Today the Episcopal Church remembers a poet and priest, George Herbert. He was born on 3 April 1593 into an aristocratic family. George received a good education that led to his holding prominent positions at Cambridge University and Parliament. When he was a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, George excelled in languages and music. Although he went to college with the intention of becoming a priest, his scholarship attracted the attention of King James. George served in parliament for two years, and after the death of King James, George gave up his secular ambitions and in 1630 was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church. He spent the rest of his life faithfully as a rector of the little parish of St. Peter in Fugglestone, and St. Andrew in Bemerton. He was noted for unfailing care for his parishioners, bringing the sacraments to them when they were ill, and providing food and clothing when they were in need.
George is known for his poetry, so you may remember him from your days in high school. Throughout his life, he wrote religious poems. Charles Cotton described him as a “soul composed of harmonies”. George wrote in a letter to Nicholas Ferrar that his poems were “a picture of spiritual conflicts between God and my soul before I could subject my will to Jesus, my Master”. Some of Herbert’s poems have endured as hymns, including “King of Glory, King of Peace”, “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” and “Teach me, my God and King”. His first biographer, Izaak Walton, described Herbert on his death-bed as composing such hymns and anthems as he and the angels now sing in heaven.
He died at the age of 39 in his parish.
Let us pray: Our God and King, who called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls, a poet, and a priest in your temple: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to perform the tasks you give us to do, knowing that nothing is menial or common that is done for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thank you to everyone for lifting the Makowski family up in prayer during this time of my Dad’s death. Your loving presence was certainly felt by all of us over these last 2 weeks.
Thank you to everyone who made the Sacred Places Tour such a success. We have a few hundred people visit St. Augustine in spite of the rainy weather! We even had a few extra visitors on Sunday! Many commented on how welcome they felt simply crossing the threshold of the Church, and after they met everyone, they commented on what a loving place St. Augustine’s is.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
George is known for his poetry, so you may remember him from your days in high school. Throughout his life, he wrote religious poems. Charles Cotton described him as a “soul composed of harmonies”. George wrote in a letter to Nicholas Ferrar that his poems were “a picture of spiritual conflicts between God and my soul before I could subject my will to Jesus, my Master”. Some of Herbert’s poems have endured as hymns, including “King of Glory, King of Peace”, “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” and “Teach me, my God and King”. His first biographer, Izaak Walton, described Herbert on his death-bed as composing such hymns and anthems as he and the angels now sing in heaven.
He died at the age of 39 in his parish.
Let us pray: Our God and King, who called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls, a poet, and a priest in your temple: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to perform the tasks you give us to do, knowing that nothing is menial or common that is done for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thank you to everyone for lifting the Makowski family up in prayer during this time of my Dad’s death. Your loving presence was certainly felt by all of us over these last 2 weeks.
Thank you to everyone who made the Sacred Places Tour such a success. We have a few hundred people visit St. Augustine in spite of the rainy weather! We even had a few extra visitors on Sunday! Many commented on how welcome they felt simply crossing the threshold of the Church, and after they met everyone, they commented on what a loving place St. Augustine’s is.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
The Joint Lenten Series with Grace begins on Wednesday, 29 February with Stations of the Cross and Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. followed by a light meal and a program by Tony Campolo:
Week I (Grace): Abundant Life, What Is It?
Week II (St. Augustine): Money: How Poor Does Jesus Want Us To Be?
Week III (Grace): Time: How Much Do I Have to Give Away?
Week IV (St. Augustine): Stuff: How Much Can I Have?
Week V (Grace): Support: What Will Help?
Week VI (St. Augustine): Next: What Will I Do Come Monday Morning?
Please join us.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Week I (Grace): Abundant Life, What Is It?
Week II (St. Augustine): Money: How Poor Does Jesus Want Us To Be?
Week III (Grace): Time: How Much Do I Have to Give Away?
Week IV (St. Augustine): Stuff: How Much Can I Have?
Week V (Grace): Support: What Will Help?
Week VI (St. Augustine): Next: What Will I Do Come Monday Morning?
Please join us.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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