Contemporary Office Book: New Revised Standard Version Leather Bound – January 1, 2000

I cannot recommend The Contemporary Office Book strongly enough.It is a class-act. The cover is soft, supple, genuine leather - the sort of book that begs to be held. It has apparently 'non-fray' ribbon markers and looks sharp. I carry this book everywhere I go and meditate with it on public transportation/ light rail, and it draws attention! People are constantly asking me about the text because the book is so impressive in appearance.The font is a dark, clear, comfortable 9 point, very much like the size and font of a pew-sized Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Highly legible and easy on the eyes, even for a middle-aged guy like me.It has everything you need to pray the Daily Office, straight out of the BCP, and nothing else. Unlike praying with the BCP, I don't find myself searching for what I want, getting lost or frustrated. Praying the Daily Office is a breeze!My Episcopalian friends keep asking me "Why pay so much for a Contemporary Office Book when you can just use a simple BCP and a Bible?"People, this is SO much easier. When I pray/meditate, I don't want to be flipping back and forth between books, especially while commuting. Frankly, I used to skip the Daily Office often before buying this text. Now, I open this book up whenever I have a spare moment; even if I've only got two minutes while waiting in line for the train, I've got enough time to read and do a mini- meditation on one lection.Also, when praying the Office with a BCP and Bible, I am often tempted to read further than the assigned lection. Sounds like a good thing, I know, but reading on and on really defeats the purpose of praying the lection. With this book, I only have the lection in front of me; I can't go further. This forces me to relax and re-read the lection, 'listen' to the part that speaks to me, and meditate. Meditation then leads to prayer and further contemplation. I find that, even if I only take two minutes to read the lection, it sticks with me and whatever personal message I've received stays with me throughout the day. This doesn't often happen when reading straight from a Bible.I've wanted a Contemporary Office Book for years but found it cost-prohibitive. After all, $140 is an lot of money for a prayer book. When I came to Amazon and found it for $96 (free shipping, too!), well, I had to have it. I am so glad I gave in to the temptation, it is really making a difference in my life.Just buy and use it. You won't be sorry.PS: A previous reviewer found the Contemporary Office Book unwieldy - not so, in my opinion. This book really isn't any heavier than a standard Bible. Plus, with the included travel cover, I can put this in my pack and not have to worry about the thin Bible-type pages getting rumpled, so no worries.

I was very pleased when I received the Contemporary Office Book in the mail today. I've used the Book of Common Prayer before, so I'm not brand-new at praying this form of the Office. So far, I love everything about it. Although a bit stiff, the genuine leather cover will soften will use, and should last a long, long time. The travel case is a nice added touch and will be put to use when putting the book in a suitcase or briefcase. I don't see myself using it for daily carrying. I do not find the size of the book to be cumbersome whatsoever. As I am nearing fifty years old, I pay closer attention to the size of the print in a book and must say that the print size int his volume is perfect. The six multi-colored ribbons are plenty, and I set them up as follows: 1) The appropriate daily office, 2) The Psalter, 3) The Collects, 4) The readings for the day, 5) At the beginning of readings for the next year, and 6) Holy Days, at the upcoming Holy Day. Although this may be considered a little pricey, the quality of this book is worth every penny, and should prove beneficial to the reader many years of seeking the LORD in prayer.

I will only review the format of this volume, and not it's content, which can be found in other volumes. The heart of the matter is that this one volume combines into one volume what is commonly held in two volumes, one for each year. That, for an Episcopalian, is a huge benefit. I participated in a Vespers service last week, and the drill required that we consult three different physical volumes, the book of offices, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Hymnal. And, at the change of each year, you need to switch Daily Office volumes. With this volume, you don't need that switch. You can reduce that three volume trade-off by getting a combined prayer book and hymnal, but that's a different review. For any one day, the number of ribbons in this book are quite enough. When there are more than three, I get confused anyway. This is pricey, but if you love the services of the hours, it is indispensable.

Great office book: one that I have gotten back to many times — a feat considering daily office lovers lug baggages of other distracting books. Just one thing that Church Publishing always get wrong for prayer books and books combo. Frequently occurring texts in the middle of a time please; Year 1 lectionary to the left, Year 2 right.

At first I was a little put off by the size -- having grown accustomed to praying the Daily Office from a combination of the Book of Common prayer alongside a Bible or iPhone app. But this is an invaluable tool for those who are committed to praying the liturgy of the hours according to the rites of the Episcopal Church. The book is incredibly easy to use and has all the necessary readings for the liturgical year; eliminating the need to switch between volumes. I've never been a huge fan of praying from an iPhone app, so this was right up my alley.

This is just the right book for those Episcopalians, or others, who wish to pray daily and read the Scriptures. The two year cycle of readings fit in one book. Well made quality!

Beautifully bound book. I pray from this book everyday. Daily prayer is my quiet sanctuary amidst the incessant noise of the comtempory culture.

Nice large print for my aging eyes and modern language for my aging brain.