Familiarity with the seasons of the church year is a requisite of any Anglican organist and choirmaster. Each season - indeed, each Sunday and Holy Day - has its own particular theme which is set forth in the lessons, collect, epistle and gospel. The choirmaster (or clergyman) whose duty it is to choose hymns and anthems should consult the lectionary, collects, epistles and gospels very carefully in order that the sung parts of the service may conform to the traditional pattern of the church, and that the subject matter may coincide with that of the scriptural readings.
The church seasons are set out in order in the tables of lessons which are to be found in all Prayer Books immediately following the prefaces and some short, general directions regarding ceremonies and the reading of the Holy Scripture.
In the English book, the table headed Lessons Proper for Sundays sets out only one of the lessons for most Sundays of the year, although there are exceptions where both lessons are given. Immediately following is a table headed Lessons Proper for Holy Days which provides for festivals having fixed dates. The lessons not provided for in these tables, and for week days, are found a page or two farther on in The Calendar with the Table of Lessons, arranged according to the days of the month.
The Table of Lessons in the Canadian book, and Psalms and Lessons for the Christian Year in the American book provide complete sets of lessons for all Sundays and week days, arranged according to the church calendar.
Since the tables of lessons have been carefully planned with a definite object in mind, they are generally adhered to; but, occasionally a clergyman may make use of some other lectionary, in which case the choirmaster should be provided with a copy. The choirmaster should also learn the rector's policy in regard to alternative lessons as set forth in the lectionary.
The Collects, Epistles and Gospels, which should be examined in conjunction with the lectionaries, may be found by consulting the tables of contents in the Prayer Books.