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Posted on 07/03/2007 5:56:27 PM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman
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Happy 4Th to you and yours.
Good Evening Mayor.
Thank you for your daily lessons.
Happy Independence Day.
God bless you all!!
Thank your son for being one of our military heroes!...and
a good-looking one at that! Thanks be to God that he returned
safely!
Thank you for being a military mom!
Beautiful table and great tune.
Have a fun, safe trip, Star!
Happy 4th! (((hugs)))
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/2B765A8BF4DE3B428525730D007E82E9?opendocument
U.S. throws birthday party, over 300 million people invited
July 3, 2007; Submitted on: 07/03/2007 07:01:50 PM ; Story ID#: 20077319150
By Cpl. R. Drew Hendricks, Marine Forces Pacific
MARINE CORPS BASE, CAMP H M SMITH, Hawaii (July 3, 2007) —
There are many holidays throughout the year celebrating the individual beliefs, heritage and traditions of the people of the United States.
However, there is one holiday on the calendar that celebrates the U.S. in its entirety.
For every citizen of the U.S., Independence Day is a day of remembrance, not just for the inception of one document or even one singular event, but for every moment in this country’s young history.
The Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate the shared memories and experiences of 231 years of growth, from 13 independent colonies to 50 unified states.
While the meaning behind the date may be concrete, the date itself, however iconic it may be, is considered by many to be a bit arbitrary.
Before July 4, 1776 many New Englanders were fighting the British, some as early as April 1775. It wasn’t even until June 4, 1776 that the Continental Congress secretly made the first motion for independence. Nearly a month later on July 2, 1776 the congress voted unanimously for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
What made the fourth so special was the fact that the twelve colonies voted on, adopted and released a copy of the Declaration of Independence signed by only one member of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, who was the congress president at the time.
According to historians, this is why the fourth was selected as the official birth date of the U.S.
The first, yet unofficial, celebration of Independence Day was held July 8, 1776 by the people of Philadelphia with bonfires and public readings of the declaration.
The first official celebration took place July 4, 1777, again in Philadelphia. This time the celebration was much more elaborate with a 13-gun-salute, an official feast for the Continental Congress, parades, parties, speeches and festive red, white and blue decorations adorning houses and ships.
General George Washington celebrated the holiday by giving his soldiers a double ration of rum and ordering artillery salutes.
The Fourth of July, which became known as Independence Day in 1791, would continue to be celebrated throughout the years even though it was not made an official unpaid federal holiday until 1870. It became a paid holiday in 1941.
Decades later the meaning of the celebration remains unchanged. While the methods of celebration vary from region-to-region and person-to-person there are a few standards.
The most recognizable is fireworks. Fireworks shows are held in nearly every state and are said to be a symbol of the United State’s military struggle over the British during the Revolutionary War.
The second most recognizable festivity is the “All American” barbecue and picnic. Of course, the foods eaten at these events will vary from table to table, showcasing another aspect unique to America, its diversity.
This Independence Day, the citizens of the U.S. will continue the 231-year-old tradition of celebrating the birth of their country.
Whether their families have a history dating back to the very beginning, or they achieved their citizenship on July 3, 2007, they are invited to this country’s birthday party.
Amen, Raffus!
We can’t give them enough thanks for what they go
through for us!
Happy Independence Day to you too, Mrs.N! *HUG*
Evening Monk.
Great still of the movie THE PATRIOT.One of my all time favorites.
Happy Independence Day.
HAPPY B-DAY AMERICA! 8)
Happy Independence Day! You can click on the pic to see the movie trailer.
Thank you for posting the beautiful graphic.
Happy 4TH.
Awesome graphic.
I love it.
Collect of the 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.
First Lesson
Deuteronomy 10:17-21
For 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 with 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.
Epistle Lesson
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 Holy Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour 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.
The Proper Preface
Preface of the Holy Trinity
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and every- where to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For with your co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit,
you are one God, one Lord,
in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being;
and we celebrate the one and equal glory of you,
O Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven,
who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord; God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
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