National holidays, like Independence Day, are not part of the Christian liturgical calendar. The Christian calendar embraces a much wider community than the United States and concerns itself with those people and places.
In our lectionary cycle, there are readings for each Sunday. In addition there are "Lesser Festivals": these are festivals of various saints and martyrs of the church and other occasions like Reformation Day. Then there are "Commemorations:" these are occasions when local congregations or communities would want to commemorate saints or missionaries or pastors other than the big ones observed throughout the church. Finally there are what are called "Occasions:" there are readings and prayers written for various occasions like the dedication of a church building or a national holiday. I invite you to pray today the Prayer of the Day for National Holidays.
Lord of all the world, guide this nation by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give to all our people the blessings of well-being and harmony, but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This message is part of the ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. See our website for more information and calendar. If you wish to no longer receive these messages, please reply and ask to be removed. Remember to join us for worship this weekend: Saturday at 5 pm or Sunday at 9 am. Also, cheer on (or join) the All Saints float in the Palatine Independence Day Parade on Saturday morning.
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