Independence Day

The Collect:

Rite I:
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, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rite II:
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.

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 10:17-21

¹⁷For 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, ¹⁸who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. ¹⁹You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. ²⁰You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. ²¹He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.

Psalm: Psalm 145 or 145:1-9

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.]

Epistle: Hebrews 11:8-16

⁸By 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. ⁹By 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. ¹⁰For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹By 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. ¹²Therefore 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.” ¹³All 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, ¹⁴for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶But 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.

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so 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. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Note: The Psalm and Lessons “For the Nation,” page 930 BCP, may be used instead.

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