A few months ago, one of my “Weekly Word” articles was called “The Flag + The Cross.” In the article, I talked about sitting in a church in which the American flag and the cross were placed, perhaps inadvertently, side by side. I also talked about the meaning – theological and personal – of symbols in the church and how sometimes we might lean more to the personal than the theological when it comes to certain symbols:
The cross is a symbol that has already been redeemed and glorified by God – in the dying and rising of Jesus Christ. The cross is a sign of something that God has done – and continues to do – for all creation.
And the flag. . . ? It is a symbol of something that we long to be more perfect. . . but we are not there yet. Acknowledging our imperfection does not mean that I do not love my country. Far from it. I want the absolute best for my country and pray for this. Hopefully, you do, too! For me, to see a national flag in a church sanctuary – even the flag of a nation we love – is a reminder that we are not perfect yet. We live in a world that has been saved by God, but is still in need of God’s saving power, especially in these turbulent times.
- John Sawyer – From the “Weekly Word” on March 6, 2026
Last week, I wrote an article on my trip to Princeton Theological Seminary for my Class Reunion. At one point during the Reunion, someone asked the question of how pastors and churches were navigating the waters of talking about matters of church and state. Everyone who heard the question gave a heavy sigh – a sigh that said, “It sure ain’t easy, these days.” Someone in the group quoted a pastor who said, “We live in a time when we may be proclaiming the same gospel we have always proclaimed – in the way we have always proclaimed it – but our proclamation is deemed too political.”
A few months ago, when our Worship Committee looked on the calendar and saw that this coming Sunday is both Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day Sunday, someone in the group said that they hoped we could have some good patriotic hymns as part of the service. “I’ll see what I can do,” I said, knowing that it sure wouldn’t be easy. . . knowing that the sincere and primary goal and hope in a service of Christian worship is to glorify God, and God alone. Is it possible to glorify God while giving thanks for one’s nation? Yes, and yet this is where the line can get fuzzy in terms of what (or who) we are glorifying.
This Sunday is, indeed, both Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day Sunday. And, just as we do each year, we will be welcoming the Bedford Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion into our sanctuary and for a special time of remembrance at the Bedford Center Cemetery right after the service. I am so thankful for their presence with us! And, in our Prayers of the People this Sunday, we will give thanks for the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to something greater than themselves and in sacrifice for their fellow service men and women. Their acts of heroism and sacrifice – as hard as these acts were and are to truly recognize in truly meaningful ways – have the fingerprints of the Holy on them.
In our worship this Sunday, we will seek to glorify God – just as we always seek to do – giving thanks for the ways that the Lord of heaven and earth has blessed – and continues to bless – all who are called by the Holy Spirit to dedicate their lives to something and to someone greater than themselves. . . even you and me.
May we give thanks – first and foremost – for the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the ways that the Spirit calls us to offer ourselves, daily, in love of God and neighbor. And may we give thanks to the One who is at work – through the Spirit – lovingly making us a more perfect union of people who are blessed, called, and sent by the Holy Spirit.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “Power to the People” (The Gift of the Spirit)
Read Acts 2:1-6 (7-36)
Read 1 Corinthians 12:3-13
Read Numbers 11:24-30
Read or sing Hymn # 289 – “On Pentecost They Gathered”
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video On Pentecost They Gathered (Munich, Arr. Schweizer)Preview YouTube video On Pentecost They Gathered (Munich, Arr. Schweizer)