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July 4 – St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
Independence Day USA (1776)
Invitation to Worship
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will declare your praise.
MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of our God that filled the earth with food;
Who formed the creatures with a word and then pronounced them good.
God, how your wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye:
If I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the sky!
There’s not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from your throne;
While all that borrows life from thee Is ever in your care,
And everywhere that we can be, You, God are present there.
PSALMODY
Antiphon/Refrain
I will call my Israel back to the desert and there I will speak to her heart;
she will remember me and know me as her Love.
In the desert, the voice can be heard:
Prepare now the way for Adonai!
make straight in the wasteland a highway
for salvation surely comes from our God.
The desert and parched land exult;
the wasteland will bloom and rejoice;
All who return will know
that Adonai is a God full of Love.
As the heavens are high above the earth,
so strong is God’s love for this people;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does God remove all our guilt.
READING Hosea 2:16
Thus says ADONAI:
I will allure ISRAEL; I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart. She shall respond there as in the days of her youth,
when she came up from the land of Egypt.
Silent Prayer
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Blest be the God of Israel who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us: a Branch for David’s tree.
So have the prophets long declared that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies and all who wish us harm.
With promised mercy will God still the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness to serve God all our days.
My child, as prophet of the Lord you will prepare the way,
to tell God’s people they are saved from sin’s eternal sway.
Then shall God’s mercy from on high shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death and lead us into peace.
Paraphrase: Carl P. Daw, Jr. Tune: FOREST GREEN
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
In you, Adonai, is the Source of Life,
~In your Light we shall see light.
Send forth your light and your truth
~Let these be our guide.
Fill us each morning with your constant love,
~That we may sing and be glad all our life.
Let us see your wonderful works,
~May your children see your glorious might.
Gracious God, may your blessing be upon us;
~And grant us success in all we do.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created;
~ And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Gracious God of justice and peace, as our nation celebrates this Independence Day, remind us of our complete dependence upon you. Keep this nation, and all nations, under your care, that we may be peoples who are at peace, and who are a blessing to others with whom we share this earth.
Grant the leaders of this and every nation the wisdom that leads our world to peace with liberty and justice for all; Keep safe all who serve in the Armed Forces and bless them with courage in the face of evil and compassion for their enemies; Touch the hearts of all who love their own country, with deep respect for the rights, customs and beliefs of others. Lead all of us and all the species with whom we share this beautiful planet to freedom, flourishing and the fullness of life. Amen.
May the God of light and love bless our days and our deeds with peace.. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~And give thanks to God.