What are your church's plans for Sunday?

[Jim Franklin]

We have a massive Patriotic Contata with a patriotic celebration and a church picnic following in a nearby park. Let freedom ring. So pleased that our pastor, Rev. Matthew Haggard involves our congregation in a service that gives thanks to God the author of our national freedoms as expressed in the Declaration of Indipendence and the founding fathers call for a national day of prayer on July 30, 1776.

[Jon Twitchell]

We will complete our series on Galatians, with a worship service designed to reflect the themes of the scripture passages. In the evening we will have our satellite service at the campground, where I will continue our series on The Lord's Prayer, and a worship service designed to reflect those themes. Following the evening service, my wife and I will go to Old Orchard Beach to watch the fireworks.

[Billy Cox]

We have a massive Patriotic Contata with a patriotic celebration and a church picnic following in a nearby park. Let freedom ring.

As far as I know, it's business as usual this Sunday, July 4th.

[Susan Unger]

ENC group will be singing.

[Ryan Scott]

I'm preaching my first sermon at Pennsville this Sunday. I'll be working with Colossians 1:15-23. I've written more about it over on the Lectionary board.

[Charlene Clevenger]

The pastor's been on vacation so he asked me to pick out patriotic songs. I chose Freedom as the theme. The choir is doing a patriotic medley. We're having a cookout after the service, but we'll be eating outside, since the temp is supposed to be in the 90s.

[John Hine]

A mix of regular worship and patriotic music--always a good blend!

[Wilson Deaton]

A good group from my congregation attended the community worship service, "True Freedom in Christ Alone," which I've talked about in another thread... (http://www.naznet.com/community/show...hristian-event)

I plan to build on that service and preach on John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

From a music standpoint, our only "patriotic" song will be, "God Bless America."

We didn't make formal plans but if history repeats itself, many of us will meet up downtown at 2:00 P.M. for Kenosha's 4th of July parade.

Wilson

[Cynthia Prentice]

Our service will focus on the 4th of July from the perspective of the American Slave.

We will have excerpts read from the

"Declaration of Independence" July 4, 1776
Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" July 5, 1852 Rochester, New York http://dccofc.org/July_5th_Speech.htm
Lincoln's, "Gettysberg Address" November 19, 1863
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" August 28, 1963

[Mike Schutz]

We will worship the Risen Lord, and will encourage one another to make the values of the kingdom of God a lived reality.

[Wilson Deaton]

We will worship the Risen Lord, and will encourage one another to make the values of the kingdom of God a lived reality.

True, I'm sure, but rather generic, wouldn't you say?

If someone asks, "What kind of car do you drive?" do you reply, "the kind with four wheels and an internal combustion engine"?

Wilson

[Hans Deventer]

To have a service

[Rich Schmidt]

I don't have any idea what's going on musically, but my message will contrast American independence/individualism with Christian freedom (free from sin, free to love others, etc).

My wife and I are leaving on vacation that afternoon, so we won't be going to our city's celebration that night. Probably quite a few of our folks will, though.

[Mike Schutz]

True, I'm sure, but rather generic, wouldn't you say?

If someone asks, "What kind of car do you drive?" do you reply, "the kind with four wheels and an internal combustion engine"?

Wilson

I stay generic, when to be more specific would be offensive to others because of what we are NOT including. Honestly, I am away from the church, speaking at New England District Family Camp this week. So, while I know what we planned for the services, what actually happens may be something completely different.

[Wilson Deaton]

I stay generic, when to be more specific would be offensive to others ...

This is the sort of thing that makes one a role model...

Wilson

[Tim Bourland]

Nothing. Since Discover Community Church is an embrionic church with the core group meeting in our house on Sunday evenings and only offering a monthly preview service at this point, we are taking the weekend "off."

[Jon Bemis]

I will be preaching on Mark 12:28-34 (loving God) regarding the challenges this level of commitment bring. We will close the service with the Lord's Supper.

[Roland Hearn]

I'm beginning a series titled: "How Faith Works", part 1 is "Faith as encounter," and we are looking at the women at the well. My wife and I were engaged on the 4th of July 1985. I always think it is so cool that Americans set aside that day for fireworks to celebrate, it makes us feel so special. It's the 25th anniversary of our engagement so really go at it this year.

[Mike Schutz]

This is the sort of thing that makes one a role model...

Wilson

Or a wimp. Personally, I just prefer not to attend every argument to which I am invited.

[John Kennedy]

Our service will focus on thanksgiving for God's goodness, especially the freedoms we enjoy. Hymns will include "America, the beautiful...", "My country, 'tis of thee..." and "God of the Ages, history's maker". The latter is a beautiful hymn by Margaret Clarkson, sung to the tune of "Morning has broken....". The anthem will be "God of our Fathers.....". The sermon will be 'a look at national independence and the call upon us as Christians'. The service will be followed by a picnic at the church.

[Cam Pence]

As far as I know, it's business as usual this Sunday, July 4th.

my ds sent out an email a few weeks ago pretty much insisting it be sunday as usual, just on the 4th. this worked out well for me as this is what i had planned on anyways.

[Jon Twitchell]

my ds sent out an email a few weeks ago pretty much insisting it be sunday as usual, just on the 4th. this worked out well for me as this is what i had planned on anyways.

really? That's fascinating. I figure most DSes leave worship planning up to the local pastor and church. (Obviously, I haven't read the letter)... while I might agree with the email, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the principle of sending an email that "insists" much of anything in regards to local worship decisions.

[Benjamin Burch]

We have a massive Patriotic Contata with a patriotic celebration and a church picnic following in a nearby park. Let freedom ring. So pleased that our pastor, Rev. Matthew Haggard involves our congregation in a service that gives thanks to God the author of our national freedoms as expressed in the Declaration of Indipendence and the founding fathers call for a national day of prayer on July 30, 1776.

Sadly, my father will be forced to incorporate some Patriotic spices. I think they'll have a song or two. You can't get away with not doing so at a church were 50% of your congregants are military, retired military, or some other government employee. Probably 50% alone work at the Pentagon.

[Jon Twitchell]

Let me also answer the question by saying that there will be an announcement in the bulletin wishing people a Happy Fourth, encouraging them to reflect on the God-given gifts of freedom and justice... and to consider the parts of the world where those gifts are not as plainly enjoyed.

We'll also sing "Mighty to Save" in our opening worship set, which will form a bookend for "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" (Navy Hymn), which will be sung at the conclusion. Some may not recognize this as a patriotic nod, and in reality, it's not so much patriotic, but a prayer that God would protect our servicemen and women. It will not be the focus of our message, which will be the cross-shaped life and Holy Communion.

[Cam Pence]

really? That's fascinating. I figure most DSes leave worship planning up to the local pastor and church. (Obviously, I haven't read the letter)... while I might agree with the email, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the principle of sending an email that "insists" much of anything in regards to local worship decisions.

jon,
thanks for the observation. i did not mean to make my ds sound so overpowering. a better way to have paraphrased the email instead of "insisted" was "strongly pleaded". there may be several churches on my district that choose to completely ignore the email and if they do, i cannot imagine that they will be in some kind of bad standing with our ds. thanks for bring that to my attention.

[John Reilly]

We will sing Glorious Freedom. Sermon title is "Freedom in Christ" text is Galatians 5: 13-15 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Sermon will lead into the Affirmation of our Faith reciting the Apostle's Creed, A Prayer of confession, Consecration of the elements, receiving God's grace through the Sacrament of Eucharist, prayer of thanksgiving. Closing hymn And Can it Be. Beneidcition.

[Jim Chabot]

Just finished! Looks like we will be singing Glorious Freedom for the preservice song (John Reilly is a real smart guy.) Followed with our standard opening song Come Holy Spirit I need Thee. The reading is "Beauty and Abundance, then Lord I Lift Your Name on High.

Then the patriotic gloves come off. I mentioned our naznet discussion on patriotic services to our pastor on Memorial day, he responded with, "no, no, no we get patriotic around here or we will get thrown out."

We start with all the verses of "America" as the choir comes in.
Next up is "America the Beautiful" as a color guard enters and places flags.
Then we have a choir selection of The Star Spangled Banner, followed by a salute to the flags.
After the salute we sing four verses of The Battle Hymn of The Republic.
Next up I will read the prelude verse to God Bless America and ask that we sing the song as a prayer.
We take a break as we sing 'Has Anybody Told You" and greet one another
After the greeting, I sing "Let Freedom Ring" written by one of the best Nazarene communicators of all time Gloria Gaither!
We sing "Here I Am To Worship" then prayer, announcements and offering.
We have a soloist before the message who is home on leave from Afghanistan.
The message will be from Galations 5 as we continue in a series of messages in Galatians.
We will close with "This Land is Your Land!

[Rich Schmidt]

We will close with "This Land is Your Land!

I can't even see the name of that song without thinking of the JibJab version that came out before the 2004 presidential election!

[Hal Paul]

We will close with "This Land is Your Land!

Ha, ha, ha. Closing out an American Patriotic service with a song written by a left leaning communist sympathizer. Not to mention Woody Guthrie wrote in part as protest against Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," because he felt it was unrealistic and passive.

So, which of the original verses did you leave out? My guess is you stop at the end of the second verse:


This Land Is Your Land

This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

[Andy Mistak]

Ha, ha, ha. Closing out an American Patriotic service with a song written by a left leaning communist sympathizer. Not to mention Woody Guthrie wrote in part as protest against Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," because he felt it was unrealistic and passive.

Hey, left leaning communist sympathizers who hate "God Bless America" can be patriots, too!

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I don't know what the theme will be at the church we're going to visit, but either way I intend to thank God for the privilege of living in America and for his providential help in bringing this country into being.

[Hal Paul]

Hey, left leaning communist sympathizers who hate "God Bless America" can be patriots, too!

I'm certain they can be, but something tells me they would be less than enthusiastic about a "patriotic service" that would include an order of worship like the one Jim outlined, even if they were left leaning communist sympathizing Christian patriots. And if they expressed their reservations they'd get called "socialist" or worse, "democrat."

[Lorie Hatcliff]

We started our service out with the Presenting of the Colors, followed by the pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and then the Pledge to the Christian flag.

The rest of our service was filled with readings from different founding fathers on the importance of religion and morality in the founding of our country, as well as the importance of God as our Sovereign. We had quotes from George Washington, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Noah Webster. We also had a quote from Abraham Lincoln about not forgetting God when we are in the midst of such blessings. Also had a quote/slide from the Harvard Proclamation and a slide about the seal of Princeton and how it pointed to Christianity.

Interspersed within these writings were the choruses "Lord Reign In Me", "Blessed Be Your Name" "Lead On, O King Eternal", "Jesus, Be the Center".
After an offertory of "My Country Tis Of Thee" we also sang the hymns "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "America The Beautiful".

Pastor preached on Deut. chapter 8. And admonished us not to forget God (went along with the A. Lincoln quote).

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

We visited a "no-name" Baptist Church today (unashamedly Baptist but not using the name on their sign). The service started with Battle Hymn of the Republic and then a great hymn of the church. Later on the pastor read scripture and reminded us that we're to first "fear God" and then, secondary to that allegiance, we're to "honor the King." He encouraged us to seek revival in our lives and in our nation.

However, the service was part of a 3 or 4 Sunday missions emphasis and the rest of the service was about that, including a very good sermon from one of the sponsored missionaries of the church.

Jackie and I appreciated the whole service and will likely worship there again on future visits to this area.

[Jim Chabot]

Ha, ha, ha. Closing out an American Patriotic service with a song written by a left leaning communist sympathizer. Not to mention Woody Guthrie wrote in part as protest against Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," because he felt it was unrealistic and passive.

So, which of the original verses did you leave out? My guess is you stop at the end of the second verse:

I had planned on singing just the chorus then the first verse and back to the chorus. Even the second verse is a little too pink for my liking. During the message I panned the whole song and we sang "Jesus Paid it All" instead!

I don't have much respect for either of the Guthrie's but one must admit they wrote some catchy neat tunes. I personally cannot stand the message behind Alice's Restaurant but it is still a real neat piece of work, besides the fact that it is a piece of work. How someone can memorize an 18 minute song is intriguing.

I really did like the comedy in this verse though, I wonder if it was the idea behing Lee Michaels song "Sign"

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

[Billy Cox]

Ha, ha, ha. Closing out an American Patriotic service with a song written by a left leaning communist sympathizer. Not to mention Woody Guthrie wrote in part as protest against Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," because he felt it was unrealistic and passive.

Haha, yes if this was one of those Sesame Street games where you try to spot which item in the list doesn't belong, the Guthrie tune stands out like Sarah Palin at a PETA rally.

[Hal Paul]

I really did like the comedy in this verse though, I wonder if it was the idea behing Lee Michaels song "Sign"

I'm betting that it's some hobo humor that Guthrie and his companions developed when wandering across the west and looking for work and places to camp.

I'm not familiar with the Lee Michaels song.

[Jim Chabot]

I'm betting that it's some hobo humor that Guthrie and his companions developed when wandering across the west and looking for work and places to camp.

I'm not familiar with the Lee Michaels song.

I was pretty sure it was Lee Michaels, but for some reason I can only find it under "Five Man Electric Band" It was a popular song in the late sixties early seventies.



I always got a kick out of the first verse.

And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said imagine that, huh, me working for you

[Ryan Plott]

as far as the 4th goes the church i attended had the christian and american flags displayed a bit more prominently, the offertory was a rendition of "america, america, god shed his grace on thee" on the organ and the pastoral prayer focused on the needs of our nation; wise leadership, the economic situation, families affected by the oil spill, and thanks for the rights we enjoy as americans and for those who have given us those freedoms.

as far as worship goes we had some responsive readings, read the lectionary texts for the day, had a sermon focusing on the local church's image of itself and the pastor both raised the local body's self-image by complimenting leaders in the laity while challenging them to be more open about where they attend church(we could all recommend restaurants, movies, plays, books, or doctors but we never get around to recommending the church we attend was the illustration used) the text that was exposited came from jesus sending out the 72 and making the proclamation that the harvest is great and the workers are few. do we really believe the harvest is great? do our day-to-day actions reflect that belief? or are we more comfortable in seeing the field as barren or barely sprouting, thereby excusing ourselves from the mission of the church? every member of the congregation was given two business cards with the church's location, contact info, and service times to give out along with a blank space for the individual's name to be written in and then handed out to whomever might be interested. since it was the first of the month we concluded with taking communion that was framed as god's invitation to the church to join in the redemptive work to the world.

I really enjoyed the service. I'm gonna miss my church when I finalize my move.

[Jim Franklin]

We opened our service standing and singing "The Star Spangled Banner" with hands over hearts. A preamble of our God given blessings of liberty including honor to those who had served, fought and died for that liberty and a prayer of thanksgiving. The choir sang all five service hymns with the veterans of each of the services standing as their hymn was sung and congregation heartely applauding. A recent HS graduate who has a scholarship to NNU gave his own prayer for veterans and service members before playing the "Star Spangled Banner" while we all stood for the offeratory, scripture was read then a soloist sang a song I had never heard before with the Statue of Liberty the theme of the first verse followed by the Cross being our spiritual Statue of Liberty. Then a guest minister and Navy veteran gave the sermon throughout which was entertwined that "The truth will make you free indeed" and how the truth of the formation of our nation and our God given freedoms make us free indeed. After the benediction we stood and applauded a most glorious and soul stirring service. So sorry you all could not have been there.