General Rubrics

The word "shall" in the Rubrics makes the part of the Service so
designated obligatory, while the word "may" leaves it optional.
If the Confessional Service immediately precedes the Communion
Service, the latter shall begin with the Trinitarian Invocation, followed by
the Introit.
Good usage permits speaking the Preparatory Service.
The sign of the cross may be made at the Trinitarian Invocation and at
the words of the Nicene Creed "and the life of the world to come."
℣ stands for Versicle, said by the Minister; ℟ designates the Response by
the Congregation.
Instead of the Introit, a Psalm may be used. The Introit consists of
Antiphon, Psalm, and Gloria Patri. When also the Gloria Patri is sung by
the choir, the Antiphon is repeated.
Other Collects may be used with the Collect for the Day; the
Congregation shall say or chant "Amen" after each Collect.
In the Service other Scripture lessons may be read before the Epistle.
The Epistle and the Gospel shall always be read.
The Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual, and Gospel for the Transfiguration
of our Lord shall be used on the last Sunday after the Epiphany in each
year, except when there is only one Sunday after the Epiphany.
Choir selections may be sung immediately after the Gradual or after the
Hallelujah.
On Trinity Sunday, at Matins, the Athanasian Creed may be used instead
of the Psalmody.

Silent prayer should be offered upon entering the church and after the
Benediction.
All necessary announcements which are not part of the Special
Intercessions and Thanksgivings should be made after the close of the
Service.
Matins and Vespers end with the Benedicamus if the Minister is not
conducting the Service. If the Minister is the Officiant, he shall pronounce
the Benediction, and the Benedicamus may be omitted.
Congregations are urged to let the basic structure of the Service remain
intact. The wide choice permitted in the Rubrics makes it possible to have
the Service as simple or as elaborate as the circumstances of each
congregation may indicate.
The Hymnal is intended for use not only in the church service and in the
school, but it may serve profitably also for family and private devotions.
The prayers and the tables for Bible reading will be an aid for these uses.