America's Independence Day

America officially celebrates the anniversary of the Declaration Independence from Britain each year on July 4.  

Celebrations are varied; but, usually consist of community parades, outdoor picnics and gatherings, with food and music - and community displays of fireworks.

 Churches have an opportunity to tell a story not usually heard in schools - or churches for that matter.

It’s not a story easily found on television or film.  

It’s a great opportunity to remind folks of the place of the church in the lives of most of the colonists in those early times.  

Some of these resources here could inspire the preacher and/or worship leader to engage the congregation in a real uplifting experience.

Important to consider in the planning for a new celebration of Independence Day should be the realization that not all inhabitants of the New World would celebrate Independence.  

The population of Africans brought to this world as slaves did not see and could not celebrate independence.

Nor could most of the Native American population.  To the credit of the British (and discredit of  the Colonists) each Native group was seen and treated by the British as separate “nations” with certain respect and dignity and rights granted therein.  

Most colonists viewed the Natives as a problem to be eradicated.  There would be no celebrating of independence  amongst them.  

May you find inspiration here for a New Celebration of Independence Day.

Check it out:   http://www.newcelebrations.com/independencedayusa.html