Thanks to the crew that helped get our 4th of July Decorations up, Clint, Cindy, Mark and Padraig's crew!

Shelter Island 250th Parade

July 4th, 10:00am

The Gathering Place, (Lineup), for the Island's Fourth of July Parade will be at 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM on Bateman. You should arrive there by 9:30 AM,

They are going to chalk the organization lineup spots on the pavement. Look for St. Mary's Banner. There should be enough St Mary's hats for all the marchers and some red, white, and blue bandanas, wrist bands, suspenders, fanny packs and sunglasses for those who'd like them

The liturgical observance of Independence Day in the United States has an intriguing history. Proper psalms, lessons, and prayers for this national celebration first appeared in the Proposed Book of Common Prayer of 1786 but were removed by the General Convention of 1789 at Christ Church, Philadelphia, at the urging of Bishop William White. Though a supporter of the Revolution, (and the chaplain of the Constitutional Convention held down the street at Independence Hall), White considered it inappropriate to require clergy—many of whom had remained loyal to the British crown—to use a service that implied repentance for their loyalty. He later wrote that such an observance “would have subjected them to ridicule and censure.” It was not until the new 1928 revision of the Book of Common Prayer, however, the commemoration was restored, recognizing both the nation’s independence and the ongoing need to seek God’s guidance in preserving liberty and justice. The feast invites gratitude for the blessings of freedom and a renewed commitment to righteousness and peace. While Independence Day rightly celebrates national freedom, the Church also prays more broadly for the well-being and unity of all people within the nation. The Collect for the Nation, appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, reminds the faithful that liberty finds its truest expression in justice, mercy, and mutual care. It calls the Church to intercede for those who govern and for citizens alike—that all may seek the common good under God’s providence.

America Norman Rockwell

This Sunday's Readings and Study Aids

The Collect

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 10:17-21

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.

The Response

Psalm 145 or 145:1-9

Exaltabo te, Deus

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.

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.

10 [All your works praise you, O Lord, *

and your faithful servants bless you.

11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *

and speak of your power;

12 That the peoples may know of your power *

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *

your dominion endures throughout all ages.

14 The Lord is faithful in all his words *

and merciful in all his deeds.

15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *

he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *

and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *

and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *

and loving in all his works.

19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *

to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *

he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *

but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *

let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.]

The Epistle

Hebrews 11:8-16

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-- and Sarah herself was barren-- because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them

A reflection on the Gospel

The Gospel

Matthew 5:43-48

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.”

• “So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snow capped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

• “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis

• “As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” – George Washington

• “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

• “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner

• “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln

• “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” – James Madison

Reconciliation Sculpture in the World War II ruins of Coventry Cathedral Josefina de Vasconcellos