Two hundred and fifty years ago, there began an experiment in governance and imagination. There was a hope that people could shape the vision and hope for the land they called home.

It was imagined by those founding mothers and fathers that every one of those citizens would have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” There have been failures and countless mistakes, and some might not even feel like celebrating this anniversary especially in Sunday worship when it seems like this grand experiment has forgotten the religious freedom that brought so many to these shores and hatch such a dream. There has been so much effort to claim this history with one voice that it is hard to know how to listen to the still small voice of God, though this is what our worship does. It leads us to an encounter with the one who sees it all.

I’m not planning worship for this particular Sunday but my pastor over in Philadelphia sent me a note to ask what I’ve seen pop up. What resources are there for this particular day? What voices should be included in gathering the faithful to continue this grand experiment in deep imagination?

PRAYERS & RESOURCES

Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial 
The Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America

This is the only mainline resource I’ve seen that offers any particular prayers for this Sunday. It is long and provides lots to shape worship.

Preparing July 4th Worship: Resources to Resist Christian Nationalism
The Wisconsin Council of Churches

This is a tremendous list, which includes prayers for worship and celebration, but leads the community to challenge the tides of Christian Nationalism. This is an amazing group doing fantastic ecumenical work, as the link to their webinar at the bottom will reveal. 

We Tell a Different Story 
The Rev. Allyson Sawtell

This collection of prayers including a call to worship, prayers of remembrance and a liturgy for the table encourage resistance in the spirit of joy and gratitude. The resource concludes with a series of questions that could be used after worship for discussion in adult education.

Ring the Bells for Freedom 
The Rev. Chris Davies

The Rev. Davies has a gift for words — as you might find in her new Substack — and this litany pulling together so many elements from our heritage testifies what freedom we hope will ring. Chris is also in ministry in New England where that call has a particular echo.

Pastoral Care Package 
Illustrated Ministry

Written by another wonderful UCC colleague, this complete package offers prayers, reflections on the assigned readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, as well as some opportunities to engage young people. It appears to be free which is just amazing.

Pandemic Prayers for the Fourth of July 
Elsa Anders Cook

While this complete liturgy is admittedly old, it would certainly work for this Sunday. Some of the songs might be replace for those that are more familiar. The poetry could be updated. It might even work without a sermon but encourage some small group conversation among the pews.

POETRY & VOICES

Let America be America Again by Langston Hughes

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

What to the Negro is the Fourth of July? by Frederick Douglass

In This Place (An American Lyric) by Amanda Gorman

Return to the Old Union by Susan B. Anthony

Once the World Was Perfect by Joy Harjo

Ain’t I A Woman by Sojourner Truth

American Dream Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mother Country by Richard Blanco

There are no kings in America by Aileen Cassinetto

You’ve Got to Have Hope by Harvey Milk

SONGS & HYMNS

Beyond the more familiar hymns that celebrate national pride, including those listed in the back of your hymnals, here are some newer hymns and lyrics.

In This Time of Great Reflection by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

May We Be Free by Hannah C. Brown

We Weep a River of Tears by Chris Shelton

We Can Tell a Different Story by Amanda Udis-Kessler

Stars and Stripes by Common Hymnal

What did I miss? What other voices, songs and prayers do we most need to hear as we reflect on what America has been and what it could still be?