July 2017
Greetings and Celebrations!
July is an eventful month for celebrations! Beginning with Independence Day on July 4th, many family get togethers, cook-outs, family reunions, vacations, swimming parties and on, and on. Likely you have something you plan to do this year in July or have fond memories of past July celebrations.
In the small community of Otwell, an annual Ruritan July 4th Celebration has been ongoing well beyond my memory. As a young child, I always wanted to enter the footrace on July 4th, because it was a chance to earn $2 that I could spend on candy and trinkets ($2 would buy something back in the day).
Regarding the coming July 4th celebration, the real Independence Day is July 2, 1776. That’s the day the Continental congress approved a resolution of independence from Great Britain. Once that vote was over, they turned their attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining the decision, which was debated and finally approved on July 4.
John Adams, our second President, wrote to his wife, Abigail, regarding this act of Independence saying, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” However, he went on to write that the day should be celebrated by “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.” We do that part pretty well, and Marvin’s Fireworks seems to celebrate the day with great sales.
MCC is planning a celebration in July also – to be held on July 16th. In our previous church at Loogootee, we had a dynamic young team of musicians who have been playing at church for about five years, and they want to come to MCC and praise the Lord with us during our morning worship. I recommend them highly and hope you will come on that Sunday for this very special celebration.
Also, to be celebrated will be our completion of the membership class with welcoming and reaffirming membership vows, where we promise to serve the Lord with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
And lastly, we will celebrate following worship with a great fellowship meal together in the Fellowship Hall. Hope you all will come.
In Christ,
Pastor Greg