Our church sign this morning reads, "God Bless America." My first thought upon seeing it was that we must be nearing a National Holiday! Obviously, we areas next Sunday is the 4th of July, the second of three major summer holidays that lift up various aspects of our national history and blessings from our gracious God. My second thought upon seeing the message was a reminder of a passage in the book of 2 Chronicles 7.14 "If my people, who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Perhaps a second message could be "America Bless God.".

God entrusts to us a wonderful gift in freedom. As children of God we are graciously freed from the consequences of our sin. We are freed from the bondage of repeating our sins and given the opportunity to move into a completely new direction of servanthood under the gracious love of our Savior. We are freed from the despair and grief of the grave. Or, as a recent print from Jack Dukelow proclaims, "The grave is NOT your FINAL HOME".

The month of June brought that reality home to Elaine Webb, the mother in law of Marlene Byard who lived in Las Vegas, to Jim McNaughton, and to Marilyn Nast. Such freedom that we enjoy comforts us in life's greatest sorrow and empowers us to proclaim the victory of our Lord Jesus entrusted to His children. As the calendar moves from June to July we pray God's comfort rest mightily upon Marlene, Carmen, and Paul.

God's gift of freedom is also proclaimed in the washing of Holy Baptism, which not only cleanses away our sin, but unites us into the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord, thus giving us the hope and comfort to look forward to total freedom in the Kingdom of Heaven. What a joy it has been to share in the Holy Baptisms of Jade Kaitlin Uhl and Raenah Lavinia Toole! What a gift to look forward to the Baptisms of Matthew and Jack Wiley and Riley High!

God's gift of freedom is also granted in the gift of marriage, as love moves our hearts to commit our love one to another as did Mark Ponder and Dee Dee Wiley on June 26. Children Matthew and Jack are embraced in a wonderful relationship that is filled with love, security, hope, and joy.

God's gift of freedom is shared as we joyously gather in our house of worship to hear His Gospel message, to pray and support one another in community, and as we say, "in simple gifts of bread and wine" have our faith nourished and strengthened.

The apostle Paul has written, "It is for freedom, Christ has set us free."
May our prayers include thanksgivings for those who have defended our gift of freedom, along with a resolve to recognize and thank the One who grants such freedom.

Peace and Joy
Pastor Kevin