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Worship on Veteran's Day Sunday

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Joshua Rhodes, Nov 15, 2007.

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  1. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Hello everyone. I was writing to find out your opinions on worship for a special secular holiday like Veteran's Day. I came under fire Sunday from various people in our church for not having any patriotic music. However, I'm of the mind that we come to church to worship the Lord, not the flag, and not our country. We recognized them, thanksed them for their service, and prayed for our troops currently serving, but did not sing anything patriotic.

    Don't hear me wrong on this. I have in the past served in churches when we had special services dedicated to honoring our country and those who've served. I would also say that I am thankful for these people and their sacrifices, and that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world. But that still is not the reason for worship on a Sunday morning. Am I way off here?
     
    #1 Joshua Rhodes, Nov 15, 2007
  2. tenor

    tenor New Member

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    I'm in 100% agreement with you on this one Joshua. We di recognize our veterans and had a special time of prayer for veterans and those currently serving.

    I also don't care for the Pledge to the American being used in the context of a worship service. However, a community celebration is another matter altogether.
     
    #2 tenor, Nov 16, 2007
  3. PJ

    PJ Active Member
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    Our worship was unchanged, but we added some veteran's day features to the service. We did have patriotic music. We did pledge to the American flag. We also had a power point presentation honoring our service men and women. To be sensitive to folk's families and to honor the bravery of the fallen was the aim.

    One of our vets passed away last month and he was definitely fresh on our minds. It was appropriate that we handled both services the way we did. Music in the evening service was patriotic as well.
     
    #3 PJ, Nov 16, 2007
  4. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    I don't think there really is a right or wrong answer, Joshua.

    But I do think that the two aren't mutually exclusive.

    Our veterans act as agents of the state and the Bible says that makes them agents of God. To me, that means that when we honor them for their faithful service, we do honor God.

    On the other hand, if you feel that it distracts from the worship of God, then, by all means, don't do it.
     
    #4 Mike McK, Nov 16, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 16, 2007
  5. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    We do not assemble to worship the country or to worship its veterans. Thanking them for service is one thing, but the hyper-patriotism in some churches is too much.
     
    #5 StefanM, Nov 16, 2007
  6. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    You all make good points. I tend to agree with Mike... in that it's a case by case thing. Different churches do different things... that's one thing that makes us distinctly Baptist. Thanks for those that responded. Any more?
     
    #6 Joshua Rhodes, Nov 16, 2007
  7. Timsings

    Timsings Member
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    Joshua,

    I think you handled it just right. The line between religion and patriotism has become blurred until it is hard to see where one stops and the other starts. It is important that we maintain a clear line of distinction between them. We do not have a flag in our auditorium, and we do not sing patriotic music except on the Fourth of July.

    Tim Reynolds
     
    #7 Timsings, Nov 16, 2007
  8. Essene

    Essene New Member

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    Veterans Day

    I am a veteran, and I agree with Joshua Rhodes. I go to church to worship God, not the USA or its flag. I actually considered not attending on Nov 11 because I didn't want the embarrassment of "all veterans stand up."

    However, there are some veterans who would feel insulted if they weren't ask to stand.

    Our interim minister handled it this way. He asked vets to stand during the "announcements" period, BEFORE the organ Prelude, i.e. BEFORE worship service began. I can live with that....but I did not stand.

    Essene
    AF18 606 809.
     
    #8 Essene, Nov 19, 2007
  9. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Thanks Essene. I hoped a veteran or two would respond. :thumbs:
     
    #9 Joshua Rhodes, Nov 20, 2007
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