Church of the Holy Spirit 2871 Barndt Road, PO Box 575 Harleysville, PA 19438 Sunday, July 5, 2020 10:15 AM Independence Day Holy Eucharist Welcome to Church of the Holy Spirit, an Episcopal Church in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of Life. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which is the third largest group of Christians in the world. We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection gave hope and new life to the world. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and demonstrate God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. We believe that God loves you – no exceptions. Today we celebrate Independence Day with prayers and Scripture readings appointed for this day. We also take the opportunity to hear significant voices from the past that speak of the hopes and promises, fulfilled and unfulfilled, that characterize our still young country. These excerpts represent the issues and passions of the time during which they were written or spoken and also how we continue to wrestle with concepts such as liberty, freedom, equality, justice, and environmental stewardship. We continue to discern what it means to be a Christian who is also a citizen of the United States. George Washington, the first President of the United States, called his troops to religious observation with these words: “While we are zealously performing the duties of good Citizens and soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of Religion—To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian.“ (May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge). Prelude America the Beautiful arr. Marianne Kim Tom Sheehan, Organist, Washington National Cathedral Welcome Liturgy of the Word Words that are in bold letters are to be said by all. Celebrant Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity. People And blessed by God’s reign, now and forever. Amen. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn of Praise 380 From All that Dwell Below the Skies, vs. 3 Old 100th 2 Collect of the Day Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. 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. First Reading Deuteronomy 10:17-21 Read by Hannah Rice A Reading from the book of Deuteronomy. The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of Lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen. Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God. Psalm 145 Read by Kathy, Marc, and Caitlin Andonian 1 I will exalt you, O God my King, * And bless your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless you * And praise your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; * There is no end to his greatness. 4 One generation shall praise your works to another * And shall declare your power. 5 I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty * And all your marvelous works. 6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, * And I will tell of your greatness. 3 7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; * They shall sing of your righteous deeds. 8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, * Slow to anger and of great kindness. 9 The Lord is loving to everyone * And his compassion is over all his works. Holy Gospel Matthew 5:43-48, 11:16-19, 25-30 Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus said, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Reflection The Very Rev. Kathryn Andonian 4 Readings and Hymns A reading from a letter of John Adams to his wife, Abigail Adams. Read by Randy Konrad. John Adams was an American politician and political philosopher and the second President of the United States, after being the first Vice President of the United States for two terms. He was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. He came to prominence in the early stages of the American Revolution. As a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence, and assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. As a representative of Congress in Europe, he was a major negotiator of the eventual peace treaty with Great Britain, and chiefly responsible for obtaining important loans from European countries that helped to finance the Revolutionary War and the creation of the United States of America. (This day) will be the most memorable event in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports…Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. A reading from the letters of Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams Read by Ruth Konrad. Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth. She was the first Second Lady of the United States, and the second First Lady of the United States. Abigail Adams is remembered for the many letters she wrote to her husband while he stayed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Continental Congresses.