Dec 2, 2014

Once upon a time...


...I saw something almost exactly like this in a cup on the table. Wondrous love.




Image credits

Oct 14, 2014

May 29, 2014

But some doubted.


The Great Commission

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:16-20 ESV)

May 22, 2014

Gregory Baker: March 1, 1920 Bonham Texas - May, 20 2014 Kyle Texas



Ministration at the Time of Death

When a person is near death, the Minister of the Congregation should be notified, in order that the ministrations of the Church may be provided.


A Prayer for a Person near Death

Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great
weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life
everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.


Litany at the Time of Death

When possible, it is desirable that members of the family and friends come together to join in the Litany.

God the Father,
Have mercy on your servant.

God the Son,
Have mercy on your servant.

God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on your servant.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on your servant.

From all evil, from all sin, from all tribulation,
Good Lord, deliver him.

By your holy Incarnation, by your Cross and Passion, by
your precious Death and Burial,
Good Lord, deliver him.

By your glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the
Coming of the Holy Spirit,
Good Lord, deliver him.

We sinners beseech you to hear us, Lord Christ: That it may
please you to deliver the soul of your servant from the power
of evil, and from eternal death,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you mercifully to pardon all his sins,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to grant him a place of refreshment
and everlasting blessedness,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give him joy and gladness in your
kingdom, with your saints in light,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Jesus, Lamb of God:
Have mercy on him.

Jesus, bearer of our sins:
Have mercy on him.

Jesus, redeemer of the world:
Give him your peace.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Officiant and People 
 

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 tresspasses,
    as we forgive those
        who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

The Officiant says this Collect

Let us pray.

Deliver your servant, Gregory, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all
evil, and set him free from every bond; that he may rest with
all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the
Father and the Holy Spirit your live and reign, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.


A Commendation at the Time of Death

Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
    and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.





A Commendatory Prayer

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
servant Gregory. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of
your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.



The Book of Common Prayer, 1979

Jan 27, 2014

The viability of murder.


I hear a motorcyclist speeding down an empty road, way off in the distance. The noise is a nuisance to me. I string a thin wire across the road at neck height, tied to two phone poles, and leave. I didn't hurt anybody, because there was no one there to hurt. But I know that if the motorcyclist continues along the road, he will hit the wire and probably be decapitated.

When I first realized there was a motorcyclist coming, he was about eight miles away. When I ran my wire, he was about four or five miles away. I could hear him getting louder, but I certainly couldn't see him with the naked eye.

Did I commit murder, or did I simply string a wire across an empty road?

Viability and murder.