June 24, 2026
This Sunday is Patriot Sunday, and it has been the major focus of the music in ministry team since Easter. Two hundred fifty years of freedom in this country is a very long time, and it deserves a big celebration! This very special occasion will be filled with patriotic music, and we will recognize the service and sacrifice of our armed forces as well as our first responders. Our kids will be participating as well – Trail Life, American Heritage Girls, Awana clubbers and Salem’s Kids’ Choir will each make a presentation. We don’t often get to worship all together as one body in Christ, and I am very much looking forward to it. During the sermon Pastor Doug will preach on Galatians chapter 5, which starts this way:
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
I thought it would be interesting to see what leaders of this great country, past and present, have had to say about the correlation between freedom and God, and I found so much material that I could only put a fraction of it here.
Benjamin Franklin: “Fear God, and your enemies will fear you.”
George Washington: “The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeable to their consciences, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.”
Thomas Jefferson: “The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.”
Thomas Paine: “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the king of America? I’ll tell you, friend, He reigns above.”
James Madison: “The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.”
Ulysses S. Grant: “Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives.”
Ronald Reagan: “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
Food for thought, yes? See y’all on Sunday for worship!
Careen
Worship Songs for Patriot Sunday, June 28:
America the Beautiful – The Mike Curb Congregation – https://youtu.be/7b_p4ppxr8s?si=PHe712wakfRxa_9P
O God, Our Help in Ages Past – Grace Cmty Church – https://youtu.be/yKP_XxCBDZY?si=VIRmHkSzDu4rUTLh
God of Our Fathers – Grace Community Church – https://youtu.be/kGxXZOs6oK4?si=e_Pa97N7dwHHrdYR
Battle Hymn of the Republic – U.S. Army Field Band – https://youtu.be/Jy6AOGRsR80?si=ohllsoL8ptIvbY-I
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) – Tomlin – https://youtu.be/qOkImV2cJDg?si=b2b2L0zgyQY9WrbA
In God We Trust – Hillsong Music – https://youtu.be/Dln-ZtjUDNY?si=nG4ky0NfMejH0u3k