Memorial Day Missteps

Warning: I don't like negative posts, but I can't say this one is very positive

We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend and I have a confession to make. I really get nervous going to church on the Sunday before Memorial Day. I think, like many other secular holidays that are celebrated on weekends, they seem to find their way into the Sunday service and in my opinion, it's usually not appropriate. On Father's day, the only father I wish to recognize is my heavenly father. On Mother's day, I still only want to recognize my God. The same holds true when it comes to Independence and Memorial Day. Honestly, the patriotic holidays are more concerning to me than the others. Sunday is set aside as a time of worship in my faith. This isn't to say other days should not be used for the same purpose, but we tend to focus on our faith on this day. Because of this, I find myself lacking patience with anything that distracts from it. (Remember, I said this is a confession, so I'm not faultless in this either). So with this in mind consider the following that I have seen in previous churches:

• The service begins with patriotic music followed by the themes/anthems of each of the branches of the military. As each anthem is played, veterans and servicemen from these branches stand up to receive applause from the worshipers.
• "Praise and Worship" consists of the National Anthem, God Bless America and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. (Note, the latter verses of the Battle Hymn are actually pretty good, but again I wonder what we're worshiping here).
• Color Guard procession followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Patriotic Special Music
• "Modern Dance" with women dancing in tights with stars and stripes scarves.
• Prayers for our servicemen (which is completely fine), which included the request, "may their sights be clear and their shots be accurate," (which is NOT completely fine).

...and the most appalling....

• A musical presentation which included
• Video of fighter jets, missile launches, and bombings.
  
• Skits that included jokes about Iraq.
• Motorcycles being brought into the sanctuary for the "parade."
  

.....(Coincidentally, this last example occurred in a church that had an evangelist speak one morning who mentioned our need to "fight them over there instead of over here." This wasn't on Memorial day though...it was on Resurrection Sunday!!!)

My pastor last year on Independence day spoke briefly about the sacrifice people make based on their beliefs. He mentioned both the colonists and soldiers of Great Britain and then went on to speak about the greater sacrifice Christ made for all of us. I was grateful to hear him say this. He even acknowledged the veterans in our congregation, which is fine as well. I am very grateful for their service and do not want to discount it at all, but I will go to a parade to celebrate our nation. This is not who I wish to celebrate on a Sunday morning.

So perhaps you understand why I may get nervous. Or perhaps I'm way out of line? Can I get a witness?