(NOTE: This being July 4 holiday weekend, we held a single service at 10 0'clock rather than the normal two Sunday services.)  We continue our trip through the Bible with today’s readings from the prophet Isaiah.  The prophets were noted for putting forth visions of the world as God intended it to be.  These were God’s visions, but the people were to participate in making them become reality.  On this Independence Day weekend, we remember the Declaration of Independence’s statement that “all men are created equal,” and we know that meant something different then than it has meant in recent decades as, for example, when slavery was abolished and women gained the right to vote.  Isaiah chapter 2 paints a vision of the mountain of God where all people assemble in love and unity.  Isaiah chapter 65 paints another vision of a new creation where there is no weeping or distress, where people rejoice, and “the wolf and lamb shall feed together.”  We must be infused with these visions of hope, working with God toward the realization of such a new heaven and earth, knowing that God is with us.  That hope is embodied in the communion we take together at the table of the Lord with no restriction and no hesitation.  (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)