Pastor Steve’s Blog June 30, 2019. As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, I again turn to my Uncle’s World War II devotion book, “Strength for Service” to see what was being said while the country was at war on the Fourth of July. It was a devotion by E.P. Anderson, Calvary Methodist Church, Nashville, TN. In his devotion he wrote the following: “All of us are challenged this day to remember the values that are included in true patriotism---all those things which made our country the greatest on earth, those things for which we should be willing to die. There is something almost divine in true love of one’s country. Religion and patriotism are woven together. Love to God means love for those high things which He has created. Let us pray: O Eternal God, in Thee do we trust. May we keep sacred the heritage from our fathers. Bless, we pray Thee, those who keep the home fires burning, and those who defend our land. God bless our native land! Firm may she ever stand, Through storm and night: When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do Thou our country save, By Thy great might! Amen.” Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!