are and when there are different approaches which is preferable. Highly recommended.

Great Quick Service. A++++

Great

Bought as part of my lay ministry and acolyte training. Great help.

very concise and thorough