Pastor Steve’s Blog May 26, 2019 Memorial Day When we have special days, such as Memorial Day, I like to turn to my Uncle’s “Strength for Service to God and Country” which he received during his time in the military during WWII. It was given to him by The First Methodist Church of Clarksburg, WV dated December 25, 1943. As someone who likes history, I find it fascinating to look back and see what and how people were thinking in an earlier time. You will notice that this devotion was influenced during a time of great national stress caused by our participation in WWII. Here is the devotion for Memorial Day dated for May 30 by William Everett Roberts, Community Presbyterian Church, Beverly Hills, CA. “Memorials and Their Meaning. ‘This day shall be unto you a memorial.’ Exodus 12:14. The memorial idea has prevailed among all kinds of people from the earliest times. The Old Testament contains the record of many memorials. The greatest of these was the day set apart to commemorate the safety of the people of Israel from the destroying angel and their deliverance from bondage to the oppressor. Year by year, generation by generation, this occasion was ordered set apart as a time of joyous gratitude to God. We too have a Memorial Day. We as a people are also summoned to remember. Ours is not primarily a religious institution, yet is has for us a profound spiritual significance. While we separate the functions of church and state, we do not separate religion from the total life of the nation. As a people we have reason to be profoundly grateful to the Father of nations because we have been delivered from fear and oppression and been given opportunity for the freest life any citizens have ever known. Now we are engaged once again in a struggle to set our planet free from bondage to an order of life intolerable to free spirits. Once again the making of history is upon us. Under God and with faith in the ultimate triumph of righteousness we can make the days to come memorable beyond all comparison; for our aim is not the release of a single people, but of the whole race of men. For such a cause we need the full devotion of the entire nation and full trust in God who has made and kept us as a nation. Prayer: Father of Eternity, we come to Thee in Thy greatness; we look to Thee for strength in this time of overwhelming need. Grant us the power to accept and to stand up to all our tasks. Give us wisdom to plan with clear mind and understanding heart. Beyond our sense of power may we have the spirit of righteousness and love. We ask it in Christ’s Name. Amen.”