Let Freedom Ring!

This year, this month brings us to a special Independence Day (July 4) — the 250th birthday of the United States.

While America celebrates its ideal of liberty amid this historic anniversary, we do well to recall what the earliest Christian voices have to say about freedom.

Paul says:“You have been called to live in freedom. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to indulge your selfish impulses. Instead, use your freedom to serve each other in love” (Galatians 5:13).

Peter echoes him: “Live like free people, but don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as people who are serving God” (1 Peter 2:16).

Freedom, for followers of Christ Jesus, isn’t no-holds-barred leeway to indulge individual whims and wants regardless of others.

Rather, it’s a gift to be used with God and neighbor in mind — for Jesus set us free from the slavery of sin’s self-centeredness to pursue God’s liberating love agenda for the good of others!

Mark Your Calendar!

Sunday, July 5 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, July 12 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, July 19 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, July 26 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Prayer for Independence Day 2026

God in whom we alone find true freedom, please accept our thanks for all your blessings upon our nation since its founding. Forgive all our sins against your goodness throughout its past and present. Keep this country and all who live in it under your care. Set our hearts and minds to living reverently, wisely, and wholeheartedly by your truth, virtue, and sense of right, so that we may be a people at peace among ourselves, a blessing to other nations of the earth, and a credit to your holy name. Amen.

Pitch In!

Church doesn’t happen on its own. It happens when all of us pool our time, talent, and treasure together and put them at God’s disposal to do his will as followers of Jesus. In a word, that’s stewardship. Want to lend a helping hand? See our parish priest, Father Alexis Woytek, to find out what needs doing. Want to become a supporting member? See our parish treasurer, Mrs. Lydia Pinkowski, to find out how. Thanks for pitching in to make your church happen!

Reach Out!

The Church doesn’t exist for itself. God calls it to reach out and share his love with the world that it lives in. Our parish charity bin is one way that we do such outreach, by collecting nonperish­able food that our friends at People Helping People in Hernando County share with locals in need. To download a grocery list from our website, click here. Thanks for reaching out and helping others through your church’s charity!