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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 1991-A116
Title: On the Topic of the ELLC Common Texts
Legislative Action Taken: Rejected
Final Text:

Resolution died with adjournment. See Legislative History for original text of resolution.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 118.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Liturgical Commission
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A116)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Common Texts of the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) entitled The English Language Liturgical Consultation Common Texts 1987, be studied by this Church and authorized for experimental use, under the direction of the Ordinary, during the next triennium, the texts of which follow:

  The Lord's Prayer        
           
  1. Our Father in Heaven,        
  2. hallowed be your name,      
  3. your kingdom come,      
  4. your will be done,      
  5.   on earth as in heaven.    
  6. Give us today our daily bread.        
  7. Forgive us our sins        
  8. as we forgive those who sin against us.      
  9. Save us from the time of trial        
  10. and deliver us from evil.      
  11. For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours        
  12. now and for ever. Amen.      
           
  Gloria in Excelsis        
           
  1. Glory to God in the highest,        
           
  2. and peace to God's people on earth.        
           
  3. Lord God, heavenly King,        
  4. almighty God and Father,        
  5. we worship you, we give you thanks,      
  6. we praise you for your glory.      
  7. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,        
  8. Lord God, Lamb of God,        
  9. you take away the sin of the world:        
  10. have mercy on us;      
  11. you are seated at the right hand of the Father:        
  12. receive our prayer.      
  13. For you alone are the Holy One,        
  14. You alone are the Lord,        
  15. You alone are the Most High,        
  16. Jesus Christ,      
  17. with the Holy Spirit,      
  18. in the glory of God the Father. Amen.      
           
  Kyrie Eleison        
           
  1. Kyrie eleison.       Lord, have mercy.
  2. Christe eleison.       Christ, have mercy.
  3. Kyrie eleison.       Lord, have mercy.
           
  The Apostle's Creed        
           
  1. I believe in God, the Father almighty,        
  2. creator of heaven and earth.      
           
  3. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only son, our Lord,        
  4. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,      
  5. born of the Virgin Mary      
  6. suffered under Pontius Pilate,      
  7. was crucified, died, and was buried;      
  8. he descended to the dead.      
  9. On the third day he rose again;      
  10. he ascended into heaven,      
  11. he is seated at the right hand of the Father,      
  12. and he will come to judge the living and the dead.      
           
  13. I believe in the Holy Spirit,        
  14. the holy catholic Church,      
  15. the communion of saints,      
  16. the forgiveness of sins,      
  17. the resurrection of the body,      
  18. and the life everlasting. Amen.      
           
  The Nicene Creed        
           
  1. We believe in one God,        
  2. the Father, the Almighty,      
  3. maker of heaven and earth,      
  4. of all that is, seen and unseen.      
           
  5. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,        
  6. the only Son of God,      
  7. eternally begotten of the Father.      
  8. God from God, Light from Light,      
  9. true God from true God,      
  10. begotten, not made,      
  11. of one being with the Father;      
  12. through him all things were made.      
           
  13. For us and for our salvation        
  14. he came down from heaven,      
  15. was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary      
  16. and became truly human.      
  17. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;      
  18. he suffered death and was buried.      
  19. On the third day he rose again      
  20. in accordance with the Scriptures;      
  21. he ascended into heaven      
  22. and is seated at the right hand of the Father.      
  23. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,      
  24. and his kingdom will have no end.      
           
  25. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,        
  26. who proceeds from the Father (and the Son),      
  27. who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,      
  28. who has spoken through the prophets.      
  29. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.      
  30. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.      
  31. We look for the resurrection of the dead,      
  32. and the life of the world to come. Amen.      
           
  Sanctus and Benedictus        
           
  1. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,        
  2. heaven and earth are full of your glory,        
  3. Hosanna in the highest.      
  4. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.        
  5. Hosanna in the highest.      
           
  Sursum Corda        
           
  1. The Lord be with you.        
  2. And also with you.        
           
  3. Lift up your hearts.        
  4. We lift them to the Lord.        
           
  5. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.        
  6. It is right to give our thanks and praise.        
           
  Gloria Patri        
  Layout 1        
           
  1. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:        
  2. as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.      
           
  Layout 2        
           
  1. Glory to the Father, and to the Son,        
  2. and to the Holy Spirit:      
  3. as it was in the beginning, is now,        
  4. and will be for ever. Amen.      
           
  Layout 3        
           
  1. Glory to the Father,        
  2. and to the Son,        
  3. and to the Holy Spirit:        
  4. as it was in the beginning,        
  5. is now,        
  6. and will be for ever. Amen.        
           
  Agnus Dei        
           
  1. Jesus, Lamb of God,        
  2. have mercy on us.      
  3. Jesus, bearer of our sins,        
  4. have mercy on us.      
  5. Jesus, redeemer of the world,        
  6. grant us peace.      
           
  Alternate Version        
           
  1. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,        
  2. have mercy on us.      
  3. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,        
  4. have mercy on us.      
  5. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,        
  6. grant us peace.      
           
  Benedictus        
  The Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79        
           
  1. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,        
  2. who has come to his people and set them free.        
  3. The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Savior,        
  4. born of the house of his servant David.        
  5. Through the holy prophets, God promised of old        
  6. to save us from our enemies,      
  7. from the hands of all who hate us,      
  8. to show mercy to our forbears,      
  9. and to remember his holy covenant.      
  10. This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:        
  11. to set us free from the hands of our enemies,      
  12. free to worship him without fear,      
  13. holy and righteous before him,      
  14. all the days of our life.      
  15. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,        
  16. for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,        
  17. to give his people knowledge of salvation        
  18. by the forgiveness of their sins.        
  19. In the tender compassion of our God        
  20. the dawn from on high shall break upon us,        
  21. to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,        
  22. and to guide our feet into the way of peace.        
           
  Benedictus        
  (Alternate Version)        
           
  1. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel,        
  2. you have come to your people and set them free.        
  3. You have raised up for us a mighty Savior,        
  4. born of the house of his servant David.        
  5. Through your holy prophets, you promised of old        
  6. to save us from our enemies,      
  7. from the hands of all who hate us.      
  8. to show mercy to our forbears,      
  9. and to remember your holy covenant.      
  10. This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham:        
  11. to set us free from the hands of our enemies,      
  12. free to worship you without fear,      
  13. holy and righteous before you,      
  14. all the days of our life.      
  15. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,        
  16. for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,        
  17. to give his people knowledge of salvation        
  18. by the forgiveness of their sins.        
  19. In the tender compassion of our God        
  20. the dawn from on high shall break upon us,        
  21. to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,        
  22. and to guide our feet into the way of peace.        
           
  Te Deum Laudamus        
           
  1. We praise you, O God,        
  2. we acclaim you as Lord;        
  3. all creation worships you,        
  4. the Father everlasting.        
  5. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,        
  6. the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:        
  7. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,      
  8. heaven and earth are full of your glory.      
  9. The glorious company of apostles praise you.        
  10. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.        
  11. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.        
  12. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:        
  13. Father, of majesty unbounded,      
  14. your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,      
  15. the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.      
  16. You, Christ, are the King of glory,        
  17. the eternal Son of the Father.        
  18. When you took our flesh to set us free        
  19. you humbly chose the Virgin's womb.        
  20. You overcame the sting of death        
  21. and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.        
  22. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.        
  23. We believe that you will come to be our judge.        
  24. Come then, Lord, and help your people,      
  25. bought with the price of your own blood,      
  26. and bring us with your saints      
  27. to glory everlasting.      
           
  Versicles and Responses after the Te Deum        
           
  1. V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.        
  2. R. Govern and uphold them now and always.        
           
  3. V. Day by day we bless you.        
  4. R. We praise your name for ever.        
           
  5. V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.        
  6. R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.        
           
  7. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy,        
  8. R. for we have put our trust in you.        
           
  9. V. In you, Lord, is our hope:        
  10. R. let us never be put to shame.        
           
  Magnificat        
  The Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55        
           
  1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,        
  2. my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,        
  3. who has looked with favor on his lowly servant.        
  4. From this day all generations will call me blessed:        
  5. the Almighty has done great things for me      
  6. and holy is his name.      
  7. God have mercy on those who fear him,      
  8. from generation to generation.      
  9. The Lord has shown strength with his arm        
  10. and scattered the proud in their conceit,        
  11. casting down the mighty from their thrones        
  12. and lifting up the lowly.        
  13. God has filled the hungry with good things        
  14. and sent the rich away empty.        
  15. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,        
  16. to remember the promise of mercy,        
  17. the promise made to our forebears,        
  18. Abraham and his children for ever.        
           
  Magnificat        
  (Alternate Version)        
           
  1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,        
  2. my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,        
  3. for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.        
  4. From this day all generations will call me blessed:        
  5. you, the Almighty, have done great things for me      
  6. and holy is your name.      
  7. You have mercy on those who fear you,      
  8. from generation to generation.      
  9. You have shown strength with your arm        
  10. and scattered the proud in their conceit,        
  11. casting down the mighty from their thrones        
  12. and lifting up the lowly.        
  13. You have filled the hungry with good things        
  14. and sent the rich away empty.        
  15. You have come to the aid of your servant Israel        
  16. to remember the promise of mercy,        
  17. the promise made to our forbears,        
  18. to Abraham and his children for ever.        
           
  Nunc Dimittis        
  The Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32        
           
  1. Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:        
  2. your word has been fulfilled.        
  3. My own eyes have seen the salvation        
  4. which you have prepared in the sight of every people:        
  5. a light to reveal you to the nations        
  6. and the glory of your people Israel.

(Text copyright 1987, English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC). All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the Resolved, change "experimental" to "trial."

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #6)

The Bishop of Mississippi moved to reconsider Resolution A116a (Study and Experimental Use of ELLC Common Texts)

Motion carried by a two-thirds majority

The Bishop of Mississippi moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the Resolved, delete from "experimental use" to the end of the clause and add: "use during the next triennium, especially in appropriate ecumenical gatherings. Such use shall always be under the direction of the Diocesan Bishop or ecclesiastical authority."

The Chair of the Committee on Dispatch of Business moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

The House voted on the Bishop of Mississippi's amendment to A116a.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The House voted on Resolution A116a as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #7)

Resolution died with adjournment.

Report Reference:   Standing Liturgical Commission, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 224-287.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention rejects the resolution proposing a study of the English Language Liturgical Consultation Common Texts and authorizing them for experimental use.