by Mike Roberts, Church Historian
As we celebrate our nation’s 235th birthday [editor’s note: this was published in the Heirloom in July 2011], it would be interesting to see how it was celebrated by our congregation on July 6, 1947.
From the order of service of that date:
DEVOTIONAL: “Prelude” – Handel. Mrs. Kathryn Walsh, organist
SONG OF EXULTATION: “America” verse 4 only
CALL TO WORSHIP: Rev. George Thorburn
PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND OUR LORD’S
PRAYER
OUR AVOWAL OF FAITH – Minister & congregation
THE GLORIA PATRI:
SOLO: “Shepherd Take My Hand,” sung by Mrs. Lydia Dozier Ketcham
PULPIT READINGS: “Liberty Knows No Boundaries” from Louis Kossuth’s April 29, 1852 Faneiul Hall Address.
“The Dignity of Self-Government” from Thomas Paine’s “Rights of Man”.
“Of All, By All, For All” from Theodore Parker’s “The Dangers Which Threaten the Rights of Man in America.”
ASCRIPTION: Minister and Choir
THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER
Choral Response
YOUTH CHOIR: “Let All Things Now Living”
Welsh Melody
OFFERTORY: “Cantabile”
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Specified only by hymnal number)
SERMON: “The Living Jefferson,” Rev. Thorburn
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Specified only by hymnal number)
BENEDICTION: Choral Response
POSTLUDE: “Allegro” – Handel
A GREETING AFTER THE SERVICE
On the order of service is posted the “Statement of Faith” ~ We avow our faith in: God as eternal and all-conquering love; The spiritual leadership of Jesus; The supreme worth of every human personality; The authority of truth known or to be known; The power of men of good will and sacrificial spirit to overcome all evil and progressively establish the Kingdom of God.