Thanks to Ethel McLuen for sharing this Worship bulletin from St. Mark Presbyterian's July 4, 1976, the Bicentennial Celebration.
The service began with traditional prayers and confessions and the hymns "My Country 'tis of Thee" and "Faith of our Fathers". (Click on the photos to enlarge them)
And then was the presentation "I Love America" written by John W. Peterson and Don Wyrtzen which included readings, special musical pieces by the chancel Choir, and a flag ceremony by the Scout Color Guard. The program had three parts: "Patriotism for America", "Praise for America", and "Prayer for America".
Other pages in the bulletin included the usual announcements, thanks to the musicians and historical commentary about hymns and the program:
America- The words were written by Dr. Samuel Franceis Smith in 1832. He gave the hymn to Lowell Mason, and it was first sung at a 4th of July Sunday School patriotic celebration of American Independence in Park Street Church, Boston, 1832. It soon became popular (everywhere) and is known as the American National hymn----even though it is an official or semi-official turn of about 20 nations. It's tune is of German origin rather than English.
The program ended with "George Washington's statement on religious freedom (1/27/1793)
We rejoice. . . . that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. "
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