Lord God Almighty,
in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us,
and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn:
Grant that we and all the people of this land
may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Collect for Independence Day

Independence Day

Years ago I used to listen to a radio broadcast in which the Rev. Dr. David Webber taught about the scriptures. He began his broadcast every day with the words written above: God is on the throne and prayer changes things.

This saying comes to mind often, particularly in those times that are challenging. God has not moved from God’s place in the universe; our intercessions make a difference, and in that light, no matter how difficult things seem, all is right with the world.

We are about to celebrate our Nation’s anniversary once again, in a year that has been characterized by bad news, from natural disasters, to salmonella outbreaks, to talk of recession. For some, the economic times are very difficult indeed.

Yet each day we have an opportunity, even as we celebrate America’s Independence to proclaim ourselves as Dependent upon God and God’s grace. For we are never alone in our struggles. Our God promises to be with us and came to earth through his Son Jesus in order to dwell among us in a new way. We have the promise that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.

No matter what challenges we face, let us remember that God is faithful, and immovable, and that God answers our prayers.

Our fathers' God and ours,
on the birthday of national independence we confess our dependence upon Thee.
Without Thee we are lost in spite of the overwhelming might of our national arms.
We thank Thee for those pilgrims of faith who came hither in their frail barque
across mountainous seas and who stepped upon strange shores
with the salutation to a new world, "In the Name of God. Amen."
The Nation here established,
conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal
has acknowledged that Name above every name and reverenced it,
has built its altars, reared its temples, and raised its steeples,
emblems of a faith that points to the skies and wings its sure and certain way to God.
Make that faith of the fathers, we pray, real to us in these tempestuous days.
Save us from a freedom of speech so empty that we have nothing worth saying,
from a freedom of worship so futile that we have no God to adore,
from freedom from want and fear with no creative idea as to how to use our plenty
or our security for the redemption of our social order
and for the salvation of our own souls.
Let all that is low and unworthy in us sink to the depths.
Let all that is high and fine in us rise to greet the morn of a new day
confident that the best is yet to be. Amen.
(Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 78th Congress, first session, 89/5, July 5, 1943)

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

This Week at St. James:

Friday: July 4 Holiday - Church Office closed.
Sunday: Liturgies at 8:00 and 10:15
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist.

There will be no Pax et Bonum next week. I will be working at Claggett as chaplain for the children’s camp. Please keep me in your prayers. LP

Prayers Etc.

Freedom consists not in doing what we like,
but in having the right to do what we ought.
---Pope John Paul II ---

For those on our prayer list:
David; Arabella; Brittany; Owen; Jennifer D.; Rob C.
Jason; Larry; Donna and Jim; Betsy; Mary S.
Mimi and Poppa B.; Todd; Vicki T.; Sherry; Ray W.
Cathy A. Charles R.; Dolores; Alexa; Joe O.
Richard D.; William; The Bergen Family; The Rekoski Family
Charlie B.; Gracie; Eve; Read

For those who are deployed and their families.

Father, help me to be sensitive to what is happening
to people around me.
I know there are unmet needs beneath the surface
of the most successful and self-assured.
I know that today I will meet some
Who are enduring hidden
Physical or emotional pain,
Others who are fearful of an uncertain future,
And still others who carry burdens of worry
For families and friends.
May I take no one for granted,
But instead, be a ready communicator
Of your love and encouragement.
Make me aware of these concerns of others,
Available to express your care,
And articulate your hope.
---Lloyd John Ogilvie---

In Closing:

May the love of the Lord Jesus
Draw us to himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus
Strengthen us in his service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus
Fill our souls.
---Archbishop William Temple---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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