Under God

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Having just celebrated the100^th anniversary of First Lutheran, we’re all ready for our nation’s 250^th! Anniversaries mark important milestones in life. It can be a time for reflection on the past, thanksgiving, and looking ahead to the future.

Just as we had fun telling some of the stories of the founding and ministry of First Evangelical over the past 100 years, our nation has been retelling its history and what makes it special for us. For Christians, we take heart in how our faith has had a profound influence and helped make the United States a place where so many freedoms are enjoyed and treasured. Let’s celebrate!

Most of us are familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance. Perhaps you recited itin school growing up. I remember saying it at our local 4-H club meetings. The original version was written by Francis Bellamy, a former Baptist preacher, in 1892 for the 400^th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival. It was included in a popular children’s magazine as a marketing campaign, promoting the new flag.  

By World War II, many public schools required it for morning recitation. The Pledge was adopted by the 79th Congress on December 28, 1945. The original version goes like this: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands—one nation indivisible—with liberty and justice for all.”

‍As the cold war intensified, people wanted to distinguish the United States from “godless Communism,” so the phrase “under God” was added in 1954. It was taken from Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address, "…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth…"

‍President Eisenhower explained the addition, "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war."

Today, 46 states require public schools to make time for the pledge—just Vermont, Iowa, Wyoming and Hawaii do not. It’s a daily order of business for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Hundreds of thousands of new citizens pledge allegiance each year during their naturalization ceremony.

This snappy oath, first printed in a 5-cent children’s magazine, is better known than any venerable text written in Philadelphia in 1776! Historian, Richard J. Ellis, described it well. He said, “The appeal of Bellamy’s pledge is the statement of universal principles which transcends the particular biases or agendas of the people who created it.” Very true, and perhaps needed in our day with the many tensions we are experiencing in our world today.

May we transcend above all our differences and enjoy the festivities this 250^th year this weekend. Take time to remember the many blessings we enjoy, especially our freedom of religion, and come and worship our God in the full freedom we enjoy in this nation, and more importantly, the freedom we have in Christ.

In Christ;
Pastor Dan

ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Join us for worship this Sunday at FirstEvangelical and Holy Cross Churches. We will have new member orientation onJuly 26 after worship, and welcoming new members in worship on August 23rd. Ifyou know anyone who might be interested in joining the churches, please contactone of the pastors or the church office

- We are celebrating the 250th Anniversary ofour Nation’s Independence this weekend. Our music this Sunday will feature aGrace Notes String Ensemble and pianist Anne Akerson. Please stay after churchfor a festive lunch with hot dogs, sloppy joes, sides, and delicious desserts.

- Thank you for gathering food for the PalmBeach County Food Bank. We gathered 208 pounds of food for families andindividuals in need.

- Help kids at Conniston Middle School bygathering items for our “Back to School Supplies Drive” through the end ofAugust – Drop off items include: mesh backpacks, 6 tab dividers, 1 subjectspiral notebooks, three hole punch pencil pouches, three hold punch rulers,sharpened #2 pencils, magic rub erasers, black-blue-red pens, college rulednotebook paper, reinforcement labels, glue sticks, highlighters. Please leavethem on the table and in the boxes at the back of the church.

- Grace Notes String Camp continues onsitethrough July 10th for area youth. Come and hear the students in concert herethis Friday, July 10th at 3:30 p.m.

- Holy Cross Church Council will meet July 12after worship, and Church Congregational will meet July 19th after worship.