A much-appreciated article! It got me to thinking about how religious bodies might address our 250th Anniversary, without mixing a “worship” and “patriotic” service. The last thing our nation needs is a White Christian Nationalist created and promoted anniversary celebration, however, that will happen. But we need not participate, but rather make our own path. So, I share the following thoughts.
I leave it to each congregation as it feels it should join in the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I rather imagine a lot of congregations of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and possibly others in America will be incorporating some very patriotic observances into the worship service before or after July 4, 2026. Were I still pastoring, I would expect members of my congregation would desire and expect me to organize a patriotic service for our morning worship time. I expect the Church I am a member of and attend will conduct a patriotic service.
If I were asked as to my preference, I would suggest not doing a Sunday patriotic worship service. Instead, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, I would suggest that my congregation hold a special service of celebration and remembrance that morning – 10 to 11, of afternoon 1 -2. The service would not be “religious” although I would not exclude the singing of God Bless America, My Country Tis of Thee, etc. The service would be promoted and advertised as a community gathering, not as the Church holding a worship service.
The service should include the reading of the following four documents: Declaration of Independence; Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, and The Jefferson – Danbury Baptist Letters. I just might do a recitation of “Ragged Ol’ Flag” as the closing “prayer.” That would be it. Several patriotic songs/hymns interspersed in the readings.
One other suggestion, on or before July 4, 2026, I suggest a reading of the following documents, the webpages are provided.
A much-appreciated article! It got me to thinking about how religious bodies might address our 250th Anniversary, without mixing a “worship” and “patriotic” service. The last thing our nation needs is a White Christian Nationalist created and promoted anniversary celebration, however, that will happen. But we need not participate, but rather make our own path. So, I share the following thoughts.
I leave it to each congregation as it feels it should join in the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I rather imagine a lot of congregations of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and possibly others in America will be incorporating some very patriotic observances into the worship service before or after July 4, 2026. Were I still pastoring, I would expect members of my congregation would desire and expect me to organize a patriotic service for our morning worship time. I expect the Church I am a member of and attend will conduct a patriotic service.
If I were asked as to my preference, I would suggest not doing a Sunday patriotic worship service. Instead, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, I would suggest that my congregation hold a special service of celebration and remembrance that morning – 10 to 11, of afternoon 1 -2. The service would not be “religious” although I would not exclude the singing of God Bless America, My Country Tis of Thee, etc. The service would be promoted and advertised as a community gathering, not as the Church holding a worship service.
The service should include the reading of the following four documents: Declaration of Independence; Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, and The Jefferson – Danbury Baptist Letters. I just might do a recitation of “Ragged Ol’ Flag” as the closing “prayer.” That would be it. Several patriotic songs/hymns interspersed in the readings.
One other suggestion, on or before July 4, 2026, I suggest a reading of the following documents, the webpages are provided.
Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom: https://cas.umw.edu/cprd/files/2011/09/Jefferson-Statute-2-versions.pdf
Madison - Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Memorial-and-Remonstrance.pdf
Jefferson - Danbury Baptists Correspondence: https://au.org/wp-content/uploads/migration/pdf_documents/JeffersonDanburyBaptists.pdf
Sorry for the length of this post. A Blessed Resurrection Day to everyone!!
Outstanding public witness - inspiring