Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Mollie Sprinkle at the passing of her husband, Melvin Sprinkle, on Wednesday, July 2. Arrangements are pending.
SYMPATHY: to Diana DeMarr and John Sollers, at the passing of their husband/father, Samuel DeMarr, on Friday, June 27. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Jane Lippy and Craig & Gail Lippy at the birth of their great-grandson/grandnephew, Ezra Jude, born on Tuesday, July 1, weighing 9 lbs. and 15 oz. The proud parents are Josh & Julee Lippy Delp.
COOKIE DONATIONS NEEDED: We are in need of cookies (no nuts) for VBS. Please sign-up at the Welcome Desk. Cookies need to be dropped off in the Church Kitchen by Sunday, July 13.
From My Heart
PATRIOTISM
By Dr. Curtis Hutson
What, after all, is patriotism? It isn’t the sight of the Statue of Liberty. It isn’t a whoop-dee-doo on the Fourth of July. It isn’t a hand waving a flag. Those are but symbols.
Patriotism is pride in each other. It’s children safe in their beds at night. It’s being able to scrap your job tomorrow if you feel like it. It’s having the right to laugh, play, speak, write, think, and pray as you wish. It’s liking it here in America. It’s wanting to say thanks. It’s contentment. Patriotism is going into the voting booth and making your choice and cheering your candidate if he gets in, and if he doesn’t, closing ranks behind the one who does.
When the rat-a-tat-tat of a drummer’s stick, the crash of brass cymbals, the twirling of silver batons, and a brilliantly dressed, fast-stepping color guard marching down the middle of any street, U.S.A. stimulate a grateful heart – that’s patriotism.
When we see visions of Betsy Ross, Washington, Jefferson, and Nathan Hale as we watch a parade pass by – that’s patriotism.
Feeling our heart race, a mist cloud in the eye, a “lump in the throat” – that’s the old-fashioned spirit of patriotism.
When we become so stirred that we shout, “three cheers for the red, white, and blue!” when the flag goes by, letting the world know we’re proud to be Americans – that’s patriotism.
The demonstration of strong faith in our republic and undivided devotion to our country is the duty of every true patriot.
But no one is born patriotic. Patriotism must be instilled through habitual practice. Each generation must rekindle its allegiance to our country and reverence for those in our nation’s past.
But how do we preserve our heritage for future generations? It would be simple if Mason jars could be filled and labeled BLOOD SHED WHILE THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAS BEING WRITTEN, or TEARS AND SWEAT FROM THOSE WHO FOUGHT AT FLANDERS FIELD, CORREGIDOR, AND PEARL HARBOR. But the accomplishments of the past can’t be bottled for future generations. Our national heritage must be preserved within the human heart. Each generation must allow itself to let loose emotionally and allow fervor for flag and country to ripple forth, as do the beautiful red and white stripes of our flag.