Dear Friends in Christ

This year the fourth of July falls on a Sunday.  We’ll have a special patriotic observation in worship.  Please plan to come and thank God for our nation, our freedom, and our many blessings.  God Bless America!

 Recently I was watching the National Anthem played at the World Cup Soccer game between England and the United States.  I was so proud of our team.  With the obvious exception of one lone player, all the team members and coaches had their hands over their hearts and they sang the Star Spangled Banner with great pride.

Our national anthem actually has four verses.  This poem was written by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British during the War of 1812.  The fort was shelled all night long.  As dawn began to brighten the Eastern sky, Key asked over and over:  “Can you see which flag is flying?”  After it was all finished he wrote a poem called “The Defense of Fort McHenry.”  The words were put to an old English tune called “To Anacreon in Heaven.”  This poem and song became our National Anthem

We all should know the first verse by heart.  Here are the next three.

Verse Two:  On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mists of the deep.  Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes.  What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep.   As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?  Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam.  In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh! long may it wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Verse three:  And where is that band who so vauntingly swore that the havoc of war and the battle's confusion.   A home and a country should leave us no more!  Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Verse four:  Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand.   Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.   Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,  And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."  And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Happy Birthday America!  See you in Church!

 See you in Church,

 Rick Calhoun, Pastor