ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
In This Month's
St. John Witness
JULY WITNESS
Pastor's Message
Leviticus 18:24: “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things,
for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean.”
Our Father’s God, To Thee
Author of liberty, to Thee we sing
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King. (stanza 4)
Samuel Francis Smith was a twenty-four-year-old seminary student in Massachusetts when he wrote the lyrics of "America” the unofficial national anthem for nearly one-hundred years.
In 1831, while studying at Andover Theological Seminary, Smith was asked by composer Lowell Mason to translate some German song books. Inspired by one of the German songs—"God Bless Our Native Land"—Smith set out to write an original patriotic song for America set to the same melody. The result was what Smith called "America" and what would eventually be better known as "My Country, ’Tis of Thee." The song was first performed on July 4, 1831, by a children’s choir in Boston.
As we celebrate the semi-quincentennial of our nation, I recall the bi-centennial 50 years ago. Questions then about the viability, stability, and durability of a nation which had become less godly with time still echo today. Do we trust God?
George Washington, the United States’ first president, was aware that a nation cannot succeed without the blessing of God. In a letter to the governors, he wrote in 1783:
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou will keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to the government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at-large; and finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion; and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation, grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen,
We, too, should be aware that the Maker and Ruler of all judges the nations! Bow before Him! Seek his
righteousness. Trust His mercy, not our might!
Rejoice for God’s grace! Pastor Grimm
