As we celebrate our country’s 228th birthday, let us always remember to pray without ceasing for her and her leaders and to always be thankful for the many blessings and freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of God’s kingdom in this blest of all lands.

"We have to keep in mind we are a nation under God, and if we ever forget that, we'll be just a nation under."
Ronald Reagan

Most all of us have heard the old expression that says, "There are two things you don't talk about: politics and religion." This statement is made because each of these two subjects usually incite great emotion and debate. Most all of us are highly opinionated, whether we publically express them or just keep them to ourselves, and this seems to be especially true concerning politics and religion. Yet ours is a society that has decided it is taboo to mingle the two together. The ACLU is quick to shout when something even hints at violating the separation between church and state (which IS NOT part of our Constitution, but a statement in a private letter from Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist organization). While all in a free society, religious and secular alike, agree the state shall not establish a religion, it is foolish to assume that a nation founded upon Christian principles and values would be strictly secular. We are guaranteed freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

All of this being said, we are currently in the midst of an election year and the political spin doctors will begin working their magic on the citizens of the United States in an attempt to get their man elected. My plea is that over the next several months, as you make the decision for whom you will vote, that you will deliberate on this decision as a Christian and not as a member of a political party. God IS NOT a Democrat, Republican, Green or Independent; He is holy, righteous and just. Far too often we are guilty of basing our political views on how they affect our pocket books instead of our values and beliefs as God fearing Christians. Remember the statement of Jesus concerning the "economic security" of His disciples. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). It is clear that the Lord says He will take care of our needs if we give our hearts to righteousness. Instead of worrying about deficits, inflation and unemployment rates, we should focus more on righteousness, justice and truth. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalms 37:25). ?

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Youth Devo
The Youth Group is scheduled to meet tonight after the evening sevices for their monthly fellowship and devo. See Matt Faneuf for more details.

Taking The Gospel To Ghana
Bob Bauer and Jim Hall leave for Ghana, West Africa tomorrow (Monday). Ted Wheeler and Daniel Stearsman leave on Friday.

Keep each one of these as well as the work in Ghana in your daily prayers - that there might be much good come from their journeys and that all may return to us safely.

Isaac and Alice Adjei’s oldest daughter, Florence, died this past week as the result of a fall in Ghana. We here at Orange Street have helped support brother Adjei for several years and our hearts are truly saddened. Please remember the Adjei family in your prayers.

Also, our hearts go out in sympathy to Peggy Steele and her family in the passing of her mother, Elizabeth Gillespie, yesterday in Newark, Ohio. She was 101 years old.

Add To Your Directory
Please add the following infomation to your directories:

Gina Dupree [click here]

When a church stops seeking the lost, it is lost.