One Service THIS SUNDAY at 9am

Beginning THIS Sunday, July 5th, and through Sunday, August 9th, we will shifting to a summer schedule of one combined service at 9:00 am (indoors). This will not only allow our 8 o’clockers and 10 o’clockers a chance to see one another, it will give volunteers a well- deserved break before we jump back into the program year and normal service schedule (on August 16th).

Here's a way to think about why we have long fireworks displays on Independence Day: 



As anyone who has raised a teenager, tried to break off a bad relationship, or free themselves from an addictive behavior can tell you, separation -- even healthy separation -- does not come quickly or easily.  



In other words, independence is a long and explosive process.

We mark July 4, 1776 as the day we celebrate our Independence, because it's the date the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. We need to remember, though, that the Declaration of Independence didn't start the American Revolutionary War. As important as the Declaration of Independence was, it was only a document.

That sheet of paper, by itself, didn't bring independence to anyone.

That's why a couple of other dates are important.

One is April 19, 1775. That's the day (fifteen months earlier) that the Revolutionary War started, as the first shots were fired in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The other date is September 3, 1783. That's the date (eight years and five months after the bloodshed at Lexington and Concord) that the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the Revolutionary War.

In other words, by the time the Continental Congress declared our independence from Great Britain, we'd already been in armed conflict for over a year, and the fighting would continue for a total of almost eight and a half years.



The independence from Great Britain that the Revolutionary War achieved was a long and explosive process.

And so it is with other struggles for independence. Whether it's freedom from old habits/addictions/compulsions/attitudes, freedom from financial debt, freedom from "spiritual forces of wickedness," "evil powers that corrupt and destroy," "sinful desires that draw us from the love of God," or freedom from prejudice or a -ism, we don't just wake up one day, say "I'm free!, as if it were so. Rather, independence takes time: it requires sustained, determined opposition, because whatever it is that has a hold on us is not likely to let go easily or quickly. 

Which brings me to another point: as much as we revere the idea of "independence," there's really no such thing.

That's right, there's really no such thing as total independence: it's more accurate to say there is independence FROM something (or someone) as we become more dependent or interdependent on something (or someone) else. 

In that sense, "Independence Day" should be called "Independence From Great Britain Day," because in order to achieve independence from Great Britain, early American colonists had to become more dependent on one another. (Not to mention more dependent on France!)

The point is, no human being is truly totally independent.

And that's not just a religious or spiritual claim: a quick study of the process of photosynthesis proves we are dependent on a plants (which are dependent on a pigment called chlorophyll) for every breath we take.

And no human organization is truly independent. We are all dependent or inter-dependent, to some degree, on God, nature, and one another. That's true of businesses, schools, churches, athletic teams, and nation-states. No one is truly totally independent. There's no better metaphor for this than Paul's in 1st Corinthians 12:12-29, when he says each of us is an interdependent member of a body.

So, as you watch fireworks this Fourth of July, think of the long, slow, explosive process of independence our founders fought for, and as you give thanks for that and them, I invite you to also have deeper appreciation and gratitude for the reality of our interdependence.  

Noah's Ark News

There are 24 puppies at the Petersburg animal shelter whose bellies are full this week thanks to a donation of 10 cases of canned dog food from Fin & Feather here in Ashland. And, 10 large bags of dry dog food donated by RedRidge Pet Market will be distributed to Petersburg residents who come to the shelter in the next few weeks in search of food for their family pets. 

Gratitude

Thank you to all our incredible volunteers who make our property look fantastic! We are deeply grateful for your care.

Parish Retreat

Join us for our Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont the weekend of October 16–18!

Please plan to join us this fall! We ask that all sign-ups be completed by August 15. There is a brochure you can pick up in the hallway to sign up or you can click below, and you can pay here.

Library Update

Have you looked in the library lately? If so, you've surely noticed 3 beautiful photographs taken by our dear Susan Hubbard. They capture the glorious beauty of Shrine Mont, location of our annual parish retreat. Thank you, Susan!

Prayers of the People

Lord God, encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s children. We lift up Sean, our Presiding Bishop, Mark, Gail & Bud, our Bishops, and John, our Priest in Charge. May they be strengthened and encouraged as they work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Abigail, our Governor, and Steve, our Mayor, and all our elected officials. Guide them to lead us to the common good. 

We pray for members of our community, friends and loved ones who are ill, especially, Gus, Erin, Meghann, Haden, Hilda, the Smith family, Mary Lou, Alicia, Steve, Margaret, Patty, Jennifer, Susan, Mike, Melissa, Amy, Martin, Cara, Sharon, Michael, Addison, Pam, Kelly, Jack, Dale, Mark, Laura, Michael, Paul, Betty, & George. 

We pray for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. We ask your prayers for those serving in the diplomatic corps, the military, and as missionaries: Larson, Greg, Matthew, James, Ellie, Andrew, Katherine and Duke. 

We pray for those who have died. We ask your prayers for those who grieve their missing loved ones. Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.