OLD RUGGED FLAG

Snippet

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.  Declaration of Independence

Scripture

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15

Song

Ragged old Flag By Johnny Cash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6vwXbQZvJo

I walked through a county courthouse square

On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.

I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down, 

He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town". 

I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit, 

And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".

He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down, 

"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"

I said, "I think it is"

He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of

That Ragged Old Flag

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,

When Washington took it across the Delaware.

and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it, 

writing "Say Can You See"

It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson

tugging at its seams.

and It almost fell at the Alamo 

beside the Texas flag,

But she waved on though.

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,

And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,

And the south wind blew hard on

That Ragged Old Flag

"On Flanders Field in World War I,

She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,

She turned blood red in World War II

She hung limp, and low, a time or two,

She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent

by her Uncle Sam.

She waved from our ships upon the briny foam

and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home

in her own good land here She's been abused,

She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,

And the government for which she stands

Has been scandalized throughout out the land.

And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,

But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.

Cause she's been through the fire before

and i believe she can take a whole lot more.

"So we raise her up every morning

And we bring her down slow every night,

We don't let her touch the ground,

And we fold her up right.

On second thought

I *do* like to brag

Cause I'm mighty proud of

That Ragged Old Flag"

Sentence Prayer

We lift up our hearts, O God, on this day of celebration

in gratitude for the gift of being Americans.

We rejoice with all those who share

in the great dream of freedom and dignity for all.

With flags and feasting, with family and friends,

we salute those who have sacrificed that we might have the opportunity to

bring to fulfillment our many God-given gifts.

As we deny all prejudice a place in our hearts,

may we also clearly declare our intention to work for the time when all 

people, regardless of race,religion or sex, will be granted equal dignity 

and worth.

Come, O gracious God,

who led your children Israel from slavery, keep us free from all that 

might hold us in bondage.

Bless our country and join our simple celebration

that we may praise you, our Source of freedom, the One in whom we 

place our trust. 

Ed Hays A Pligrim's Almanac: Reflections for Each Day of the Year, p. 111