tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post2199967686834455754..comments2024-03-23T18:50:32.902-04:00Comments on Telling Secrets: Lessons and Hymns for July 4thElizabeth Kaetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-86475061953416060962021-06-04T10:40:22.783-04:002021-06-04T10:40:22.783-04:00Thanks for your work on this. I'm filling the...Thanks for your work on this. I'm filling the pulpit at a Baptist church this coming Fourth of July for which they also what me to design the worship. Having served churches in the U.S., Japan, and Thailand I have an inner struggle presenting patriotism in public worship. I remember when a college exchange student from France visited my church in Kansas she was absolutely shocked that our national flag was in the sanctuary. She asked many questions about this - as in how Americans could claim some type of ownership on God - and do we see being patriotic and Christian as connected somehow. She told me she had never seen a French flag in church back in France. My explanation was that having the flag present was a reminder to prayer for our nation (she accepted this). Anyway, I've been scrutinizing hymns looking for appropriate ones for Fourth of July which lift up God as opposed to lifting up praise of country. <br />PhilAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09563661714175543779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-45201040060123721632021-06-04T10:39:07.512-04:002021-06-04T10:39:07.512-04:00Thanks for your work on this. I'm filling the...Thanks for your work on this. I'm filling the pulpit at a Baptist church this coming Fourth of July for which they also what me to design the worship. Having served churches in the U.S., Japan, and Thailand I have an inner struggle presenting patriotism in public worship. I remember when a college exchange student from France visited my church in Kansas she was absolutely shocked that our national flag was in the sanctuary. She asked many questions about this - as in how Americans could claim some type of ownership on God - and do we see being patriotic and Christian as connected somehow. She told me she had never seen a French flag in church back in France. My explanation was that having the flag present was a reminder to prayer for our nation (she accepted this). Anyway, I've been scrutinizing hymns looking for appropriate ones for Fourth of July which lift up God as opposed to lifting up praise of country. <br />Phil <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09563661714175543779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-64105665340027038462008-05-28T14:26:00.000-04:002008-05-28T14:26:00.000-04:00VTcrone,I have a lovely arraingment of Simple Gift...VTcrone,<BR/><BR/>I have a lovely arraingment of Simple Gifts I play on my dulcimers. Can you point me at your prefered lyrics?<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/><BR/>FWIW<BR/>jimB<BR/><BR/>Rev Elizabeth, I am guessing others might not know them.JimBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312606954135884910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-86409062330953702452008-05-28T00:50:00.000-04:002008-05-28T00:50:00.000-04:00Lovely service. May I make one suggestion that you...Lovely service. May I make one suggestion that you use the Hymn "Simple Gifts" but with Carol G. King's words?<BR/>(You don't have to post this.)VTcronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10741867296724712013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-82948201123065966712008-05-27T23:32:00.000-04:002008-05-27T23:32:00.000-04:00Yikes, I missed the Lord's Prayer in there. In fac...Yikes, I missed the Lord's Prayer in there. In fact, I missed the fact that it's part of a communion service. That's fine; although I think it would also work as a stand-alone liturgy.Paul Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04833212693999583069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-19241203698718628032008-05-27T23:08:00.000-04:002008-05-27T23:08:00.000-04:00Thanks Paul. Did you notice that this service DOE...Thanks Paul. Did you notice that this service DOES contain The Lord's Prayer? Somewhere in seminary, I learned that all Eucharistic services must have (1) the Gospel read (2) the Gospel proclaimed - i.e. preached (3) More than just the priest in attendance and (4) The Lord's Prayer said.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-75241275621973402352008-05-27T23:02:00.000-04:002008-05-27T23:02:00.000-04:00I really like it...a lot! I would change is I woul...I really like it...a lot! I would change is I would add one more lesson from the Bible. The OT lesson for July 4 in the lectionary (Deuteronmy 10:17-21)is fairly short, and its reference to loving strangers (foreigners)is something we need to be reminded of in the current anti-immigrant climate. My only remaining quibble is that imho all services of public worship in an Episcopal Church should include the Lord's Prayer.<BR/><BR/>Still and all, I think it's a beautiful liturgy that sets just the right tone.Paul Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04833212693999583069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-38497177942278376692008-05-27T22:13:00.000-04:002008-05-27T22:13:00.000-04:00I'm going to use this on Sunday, July 6th. The go...I'm going to use this on Sunday, July 6th. The gospel selection is the one appointed in the Common Lectionary for that Sunday. I know. Go figure.<BR/><BR/>I love the Abraham Lincoln quote. I'm saving it for another time.<BR/><BR/>Bill sent me a quote from Edward R. Murrow from the McCarthy era. I've got that one in my file, too.<BR/><BR/>And, Jim B - C'mon down. We've got a guest room in the rectory if you need a place to hang your hat.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-71399680282556725772008-05-27T20:56:00.000-04:002008-05-27T20:56:00.000-04:00Hmmm.... I may actually be nearby that week. If ...Hmmm.... I may actually be nearby that week. If I am, I will want to attend. Do you know yet when it will be celebrated?<BR/><BR/>It is a brilliant piece of work -- intense, appropriate, and focused. Mosel Tov!<BR/><BR/>FWIW<BR/>jimBJimBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312606954135884910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-23183568395667605712008-05-27T18:16:00.000-04:002008-05-27T18:16:00.000-04:00Elizabeth:This is lovely! It has become a quasi-t...Elizabeth:<BR/><BR/>This is lovely! It has become a quasi-tradition in our church that I preach the Sunday closest to July 4 and here's the comment I made last year about the language from the Declaration that you include:<BR/><BR/>These words from the Declaration of Independence had a new idea—that all men (and women) are created equal—that their rights come from God, not an earthly King—and that these rights prove themselves. We know, of course, that our ancestors did not always live up to these ideals. Nor do we today. Being human, they sinned and fell short. Women were not considered "equal" to men. Some men and women were so <I>unequal</I> that we treated them as mere property. We fell short and fall short. But the ideals remain, calling us to be better than ourselves, speaking to what Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature."<BR/><BR/>I think there was some surprise at hearing Abraham Lincoln quoted in middle Georgia!Paul Davisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773823407778121041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-19695206724343657962008-05-27T15:34:00.000-04:002008-05-27T15:34:00.000-04:00Hi Elizabeth,This is really excellent! I really l...Hi Elizabeth,<BR/><BR/>This is really excellent! I really like what you've selected and how you've structured it. The only thing I didn't "get" was your selection of the Gospel. Maybe I'm just slow this afternoon, but since there is so sermon each element has to speak for itself. How was it you chose that Gospel reading? It must be obvious to everyone but me!<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/><BR/>BobRFSJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15164772153139719659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-3612635433991113592008-05-27T14:43:00.000-04:002008-05-27T14:43:00.000-04:00Lizbeth, I am so glad you know my good friend Ern...Lizbeth, I am so glad you know my good friend Ernest, another righteous and forever salient matriculant of the Brattle St. school. I am not surprised at the power and importance of such a service. I will steal some of this for a Lutheran service for the same day. ThanksMuthah+https://www.blogger.com/profile/10589837671378205837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-83998370723908909252008-05-27T07:24:00.000-04:002008-05-27T07:24:00.000-04:00Just trying to book a flight now. See you there Fr...Just trying to book a flight now. See you there Fran.Doorman-Priesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06407399232593479871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-12129116315419584212008-05-26T22:05:00.000-04:002008-05-26T22:05:00.000-04:00Oh, Mimi, so much of our historical education has ...Oh, Mimi, so much of our historical education has been sadly neglected - and/or censored.<BR/><BR/>I am one of the biggest offenders - hence, the passion for this liturgy.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-30650371751671734812008-05-26T22:01:00.000-04:002008-05-26T22:01:00.000-04:00Elizabeth, I like your July 4th service. I like i...Elizabeth, I like your July 4th service. I like it quite a lot. If I had the power, I'd use it just as it is. I wouldn't change a thing. I especially like Abigail Adams words, which I had not known before. Oh, the gaps in my historical knowledge!June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-33646813215163380752008-05-26T20:04:00.000-04:002008-05-26T20:04:00.000-04:00Thanks, dearheart. I hope it helps those who stru...Thanks, dearheart. I hope it helps those who struggle with what it means to be 'patriotic' in these days when we are being asked to compromise our constitutional rights in fear of 'terrorism" and the 'threat to democracy".Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-26860907145589915352008-05-26T19:55:00.000-04:002008-05-26T19:55:00.000-04:00I just linked to this. I have a pretty eclectic re...I just linked to this. I have a pretty eclectic readership, many who do not follow any faith practice.<BR/><BR/>There are many, as you know, who tend to want to put all people of faith into a tight and conservative corner. Which makes sense as while you are busy working for peace and justice, John Hagee is spewing hate on the MSM. <BR/><BR/>So anyway, I put a link on a blog round up as I think people could learn a lot from this one visit to Telling Secrets.<BR/><BR/>FranIam has been a hotbed of discussion lately, with both those of faith and those not of faith entered into lively discussion.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-38170738169427398842008-05-26T19:50:00.000-04:002008-05-26T19:50:00.000-04:00I am awestruck Elizabeth. This is extraordinary an...I am awestruck Elizabeth. <BR/><BR/>This is extraordinary and if it were possible I would put myself in pew at your church on July 4th.<BR/><BR/>I thought of you and your post when I attended our Vigil on Saturday. The closing hymn was America the Beautiful.<BR/><BR/>Typically I mumble along, but on Saturday I just could not do it. With a prayer in my heart and thoughts of you, I stood silently and prayed and realized that I do care much more than I wish to admit what others might think of my actions.<BR/><BR/>That did not deter me. I stood in silence, as the priest and deacon processed out, the priest - a friend - looked at me and nodded ever so slightly.<BR/><BR/>Thank you as always and blessings to all.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.com