Independence Day Weekend

Travis has already written wonderfully about observing Mother's Day and Memorial Day in worship. So I thought I'd add a bit about something that works really well at my church for Independence Day weekend. First what we don't do:

We don't decorate the church with American flags.

We don't sing "God bless America" or anything else that you might hear at a Fireworks display.

Of course, there are some folks who really want to focus on Independence Day, and what a great country we are, and how God has blessed this nation, etc. But there are two easy ways to observe a day that celebrates America without obscuring the true object of our worship.

First, I program all American music - prelude, hymns, even service music. And I tell folks that all the music we're singing is American in a note in the bulletin.

Second, even though we don't sing "My country, 'tis of thee" (which disappoints a lot people), we DO sing "God bless our native land" to the same tune (which, incidentally, the British know as "God save our gracious queen"). This does two things: It allows people to sing the music they want to sing on American holidays. I strongly believe that when folks say they miss singing a song like "My country, 'tis of thee" what they really miss is the tune - not the words. By singing this different text, we are praying for God's blessing on our country while at the same time appeasing those who want to sing AMERICA.

God bless our native land; firm may she ever stand through storm and night:

when the wild tempests rave, ruler of wind and wave, do thou our country save by thy great might.

For her our prayers shall rise to God, above the skies; on him we wait;

thou who art ever high, guarding with watchful eye, to thee aloud we cry, God save the state!