Worship on Independence Day Weekend

By Pastor David Tinker

It is time now to plan to participate in worship on this long, busy, holiday weekend.

We will observe our normal weekend worship schedule on the first weekend of July.

Saturday, July 2, at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 3, at 10:00 a.m.

Our partner congregation, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, will also offer their regular 8:00 a.m. Sunday worship service on July 3.  The church meets at 6915 Waldeck Church Ln, Ledbetter, TX 78946.

I encourage you to think ahead about this complicated weekend.  Consider how you can schedule your activities for the holiday while still participating in worship among God’s people.

The big holiday is on Monday this year, so there is less immediate conflict with the worship schedule.  Even so, time flows differently for many on such a weekend, so plan now to be at worship at one of the three opportunities offered this weekend.  As the time flows differently, strive to be accepting of attending worship at a different time than normal, with the goal of hearing the Word of God, receiving Holy Communion, and delighting in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Worship of our God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is central to our life together. It is a foundational part of how we fulfill the greatest commandment of Jesus to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Weekly worship participation is also one of the Six Marks of Discipleship about which I have taught so frequently.  Worship is an investment in your faith life and in your relationships with your fellow Christians.  No matter what date it is, weekly worship is a good and central part of life as a follower of Jesus.

This Independence Day Holiday is not the only weekend when you might have multiple commitments on the calendar. As you work through plans for weekend trips, summer vacations, etc., prayerfully look into how you can get together with fellow Christians for worship.  Some of those weekends will be workable to be at worship in Carmine.  Some weekends will lead you to other communities across the state, nation or world.  In our family we have made the point to find a place of worship where we are going to be.  It is good to be at your home church, and it is also good to experience something different from time to time.  Even in touristy places like Hawaii there are churches where you can keep your weekly discipline of worship.  If you need help planning where to worship, I am glad to help you.  If you are comfortable using the internet, there in plenty of information available to help you.

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The Declaration of Independence

Another opportunity you have this weekend is to actually read or listen to the reading of our nation’s founding document.

Here is a link to read the document at the National Archives of the United States of America.

Here is a link to listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by then Senator John F. Kennedy.  It is presented as a video  on YouTube.