July 6 Worship

                       
Message: Sweet Land of Liberty                    

Scriptures: Leviticus 25:10 and Matthew 5:1-12

If you’re like me you’re feeling a little lack-luster about celebrating this “great nation” this weekend. Waving red, white, and blue flags while watching parades or fireworks feels a bit weird just days after our elected officials just voted in a budget bill that includes insane amounts of money to build “detention centers” that sound and look more like concentration camps and takes away money for American citizens’ healthcare needs. I’m concerned about hasty decisions to bomb other countries and unnecessarily long conversations around the needs of the very poor. This is “America” today: home of the free that lifts up the dream of “liberty and justice for all.”

And yet, as Christians we are called to be people of hope – especially for the sake of justice and liberty. Join me this Sunday as we remember what exactly our gospel (the GOOD NEWS!) is telling us to do and be even – especially! – in the midst of a world that would have it otherwise.

See you Sunday!
Peace,
Cheryl

PS….Forthcoming ACTION ITEMS for the sake of maintaining our democracy:

1. Get on Newton Indivisible’s email listserv.
2. Saturday, July 12, 2025 – “Good Trouble” National Rally (Similar to “No Kings”) this will be happening all over the county including in both Newton Centre and Boston common
3. Newton Bridge Brigade! – You’ve seen the signs over the Mass Pike and I95! Join the group by sending an email to this address.
4. MCC (Massachusetts Council of Churches) combined with GBIO (Greater Boston Faith Organization) are holding #PrayersForLiberty vigils in Lexington, Arlington,Cambridge and Boston on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 3:00pm. All are welcome! (more info to come)
5. Also save the date and start training! Labor Day #MarchForLiberty, September 1, 2025 from 9:00a, – 5:00pm sponsored by MCC and GBIO. We will, again, march from Lexington to Boston but this time including clergy AND church members!

Music:
Prelude: “Angel’s Voices”  Friedrich Burgmüller      
Meditation: “Prelude, Op.28, No. 6”  Frédéric Chopin                            
Postlude: “Sonata, Op. 49, No. 2”  Ludwig van Beethoven