Today the Church remembers the first Book of Common Prayer which was compiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer. It was a work of genius. It was in the language of the people, not in Latin, so that those who worshiped could do so in their own language. In our day it is common place; however, at the time of the Reformation some 500 years ago, it was revolutionary. The Roman Catholic Church did not adopt this concept until Vatican II in the 1960s.
Some of the most recognizable phrases in the English language are from the first Book of Common Prayer, for example, the words from the marriage rite:
“Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. … Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
“Will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
We also have the words from Ash Wednesday: “remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”
The Book of Common Prayer made the liturgy accessible to all people.
Let us pray: Almighty and everliving God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer, with others, restored the language of the people in the prayers of your Church: Make us always thankful for this heritage; and help us so to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding, that we may worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sunday, 19 June is Father’s Day. Don’t forget Dad! We will have a special breakfast by Idell and Alicia for all of the dads at St. Augustine on Father’s Day. Let us pray for our fathers: Loving Father, we pray that our earthly fathers may imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. Amen.
Bishop’s Committee Meeting on Sunday, 26 June 2011 during the Fellowship hour.
Opportunities for Ministry: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS) and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Gladys, Pat, Cindi, Liz, Tom, all of the men and women of our armed forces serving at home and abroad, and all of those who are alone and shut in.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Some of the most recognizable phrases in the English language are from the first Book of Common Prayer, for example, the words from the marriage rite:
“Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. … Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
“Will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
We also have the words from Ash Wednesday: “remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”
The Book of Common Prayer made the liturgy accessible to all people.
Let us pray: Almighty and everliving God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer, with others, restored the language of the people in the prayers of your Church: Make us always thankful for this heritage; and help us so to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding, that we may worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sunday, 19 June is Father’s Day. Don’t forget Dad! We will have a special breakfast by Idell and Alicia for all of the dads at St. Augustine on Father’s Day. Let us pray for our fathers: Loving Father, we pray that our earthly fathers may imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. Amen.
Bishop’s Committee Meeting on Sunday, 26 June 2011 during the Fellowship hour.
Opportunities for Ministry: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS) and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Gladys, Pat, Cindi, Liz, Tom, all of the men and women of our armed forces serving at home and abroad, and all of those who are alone and shut in.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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