Abigail Joan Bartlett

Abigail Joan Bartlett was born 4:22 AM, Oct. 15th 2011. Amanda’s water broke at 8:30 pm the previous day as we were getting ready to go to bed. We rushed to the hospital. Abigail is our first child. We discovered her sex five months earlier. My mother’s name is “Gail”, but otherwise we have no “Abigail’s” in our family. “Joan” was the same middle name as Amanda’s aunt. Our golden rule with names was to avoid colors, seasons, and flowers. We wanted Abby to be named after either a biblical or royal figure, and come to think of it most names historically derive from such? I guess in picking a name for Abby before her birth, one might say we ‘knew’ her before she actually came to us.

tired mommy

Amanda was really scared about the labor, and we ended up taking an epidural to prevent fatigue. Amanda’s parents were also there to help her through the labor pains. But the push-phase of the birth came quickly. The county hospital had several babies being born the same hour, and the doctor was away during Amanda’s delivery. Abigail ”crowned” in a half-dozen pushes, and before we knew it she was born. The push phase was fairly fast, about 15min. This is far too much detail, but I was present at the delivery, comforting Amanda, helping with the birth itself, and cutting the umbilical cord. I am actually so happy not to have missed Abigail’s actual birth. When she came it was such a miracle. We couldn’t believe she was alive, and we were so overjoyed to know she came to us healthy. As Abigail was handed to Amanda, Amanda asked, “is that my baby?” We were all in tears. It was so amazing, and I wouldn’t have missed Abigail’s birth for all the world.

nursery check up

Abigail was weighed and cleaned up. She was 6lbs and 18.5 inches. A small baby but in our estimation the most beautiful child we ever saw. She stole our heart. Amanda and I spent the next two days in the hospital room, and at the county they let the baby nurse with the parents, only occasionally removing her to test blood and weigh. I slept in a chair at Amanda’s bedside. We were exhausted, but every time we held Abigail it was like our energy came streaming back. We saw a number of doctors, and the lactation nurse(s) were especially helpful. On the second day family came to visit. My brother and mother got to hold Abigail, and this has been very important for us given the passing of close relatives of late. All was good, and we finally were able to take Abby home.

a little shut eye

Amanda and I have been preparing our apartment for Abigail for some time. We put Abigail in the crib and watched her sleep. This last week we’ve been up every hour feeding our baby, and I’m so thankful work and finances has been flexible with me this year. Amanda has over three months off and won’t return to her security job until the end of January. Meanwhile, we hope to get Abigail’s weight up. As of Oct. 20th Abigail weighed 5lb 11 ounces.

getting dressed

Every time she moves, opens her eyes, smiles, or puckers we just melt. I guess we are your typical parents. We are looking forward to help Abigail grow into a charitable and faithful woman. Abigail is taken from the Hebrew, “Abi” being Father, and “Gail” being “joy”. Abigail is indeed her father’s joy, and every day with our first born is so incredible. We don’t even miss the sleep.

We are so blessed. God has been good in answering prayer. Praise the Lord! Amanda and I thank all our family and friends– especially our parish church and local clergy– who likewise prayed and supported us.  These saintly petitions passed us through the sore spots, and we can now add a beautiful little girl to our household. We hope she grows into a kind, generous soul. Thank you.

my lovely wifey

“IAM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.– John 11:25″

On this day, March 25^th 2011, we gather to celebrate the life of La Fern (Fern) S. Anderson, beloved sister and aunt. Fern was born in San Jose in 1921, to Charles and Editha Shields.  She had one younger sister, Gail Bartlett. Fern attended Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelors in English.  Afterwards, she attended UC Berkeley, where she earned a degree in library science.  She was a gifted student, and had a knack for language. She lived abroad, in Guatemala, for a year and became fluent in Spanish.  She also worked as an Army Librarian in post-war Germany and could speak German fluently, as well. Fern married Paul Anderson, an English Professor at Cal Poly Tech.  They lived together in Morro Bay for several years, before finally settling in El Cerrito.  Her husband, Paul, had type 1 diabetes, and Fern cared for him as his health faded. After Paul’s death, Fern stayed active as a volunteer caring for stray pets and animals.  She was very active in the humane society.  She also had an artistic streak, and enjoyed making Christmas presents for children which she would donate to organizations like “Toys for Tots”. She had many beloved pets through the years, but was especially fond of her dog, “Tan-Tan”. In her faith she walked as a Methodist.

La Fern is survived by her sister, Gail Bartlett, and her two nephews, Charles and John Bartlett.  We will cherish our memories of her—the childhood memories she and Gail shared, the times they spent traveling through Europe together, the holidays our family always spent together, and her kind and generous character. Fern passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 18, 2011, at the age of 89. We were blessed by the time we had with her; she is with us still by spirit, and we will keep her always in our hearts.

“O LORD Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death; Grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; through thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.”

Donations may be made in her name to the Contra Costa Humane Society (925) 279-2247 ext. 303

IML officers, right to left: Mr. McAlister, Coulumbe, Fr. Kelly, Deacon Bartus, Cpt. Bird, Mr. Yakimov, and Dr. Llizo

In January, Amanda and I hopped in the Chevy Geo and took-off for Southern California to catch the first gala event of International Monarchist League’s LA chapter.  We were invited by my friend, Dr. R. Tom Llizo (a subdeacon in WRO-St. Michael’s), who recently became the League’s VP. It so happened that a couple friends from St. Luke’s REC, Mark and Andrew, were likewise planning to attend, so we made the event a pleasant rendezvous. Mark and Andrew both blog on Anglican issues,  and they also gave devotions as lectors at our wedding. It was fantastic to get back together with them since we saw them last August, and we all had a great time. Andrew’s blog can be read at: http://unpopops.blogspot.com/

the League's reception

The  League was kicking-off its LA chapter. We got to meet a number of North American monarchists, some of whom have historical interests (myself), while others are more cultural and political. Mr. Charles A. Coulombe, the western IML delegate and grand council member, was there and spoke regarding the potential of a League in Los Angeles, reminding those attending that LA was the beginning of the King’s Road (El Camino Real), and the downtown plaza was dedicated to the Crown of Spain upon its foundation. In a way, monarchism surrounds us historically, and if we pay attention it’s hard to forget this fact. Capt. Stuart Bird-Wilson spoke as Queen’s delegate from the Royal Society of St. George , and several members belonging to the Russian  Imperial Union Order were present. St. Mary’s of the Angels in North Hollywood hosted the event with a beautiful evening prayer (Vesper) service dedicated King Charles I’s memory.

St. Mary's stained glass, King Charles and Laud.

Charles I was the last head of the English church before the rise of Cromwell, before the supremacy of parliament, its imposition of Solemn League & Covenant in England, and prior to the Puritan”s interim presbyterianism which eventually gave way to congregationalism. The Protectorate finally collapsed due to lack of public support for the Army, but Cromwell was the first to fatally wound the concept of a national church headed by the Crown.  Presbyterians ironically restored the monarchy hoping a puritanized version of the BCP would be adopted, but, once they lost parliament to royalists in 1661, Anglicans re-established the earlier religious Settlement enjoyed by Elizabeth I and Henry VIII. But I digress.

St. Mary's Nave and Chancel

Getting back to Charles I’s death: When Presbyterians ejected Bishops and Royalists from church and state, 1643-45, they captured King Charles after the Siege of Oxford in 1646. By 1648 Charles I was tried by a junta court, and in Jan 30, 1649 the Army violated Solemn League by seizing him and cutting off his head. Charles died saying these last words, “ I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world… Remember!”  Charles and William Laud proved great martyrs for the Anglican church, and they have since been rightly memoralized in Anglican liturgy, calendars, busts, and images. They definitely should not be forgotten, but the last century have feel victim to liberal ecumenicalism. When we do, we forget a great nursing father of the English Church.

Subdeacon Thomas and Amanda. In front of St. Mary's

St. Mary’s is an ACA parish and will likely join Pope Benedict XVI’s Ordinariate. Mary of the Angels is a very historical Anglican parish going back to the turn of the century while Hollywood was nearly a shanty town, dotted w/ barns and tents. The parish is in the middle of a relatively affluent, condo-packed neighborhood with lots of young people. Before Vespers, Amanda and I had lunch at an upscale bistro. I had some soup and she ordered fish. We then met Andrew and Mark across the way in a nearby coffee shop, quickly catching up on some things before the service started. We then made it for Vespers, and greeting us was the IML wecloming men. Our first impression was we were under-dressed!

Little Church Around the Corner

St. Mary’s was very a very striking parish church. My impression was they knew who they were. Though not classical Anglican, and basically Roman Catholic, they reinforced their history, churchmanship, and identity throughout the walls of the building– be it in the sanctuary, pews, narthex, social hall, offices, even the bathroom! They offered tracts, books and brochures in almost every chamber. Too often Anglican churches don’t do this. They shun ‘definition’ and opt instead for a fuzzy broadness were focus is agreeing with everyone, sometimes even unitarians. St. Mary’s is surely a charitable church, but they have stuck to a transparent standard, and this is evident wherever you go while in their parish. For Vespers we sat in the middle row of pews, and sung the Divine office. Deacon Andrew Bartus delivered the sermon on due obedience to authority. Fr. Andrew would later be ordained into the priesthood and has since become the League’s chaplain. The service was beautiful, and afterwards we gathered downstairs for a champaign.

Charles I and royal progeny

It turned out we had contingents from a number of christian faiths. This was probably the first time I’ve enjoyed ‘diversity’. Many of the folks were originally from Anglican churches, but it was a wide christian spectrum. We had WRO, Anglican Use, REC Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Russian Orthodox all in one room prayering together. Amanda, Andrew, Mark, and myself made up the classical Anglican contingent. Foremost in common was our convictions about monarchism. This really got us thinking about a substantial ecumenicalism based on surviving royal households and erastian polities than boiling everything down to minimal ‘essentials’. Afterwards, we all went across the street and had a delicious Italian dinner. Amanda and I didn’t get back on the road until 11 pm. We drove all night back home, crashed for three hours, got up, and still made it to Sunday worship– a memorial service for King Charles I at our parish, St. Luke’s in the Hills (also REC).

Bradshaw's trial against his King

Immortal words of King Charles to the Parliament of 1649 which tried him: “I would know by what power I am called hither … I would know by what authority, I mean lawful; there are many unlawful authorities in the world; thieves and robbers by the high-ways … Remember, I am your King, your lawful King, and what sins you bring upon your heads, and the judgement of God upon this land. Think well upon it, I say, think well upon it, before you go further from one sin to a greater … I have a trust committed to me by God, by old and lawful descent, I will not betray it, to answer a new unlawful authority; therefore resolve me that, and you shall hear more of me”

Anglican Monarchist Contingent: Andrew, Amanda, Charles, and Mark

It was an awesome weekend. We look forward to St. George’s Day, May 1st, again at St. Mary’s, hosted by the League. .This will then be followed on the same weekend by the KJV’s 400th birthday– May 2-3rd–as Anglicans our only approved bible outside the Bishop’s“Remember!”

Together Sunday Morning

The Bartlett family owes enormous thanks to all friends and family who gave prayer on behalf to my dad, James Bartlett, unto our Almighty Heavenly Father for his physical recovery. On August 2nd, 2010– two weeks before my marriage with Amanda Kruse– my dad fell down and broke his neck during midnight while at home. His neck snapped in two places along the topmost vertebrates. The fractures were not hairline, and very serious. The doctors in ICU called it a ‘hangman fracture’, meaning that normally this kind of fracture severs the spinal cord, killing a person instantly. In the emergency room my father then aspirated blood and vomit, and consequently he was intubated for burnt lungs. The intubation machine was an external lung, used to prevent suffocation and stave pneumonia. However, the machine posed a huge infection risk, and the longer a patient stayed on it, the greater chance they might die from secondary factors. At this point the doctors and staff began pushing us toward ‘pulling the plug’. But we demanded full-code. At the end of the first week, the doctors began talking about weaning him off the lung. On the third wean my father resumed normal breathing but was very weak. He also failed his swallow test, and so a g-tube was inserted into his belly for fluid eating. As he left ICU for acute care, the doctors next pushed hospice care which basically amounted to starving our dad to death. We were insistently against such. After five days of dramatic improvement Jim left for post-acute care in Hayward, and, three more months down the road– after two more bouts of pneumonia (one of which was septic)–  he was walking again, communicating with friends, and his neck was totally healed.

Dad and Mom

There were some amazing lessons the Lord taught us. First, our family had to stick together to save our Father’s life. The health establishment is not particularly friendly to old folks. They often underestimate their elderly patients and prefer euthanasia over difficult treatment. Elderly often cannot communicate for themselves and consequently rely on loved ones for health care advocacy. When families are frightened by worst case scenarios, they often fight amongst themselves and make panicky decisions, leaving medical care to indifferent yet seemingly “objective” third parties.  The episode certainly made us wiser about the medical establishment, but it also gave us a deeper value for “life” itself. Our father knows who is his family, and he knows what is love and comfort. We could not abandon him to a cold logic or statistical odds. Second, though my family is not especially religious, it was a trial that definitely brought us closer to God by prayer. Prayer was especially given during the darkest moments, and it was wonderful to pray as a family. Our prayers also included the hope that my dad might come back to church for worship. This seemed like an impossibility at the time, but I believe the Lord graciously answered it.

St. Luke's Chapel

My father is 94 yrs old. He served his country in WWII as a major in the navy, worked postwar as an accountant, and built a number of pre-schools for the Head Start program before his retirement at 75. He was a good father, an educated man, and planned not only for his own estate and wellbeing but also for his family’s.  Jim was baptized a methodist, and during his earlier years he did much for the methodist church. I’ve been taking my father to chapel every Sunday since his healing. He has moderate alzheimer’s and poor hearing, but he responds well to Christian art and iconography moreso than preaching. Yet you can never be certain what old folks grasp or pick up. James still needs a miracle to recover his normal eating. Right now he receives food by g-tube until his swallow returns. Please keep his lost swallow in prayer. We owe much thanks to those angels and saints in the church who prayed for our dad.  We know there were a league of you! These prayers brought him to a near-total recovery! We figure the Lord gave us our Dad back so he might meet his new daughter-in-law, my wife Amanda, as well as some time to live on this earth to see future grandchildren.

Fr. Mike gave my dad a birthday prayer on the Saturday before his 94th birthday, Jan. 18th. Below is the prayer from the 1928 bcp. God has answered many prayers, and He has been very merciful to our family. We owe Him all praise and glory. Thank you everybody, and thank you gracious God!

“Watch over thy child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be, keeping him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

THE BARTLETT SOCIETY ~ SUSSEX, ENGLAND
I had to turn it into a page…

Sacramental Binding

Although more wedding pictures are on the way, I wanted to share the first round. All-in-all it was a wonderful ceremony, August 14th. Amanda took care of the guests. I mostly took care of liturgy. The magnificence of the rite combined with the solemnity of the public vow was truly awe-striking.  Friends and family attended, about 65 total. I had some relatives who really made an extra effort to be there, and their attendance was incredibly special. Also, my pastor from 1st OPC, Scott, and his wife, Joyce Cox, both humbly blessed the event with their most charitable support and presence. I have to thank Mark Talley and Andrew Matthews who came up from Southern California to assist as lectors/clerks, bringing surplice and cassocks. They dressed well. Mark writes at River Thames and Andrew is the author at Unpopular Opinions. It was also a rather ‘ecumenical’ ceremony. Father Tom Sramek (TEC) celebrated w/ Fr. Mike Penfield (REC/APA) assisting. I also need to thank Amanda’s family and maid-of-honor, Cheryl Hoffman, who worked herself to death preparing the social hall and sorting the many details. To the right (below) is a picture of Amanda and her father, coming up at procession, escorting her to the front of the nave where the rite proper took place.

Mr. Kruse presenting his daughter, Amanda, the beautiful bride

The rite combined both sacraments of matrimony and communion, blending the marriage rite into the antecommunion. Amanda looked gorgeous coming up the isle with her father who gave her away. It was a dream come true for her, and I too, being the manifestation of a very long and emotional time of planning. To see it all come to fruition without a hitch was spectacular. The liturgy can be read below. However, I was not the sole compiler. There were a number of expectations and requirements that the final liturgy had to conform– namely special hymnal requests by family, the modern practice of dual rings, as well as the rite itself being held in front of the nave rather than amidst the people in the nave’s center according the the BCP). However, these changes were successfully incorporated and balanced in constructive ways, making all parties happy.

Fr. Penfield and Fr. Sramek (left to right)

The hymns help transition the Epistle reading, 1 Cor 13, from the OT, Gen.2 and Gospel, Matt 19. The sermon then covered Eph 5, but it was a synthesis of Jewel and Cranmer’s two homilies on holy matrimony. Cranmer outlining the God ordained duties of husband and wife: Jewel warning spouses about the wiles of the devil and need for prayer/grace. A lot of people were rather shocked by the headship exhortations scattered throughout the 1662 rite, and one individual, surprisingly, took offense to Eve coming from Adam’s rib. But the most common complaint was the length– I think 1-1/2 hrs if not more. Thankfully, people understood it was a once in a life event. The audience was mixed, but we did have quite a few Episcopal Anglicans and a number of Reformed families. The communion was 1928 American BCP, picking up at the offertory, and utilizing the third exhortation, whereby Amanda and I processed  before the altar, giving earlier vows as sacrifice to the Lord Almighty, joining that band to the eucharist prayer, and then receiving the body and blood of Christ Jesus after the priests.  Many of our friends and family partook after being properly warned (three times) of unworthy reception. Overall it was a great evangelical witness, and I believe a couple friends and family who’ve been in constant prayer were moved by it.

the kiss of peace x 3

There were three parts of the liturgy which might have been better. First, Amanda and I processed toward the altar at the wrong time, i.e. the offertory rather than before the four matrimonial blessings. Second, no one sang psalm 127 even though the words were printed plainly in the schedule. I don’t know why. Third, the TEC priest administered the sacrament with the 79 words plus added some light-hearted humor, especially after I kissed Amanda three times. I would have liked to have made more a contrast between the faithful and unchurched, but we allowed those who wished to blend in cross their arms for a blessing. The TEC vestments weren’t right, but the TEC priest did pray eastward during the antecommunion as well as kept the chalice/paten off the table until the offeratory w/ elements coming from a credence table nearby. I think he had a hard time dealing with the warnings to partake, generalizing the exhortation w/ “all christians are welcome”. I also realized how hard these things are to coordinate  when the chancel furnituring assumes a table. I did like TEC’s emphasis on visual accessibility to priest and table, and St. Edward’s has an interesting rood cross (hanging above the altar not the chancel arch). But this is minutiae which the assembly didn’t catch. Given it was also the same day as the vigil of St. Mary, a proper for the BVM might have been appropriate, and I wish it was included as a witness to certain virtues like motherhood, obedience, and chastity. Nonetheless, the ceremony was unquestionably Christ-centered.

Recessional. Mr and Mrs. Bartlett!

No pictures were allowed during the communion. But we posed after the marriage, and of course during the procession. I wept, but only because the joining of two people as one is just so amazing. In retrospect I wish I remained more composed, but the event was very emotional. After the recession, we greeted the people in the narthax. It really strucked us how loving people were to come, and we thanked people we had known our entire lives. The wedding reception then followed in a nearby social hall at St. Edward’s. My brother gave a moving toast, and we all cried. Then the maid-of-honor added some warm words, reminding everyone what a lovely person and wonderful bride Amanda was. We cut cake, and gently fed eachother. No mess. Amanda and I were the last to go. We gave extra food and wine to many people. Mark, Andrew, Matthew and Michael (Amanda’s cousins), and my buddy Casey help pack our wedding gifts into my tiny geo metro 96! I wish I had a picture of that. It really felt wonderful to drive Amanda back to our home, both of us dressed in tux and gown, starting our modest life together.

the Bartlett's

There is so much I missed. My bunnies of course stayed behind, but I sorted wanted one bunny to be a ring bearer. lol. Sadly, my father couldn’t make it. He was in nursing facility, recovering from a neck injury. My brother, John (best man), was fantastic, hiring a friend to watch while the family made the wedding. Amanda and I are both serious about having kids. We have been praying for John to be a Godparent, and amazingly enough he’s considering visiting an REC church in Vacaville. Amanda’s cousin, Michael, also lives in Vacaville and is a deacon at a Dutch Reformed church, CRC. So, the Lord provides! Anyway, the good news is my father is making great strides in recovery. He’s had the benefit of three churches praying for him (I call this three angels) and many living saints. We expect to have him back for the holidays w/ his neck fracture healed and walking.

cutting the cake

Amanda and I are living in Santa Clara, in an area called the ‘rose gardens’, not far from the mission and the university down the road, about a quarter mile. Our apartment gets real hot during the summer, but we are happy– full of food (even so much we regularly give extra to neighbors), and the garden is still growing back home in Fremont. We are building planter boxes for herbs in our parking lot, and saving money to relocate to Northern CA if not Oregon  in a couple years (perhaps sooner depending on jobs). But we aren’t leaving without taking a truck load or two of relatives and friends with us! Until then, we are attending public worship at REC (Los Altos Hills) while occasionally visiting Amanda grandma’s TEC (St. Edward’s) and an ACAA (St. Paul’s) church from time-to-time. If you are ever in the area, please contact us. We do evening prayer w/ catechism W, F, and Sun at the rose gardens w/ a complimentary meal. We are making halloween treats for St. Luke’s Sept. 13th, inviting apartment neighbors, as well as getting candy for the surrounding children.  Our troths were:

¶ Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Priest, receiving the Woman at her father’s hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, binding them by stole, and say after him as followeth.

I, CHARLES JAMES BARTLETT, take thee, Amanda Sue Kruse, to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness an in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

¶ Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Priest,

I, AMANDA SUE KRUSE, take thee, Charles James Bartlett, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to cherish and obey, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

(Reception pictures will be added later to this same post. The cake was banana-strawberry at the top, chocolate marble in the middle, and bottom tier was chocolate moues-raspberry. We munched on that for one week afterwards, Amanda gaining no weight and I ten pounds!  YUM!)

God Bless   &  Prayers Deliver!

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tomatoes and kale

This time of year can be difficult to keep up with harvests. Tomatoes are everywhere falling off the vine, and so many have been picked each day that it’s hard to keep up cooking them. Kale is more kind. Both kale and collards age slowly, and the plants continue producing leaves after cuttings. Kale and collards are very hardy, and, unlike fruit and beats, you can take your time harvesting. Given their leaves and texture are very much alike, the plants must be near kin. Even better, they compliment each other nutrition-wise. While generous in iron and C, kale is a rich source of  vitamin A while collards have more B12. Topmatoes and kale have become my summer staple, and in CA I expect these plants to continue producing until November.

While kale will grow all summer and fall, I have pulled up my beat rows and will probably remove and turn over some of the older kale. Last week I planted jack O latern seeds with the expectation of All Hallows Eve arriving in two-and-one-half months. If the pumpkins don’t ripen by then, they will make great Thanksgiving squash. Also planted are more beats, brussel sprouts, collards, a couple rows of corn (which are coming up nicely), and chard. The radio said chard, like collards, has high germination rates. This means you can trust the seeds to sprout.

My father recently fell and broke his neck. Many prayers have been offered, and the Lord has been kind. My dad seems to be recovering well in the hospital. Please keep James Bartlett in your prayers. Our family hopes to have my father, Jim, back for the holidays. Though Amanda and I are not married (Aug. 14th is the ceremony), and, of course, we have no pregnancy, we hope my dad is with us to see his first grandchild. My father is 93-yrs old.  Praise God.

boysenberry vines

After harvesting, too often cooking is the bottleneck. I typically have three days or so to do something with my vegetables– either sharing with kin or kith, or cooking it myself. The last couple years boysenberry bushes have volunteered themselves, growing from the margins of the fence toward the garden. The consequence the garden proper is being surrounded by a ‘fence’ of berry and tomato bushes. While the apricot and peach trees on the corners deposit their seed. It’s actually quite beautiful.

Boysenberries make great pancake syrup. But you first need to pick them! While picking the boysenberries I noticed two kinds of vine which I distinguished between male and female. The male vines bore no fruit and grow rather aggressively with fairly big thorns. The female vines bore flowers and had smaller diameters. These latter vines carried the berries, and of course I picked these as they turned a dark purple. It’s so easy to get not only pricked but berry juice all over your fingers. I was able to get about five cups of berries this year, and will let them grow, only pruning the male vines which tend to cross into the garden. Five cups of berries produced about 3-1/2 jars of boysenberry syrup. It’s easy to make. Simply put your berries in a pot, add a little water, and cook at a moderate to low temperature w/ a couple cups of sugar. I’d say one cup of berries to 1 or 1 cup of sugar. Stir and sample until it tastes good with a smooth consistency. Once the syrup ‘glazes’, they should be done.  The recipe is the same for apples, peaches, and plums.

cobbler

Another summer treat was apricots. The garden started with three apricot trees. Over the last year and a half, I’ve been raking up the badly bruised fruit while saving the seeds from eaten ones, and throwing all into the compost bins. As I add compost to the garden, these seeds naturally sprout. As a consequence we have about 15 apricot seedlings with three rapidly growing trees. I plan to retire from bunny gardening (moving on to bigger things) in the next couple years, so as I move on I expect to leave behind a peach-apricot orchard. I am also passing on apricot and peach seedlings (between 7″-36″) to green friends.

Anyway, apricots are perhaps some of the most tasty fruit. Cobbler is my favorite, and you can make a quick cobbler by simply washing and deseeding your apricots, throwing them into a glass cooking pan. You don’t need to grease it. Just throw it in. Mix some biscuit with a little milk, and you can spread the dough on top. Throw some cinnamon if you like, and cook for about a half hour at 350, oven temp. It’s good stuff, fast, takes no sugar, and great for morning food w/ coffee, or desert for any meal.

The trinity season is really a time of bounty. We have tons of tomatoes falling off the vine. About 5 to 10 tomatoes daily. We also are behind on kale, beat, and collard harvest. A couple quick notes: kale is rich in all vitamins especially A, C, and iron. But it lacks B12. Collards are nearly identical plants to kale. They grow in virtually the same fashion, are totally rugged and robust, but unlike kale, have B12 but less A. Together, you have a total, off the chart, nutrient combination. So, make sure you grow both. I am totally convinced kale is a miracle plant, and in CA it grows through the winter!

putting in drip lines

My second gardening tip: while sponge lines clog up with dirt and must be thrown away after one season, 6″ drip lines also clog. Though the 6″ lasts longer, they still get clogged up with dirt. However, unlike sponge you can poke the 6″ holes with a pin and dislodge old mud. Just turn on your drip irrigation (the hose) and note where the dry spots lie. Then treat those areas that appear plugged. Sponge lines work awesome, but only a couple months. The others last longer and in the end will save you money. Drop sponge lines.

the Fargo and Bartlett families praying, cooking, and eating at camp

Lastly, Amanda and I will be getting married August 14th. We’ll be moving closer to her work. I already commute vast distances, so this is not a factor. Meanwhile, the garden will continue, and I’ll be planting another at my aunt’s. So, there will be some expansion of bunny garden this next year, despite us moving closer to the city. Meanwhile, we hope to invite friends for meals and prayer at our new place, of course sharing some of the delectables from the vine. We also survived our fist camping trip!

God Bless you all!

Fin?

Charles and Amanda

BIDDING THE BANNS ¶ to be announced by the minister three Christian Sabbaths before the date of marriage

I PUBLISH the Banns of Marriage between Mr. Charles Bartlett of Glenmoor, Fremont CA and Ms. Amanda Kruse of Almaden, San Jose CA. If any of you know just cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it: This is the first [second, or third] time of asking.

¶ And if the persons that are to be married dwell in divers Parishes, the Banns must be asked in both Parishes; and the Curate of the one Parish shall not Solemnize Matrimony between them, without a Certificate of the Banns bid three consecutive  Sundays before the marriage date [Aug. 14th].
¶ The rubrics will be generally governed by the Rev’d Francis Blake’s American Use

THE SOLEMNITY OF HOLY MATRIMONY & Antecommunion

Prelude                              ”Es ist ein Rose Ensprungen”                        Brahms

Processional Tune                 “Bridal Chorus”                                           Wagner

Last Bann                                                                                Priest (the Rev’d Tom Sramek)
¶ At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with their Friends and Neighbors: and there standing together, the Man on the right-hand, and the Woman on the left, the Priest shall say,

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate instituted of God himself, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee, and is commended in Holy Writ to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly lightly or wantonly; to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.

FIRST, It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy name.

SECONDLY, It was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God, should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are not called of God to remain unmarried, but by him are led to this holy estate, should continue therein in pureness of living.

THIRDLY, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

THEREFORE if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

Charge and Consents ¶ And also speaking unto the Persons who are to be married, he shall say,

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God’s Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.

¶ The Priest, if he shall have rason to doubt of the lawfulness of the proposed Marriage, may demand sufficient surety for his indemnification: but if no impediment shall be alleged, or suspected, the Minister shall say to the Man,

MR. CHARLES JAMES BARTLETT. Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, foresaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ The Man shall answer,
I will.

¶ Then shall the Priest say to the Woman,

MS. AMANDA SUE KRUSE. Wilt thous have this Man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ The Woman shall answer,
I will.

¶ After the Consents the Minister appointed shall read the Lesson, first saying, The Lesson is written in the Second Chapter of Genesis, beginning in the  21st Verse. The Lesson ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Lesson. Whereupon the People shall say, Thanks be to God.

Old Testament Lesson            Genesis 2:21-24              Clerk (Mr. Andrew Matthews)
AND the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Priest: The Word of the Lord
Answer: Thanks be to God
Priest: The Lord be with you.
Answer: And with thy spirit.

Collect for Purity
Preist. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify they holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Summary of the Law                                    Deacon (The Very Rev’d Canon Mike Penfield)
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith,

THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

The Kyries ¶ The People with the Priest shall say,
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Priest. The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.

Collects
Preist. Let us pray.

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O ETERNAL God, we humbly beseech thee, favorably to behold these thy servants, Charles and Amanda, about to be joined in wedlock according to thy holy ordinance; and grant that they, seeking first thy kingdom and thy righteousness, may obtain the manifold blessings of thy grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ And after the Collect the Minister appointed shall read the Epistle, first saying, The Epistle is written in the fifth Chapter of Ephesians, beginning at the 20th Verse.

The Epistle                                 Ephesians 5:20                             Clerk  (Mr. Mark Talley) GIVE thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Priest: The Word of the Lord
Answer: Thanks be to God

Gradual                                       “O Perfect Love”                           Hymn 214

¶ Then, all the People standing, the Priest shall read the Gospel, first saying, The Holy Gospel is written in the 19th Chapter of St. Matthew, beginning at the 7th Verse.
¶ Here shall be said, Glory be to the, O Lord. And after the Gospel may be said, Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Gospel                                 St. Matthew 19:4-6                                   Priest
JESUS answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The Homily                                                                                                     Deacon
THE word of Almighty God doth testify and declare whence the original beginning of matrimony cometh, and why it is ordained. It is instituted of God, to the intent that man and woman should live lawfully in a perpetual friendly fellowship, to bring forth fruit, and to avoid fornication: by which means a good conscience might be preserved on both parties in bridling the corrupt inclinations of the flesh within the limits of honesty; for God hath straitly forbidden all whoredom and uncleanness, and hath from time to time taken grievous punishments of this inordinate lus, as all stories and ages hath declared. Furthermore, it is also ordained, that the Church of God and his kingdom might by this kind of life be conserved and enlarged, not only in that God giveth children by his blessing but also in that they be brought up by the parents godly in the knowledge of God’s word; that thus the knowledge of God and true religion might be delivered by succession from one to another, that finally many might enjoy that everlasting immortality…

But yet I would not have you careless, without watching. For the devil will assay to attempt all things to interrupt and hinder your hearts and godly purpose, if ye will give him any entry. For he will either labor to break this godly knot once begun betwixt you, or else at the least he will labour to encumber it with diverse griefs and displeasures. And this is his principal craft, to work dissension of hearts of the one from the other; that, whereas now there is pleasant and sweet love betwixt you, he will in the stead thereof bring in most bitter and unpleasant discord. And surely that same adversary of ours doth, as it were from above, assault man’s nature and condition. For this folly is ever from our tender age grown up with us, to have a desire to rule, to think highly by ourself, so that none thinketh it meet to give place to another. That wicked vice of stubborn will and self love is more meet to break and to dissever the love of heart, than to preserve concord. Wherefore married persons must apply their minds in most earnest wise to concord, and must crave continually of God the help of his Holy Spirit, so to rule their hearts and to knit their minds together, that they be not dissevered by any division of discord. THEREFORE

ALL ye that are married, or that intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony upon you, hear what the holy Scripture doth say, as touching the duty of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands. Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth chapter, doth give this commandment to all married men; Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and clean it with the washing of water, by the Word; that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies; he that loveth his wife loveth himself: for no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father adn mother, and shall be joined unto his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself. Eph. 5:25

Likewise the same Saint Paul, writing to the Colossians, speaketh thus to all men that are married: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Colossians 3:19

Hear also what Saint Peter, the Apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man, saith unto them that are married: Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge; giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 S. Pet. 3:7.

Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife. Now likewise, ye wives, hear and learn your duties toward your husbands, even as it is plainly set forth in holy scripture.

Saint Paul, in the aforenamed Epistle to the Ephesians, teacheth you thus; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. And again he saith, Let the wife see the she reverence her husband Ephesians 5:22.

And in his Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul giveth you this short lesson; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossians 3.18.

Saint Peter also doth instruct you very well, thus saying; Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands; even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 S. Pet. 3.1.

EVEN so let us do all things that we may have fellowship with our spouses, which is the factor of all our doings at home, in great quiet and rest. And by these means all things shall prosper quietly, and so shall we pass through the dangers of the troublous sea of this world. For this state of life be more honorable and comfortable than our houses, than servants, than money, than lands and possessions, than all things that can be told. As all these, with sedition and discord, can never work us any comfort; so shall all things turn to our commodity and pleasure, if we draw this yoke in one concord of heart and mind. Whereupon do your best endeavour that after this sort ye use your matrimony, and so shall ye be armed on every side. Ye have escaped the snares of the devil and the unlawful lusts of the flesh, ye have the quietness of conscience, by this institution of matrimony ordained by God: therefore use oft prayer to him, that he would be present by you, that he would continue concord and charity betwixt you. Do the best ye can of your parts to custom yourselves to softness and meekness, and bear well in worth such oversights as chance; and thus shall your conversation be most pleasant and comfortable. And although some adversities shall follow, and otherwhiles now one discommodity, now another, shall appear, yet in this common trouble and adversity lift up both your hands in heaven; call upon the help and assistance of God, the Author of yoru marriage; and surely the promise of relief is at hand. For Christ affirmeth in his Gospel, Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, and be agreed, whatsoever they prayer for, it shall be granted them of my heavenly Father. Why therefore shouldest thou be afraid of the danger, where thou hast so ready a promise and so nigh an help? Furthermore, you must understand how necessary it is for Christian folk to bear Christ’s cross; for else we shall never feel how comfortable God’s help is unto us.

Therefore give thanks to God for his great benefit, in that ye have taken upon you this state of wedlock; and pray you instantly that Almighty God may luckily defend and maintain you therein, that neither ye be overcomed with any temptation nor any adversity. But before all things take good heed that ye give no occasion to the devil to let and hinder your prayers by discord and dissension. For there is no stronger defense and stay in all our life than is prayer: in the which we may call for the help of God, and obtain it; whereby we may win his blessing, his grace, his defense, and protection, so to continue therein to a better life to come. Which grant us he that died for us all: to whom be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

The Betrothals  ¶the Priest says (boldly).
Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?

¶ Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Priest, receiving the Woman at her father’s hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, binding them by stole, and say after him as followeth. If the marriage be an unequal yoking, then begin with the ‘left-hand’.

I, CHARLES JAMES BARTLETT, take thee, Amanda Sue Kruse, to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness an in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

¶ Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Priest,

I, AMANDA SUE KRUSE, take thee, Charles James Bartlett, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Giving the Bands ¶ Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Priest, receiving the woman at her father’s or friend’s hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth.

WITH this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Amen.

¶ The Priest, taking the Ring shall deliver it unto the Woman, to put upon the wedding finger of the Man’s left hand. And the Woman, holding the Ring there and as taught by the Minister, shall secretly say,

WITH this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Amen.

¶ Then shall both the man and woman kneel down; but the people shall remain standing. Then shall the Priest say,
Let us pray,

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, who we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca (after bracelets and Jewels of gold given of the one to the other for tokens of their matrimony) lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof these Rings given and received are tokens and pledges,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and boldly say,
THOSE whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

¶ The Priest shall then speak unto the company.
FORASMUCH as Charles and Amanda have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Amen.

¶ The Priest shall add this blessing.
GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting.Amen.

The Peace ¶ Then the Priest shall say,
The Peace of the Lord be with you. You may kiss the Bride.

Second Procession      Psalm 127 
¶ After the kiss , the man and woman will follow the Priest into the choir, and the couple will kneel before the altar. 

Benedictions
O MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; bestow, we beseech thee, upon these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children’s children unto the third and fourth generation, christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven, and bless them. And as thou didst send thy blessings upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants; that they obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O LORD bless them both and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exhortation Deacon
DEARLY beloved brethren, today, by God’s grace, we shall celebrate the Lord’s Supper: unto which, in God’s behalf, I bid you all who are here present; and beseech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lacketh nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called, without any cause, most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in Christ, take ye good heed, lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from this holy Supper, provoke God’s indignation against you. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? When God calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not come? Considerearnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses will avail before God. Wherefore, according to mine office, I bid you in the Name of God, I call you in Christ’s behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the Cross for your salvation; so it is your duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, as he himself hath commanded: which if ye shall neglect to do, consider with yourselves how great is your ingratitude to God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the Lord’s Table, and separate from your brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These things earnestly consider, so ye will by God’s grace return to a better mind.

THE MASS OF THE FAITHFUL

Offertory                                                                            Psalm 67

¶ And the Priest shall then place upon the Holy Table, the Bread and the Wine, taken from the credence table.

The Sentences ¶ The Priest shall boldly say,
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee! 1 Chron. xxix.14

Prayer for the Whole Church ¶ Then the Priest shall say,
LET us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Catholic Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to our Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.

We beseech thee also, so direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.

And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to Charles and Amanda, and this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.

Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Inivitation ¶ Then shall the Deacon say to those who come to receive the Holy Communion,

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

General Confession ¶ Then shall this General Confession be made, by the Priest and all those who are minded to receive the Holy Communion, humbly kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Absolution ¶ Then shall the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) stand up, and turning to the People, say,

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Comfortable Words ¶ Then shall the Deacon say,
HEAR what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.

COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matt. xi. 28.

SO GOD loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.

HEAR also what Saint Paul saith. THIS is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15. And,

IF ANY man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John ii. 1, 2.

Sursum Corda ¶ After which the Priest shall proceed, saying,
Lift up your hearts.
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then shall the Priest turn to the Holy Table, and say,
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

Preface and Sanctus ¶ Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed; or else immediately shall be said or sung by the Priest,
THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying, ¶ Priest and People together.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

Consecratory Prayer ¶ When the Priest, standing before the Holy Table, hath so ordered the Bread and Wine, that he may with the more readiness and decency break the Bread before the People, and take the Cup into his hands, he shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth.

ALL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again: For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

The Oblation WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

The Invocation AND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

AND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer Minister. And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

¶ The priest and people shall say together
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Following the Lord’s Prayer, the Priest blesses the newlyweds:
O GOD, who by thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing; who also (after other things set in order) didst appoint, that out of man (created after thine own image and similutde) woman should take her beginning; and, knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one: O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable to her husband as Rachel, wise as Rebecca, faithful and obedient to her husband as Sarah; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Humble Access ¶ Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, say, with all those people who shall receive the Communion, this Prayer following.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Communion Tune                ”Christe du Lamm Gottes”                         Bach

Words of Administration ¶ Then shall the Priest First receive the Holy Communion in both kinds him self, and proceed to deliver the same to the Priests and Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present,) and, after that, the Groom and Bride with their wedding parties, the people in order, into their hands, all devoutly kneeling. And sufficient opportunity shall be given to those present to communicate.

¶ And when he delivereth the Bread, he shall say,
THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

¶ And the Minister who delivereth the Cup shall say,
THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

¶ If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more, according to the Form before prescribed; beginning at, All glory be to thee, Almighty God, and ending with these words, partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
¶ When an have communicated, the Priest shall return to the Lord’s Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, placing fine linen over paten.

General Thanksgiving Priest. Let us pray.
¶ The priest and people shall say in unison,
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Benedictions ¶ Then shall the Priest say,
ALMIGHTY God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage:  Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you; be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish; that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives end. Amen.

¶ Then, the People kneeling, the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing.

THE Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Recessional Tune                         “Wedding March”                         Mendelssohn

Postlude                                               “G-Major prelude”                                           Bach

Private prayers to be said at home for the betrothed are found in comments below

Wish us God's goodness!