All stories are set in a scene. Story telling is a must in any celebration or gathering. Early Christians kept repeating or mentioning the story of Jesus in different versions. Many stories from both the Old and New Testament are read at such celebrations or gatherings (worships). Without these religious celebrations, these stories would not have been told and re-told. Without the opportunity of celebration, many family stories would gradually be forgotten.
Since story telling is a must in celebrations and gatherings, there is no exception for Christians therefore the Liturgy of Word forms part of Christian liturgy life. Apart from telling the meta-narrative, it goes deeper into us to renew our faith. Based on this fact and to keep abreast of the era, the Church regularly updates its Lectionary, which is closely related to the Liturgy of Word.
The Standing Commission on Liturgical Matters of the Fifth General Synod moved a motion to the Sixth General Synod that the existing Common Lectionary used by this Province be replaced by the Revised Common Lectionary, which was used by many Provinces of the Anglican Communion and other mainstream denominations, from the First Sunday of Advent in 2013 (1 December 2013). The adoption of the Revised Common Lectionary will help promote ecumenism among Christians and enrich the liturgy life of our Church.
It is our sincerely wish that Hong Kong Anglicans would make proper use of the Revised Common Lectionary so that we all would be encouraged by the stories of our Father and Jesus Christ at the Liturgy of Word in the worship and would grow in faith.
The Sixth General Synod, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
The Chairman, the Standing Commission on Liturgical Matters
The Rt Revd Andrew Chan
Download the Revised Common Lectionary