Independence Day Worship Services

This year St. Luke’s will celebrate Independence Day on July 7, at our Sunday service. Choir, organ, piano, trumpet, drums, and shakers will accompany traditional, patriotic hymns and songs which follow thoughtful, sometimes self-critical readings from American history—a kind of Lessons & Carols commemorating July 4. From a Pilgrim’s Diary and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to the American Revolutionary War heroine Sybil Ludington and Cherokee woman and warrior Nanyehi (Nancy) Ward, the readings culminate with words from Martin Luther King, Jr., and parts of Ken Burns’ recent commencement speech at Brandeis University. We’ll hold a festive reception in the parish hall immediately following the liturgy. All are invited to attend this unique service!

We will also offer an abbreviated version of the service at our Saturday 5:00 p.m. service in the courtyard.

 This Independence Day Worship Service was conceived and created by Fr. Ernest Cockrell in 1998 at St. Andrew’s, Saratoga, and has been offered in parishes around the country every year since. We at St. Luke’s have been graced with Fr. Ernest’s wisdom and gifts, in this and so many other ways, for many years, and we are grateful