'A blessed nation'

The Fourth may have had its fireworks but Mount Calvary Church held its God & Country Day celebration Sunday.

The event honored veterans of wars with musical performances, recognition of the church’s military veterans, a patriotic video and a sermon emphasizing the United States’ Judeo-Christian roots. The gala also featured the posting of the colors by the Martinsville/Henry County Veterans Honor Guard.

“Our nation has survived because of these four words and the truths they represent – ‘One nation under God,’” said Gary Robertson, senior pastor at Mount Calvary Church, during his sermon. Robertson was referring to the Pledge of Allegiance. President Dwight D. Eisenhower added the phrase “under God” to the pledge in 1954.

Robertson compared the U.S. to the Israelites in the Promised Land. After a while, they became self-centered and wanted a human king and idols to worship, just as those in other nations had, Robertson said. America is traveling down that same road, he said.

Our country was founded by patriots who sought to walk the way of God, Robertson said. He cited several Founding Fathers, including Samuel Adams, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who stressed the importance of religion in American society. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, 24 held seminary of Bible-school degrees, Robertson said.

“The Lord declared this nation to be a blessed nation and special people,” Robertson said.

“We are one nation under God,” he said.

The U.S. has gone astray from its Christian origins, Robertson said. Electing another president will not solve that problem, he said.

“The hope of our nation is not a new president or a new world leader but to humble ourselves before the king of kings and lord of lords,” Robertson told the congregation.

During an interview after the service, Robertson said he started the annual July 4 gala at the church about 15 years ago.

“We think it’s a good civics lesson for adults and children alike,” he said.

During the sermon, Robertson expressed disagreement that the Constitution calls for a separation of church and state. However, Christians do not want to establish a theocratic state, as some critics contend, he said after the service.

“Christianity doesn’t attempt to force itself on anyone,” he said. “It gives people a choice.”

Contact John R. Crane at jcrane@registerbee.com or 434-791-7987.