Third Sunday after Trinity

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Four hundred years ago on this Sunday, the first communion service in Virgina was held at Jamestown, led by the Rev. Robert Hunt, in a makeshift church consisting of a sail suspended from the trees, a communion rail log attached to two saplings, and logs for benches.





I mentioned earlier that we've recently joined a chuch that uses the 1928 Prayer Book. Holy Redeemer is a member of the Anglican Church of Virginia, which has held a communion service at the church on Jamestown Island on the Saturday before 3rd Trinity every year since since its inception in 2001. Our bishop has been instrumental in bringing together other traditional Anglican bishops and their churches, and this year at Jamestown we hosted the first synod of the Anglican Church International Communion. The service yesterday was an especially big deal because we also consecrated a new bishop.

The celebration began with a procession to the church led by the St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums Legion.

All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:5-11

The Epistle for this Sunday was especially meaningful, as the new bishop is from India where there is a lot of persecution of Christians. Church buildings are often destroyed and on Sunday mornings, the congregation gathers with the women and children nearest the altar, and with the men nearest the door, a row of them standing shoulder-to-shoulder and facing the door, so that they might protect the congregation if they are attacked during a service.

During the service, the Scriptures were read in French and Spanish as well as English. Mike and six of the children sang the Gloria in Latin at the end of the service, just before the recessional. My mother asked me to record them singing and I meant to, but I plumb forgot when the time came, which is a shame, because the acoustics in that building are outstanding.



After the service the St. Andrew's Legion regaled us with song and dance.





It was a long day (we didn't get home till after midnight) but I'm so glad we were able to attend. I only wish I'd been able to attend the Synod meetings during the week so I could have spent more time with the godly men and their wives with whom the Lord has blessed us.

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Other shots from the day:



Baby Princess and Pocahontas.





The young man in the white shirt is my oldest son - this was taken after the service while the pipes and drums were playing.





One of the bishops from India and his family.





All of us with about half the bishops in attendance. We had bishops from across the US as well as from India, Haiti, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.