If you were alive in 1976, you may remember the Bicentennial of our nation. For a year, almost everything was red, white, and blue!
Fast forward fifty years. This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – a quarter of a millennium of American history. How shall we mark this milestone?
With thanksgiving. We give thanks for the many gifts of this nation: the free exercise of religion, free public education, the right to vote, public utilities and roads, our national parks, those who serve our country, for so many gifts we often take for granted.
With courage. We recognize that the benefits we enjoy are not guaranteed. Each generation must defend the ideals of true freedom and safeguard them for all.
With lament. We admit that our nation has never fully lived into its promise. From the beginning, the Declaration of Independence left out more than half the population – women, enslaved people, and indigenous people. We have struggled to rectify the harm of racism. The gifts of freedom have been unequally shared.
With clarity. We are followers of Jesus above all else. Jesus preached the Reign of God and showed us what it looks like. His example of love is our guide.
With prayer. We pray to be more like Jesus. We pray for our leaders to follow God’s ways. We pray to safeguard our natural resources. We pray for all in harm’s way. We pray for our nation to be a gift to the whole world.
With hope. As we look back on our history, we remember that God is good, and God is able to do more than we imagine.
Join us over these next few months as we seek to honor the past 250 years faithfully and look ahead to the future God has promised.
With gratitude for you all –
Grace
Liberty and Justice for ALL
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, sermons in this season will consider how the gospel calls us to take these words from the Pledge of Allegiance extra seriously as Christian people.
May 31 – All the World
June 7 – All the Families
June 14 – All the Hurting
June 21 – Enough for All
June 28 – All After Us
July 5 – Who Will We Be?