Transcription
Heat up. [music] Here. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] up here. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] [music] [cheering] [applause] [applause]
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. If you would remain standing, please. Welcome. We're so glad, thrilled that you're joining us this evening for the celebration of America's semiquincential, the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Happy birthday, America. [applause]
We want to dedicate our time tonight to the Lord. So, would you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight, Lord, and ask your blessing on this evening. Lord, we are so thankful that we can gather tonight in this nation that was founded upon you and after 250 years is still called one nation under God. But no matter what the nation does, we here proclaim that you are Lord God. We are humbled and honored to be servants under you. And we praise you for who you are, God Almighty, King of the universe, omnipotent, eternal, and everlasting. You establish nations, and you tear them down. You reign over all the kingdoms and nations of this world, and you will reign forever more. Lord, we thank you for this nation for preserving this American experiment for your purposes that you've placed us in here for such a time as this. And I thank you personally, Father, for the divine wisdom and the genius insight that you put into the minds and the hearts of our forefathers and the framers of this great nation. Lord, you are peace, goodness, righteousness, mercy, and love. We thank you for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon us as individuals and upon America, the land we love.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
And now, if you would place your right hand over your heart, remove your hat if you have one, and join us in the pledge of allegiance. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Now, if you would remain standing for just a moment, we have another American custom that we'll do together. [snorts]
The celebrations for this epic anniversary may be the largest we've ever had. All across this big, beautiful land, American patriots are gathering, as they should, to commemorate this amazing milestone. There's fireworks, parades, picnics, events of all kind. But right here in this place, right now, we have gathered together to celebrate in a very special way. We are here to worship God in a spirit of thanksgiving and praise. As King David said in Psalm 122, "I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord." We are here to acknowledge God's goodness to America right here in the house of the Lord. So once again, in an attitude of honor and respect, if you would remove your hat, place your right hand over your heart, and join us as we sing our country's national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. And then afterward, if you would please remain standing as the color guard from our Calvary Chapel Trail Life and American Heritage Girls post the colors. [music] [music]
You see my Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] Yeah. [music] Heat. [singing] [music] Oh, [music] [music] heat. [music] [cheering and applause]
You may be seated.
Anyone who has had the opportunity to travel this great country would agree that America is indeed a beautiful land. From our majestic mountains to the Grand Canyon to the great lakes to the plains of the Midwest to our beautiful beaches and coastlines, the incredible beauty of God's amazing geography is on display in a distinctive way in every state. Wherever you go, we are reminded of our heritage. Also, as we travel around our country, from the Statue of Liberty to Mount Rushmore to our nation's capital, the Golden Gate Bridge, and many, many national monuments, we are reminded that this is a sweet land of liberty. But liberty alone cannot secure a nation's future. This beautiful land would be wasted without guidance. That is where we see the unprecedented divine providence in the formation and the preservation of America. As a country, we have certainly been blessed. America is far from perfect. But there is no denying God's hand has made the United States of America unlike any other nation in the world. Why do we find love in our hearts for this country? from all that America was and is now with all of its distinctions and idiosyncrasies. This is our home. And today we're gathered here to honor this nation, to honor those who protect and preserve our freedoms, and to honor our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we are gathered here in God's house to celebrate America's 250th. Why? Because we love America. [music] [singing] America. [music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music] Fashioned by [music and singing] the men who fought for liberty strengthened [music] by [singing] each generation fresh mortality all [music and singing] the nations now [music] that's why Heat. Heat. [music and singing] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] My home sweet [music] home. [singing] [music] [singing] [music] Oh, [music] [singing] and beautiful. [music] [singing] [music] [music and singing] [music] America. [music] [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [singing] [music] By the ocean [music] [singing] [music] [music] that's why [singing] I love [music] I am [singing] America. My home [singing and music] sweet home. I [music] love [singing] America [music] with his 50 to [singing] [music] [music] build my people [singing] and free. Oh [music] Mary, [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music and singing] we land. [music and singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music and singing] [cheering and applause]
The red, white, and blue, the stars and stripes, old glory, the star spangled banner. These are all names for our flag. The 50 stars, as you know, represent the 50 separate states that are unified to make the United States. How did they know how to structure that? The 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies and our brave founding fathers who dared to take a bold stand for freedom and liberty. The red stripes symbolize the blood shed by our brave heroes in the fight for freedom. The white stripes symbolize purity, innocence, and liberty. Together, the stars and stripes on our flag are a powerful symbol of our love for God and our country. We love America, and we love the red, white, and blue.
I have been to other lands and places far and near. I've traveled the road that leads to Manderlay. I've been to Rome in Paris and foggy London town. I've thrown sorry. I've seen their glamour and glory. But no other land can top the USA.
I'm just a flag waving American. [music] A citizen I'm really proud to be. I'm just [music] a flag waving American. Red, white, and blue. [music] I love to see the [singing] battle and do I to see your glory. [music and singing] Oh, I just [music] beneath the sky. [music] Many things I know could be made [singing] better. I agree in counties and states and even on Capitol Hill. We deplore each fraud and scandal and injustice that remains. But show me a finer country as good or happier country or show me a better country if you will. I'm just a flag living American citizen. I really proud to be. [music] I just American. [music] [music] I thrilled to see [music] my eyes. [singing] Oh, I just [music] believe in the sky. I'm just a [music] flag [singing] waving American. I'm really proud to be. [music] I'm just a flag on America. [singing] [music] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] [cheering] [applause]
From the very beginning, America was founded on principles that recognized the hand of Almighty God in our nation's destiny. Our founding fathers understood that true liberty was not merely the right to do as we please, but the responsibility to uphold righteousness and justice for future generations. As President John Adams declared, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." The founders believed that the survival of the republic depended on virtue and that virtue depended on the Christian faith. So they laid the foundation of a land where faith and freedom walk hand in hand, always remembering with expectancy that God has an eternal plan. Pastor Jack mentioned a few moments ago the Constitution, the miracle of the US Constitution from its inception until today, where it is the longest surviving written charter of government in the entire world. It's lasted for nearly 240 years. The average age of a constitution, the average lifespan is 17 years. That's not a coincidence. That's a God instance. God has an eternal plan. [applause] Amen. And his eternal plan has always included the United States for the last two and a half centuries. And this eternal plan includes you and me today as Americans living at such a time as this on our journey to shine the light of Christ in the darkness to spread the gospel, the good news, to bring lost souls into the kingdom of heaven for eternity. That is true freedom. These next songs echo the spirit of a nation blessed by God, built on sacrifice, and sustained by God's grace, mercy, and love. America is part of his eternal plan. [music] [music] Let freom bring [music] from shore to shore. Let freom [singing] bring forever. [music] This is our song. Lift up your voice. Let freom [music] [singing] bring from shore to [music] shore. and freedom [singing] ring forever more. This is our [singing] song. Lift up [music] your voice and be forever more. [music] [music] My [singing] country is a sweet and liberty. [music] [singing] I see [music] where my [singing] father's eyes of the river [music] [singing] and we [music] all [singing] [music] [singing] of [music] the receive. Heat. Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] This is my [music] country. [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] My country [music] is my land from California to New York Island [music] for the waters. [music] This land was made for you and me. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] This land was made for you and me. [music] [music] Let freom from shore to shore. and fre. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [applause and cheering]
At this time, we would like to recognize those who give of their time and talents to serve us in public office. If you currently serve our city, county, state, or nation in an elected office such as city council, mayor, school board, water board, county supervisor, state representative, representative in Congress, or some other elected office. Would you please stand at this time so we can show our appreciation to you for your service? [applause] [applause] [applause]
Thank you for coming. You may be seated. We also would love to express our appreciation to the first responders and those who protect and serve us in our communities through their service in law enforcement, fire departments, paramedics. So at this time we ask all of the police officers, ICE officers, border patrol, firefighters, paramedics, and EMT, [cheering] and any who have retired from these professions, please stand. Thank you. [applause] [applause] [applause]
Thank you so much. You may be seated. Here at Calvary Chapel, Chino Hills, we take our young people seriously when one of them makes a commitment to leave here to serve in our military. and we publicly pray for them and send them out into the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and the newest branch of our military. Started in 2019, the Space Force. In 2018, my son Kyle was prayed for right here by Pastor Jack before he left for the Marines. And as Pastor Jack always prays, he returned. Mission completed. [applause]
What a legacy. A legacy that we have here as hundreds and hundreds of recruits have been prayed for, commissioned, and sent out right from here. In a moment, we're going to express our appreciation to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces. But first, we also want to thank one other group that should be recognized. The family members of those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. The families that they have left at home are also making a great sacrifice. In addition, there may be some here who still have a family member who is considered missing in action. We pause to thank those individuals for their service and thank their families for the service of their loved ones. If you have a relative who is serving or who has served in our country in the armed forces or if you are a family member of an MIA, would you please stand at this time so that we can express our gratitude to you for your sacrifice? [applause] Wow. [applause] [applause] [applause]
That is beautiful. You may be seated. The high calling of the kingdom of God motivates us and inspires us to participate in the important role that we play in the preservation of our nation's liberty. There have been many who have left the comforts of home and family to defend our nation in faroff lands. And there have been far too many who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country. The legacy of those who are willing to preserve and protect our liberty lives on and those who serve our nation today in all the branches of the military. The debt we owe them could never be adequately paid and our gratitude never fully expressed. It is in this spirit that we now ask any here today who once served or who now serve in the armed forces as a soldier, a sailor, a guardsman, air force, guardian or marine that during the performance of the anthem from your particular branch, if you would please stand so that you could be recognized and we could express our gratitude to you. Therefore, it is fitting that we acknowledge our appreciation and pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces of the United States of America. [music] Over [music] [singing] hill, over day, we will hit the dusty trail [music] and Heat. Heat. [music] 1 [music] 2 3 4 1 2 3 [music] rolling along [music] my away. [music] [singing] We still [music] day to [music] [singing] be on his wishing you a happy wife. [music] We're always [music and singing] ready for the call. We are just [music] in our [music] victory. This is our [music] model. [singing] We're always ready to or die. I was [music] fight for you. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Yeah. Heat. [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music and singing] in the air [music] and sea for [singing] our [music] earth. Yeah. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Yeah. Heat. [music] [cheering and applause] [applause] [cheering] [applause] USA. USA. [cheering] [applause and cheering] [cheering] [applause] [cheering] Come on. Okay. Tonight [applause] [applause] we are celebrating this historic birthday of America because 250 50 years ago, our founding fathers met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to officially adopt and sign the Declaration of Independence. But the history of our country did not start on that day. And the history of our country did not start with that document. The history of this country started in Jamestown in6007. And it started with the Bible. The first English colonist who established a permanent settlement in America at Jamestown brought with them a Bible to guide them in their relationship with God and to know right from wrong. Next to arrive from England were the pilgrims on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom. Years earlier, there had been a Protestant Reformation in Europe. The goal of that reformation was to move away from all of the man-made traditions in the church and return to God alone. scripture alone and to be saved by faith alone. [applause]
When the Protestant Reformation reached England, the Anglican Church of England was established. But the Puritans saw that the Church of England was still promoting man-made beliefs, liturgy, and tradition. They wanted to get back to the Bible, believing in God alone, scripture alone, being saved by grace alone. Persecuted for their faith, a group of Puritans known today as the pilgrims, stepped onto the Mayflower in 1620. Carrying their Bibles, the 102 passengers, including 32 children and two dogs, sailed across the Atlantic, searching for religious freedom. When they arrived in Massachusetts, they needed a rule of law to guide their settlement because they had landed outside of England's charter. The Mayflower Compact was written and signed into law. With the Bible and the Mayflower Compact to guide them spiritually and legally, the pilgrims settled at Plymouth Plantation. It is well documented that through all of this, the Bible was the foundation for these pilgrims. The Mayflower Compact was written in 1620 in the name of God for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. That documents on Pastor Jack's wall. The Bible and the Mayflower Compact were the foundation of a nation that influenced Congress to adopt the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July in 1776. When they signed [singing] the [music] knew that it would cost them everything. They pledged [singing and music] their lives and fortunes to give to us the things that they believe. [singing] They [music] stood for truth and justice, life and liberty. And now the fight for freedom belongs to you and me. [music] They're what [singing] we strive for. We believe [music] with all our [singing] hearts. We live and die more. More than [music and singing] the wisdom of man. Trusting God we stand. For freedom [music] only comes from his hand. We hold [singing] the truth. [music] M when they made [singing] the choice to follow, they didn't understand where it would lead. [singing] They only knew who called [music and singing] them and said to them, "The truth will set [music] you free. The [music] greatest founding father [singing] in whom all like the air gave [music] us the revelation of the truth on which we stand. [music] We hope is true. They're what we [singing and music] strive for. We believe with all our hearts we live and [music] die [singing] more for the vision of trusting [music and singing] God we stand for freedom only comes from his we [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] We are all to [music] [singing] share [singing] [music] [music] [music] and My trusting [music and singing] God we He alone comes from his. [music] He alone comes from his [singing] [music] We all [music] [singing] we [applause]
50 years ago, America celebrated her 200 100th birthday with church services, parades, fireworks, the works. It was an exciting time in our country's history and the largest Fourth of July celebration America had ever seen. Raise your hand if you are around and you remember our bsentennial in 1976. I was there. I'm dating myself. Now, one reminder that you've probably all seen is the Praau Dam bsentennial mural, which is right down here, the 91 and the 71 freeways was originally painted by high school students from Corona and it was recently restored. It reads 200 years of freedom 1776 to 1976 and many such memorials all over the country. The celebrations for the bsentennial were off the charts. In fact, so much so it was dubbed the Fourth of July on steroids. Now, here we are 50 years later commemorating America's 250th birthday. Now, just think about this. If Jesus had not yet returned, all of you who are young now may be alive in 50 more years when our country celebrates its 300th birthday. So if the US reaches its tsentennial, you will remember today like some of us remember America's bsentennial. Think about that. As John Adams, our second president, said in a letter to his wife Abigail when he remembered the historic day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I'm apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other. from this time forward forever more.
So many take for granted what it means that we are free to live our lives beyond [singing] the lines of war and tyranny. But that which cost us nothing cost somebody. Why can't we see? [singing] Why can't we see? There's so much that divides us that it's hard to know the [singing] truth. But if we turn and seek God's [singing] face, this land will be renewed. Can we agree [singing] together? There is more that we can do. Will you join with me? I'll join with you. [singing] We will stand [music] with those who give in their all for [singing] unity. We will yield to the only [music and singing] sovereign Lord. We will pledge [singing] our alence to the land of liberty. [music] We will sing let free [music and singing] our ring forever more. [music] From the mountains to the [singing and music] prairies to the oceans white with foam. Our anthem will be ringing till the whole world finally knows [singing and music] that freedom's not a statement. It's a hill we're dying on. [singing] This is our home. This is our home. [singing] [music] We will stand with those who give it. They're all [singing] for unity. We will yield [music] to the only [singing] sovereign Lord. [music] We will pledge [singing] our alle. [music] We will sing that freom forever more. [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music] [music] We will [music] give their all for [singing] unity. We will [music] the only song. [singing] We will [music] our to the land of [singing] liberty. We will [music] sing [singing] forever. [singing and music] [music] We will [music and singing] watch away. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music and singing] [music] Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [singing] We will be [music] forever. [music and singing] [singing] [music] [singing] [applause and cheering] [applause]
With every fight for democracy and liberty, there will be those who paid the ultimate price. Amid the shelter of ancient oaks and flowering red buds, their arms outstretched to cover our nation's fallen, Arlington National Cemetery represents the high cost that freedom demands. Row upon row upon row of white headstones mark lives that have been given so that liberty might endure. As is etched upon the senotap at Chaplain's Hill, greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. These testimonies of courage and devotion mirror the love of Christ, a love calling all of us to live selflessly. I was standing in my kitchen listening to the [singing] morning news. Some angry man was talking, but he didn't have a clue. He was putting down our soldiers, fighting all those wasted wars. I just had to turn it off. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to tell him there's more than what he sees. [singing] And before you tell me that I'm wrong, come spend a day with me. and meet me at our time. [singing] [music] I'll introduce you to my son. Maybe then [music] you'll know just how I feel. White stones [music and singing] that go on and on. 400,000 [music] strong wounds and broken hearts that you never hear. Reliving [music] all those memories, praying he'll come back to me. [music] Knowing in [singing] my heart. Then [music] tell me that you feel the same way still. Meet me at Arlington. [music] Oh, [singing] meet me at Arlington.
Well, you can almost hear the stories of the lives they left behind. [music] Names [singing] and numbers etched in stone here before their time. When you see the case on rolling and you hear the music play. When you [music] see a child kneeling by their fallen father's grave. Well man, if that don't change you, then I don't understand. But if you can't [music] see from where you are, [singing] then look from where I am. [music] me. I'll introduce you to my [music] son. Maybe you'll know how I s [music] that go on and on. 400,000 [music] strong wounds and broken hearts that [music] all those memories [music] pray to me and knowing my heart. [music] Tell me [singing] how you feel the same way. [music] I return. [music] Well, there's a stone for every [music] soldier. And the reason that you're free [singing] to say the [music] things you want to say and believe what you believe. [music] Meet me at Arlington. I'll [music] introduce you to my son and maybe [singing] then you'll know just how I feel. [music] White stones that go on and on. 400,000 [music and singing] strong wounds and broken hearts that never heal. [music] Reliving all those memories and praying he'll [music] come back to me. But knowing in my heart he never [music] will. Then tell me that you feel the same way. Meet me at Arlington. [singing] [music] Meet me [singing] at Arlington. Oh, [singing] meet me at Arlington. [applause]
French writer Alexi Detokavville after visiting America in 1831 said this. I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields and boundless forest, and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich minds, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning, and it was not there. I looked for it in her Democratic Congress, her matchless constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpit's flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. That was 1831 and so much more true now. God is calling each and every one of us today to help America be great. It starts with us. Are you a mom or a dad, an aunt, an uncle, a grandparent? Are you a brother or a sister? Are you a neighbor or a friend? What is God calling you to? The spiritual decisions made in this generation will shape the next century. Will you step up to do your part to follow God, pursue his righteousness, and take a stand to help make America good again? Father [singing] in heaven, look down upon your earth. Bless [singing] this world you've made. Bless this nation of my birth. Help us seek your wisdom. [singing] Help us love you more each day. [music] Help us seek your guidance. Lord, teach [singing] us how to pray. God, [music] bless America [singing] once more. Let your [music and singing] freom bring from shore to shore. May liberty and [music] justice be an open door. [singing] God [music] bless America. [singing] [music] From sea to [singing] shining sea. From mountains to the plains. From deserts [singing] there calm. To the forest dancing rain. From cities [singing] concrete canyons to the farms and open land. Help us see [music and singing] your bounty. The blessings of your [singing] hand [music] of your God all [music and singing] your may [music and singing] from shore to shore. May liberty and justice be an open [music] door. God bless [singing] America once [music] Oh, [singing] [music] you [singing] [music] bring [music] [singing] God [music] once [singing] more. God [singing] for [music] America. [singing] [music] [singing] [music] It's America once more. [singing] Oh [singing] glory to your name. God bless God [music and singing] of heaven. [music] [cheering] [applause]
George Washington before he became the first president of the United States under the Constitution said, "I now make it my earnest prayer that God would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics ics of the divine author of our blessed religion." In this quote by George Washington, we are reminded of the crucial importance of prayer in our lives and in our country as we reach out to the creator of the universe to ask for his guidance and his blessing. Scripture, of course, is filled with passages about the priority of prayer. Paul tells us in Romans 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul also wrote in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God." In his letter to Timothy, Paul added in 1 Timothy 2, I urge then first of all that request, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone. And God himself promised us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land." Scripture also repeatedly warns us about the spiritual trajectory of nations. Would you join me as we pray?
Father, Father God, we humble ourselves before you. We confess the sin of arrogance and the sin of prayerlessness. Lord, would you pour out your spirit and your grace that enable us to repent? Make us hungry for our intimacy with you. [snorts] We confess that the deficit of our spiritual power comes from our unbelief, from our lack of prayer. And so we repent, Lord. We ask you to change us. Lord, soften our hearts. We long to be a people of prayer. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Time to pray, pray, pray [music] for [singing] our nation. We are a mighty army. If together [music] we [singing] stand, we must pray, pray, pray for [singing] our nation. He [music] will hear our cry and heal our land. It's time [music] to pray. Pray. Pray for our nation. We are a mighty [singing] army. If together we stand. We must [music] pray. Pray. Pray for [singing] our nation. He will hear our cry and heal our land. [music] He calls [singing] us to be humble. He calls us [singing] now to pray. [music] Is we will seek his face [music] and turn from [singing] sinful ways. Promises to hear us. He promises to guide [singing] us. He promises forgiveness. and [singing] to heal our land. It's time [music] to pray. Pray pray for our [singing] nation. We are a [music] mighty army and together [singing] we stand. We must pray, pray, pray [music] for [singing] our nation. He will hear our cry and [music] heal our land. He calls his church his [singing] people. He calls us [music] by his name. We [singing] have a mighty message. His freom [music] to proclaim [singing] to [music] pray [singing] for our nation. We are a [music] mighty army and together [singing] we stand. We must [music] pray. Time to pray. Time to pray for [singing] our nation. [music] We will hear our cryal. [music] We will hear our promised children. He [singing and music] will hear our [chanting] cry and heal our land. Lord, listen to your children [singing and music] praying. Oh Lord, send [music] your spirit in this place. [singing] Oh Lord, listen to your children [music and singing] praying. Send us love. Send us power. Send us grace. Lord, [singing] listen to your children praying. Lord, send your [singing and music] spirit in this place. Lord, listen to your children [music] praying. Send us [singing] love. Send us [music] power. Send us praise. [music]
Something's going to happen that the world [singing] has never known. [music] going [music] down when the people down to pray. [music] Listen to your children pray [music] your spirit in this way. [music and singing] you send [music and singing] us power. You're [singing] going to know it when the [music] Lord stretches out his hand. When the people on the [music] get down and pray, we're going to pray. It's going to be such a brand new summer [singing] victory [music] in our land when the people of the Lord get down and pray. [music] Listen to your children. [music] Listen to your children. your spirit. [music] Send us love. Send us for send us love. [singing] Send us power is great. Great. Pray for [singing] our nation. [music] We are a mighty army and together we stand. We must pray pray for [music and singing] our nation. He will hear our cry [music] and heal our land. and heal our land. [singing] He will hear [music] our cry and heal our land. For he has promised his children. He will [singing] hear our [music] cry [chanting] and heal [singing] our Lord. Listen to your children [music] pray. [singing] [music] [applause]
It is our responsibility as well as our joy and our privilege to pray to the Lord of hosts. We have asked our mayor Ununice Uloa to come forward and to pray for our local leaders, our state leaders, our national leaders, and to just pray for our nation. Mayor Uloa, would you lead us in prayer? [applause] What a wonderful evening. Please join me. Heavenly Father, you called your church to be salt and light in this world. And as we approach Independence Day, we pray that believers across America would shine your love and your light across the world. Help us celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary and birthday by honoring both you and our country, demonstrating that patreonism and faith are not competitors but inseparable companions. We pray that Christian families would use the Fourth of July gatherings as opportunities to share the gospel naturally. Help us engage in conversations about faith without being preachy. Demonstrate your love through our actions and show our neighbors that following Jesus makes us better citizens, not worse ones. As Psalm 33:12 states, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." Lord, we recognize that every liberty we cherish, every right we hold dear comes from your gracious hand. You guided our founding fathers as they penned the Declaration of Independence. And you have sustained this nation through wars, trials, and seasons of both triumph and struggle. Lord, as we enjoy this beautiful performance tonight, let us come with grateful hearts, thanking you for your hand in building the strong foundation upon which our nation stands. May we cherish and uphold the values that allow us to live in liberty, justice, peace, and compassion. And we pray this in Jesus' precious name. And all God's people say, "Amen." Thank you. [applause]
Thank you so much, Mayor Ununas. Isn't it wonderful to have a godly Christian mayor in this city? Gina, [applause] we need more like that. The motto of our nation still is in God we trust. But it's not just a phrase on our money. It's a reminder that the divine foundation on which this country was built. It comes straight from the scripture. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. In God we trust is a reminder that we don't pin our hopes on political parties, leaders, programs, even the precepts of democracy or of republic. We live under a monarchy. We have a king. His name is Jesus and he is coming back one day soon. He will return and he will overcome all of the tyranny and evil in this world forever. Come Lord Jesus, come.
And we believe that. But in these times, do you ever feel uncertain? There's only one way to be certain. Depend completely on God. It is critical that each of us recommmit ourselves to the God of the universe and to his son, Jesus Christ, and that we encourage all of those around us to do the same. In spite of those trying to silence Christians, trying to push God out of politics, out of the public square, and out of our schools, we need to take a stand and proclaim, [music] "In God we trust. Some will trust in chariots [singing and music] of war and some believe in nothing [singing] anymore. Cuz kingoms rise and kingoms [singing] fall. But there is one who stands above them [singing] all. In God we trust. [music] In God we trust. There is power in [music and singing] his name. H to age is still the same. In God we [music] trust. [singing] He is Rama. [music] He is Gyus. He's the better over us. [singing] [music] We believe he is the great I [chanting] am. We know he [music and singing] holds the whole world in his hand. He [music] is Christ [singing] our cornerstone. Our cornerstone. Faithful now. Faithful now. He's [singing] faithful till [music] the end. In God we trust. In God we trust. [music] There is power in his name. Hes [music] God. [music and singing] He is he over. [music] They got me. [music] [music] [music] [singing] Say [music] no other name. No [singing] other way. [music] No other name. [singing] There's only one way. There's [music] only one name. My Jesus. There's only one way. There's [music] only one name in the [music] name of Jesus. [music] Now we power [music] to the same. [music] [music] Trust in Jesus today. [music] Never say no other name. No other way. [music and singing] There's no other name. Only one name. Only one name. You know the name. Jesus. There's [music] only one way. There's only one name. We trust in [music] the name. Jesus. [singing] [music] Thank you, Lord. [applause]
Our prayer in this independence celebration season is that we would return to our dependence upon God. That each of us would reflect on this precious gift called freedom. That we would not take it for granted, but that we would see freedom for what it is. a treasured gift that can be lost without our resolve to protect it. We know that there are those around the world who do not hold the ideas of this nation, those who do not even value life itself. But when we recall how our country came into being, grounded on the faith of our founding fathers, and we continue to look to God, seek his guidance and his blessings, we may once again see his blessings in our land. [music]
So let us all be proud of our heritage, our great heritage, thankful to those who have gone before and those who protect us in this one nation under God that we may be led by freedom's holy light [singing and music] before you as We [music and singing] pray in your holy name. May injustice [music and singing] be consumed by freedom's follow. [music] May we seek a higher [singing] calling. May we seek to do what's right with liberty [music] and bless and fre [singing] my life. With freom holy life, [music] we take our stand to do what's just and right. [singing] Our nation [music] needs your healing. to restore our liberty so America [music and singing] can once again be the home of the brave and free [singing] with freom. [music and singing] Holy, please take a stand to do what's just right. Our nation [music and singing] needs your healing to restore our liberty. So [music] America can once again be the home of the brave [music and singing] and free. [music] [singing] All you [music] mighty [singing] [music] [music] Yeah. [singing] [music] Heat. [music and singing] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] [music] [singing] [music] Freedom into every word of creation. [music] Hey, [music] heat. [music] [singing] [music] [singing] Hey. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Yeah. [music] Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music] Glory, [music and singing] glory, hallelujah. Glory, [music] glory, [singing] hallelujah. Glory, [music and singing] glory, Hallelujah. His truth [music] is [singing] [singing] glory. Hallelujah. [music] Glory, [singing] glory, hallelujah. [music] Glory, glory, hallelujah. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] Yeah. Heat. [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music and singing] [singing] Yeah. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [cheering] [applause]