Our first week as St. Bartholomew’s has gone off with a bang. There were even fireworks last night! Last Sunday July 1, we marked our first Sunday as St. Bartholomew’s. If you were there for church you saw new signs, a new bulletin, and experienced the beginning of a new season as a new people. I’m full of expectation at what God will do in us in this new season.

I hope you were able to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family. I’m always quick to forget all God has provided for us in our nation. We have been blessed so greatly! And, as a country, we find ourselves at a particularly difficult moment politically and socially. In these days following July 4th, pray for our nation. God has given his Church a priestly vocation of intercession - we exercise this each Sunday in the prayers of the people. Join me in praying the Collects below for our nation.

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.

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.

- Jay+