MAPLE AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CAPE GIRARDEAU: GOD HELPS US SHARE OUR BOUNTIFUL PROVISIONS

The Rev. Jimmie R. Dace is a native of Sullivan. He received his undergraduate education at Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Rolla. He graduated from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City in 1977 with a master of divinity degree. He is a full member of the Missouri East Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dace has served churches at Elwood, Bourbon, Vienna, DeKalb County Cooperative Parish, Owensville, and Advance-Whitewater. He was director of the Wesley Foundation at Southeast Missouri State University, until he was appointed to Maple Avenue in 1990.

A pastor's prayer/thoughts on the celebration of the Fourth of July:

God, we are on the eve of the two-hundred-sixteenth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There are images contained in the Declaration that have captured the imagination of people around the world. We occasionally struggle with the ideals of the Declaration. Our interests now are in the picnics, fun, food and fireworks of the celebration rather than the merciful justice you call us to bring about. Being in your presence widens our view of the world.

The songs we sing raise the ideal of belonging to one another as sisters and brothers. Yet racism, ageism, sexism and the many other ways we divide the world tarnishes the ideal. May working for justice bind us to others through loving service and not force. Poverty, a denial of justice, creates lives of unmet needs, crime, and hopelessness. We live in a nation of plenty. Now, help us act in such a way that everyone has a share of your bountiful provisions.

God, our yearning is for freedom for ourselves and others. Sometimes we lose the desire in the way we live. Give us grace and courage to yield a portion of our time, strength, thought, and resources to the justice, freedom, and peace you call us to bring about.

Thank you for your call to a more equitable world. To be honest we give thanks most for the festivities that come from the heritage and call. Come be in our celebrations of joy even as you challenge us. Amen

May you have a joyous July Fourth.