God of Our Fathers

“In You our fathers…trusted and You delivered them.”
Psalm 22:4

Last Sunday morning on our way to church I quickly scanned The Gospel Coalition’s July 4th lead article, 5 Questions to Ask about Your Church’s Patriotic Worship Service. Written by Joe Carter, a 15 year United States military veteran, the article both questioned and criticized patriotic church services. Mr. Carter suggested five questions that pastors should ask themselves before hosting a patriotic rally in their church:

• Will this service make fellow believers feel uncomfortable or unwelcome?

• Would we welcome patriotic elements from other countries?

• If people unfamiliar with Christianity attended this service, what would they think we worship?

• Do I fear my members more than God?

• How do these patriotic elements point people to Jesus?

I’m not sure which patriotic church services Mr. Carter has attended in the past, but I am quite certain it wasn’t the one I attended Sunday night at Briarwood Presbyterian.  The Christianity in America celebration was completely void of partisan politics. The celebration was laser focused on two important elements: Christianity and America’s birth as a nation; thus its title, Christianity in America.

The event featured a wonderful selection of patriotic music performed by the Festival Orchestra that included:

• Fanfare to the Common Man, a World War II composition written by Aaron Copland

• 76 Trombones

• The Star Spangled Banner

• Medley tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces

• God of Our Fathers

• My Country ‘tis of Thee

• America the Beautiful

• God Bless America

Last year’s Christianity in America celebration was limited by the pandemic to a remote broadcast. Sunday night’s celebration was joyous, well-attended, and a great contrast to the isolation and loss of community we experienced last year. We as a congregation prayed for our President and national leaders.  We honored our flag and those who have defended it. There was a solemn remembrance of those who have served and given “the last full measure of devotion” for our country. Veterans in attendance were honored for their sacrifice and service to our country. Our lone remaining World War II veteran received a well-deserved standing ovation.

 As we sang God of Our Fathers, my eyes brimmed as we sang:

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense
Thy true religion in our hearts increase
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way
Lead us from night to never ending day
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

God of Our Fathers was written by Pastor Daniel Roberts to celebrate our country’s 100th anniversary in 1876. The song isn’t just a hymn, however; instead it’s a prayer of gratitude, thanksgiving, and petition to God, the God of our fathers and the God of all deliverance.  The hymn’s lyrics seemed particularly appropriate after a year of deadly Covid disease and violence in our nation’s streets.

Pastor Harry Reeder read President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Lincoln’s most memorable speech was delivered during the Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Ceremony in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1863.  Consisting of only 271 words and requiring only 2 minutes and 28 seconds to deliver, Lincoln’s carefully crafted address has come to be seen as one of the greatest and most influential statements of American national purpose.

 As I sat and listened to President Lincoln’s speech, I was amazed at the skill and craftsmanship of his words, especially as I considered the circumstances under which the speech was written. Our nation wasn’t just politically and ideologically divided as it is today; instead, we were literally torn asunder as states, communities, and even families fought against each other in the deadly Civil War.

President Lincoln ended his Gettysburg Address with these memorable words:

“We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Throughout scripture, God called for annual times of celebration in the nation of Israel and the lives of His people. Each celebration was and is a time for remembering God and His past deliverances in our lives. July 4th on our calendars has come and gone for 2021. But each of us can still pause, remember, give thanks, and celebrate the birth of our nation; the gift of godly leaders who led with courage and conviction; and the God of our fathers whose Almighty hand has led us in the past to this place in our nation’s history.  May He ever “be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay” and may “His Word be our law, His path our chosen way.” (God of Our Fathers, Daniel Roberts)

After our service, our congregation enjoyed a time of fellowship, community, jazz music, and family fun outside on the church grounds. Some of the sights and sounds of our celebration seen throughout this post capture the beauty and wonder of a memorable summer Sunday night worship service.