For most this weekend extends the Fourth of July 
holiday with parades, concerts, fireworks and 
cookouts. With all the political unrest in the world, we 
can truly count our blessings for the freedom and 
opportunity our country affords us. While we continue 
to pray for peace in the world, it seems that new 
conflicts keep arising. We know that such conflict is 
the mark of history, but we never seem to learn from 
our past. It is on holidays such as this weekend that 
we feel that sense of pride and patriotism over what 
America stands for. 
 
Our country certainly is not perfect. We continue to 
interpret our constitution according to the times in 
which we find ourselves. Inequality and prejudice 
continue to exist. While most of us do not have much 
political power, we do have the ability to treat each 
other fairly and without bias. 
 
We also find these values in our faith. Genesis tells us 
that all people are made in the image and likeness of 
God; all people are valued and dignified in the eyes of 
God. When we make rash judgments about others and 
talk behind others’ backs we are devaluing them and 
dismissing the word of God. Every one of our actions 
has a reaction, for good or for bad. Let’s try to make 
that for good! 
 
On another note, as we move through these summer 
months, many people go away for vacations and 
consequently our offertory drops dramatically. Please 
try to make up your envelopes when you return. 
Remember our bills, like your own, do not take 
vacations!!