Congregations plan services to mark Independence Day

Amid the fireworks and picnics celebrating the birth of the United States, some churches will also offer prayer and thanks to God during the Independence Day weekend.

"Our country is part of the blessings God has given us, and we want to say thank you," said the Rev. Paul Kabo, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Some churches don't incorporate Independence Day into their worship; others do to one degree or another. Despite arguments surrounding whether church and state are separate, many believe the United States was founded as one nation under God.

According to an article from the Religion News Service, Americans linked patriotism with religion in the 1950s as they sought to differentiate themselves from "godless" communists. The connection grew stronger during Ronald Reagan's presidency, especially among Protestant denominations.

According to the RNS article, Catholic churches generally follow the readings required for the Sunday following Independence Day, established according to the lectionary, claiming that worship is about God, not about the country.

"Many conservative Americans believe America has a special role," said John Green, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, adding that many Christians, like Kabo, feel that the U.S. is the "product of providence."

Some local churches do plan to acknowledge Independence Day. A sampling:

The theme of Kabo's sermon July 6 will be "Red, White and Blue," he said. The congregation will sing patriotic hymns, such as "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful," and the choir will sing special music during the service. A "couple dozen" flags will be placed around the church property as well, Kabo said.

Zion Methodist Church of Gordonville will have a special prayer service for veterans, living and dead, as well as for those currently serving in the military.

The Rev. Anne Mowery said members of the community are encouraged to submit names of family members serving, or who have served, to be included on a list that will be displayed throughout the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services July 6. Each person on that list will be prayed for.

"It will be a prayerful service," Mowery said.

Also honoring veterans will be First Pentecostal Church of Cape Girardeau. The children of the church will sing special patriotic songs during the service, said Sheila Faire, whose husband Darrell is pastor there.

First Pentecostal Church will also display its avenue of flags in memory of those who have served and are serving. Faire said each flag is placed in honor of a particular veteran from the church. The flags of veterans who are no longer living will be marked with a black ribbon and black star.

About 75 flags will be displayed around St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, and will be set out by Boy Scout Troop 21, the troop the church sponsors. According to church personnel there, the worship service July 6 will have a patriotic theme with patriotic hymns.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will set out flags, as they usually do, at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, and Abbey Road Christian Church will display its flags beginning the morning of July 4.

At Centenary United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jeff Long will share the pulpit at the 8:45 a.m. service July 6 with Navy Lt. Cmdr. Peter Muschinske, a chaplain who has served in Iraq. Muschinske will also conduct a workshop at 10 a.m. for adults on the concept of church and chaplains in combat crisis in Iraq.

Bethel Assembly will hold its annual "Freedom Celebration" outside the church Thursday starting at 7 p.m. at shelter No. 3 at Kiwanis Park with food, fun and fireworks and games for children in the community as well as its membership.

Some churches will celebrate early. Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau will have a special patriotic service at 10:40 a.m. Sunday to honor veterans and current military, as will Calvary Temple in Fredericktown, Mo., at its 10:45 a.m. service also on the 29th.

Abbey Road Christian Church plans to have a picnic July 4 for its church members on the church grounds, but invites the public to come later in the day to watch fireworks with the members.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

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