The lectionary books, gospel books, music, and electronic titles, all updated with the RCL, are already in wide use throughout the Episcopal Church.

After several years of trial use, the 2006 General Convention authorized a transition to the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for Sunday use, effective the first Sunday of Advent 2007 (December 2, 2007). After a three-year transition period, use of the RCL becomes binding on the entire church in December 2010.

"By providing this 'one-stop shopping' source for all things RCL, Church Publishing Incorporated is providing a valuable service to the Episcopal Church," said the Rev. Dr. Clayton Morris, the church's liturgical officer in the Office for Liturgy and Music. "It's very convenient for congregations and liturgical planners."

CPI's Revised Common Lectionary materials fall into several categories:

• The Lectionary (in the New Revised Standard Version Bible translation) in a lectern edition as well as a less-expensive pew (or readers) edition.
• Gospel books in a deluxe ceremonial edition bound in fine leather with gold stamping and ribbon marker. Also available is a handsome but less expensive cloth edition, designed for congregations that already own ornamental gospel book covers, either commercially produced or locally made, into which they can slip this edition, and for congregations without the budget to purchase the deluxe leather edition.
• RCL versions of the very popular Morehouse bulletin inserts are offered under the Morehouse imprint, and are available in large print.
• Morehouse's Episcopal Church Lesson Calendar RCL 2008 includes the RCL table of readings for the year.
• A three-volume series, "Liturgical Music for the Revised Common Lectionary," is being unveiled this fall. This expanded guide to appropriate musical choices for the readings of the day and the various moments in the liturgy is a very important resource for clergy, directors of music, and other liturgical planners. The at-a-glance two-page spread for each Sunday shows appropriate hymns from all of the CPI songbooks -- not just "The Hymnal 1982," but also "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "Wonder, Love and Praise," "Voices Found," and "My Heart Sings Out." It includes vocal and anthem suggestions from a variety of composers in a variety of styles. The editors have worked to meet the requirements of congregations large and small.
• "Gradual Psalms with Alleluia Verses and Tracts, Years A, B, C" represents CPI's desire to save trees while making usage easier for congregations. By putting the content of four paper volumes onto a single CD-Rom, CPI now provides three years of psalmody for the Eucharistic lectionary and other liturgical occasions including major holy days in one electronic product. Music of the gradual psalms has been completely revised and edited by noted chant scholar Bruce Ford.
• A number of psalters are available in RCL editions, including "A Hymn Tune Psalter – Books One and Two" and the "Portland Psalter."
• For Holy Week 2008, the RCL edition of the passion gospels in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which adhere to the ancient practice of chanting the gospels appointed on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, has been edited by Ormande Plater. It is offered as a pay-and-download product, enabling congregations to print what they need.
• Current versions of the "Rite Word" and the "Rite Stuff" are already RCL-friendly: RCL readings are available via PDFs that can be copied and pasted into the Sunday bulletin. But -- new this fall -- the 1.6 Rite Series update will automatically draw from the RCL rather than the prayer book readings.
• The 2.0 version of "eCP" (electronic Common Prayer), available this fall, will have the RCL readings in the Eucharistic Lectionary. (Daily Office readings are not affected.) This new version will also be available for handhelds using the Windows Mobile platform in addition to the version for the Palm OS platform already available. "eCP" is offered as a pay-and-download product.
    

Order or explore the range of RCL resources and products here.

Church Publishing Inc., founded in 1918, is the official publisher of worship materials for the Episcopal Church and publications of the General Convention, as well as liturgical planning software and online services. The company also publishes books for the trade through its Seabury and Church Publishing imprints. In 2005, CPI acquired Morehouse Publishing, which offers books on spirituality, liturgy and worship, prayer, the Bible, theology, ethics, parish administration, and contemporary social issues, as well as a wide range of church resources; and Living the Good News, a lectionary-based curriculum publisher of faith formation programs and resources. The combination of these three companies has allowed CPI to provide integrated and expanded program resources, church supplies, educational materials, and books to the Episcopal Church and beyond.