By Rev. Ralph Manuel--  “[God] is over man and nation alike.” (Job 34:29)

This July 4 our nation celebrates its 235th birthday.

This a natural opportunity for us to reflect on our pride in our country (without forgetting its various shortcomings) and to be thankful to God for being with us throughout this shared journey. As Francis Scott Key wrote (in the rarely sung final stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner”):

            . . . May the heaven-rescued land

            praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

It’s not too late to join our Summer Choir! This is your chance to come “make music to the Lord” with others who share the same love for music. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 and we sing on Sunday mornings—no robes and no fuss. Come and sing!

To God be the glory,

Ralph

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In 1815 a hymn, “Sachsenlied,” was written in German by Siegfried Mahlmann and sung in the presence of the King of Saxony. This hymn is considered to have been the inspiration for “America” (“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”), written by Samuel Smith and first performed in 1831. However, in 1832 a student at Harvard Divinity School, Charles Brooks, wrote an English version of the original German hymn, which he called “God Bless Our Native Land.” This text was later revised by John Dwight, the Boston music critic. This is a stirring hymn in its own right, which deserves to be better known.

(This can be sung to the same tune as “America.”)

            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!

            For her our prayer shall rise

            to God, above the skies;

                        on Him we wait:

            Thou who art ever nigh,

            guarding with watchful eye,

            to Thee aloud we cry,

                        God save the State!