A Prayer for Our Nation

(Adapted from the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps Book of Prayers)

God of our weary and silent tears, you have brought us this far on our way. We give you thanks for life, health, and strength. We thank you for giving us this land and our heritage. Forgive us for the times we’ve thought only of ourselves and transgressed against ourselves, neighbors, and you. Have mercy upon us. Bless the leadership of our nation at every level. Grant them the wisdom and courage to move our nation in a manner that will result in a productive economy, sound learning, and a sensitive response to the needs of the populace. Grant us the wisdom and courage to always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Help us to rise above the human tendencies that oppress us and encourage oppression of others. Empower us to truly become “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

In your name we pray. Amen.

Worship this Sunday:

Summer Sermon Series & July 4th Liturgy

On Sunday we began a seven-week sermon series centered on the seven graces (temperance, justice, prudence, courage, faith, hope, and love) outlined in the book Elusive Grace by Scott Black Johnston. Dr. Johnston is Senior Pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and wrote this book, in the midst of a vitriolic and polarized season, lifting up the virtues that are at the heart of our faith as Christians and at the heart of our civic responsibilities as citizens.

This Sunday's elusive virtue will be Justice. Honoring this virtue as well as Independence Day this week, our liturgy will include voices from influential American Christians including Rev. Andrew Young, civil rights leader; Sojourner Truth, abolitionist; William Sloane Coffin, Yale Divinity School chaplain and Riverside Church pastor; Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President; and John Witherspoon, "political parson" of the Revolutionary period.

Meals Needed for Okra Abbey

Okra Abbey is seeking volunteers to prepare lunches for their Grace & Greens ministry, a free community meal held every Wednesday at 12 p.m. Learn more at okraabbey.com. Lunches are needed on August 6, August 13, and September 3. A full meal consists of 40 servings of lunch and dessert and a case of bottled water. Lunches can be delivered to the Abbey (corner of Hickory and Eagle Streets) between 11:30 and 11:45. Volunteers can drop off the lunches or stay and serve. Plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, and serving utensils are already provided. To sign up, please email dan@pbysouthla.org. Your kindness nourishes both body and spirit!

Program of Hope

Program of Hope is a homeless ministry at First Presbyterian Church staffed by volunteers from many churches in greater New Orleans. Pictured here are Program Director Diane Kleinfeldt and her husband Henry, Lydia Pollard and Rev. Kathy Creighton of First Presbyterian Church where the program meets every Wednesday morning for a time of coffee, worship, sack lunches, toiletries, clothing, and Jazzy Bus passes.

New Arrival

Congratulations are extended to Leighton and Rob Riess on the birth of their son, Michael Robert “Carson” Riess III, who was born on June 17. He is the grandson of Aimée and Michael Bell.

Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Parke Ellis and his family on the death of his mother, Joan Inman, who passed away on Sunday, June 29. A service will be held Monday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with visitation at 10:00 in the Bloomfield Room.