De-cluttering from noise and creating times for Holy Silence.

Good Evening Dear Family of Love!

Happy Independence Day to all in the United States. I wish you all a blessed and introspective 4th of July. The fireworks have been going off since this morning and beyond. They are way too loud and most definitely not to my liking or the animals in the neighborhood. That is the noise report. For someone who has de-cluttered my life from noise and TV viewing these intrusions are certainly a bad fit for a person practicing new-monasticism. Holy Silence is where it is at for me mostly especially when I designate times for it. How do you de-clutter from noise? This is your meditation amidst the fireworks tonight and this week. This year I won't be doing a reflection on Independence Day however our lessons will be from the lectionary featuring them. Tomorrow I will do a reflection as an afterward. Lots to ponder and pray about. 



Let us enter Holy Silence and be at prayer.

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together
with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19

Collect for Independence Day

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.

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.]


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.

A Song of the Wilderness
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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.

The Song of Mary Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *

for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your name.

You have mercy on those who fear you *

from generation to generation.

You have shown strength with your arm *

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones *

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things *

and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *

for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

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.”

A Song of the Spirit

Revelation 22:12-17

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,

“and bringing my reward with me, *

to give to everyone according to their deeds.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *

the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,

that they may have the right to the tree of life, *

and may enter the city through the gates.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *

with this testimony for all the churches.

“I am the root and the offspring of David, *

I am the bright morning star.”

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *

“Come!” let each hearer reply!

Come forward, you who are thirsty, *

let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.

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Or these for The Nation

Collect for the Nation

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.

Psalm 47

1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; *

shout to God with a cry of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; *

he is the great King over all the earth.

3 He subdues the peoples under us, *

and the nations under our feet.

4 He chooses our inheritance for us, *

the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

5 God has gone up with a shout, *

the Lord with the sound of the ram’s-horn.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; *

sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7 For God is King of all the earth; *

sing praises with all your skill.

8 God reigns over the nations; *

God sits upon his holy throne.

9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together *

with the people of the God of Abraham.

10 The rulers of the earth belong to God, *

and he is highly exalted.

Isaiah 26:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Judah’s Song of Victory

26 On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

    he sets up victory

    like walls and bulwarks.

2 Open the gates,

    so that the righteous nation that keeps faith

    may enter in.

3 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—

    in peace because they trust in you.

4 Trust in the Lord forever,

    for in the Lord God[a]

    you have an everlasting rock.

5 For he has brought low

    the inhabitants of the height;

    the lofty city he lays low.

He lays it low to the ground,

    casts it to the dust.

6 The foot tramples it,

    the feet of the poor,

    the steps of the needy.

7 The way of the righteous is level;

    O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous.

8 In the path of your judgments,

    O Lord, we wait for you;

your name and your renown

    are the soul’s desire.

Romans 13:1-10

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Mark 12:13-17

Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

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For whom and what shall we pray.

We pray for for peace and tranquility in this nation and  the world.

We pray for all our citizenry who are on the margins of society and who are neglected and oppressed.

We pray for all our troops who are serving at home and abroad for their safety and for their families who miss them.

We pray for all who cannot tolerate loud noises and especially the fireworks.  Remembering the veterans and all the animals. 

We pray for all who are homeless, hungry, ill-clad and financially indigent. 

We pray for conservation of God's Cathedral of life.

We pray for leaders who will take and live out their oaths of office seriously, reverently, humbly, and remember who they are serving. 

We pray for all who are keeping our cities safe tonight remembering the Police, Fire, EMTs, and ER personnel. We also pray for mortuary and hospice workers.

We pray for an end to all forms of violence in words and deeds. 

We pray that peace may prevail upon earth. 

For whom and what shall we pray and give thanks__o______________.

We lift these our prayers in the name of God our Creator, Jesus our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate and Guide. Amen.

or these

Let us pray and take time to reflect upon this day and remember all of our forefathers and foremothers who made our country what it is today.

Dear God you created this world so that we might be interdependent upon and with each other, help us to remember that we are called to be family members and we aren't let off the hook by deciding who gets in or who is left out. God you tell us that we must remember the least of these. Help us to do just that in our every day living.

God we pray for peace, justice, and human rights throughout the world that you have made and that all of our family members may live where there is no war,abuse, persecution of any kind, injustice, and inequality.

We pray this day for all who are ill and awaiting news of diagnosis. We remember especially those who are hospitalized and in long term care facilities during holiday weekends.

We pray for all pets who are ill and pet owners who are caring for their animal family members. 

We pray for all those who are lonely during holiday time that they may find comfort and that we may reach out our arms of love and compassion to them. We remember especially the homeless, the hungry, the unemployed, and all those suffering from mental illness of any kind.

We pray this night for all who are out and about and for their safety and alertness as they drive. We pray also that their vehicles may be free of things that distract then,

We give thanks to you O God for this our country and for the liberties that we enjoy. Help us never to take the gifts of liberty, justice, human and civil rights for granted and that we may continually reminded of these necessary things that make us free. Help us also to fight for the rights of those who have none and be willing to speak truth to power. May we continue to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you O, God.

We pray especially for this day remembering all who have asked us to pray for them. We now name these our family members before you_________________. We pray for the healing of body, mind, and spirit and what ever else may be happening with them.

Gracious God we thank you for our many blessings remembering especially___________________

We ask these our prayers in Jesus, Most Holy Name.

Or these

For the Nation

Almighty God, giver of all good things:

We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land.They restore us, though we often destroy them.

Heal us.

We thank you for the great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them.

Forgive us.

We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them.

Inspire us.

We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light.

Enlighten us.

We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again.

Renew us.

Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name. Amen.

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

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Good Night All! I hope everyone will be able to find rest after the fireworks. Take time for silence when you can. I love you and give thanks for you this night and always. We will return to our vigils tomorrow. 

Post July 4th de-cluttering suggestion: Clean up the firework residue prior to your pets and elderly going outside. 

With love and peace,

Sara

Resources:

Various Occasions

Enriching Our Worship

Book of Common Prayer

Lectionary Page

Satucket Lectionary.

Walk With Me On Our Journey