New Summer Bible Study Starting 7:30 PM, Monday July 21

Father Bragg will offer a short five-session course on the Old Testament Book of Jonah beginning at 7:30 PM on Monday, 21 July in the church undercroft. It will be in a simple lecture and discussion format with each session lasting no more than ninety minutes.

Jonah is in many surprising respects unique among the books of the Bible, and Fr. Bragg very much looks forward to enjoying it with anyone who wants to attend. There's no textbook beyond the Bible itself, no homework, and no grading, just an opportunity to spend time with an often underappreciated portion of Scripture.

Thoughts for Independence Day
 
Text: Deuteronomy 10:17–21; Matthew 5:43–48
 
Collect for Independence Day:
O Eternal God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old: 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. Amen.
 
As the calendar turns from June to July, our thoughts turn to Independence Day and what it means from our perspective as American Christians. On July 4th we reflect on our independence not only as citizens of a nation but as children of a heavenly kingdom. As traditional Anglicans, heirs of both a spiritual and cultural patrimony, we give thanks to Almighty God for the liberties we enjoy under civil government, even as we remember the greater liberty purchased for us by the blood of Christ.
 
Our Collect recalls that our Founding Fathers "won their liberties of old" — but not by their strength alone. We pray today to the Eternal God, “through whose mighty power” those liberties were secured.
When the signers of the Declaration of Independence affixed their names to that bold proclamation in 1776, they appealed not merely to political theory but to Divine truth. Thomas Jefferson wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…" Liberty, rightly understood, is not the gift of kings or congresses. It is a sacred trust from the Author of all being — “the Lord your God,” says Moses in Deuteronomy, “a great God, a mighty, and a terrible; which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.” He shows no partiality, no favoritism to race or station. This is the foundation of our freedom. And so the Founders pledged not only their lives and fortunes, but their “sacred honor” in defense of liberty, trusting in the “protection of divine Providence.” May we do the same in our time, with no less humility and resolve.
 
The Collect does not leave us in triumphal remembrance. It calls us to a sober duty: “Grant us grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace.” Liberty without virtue is a house built on sand. The Scriptures teach us that God cares for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger. If we are to preserve freedom, we must love what He loves. "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Liberty must stretch its hand to the marginalized or it becomes a cruel parody of itself. Likewise, peace cannot be purchased merely by arms or treaties, but by hearts turned to the justice and mercy of God. True patriotism is having  the courage to call a nation back to its highest ideals when it forgets its God. Let us not forget that the Declaration of Independence itself closes with a prayer-like benediction: "With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." That is righteousness joined with peace.
 
Our Lord, in today’s Gospel, takes us to the summit of Christian liberty. “Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies…”
Here is a truth too often forgotten: Freedom is not found in doing whatever we please. It is found in being made able, by grace, to do what we ought — even the hard thing, even loving the unlovable. That is the very heart of the Gospel. What could be more radical in this age of polarization than to love our adversaries, to bless them, to pray for them? What could be more powerful than forgiving, not just remembering? To do good to those who hate us — that is a freedom only possible for those who are free indeed, free in Christ. "Be ye therefore perfect,” Jesus commands us, “even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This is a call to perfect charity — a love that knows no boundaries — a love born of the Spirit, not of the flesh.
 
If we would honor Independence Day rightly — not just with flags and fireworks, but with holiness and truth — we must ask: Do we love liberty enough to govern ourselves with righteousness? God has given us a land of great bounty. But He has also given us a charge: to be stewards of liberty, to preserve it not only in law but in life, not only in courts but in consciences. Let us, then, love what God commands, desire what He promises, and in the midst of all the “sundry and manifold changes of the world,” let our hearts be fixed where true joys are to be found in Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Amen

-- Fr Chris Fish.
 

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee

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Services & Events
 
Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland) 

Sunday School is on recess and will start again in September

Nursery 9:00 & 11:15 Services

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing (for online participation please see above under Sunday Services)

New Summer Bible Study of the Book of Jonah with Father Bragg, Monday July 21, 7:30 PM, church undercroft, bring yourself, your friends and your Bible

September 12-13, DMAS Men's Retreat at Camp Hanover, 3163 Parsleys Mill Road, Mechanicsville, VA.  The cost of the retreat is $85 and covers the accommodations and three meals (dinner, breakfast and lunch).  Registration forms and more information will be sent in a separate email next week.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday September 21, Church Picnic at Fort Hunt Park after combined 10 AM service, invite friends and neighbors too:  Great BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages and so much more (additional details forthcoming


 UPDATED NEEDS FOR MaRiH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

 MaRiH Center has made some changes and additions in its critically needed items. The Center provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed..They are very greatly appreciated. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 In Bold and with an asterisk are a critical need. Please note changes in diaper needs and additional items.

*Diapers ( newborn, 1, 2, *3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies, Rattles, Teethers
*Baby wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
Baby bottles
*Bibs toddler
*Formula: *Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded Towels
Spring/summer clothing: 3-6 mo, 2T
*Grocery gift cards
Baby Food (make sure not expired)

Food Bank Needs
The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). 

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland

1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625