A PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

Prelude - "Fanfares and Interludes" Arthur Bliss
Silent Prayer while the Bell rings

HYMN - "God of Our Fathers " (stand and sing) LBW # 567

Freedom from Sin - Confession & Absolution: LBW page 193

Prayer for a National Holiday.
Leader - The Lord be with you.
People - And also with you.
Leader - Let us pray together:
Lord of the nations. guide our people by your Spirit to go forward In justice and freedom. Give us what outward prosperity may be your will, but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all people; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (sit)

Children's Sermon - "Wear Your Flag"

Pledge of Allegiance: American Flag (standing)
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Pledge of Allegiance: Christian Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one communion- fellowship, uniting all humankind in service and love."

HYMN - "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (standing) LBW # 332

Lesson - Romans 13:1-10
Gospel - Mark 12:13-17

HYMN - "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (standing) LBW # 566

Sermon - "Oh, Say Can You See ... ?"

Offering - "My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord" arr; Ralph Vaughan Williams

Words of Institution LBW #33 on page 70; and Lord's Prayer

Distribution - "The Singer and the Song”,  Peter Davison

Blessing
A Litany for a Celebration of Freedom - (standing)
Leader - Let us pray: Lord have mercy. People - Lord have mercy.
L - Christ have mercy. P - Christ have mercy.
L - Lord have mercy. P - Lord have mercy.
L - God the Father, Creator of all people of every kindred, tribe, and nation;
P - Have mercy upon us.
L - God the Son, Redeemer of the World.
P - Have mercy upon us.
L - God the Holy Spirit, Creator of a new people from every kindred, tribe, and nation;
P - Have mercy upon us.
L - For our sins of selfishness that disrupt good government;
For our sins of resistance that hinder good rule;
For our sins of apathy that bread disorder;
For our sins of bigotry that stifle justice;
For our sins of hatred that foster strife;
P - Have mercy upon us, and forgive us,
L - For our abuse of our rights;
For our neglect of our privileges;
For our avoidance of our obligations;
P - Have mercy upon us, and forgive us.
L - From recession and depression;
From epidemic and pestilence;
From disrule and disharmony;
From fallout and pollution;
From vandals and missiles;
From fire and holocaust;
P - Preserve us, good Lord.
L - From pursuing imperialism;
From fostering false national pride;
From following unholy causes;
From trusting in our own might;
P - Deliver us, good Lord.
L - That it may please You to lead our nation in the way of righteousness;
That it may please You to bless and guide the leaders of this nation;
That it may please You to watch over our military installations and personnel;
That it may please You to use the people of this nation to achieve peace in all the world;
P - We bid You to hear us, good Lord.
L - That You would rule us through just laws;
That You would govern us through concerned leaders;
That You would judge us through honest jurors;
P - We bid You to hear us, good Lord.
L - That we may trust and obey Your holy Word;
That we may live under the law in the freedom of Your Gospel in Jesus Christ;
That we may exceed the demands of the law through the fullness of Your love;
P - We bid You to hear us, good Lord.
Additional petitions
L - 0 Christ, hear us.
P - Amen.

Benediction

HYMN - "God Bless America" (sing twice)
God bless America, Land that I love; Stand beside her and guide her, Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home!

Silent Prayer

Postlude - "Alla Marcia" Henry Coleman