Geoffrey Anketel Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929) Episcopal priest, poet and chaplain on the Western Front in World War 1.

                                              GA Studdert Kennedy’s Collect 

Glorious God, 

we give thanks not merely for high and holy things, but for the common things of earth which you have created.. 

Wake us to 

love and work, 

that Jesus, the Lord 

of life, may set our hearts ablaze...   

 The Soldiers gave him the nickname Woodbine Willie because he handed out Woodbine cigarettes.

Not here for high and holy things

we render thanks to thee,

but for the common things of earth,

the purple pageantry

of dawning and of dying days,

the splendor of the sea,

the royal robes of autumn moors,

the golden gates of spring,

the velvet of soft summer nights,

the silver glistering

of all the million million stars,

the silent song they sing,

of faith and hope and love undimmed,

undying still through death,

the resurrection of the world,

what time there comes the breath

of dawn that rustles through the trees,

and that clear voice that saith:

Awake, awake to love and work!

The lark is in the sky,

the fields are wet with diamond dew,

the worlds awake to cry

their blessings on the Lord of life,

as he goes meekly by.

Come, let thy voice be one with theirs,

shout with their shout of praise;

see how the giant sun soars up,

great lord of years and days!

So let the love of Jesus come

and set thy soul ablaze,

to give and give, and give again,

what God hath given thee;

to spend thyself nor count the cost;

to serve right gloriously

the God who gave all worlds that are,

and all that are to be.

Words: Geoffrey Anketel Studdert-Kennedy

Hymn #9 in the Episcopal Hymnal 

one of my favorite hymns 

Pray for peace and for the ministry of chaplains 
throughout the years.