a service to remember thevision of freedom

Sunday, July 2, 201711:15 am

Washington National Cathedral

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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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States . . . . And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually

pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

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—The Declaration of Independence, ratified July 4, 1776

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organ & brass preludeAllegro Maestoso George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)Simple Gifts Shaker melody; arr. Sterling Procter (b. 1955)Variations on ‘How Firm a Foundation’ Janet Linker (b. 1938)Solemn Entry Richard Strauss (1864-1949); arr. Gary Olsen

words of welcome

The people stand.

solemn prayer in processionNative American Flute Gary Hardnett

native american prayer attr. Sioux Chief Yellow Hawk

the collect for independence dayofficiant The Lord be with you.people And also with you.officiant Let us pray.

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.

people Amen.

national anthem Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;O say does that star-spangled banner yet waveO’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The people are seated.

vision of freedoma service to remember the

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• • •Voices of the Founders

Letter to John AdamsAbigail Adams • March 31, 1776

The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson, principal author • July 4, 1776

The people stand.

hymnMy country ‘tis of thee America; arr. David Willcocks

The people are seated.

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• • •Voices of a Divided Nation

The Gettysburg AddressPresident Abraham Lincoln • November 19, 1863

“I am pleading for My People”Sojourner Truth • 1878

musical offeringTil my brother is free

I’ve got freedom but yet I’m tired. I’ll be tired til my brother is free. I’ve got water but yet I thirst. For I’ll thirst til my brother is free. I’ve got joy but yet I cry. For I’ll cry til my brother is free. I’ve got Jesus but yet I’ll fight. For I’ll fight til my brother is free. For this journey is long And all my God wants is love. For this journey is long. But oh my God is love. So I’ll love til my brother is free. Yes I’ll love til my brother is free!

• • •Voices of a Nation during World Conflict

Third Inaugural AddressPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt • January 20, 1941

A Japanese-American in an Internment Camp Mary Tsukamoto • 1943

The Tuskegee AirmenDr. Roscoe Brown, former Commander 100th Fighter Squadron • 2007

anthem Mine eyes have seen the glory Peter Wilhousky (1902-1978)Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on!I have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read his righteous sentence in the dim and flaring lamps; His day is marching on. RefrainIn the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea; With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free; While God is marching on. Refrain

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• • •Voices of Social Change

Report to the American People on Civil Rights

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy • June 11, 1963

Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage EqualityJustice Anthony Kennedy • June 26, 2015

The people stand.

hymnLift ev’ry voice and sing Lift Every Voice

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The people are seated.

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• • •Voices of Hope for the Future

Address to the Commonwealth Club of CaliforniaCesar Chavez • November 9, 1964

Excerpt from the March on Washington – “I Have a Dream”The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • August 28, 1963

Wesleyan University Commencement AddressBryan Stevenson • May 22, 2016

offertory anthem This is my song arr. Michael McCarthy (b. 1966)

This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is. Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine. But other hearts in other lands are beating, with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine. But other lands have sunlight too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine. O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine. (Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957)

The people stand.

• • •Prayers

prayer for the nationLord 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.

people Amen.

prayer for the human familyO God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

people Amen.

leader

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prayer for the opressed in our landLook with compassion, O God of mercy, upon your people who live in our land with injustice, terror, violence disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy on them and help us to eliminate the cruelty of all people to their neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all; and grand that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of this rich land which have given us; all this we ask for your mercy’s sake.

people Amen.

prayer for social justiceGrant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

people Amen.

prayer for those who serve to keep us safeGod of help and hope, surround with your loving care all men and women who bravely serve to keep our communities, cities, and nation safe each day. Cover them with your protection as they devote their lives to helping others. Grant them courage when afraid, and strength when weary, that they may serve you and their neighbor. In your holy Name we pray.

people Amen.

prayer for our countryAlmighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remain mindful of your grace and seek to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education and lives filled with honor and integrity. Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, do not let our trust in you fail. All this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

people Amen.

leader

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leader

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hymnO God of every nation Aurelia

officiant

• • •closing prayer

Loving God, we gather this day to give you thanks for the gifts of our freedom and liberty, to honor those whose vision, wisdom and sacrifice secured these ‘unalienable Rights’ for us and every generation, to confess that while we believe that all are created equal, we have not always allowed others to enjoy that freedom or those rights; we ask your forgiveness and call upon your unconditional love and boundless mercy to grant that we may be given the strength and courage to live more fully into our faith and beliefs. Make us instruments of justice and freedom for all your people.

people Amen.

blessing

The bishop blesses the people, and the people respond, Amen.

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dismissalBe watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous and strong. Practice justice and mercy and let all that you do be done in love.

people Thanks be to God.

fanfare for the common man Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

postludeTrumpet Tune in B flat David N. Johnson (1922-1987)

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permissions O God of every nation. Text: William Watkins Reid, Jr. (1923-2007) © 1958, Hymn Society in the US & Canada. Tune: Aurelia, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876). Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-7092803. The Star-Spangled Banner (National Anthem). Words: Francis Scott Key (1779-1843). Music: National Anthem, source unknown, ca. 18th century. Words and Music are in the Public Domain. My Country, ‘tis of thee. Words: Samuel Francis Smith (1808-1895). Music: America, from Thesaurus Musicus, 1745. Words and Music are in the Public Domain. Lift every voice and sing. Text: James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938). Music: J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954). Words and Music in the Public Domain. Battle Hymn of the Republic. Words: Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910). Music: William Steffe (1830-1890). Words and Music in the Public Domain.

leader

about the cover image This lively and abstract window symbolizes the search for freedom that led to the founding of this nation more than two hundred years ago. The darker blue glass suggests tyranny and repression, while dashes of brilliant red recall the bloodshed of the struggle for independence. Grey-green glass in the side lancets suggest smoke from fires, central to Native American life. The yellow-green shape in the center lancet symbolizes the growth of the nation.

The Founding of a New Nation, 1976Nave, south main arcade, George Washington Bay artist: Robert Rinartfabricator: Dieter Goldkuhle

participantsThe Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde

Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington

The Right Reverend Carl Walter WrightBishop Suffragan for Armed Forces & Federal Ministries, The Episcopal Church

The Reverend Canon Jan Naylor CopeProvost, Washington National Cathedral

The Reverend Canon Kelly Brown DouglasCanon Theologian, Washington National Cathedral

The Reverend Canon Rosemarie Logan DuncanCanon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral

Dr. Harvey Bale Washington National Cathedral

The Reverend Thomas L. BowenDirector, Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs,

District of Columbia

Alma BrightWashington National Cathedral

RuQuan BrownCathedral Scholar

Minister Katrina CarterCovenant Baptist UCC, Washington, DC

Susan GalbraithWashington National Cathedral

Duane GelderloosWashington National Cathedral

Suzi GuardiaBlue Star Families

Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NWWashington, DC 20016-5098 · (202) 537-6200www.nationalcathedral.orgfacebook.com/wncathedral · twitter.com/wncathedral

musiciansThe Cathedral Singers

Washington Symphonic BrassCanon Michael McCarthy

Director of Music The Reverend Benjamin Straley

Organist and Associate Director of Music Gary Hardnett

Native American Flute

vergersDr. Torrence N. ThomasHead Cathedral Verger

Kevin R. ThomasCathedral Verger

Erin Ennis

readers

Keeva HarmonWashington National Cathedral