Thursday Thoughts
 < July 3^rd, 2008 >

V Dear Congregation, 
            Tomorrow we will celebrate the Declaration of Independence. It is our day to honor America and to particularly give thanks the great freedoms we enjoy in this nation. We will do it in characteristic American style—with big bright fireworks displays, parades with marching bands, and by eating too many hot dogs and hamburgers.

            It’s my hunch that with or without fireworks, no Americans will be more grateful for freedom than Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves, and Thomas Howes and their families. They are the three American defense contractors, who along with twelve others, were dramatically rescued after being held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia for nearly six years.

           Two weeks ago after having told us about her year abroad in Siberia, someone asked Susanna Merrill what she thought was the most important thing she learned. Her response was that she learned much more about America than about Siberia. I can recall a similar feeling after having spent a year living in Seoul, Korea in my college years.

            While we treasure our unique identity and our coveted liberty, one of the unintended results is that we are the world’s greatest consumers. We are free not only to openly assemble and worship God as we choose, but we are free to over indulge to the degree that we tax the resources not just of our nation, but of God’s beautiful creation, our planet.

            On Sunday we will sing America the Beautiful in worship. I love this song for its poetic description of the grand country that is ours. We will sing the familiar first verse and three lovely inclusive verses written about twenty-five years ago. In Katharine Lee Bates original poem, the third verse included this line, America, America, God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self control, they liberty in law.”

            As we celebrate this year, let us remember to cherish the blessings and repent of the flaws we share as Americans. And let us also remember our responsibility as followers of Jesus, to extend our love and care for the nation to include the whole earth and all God’s creatures.

& Sunday Morning Worship:                
           Jesus beckons all in the community of disciples to seek moments of sacred rest. In Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30, Jesus invites those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to take his yoke upon them—a yoke that is easy and whose burden is light.

Food for Thought:                       
            “What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our time? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility, a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” Adlai Stevenson.

!A final note:                                   
            Our Sunday Serendipity discussion this week centers on the question “What is the Role of Faith in Politics?” Come at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Room and join the conversation.

 
Peace!
Jan

Janice Daffern 
Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ            
15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-2762
e-mail: jdaffern@erucc.org