Flag Raising Program 2013

This is the program I put together for the annual 4^th of July flag raising program for Royal City 1st and 2nd Wards - 2013
I am so grateful for the people who accepted assignments and participated in this program.  They each did a great job and I am so pleased and thankful for their willingness and their goodness.  They made the program a success.  Each practiced on their own, but we never gathered for a complete run through.  Well-done my Friends!  WELL DONE!

MC /Welcome & intro program 

Prayer –

 

US Flag Raising -
Reader 1 – (read while raising flag)
I Am Old Glory: For more than nine score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America’s fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states. Planted firmly on a high pinnacle of American faith, my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions.  Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.  They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.  They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men.  So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.  
(From the booklet Our Flag, written by Marine Master Sergeant Percy Webb.)

Pledge of Allegiance -

Background song -  men’s choir (remain seated) reverently/softly (like a thought in the mind/background) sing the first 6 lines of You’re a Grand Ole Flag –softening voices toward the end and flag bearers get to their seats. Flag bearers can softly sing with choir as they walk to their seats.

Reader 2 –                            Stage hand for visual -    / assorted flags
A flag is a standard, signal, banner, or ensign; it is an honored symbol of a people or a nation’s unity, its homes, achievements, glory, and high resolve. (p5 Your Flag)

The first flags adopted by our Colonial forefathers were symbolic of their struggles with the wilderness of a new land.  (visual)  Beavers, pine trees, rattlesnakes, anchors, and various like insignia with mottoes such as “Hope”, “Liberty”, “Appeal to Heaven” or “Don’t Tread on Me” were affixed to the different banners of Colonial America.  (p1-2 Our Flag)  

After the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Americans realized they needed a national flag to take the place of all the individual banners carried by the various regiments – one that would symbolize the newly created union of states. (p 15 Your Flag)

From that original flag created in 1777 the flag has evolved and become what we see here today, with the 50^th star added in 1960.  (p20 Your Flag)

The Star Spangled Banner (first and last verses)  Choir

Reader 3 –                        Stage hand / visual -                    / dressed as Moroni, holding title of liberty.
Throughout the ages man has developed character, courage, and strength by devotion to the symbols he believed in.  (p5 Your Flag)

We know of one such symbol used years ago – we read about it in our sacred scripture. 

Amalickiah, who was desirous to be king, used flattering words, promising judges the power they were seeking if they would follow him, and causing much wickedness among the people, destroying the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them.

Moroni was chief commander of the Nephite armies and heard of these dissensions. (visual – stand there until reader is finished, then return to seat with reader, leaving the pole stuck in ground or holder.)  With a desire to follow God and to bring peace back to his people, he rent his coat and wrote upon it “in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children, and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.” 

Moroni looked to God for help and inspiration and as the source of freedoms and blessings; and after faithful prayer, he rallied the people to defend their religion and their liberty.  They put their trust in God, and God was with them.  (Alma 46)

 

Edmond Burke said “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

We each need to trust in God and defend our liberty and religion, just as did the people of Moroni, and our founding fathers, the people we call pilgrims and pioneers, and many other righteous people.

In God We Still Trust (Diamond Rio)  Male Solo

Reader 4 –                           Stage hand for visual -                  / commandments display
“We must stand boldly for righteousness and truth, and must defend the cause of honor, decency, and personal freedom espoused by Washington, Madison, Adams, Lincoln, and other leaders who acknowledged and loved God.” (p90 The Spirit of America)

“The values that made us great are, in reality, the commandments of God. (visual)  They provide the foundation upon which our republic was built.” (p90 The Spirit of America)

“A nation that keeps God’s commandments and walks in His ways will prosper.  The framers of our Constitution knew that, and they tried to lay a solid moral foundation for a society that could be so blessed.” (p85 The Spirit of America)

It is our duty!  Our duty to God and our Country.  Look to God as our maker and as the source of our freedoms and blessings. (p7 The Spirit of America)

You have each been given a flag or other symbol of patriotism when you arrived today.  This symbol is meant to help remind and inspire you – inspire us – to dedicate ourselves to freedom, with a desire to follow eternal truths to help make a better people and a better nation.  (see Elder Perry’s talk)

Remember, as Pres. Monson has promised – Your Future is as Bright as your Faith!

Patriotic Hymn – America the Beautiful  (1^st verse only)
  -  Chorister -                         Pianist -      

 

MC –   

Normally we do not retrieve the flag as part of our 4^th of July flag program, but today we are going to take that opportunity to hopefully help us gain a greater appreciation for our US flag.

There is no official flag folding ceremony and there is no official meaning to each of the folds. However, there are a few optional flag folding ceremonies available.  The ceremony we are using today is an abbreviated form of the program used by the Air Force Academy.    

( http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/folds.htm  and   http://www.usflag.org/fold.flag.html )

Reader 5 -  

Flag Folding Ceremony (abbreviated)   (While the flag is being lowered read this paragraph)

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body. But further, America’s freedom has proved that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Our military knows this best. So America celebrates Memorial Day and Veterans Day so that all Americans will remember its fallen heroes and veterans. At a veteran’s funeral, the casket is draped with a flag, which is then folded into a triangle and given to the family “on behalf of a grateful nation.” That folding ceremony has a special meaning.

(Read these with each fold of the flag)

• The first fold is a symbol of life.
• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran ….
• The fourth fold represents … American citizens trusting in God….
• The fifth fold is a tribute to our country….”
• The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts that we pledge ….
• The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed forces ….
• The eighth fold is a tribute to our mothers ….
• The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood….
• The tenth fold is a tribute to father….
• The eleventh fold… glorifies… the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” 

INFO FOUND HERE  http://www.providenceforum.org/americanflagsongs

God Bless America - Female Solo

Closing Prayer / Blessing on Food – 

MC - Closing remarks and info

 

Pray and Serve

"My promise to you who pray and serve the Lord cannot be that you will have every blessing you may wish for yourself and your family.  But I can promise you that the Savior will draw close to you and bless you and your family with what is best.  You will have the comfort of His love and feel the answer of His drawing closer as you reach out your arms in giving service to others."

 

Henry B. Eyring,  April 2013 General Conference / p22 May 2013 Ensign

Dark vs Light

I found this while searching for things to use in the 4th of July flag raising program.  I wrote the quote on a note page but neglected to write the source from where it was found.

 

Darkness ceases to exist when the Light of One flame still burns.

 

 

"How can I expect the Lord to help me when I don't help myself?"

 

This was a thought I had Tuesday morning when I realized that I had gone directly to preparing for the RS luncheon when I woke up, rather than to my normal routine of personal scripture study and prayer. 

 

I was beginning to feel behind schedule and was silently praying for help from above to accomplish what was needed that morning. Then that thought came to me -

"How can I expect the Lord to help me when I don't help myself?" 

I should have already had my spiritual feast for the day, but passed it up. I wasn't doing something bad, I just wasn't doing it in the proper order, with the proper personal preparation. 

 

I was trying hard to complete the task at hand and even thought for one quick moment that I was doing something good and then heading to the temple, so maybe I could skip it that day. Then it hit me - clear and to the point. This is a most perfect day for personal scripture and prayer - and nothing should ever take it's place; any day.  Not only that, but I really should prepare myself spiritually for a day at the temple. 

 

I stopped what I was doing and headed for my quite area for scripture and prayer. 

 

This morning I read Elder L. Tom Perry's message from 2013 April Conference titled Obedience to Law is Liberty, and find it to be perfect for this upcoming holiday, and to testify to the fact that personal scripture and prayer are a perfect beginning to every day ..., for every person.  It will help keep us on the right track.

 

 

A Follow-up Quote

 

 

 

The Holy Ghost

Image above is a card I made to display in our home.
Below is a talk about the Holy Ghost I gave at our first grandson's baptism.

This message was directed to Brayden, but applies to all.
(A note: the church meetings that day were wonderful and the Spirit was very strong through each of the meetings. Then the prelude for the baptism (played by Brayden's great grandmother) was so beautiful.  It invited and welcomed the Spirit so strongly.  I loved it.)
 

While living as spirit children in heaven, before we came to earth, our Heavenly Father presented to us a plan.  He knew this plan would make us happy, because it would allow us to be born into a family, make good choices, and then someday live with Him again. 

There was a spirit there that did not like Heavenly Father’s plan and he rebelled against it.  That spirit was Satan, and Satan tried to tempt us to rebel and not follow God’s plan. 

 

We know that you were strong and made a good choice there in heaven - you made the choice to follow God’s plan, to follow Christ and come to earth – each of us on earth did. 

Because Satan chose to NOT follow God’s plan he did not get to come to earth to gain a body.  We do not see him, but Satan and those who followed him are still trying to tempt us and make us choose evil, bad and wrong things. 

We know that you are choosing to follow God’s plan, to follow Christ here on earth, because you have chosen to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Heavenly Father knows that Satan is trying to tempt us and take us away from the good things that Heavenly Father wants for us, so He has given us a gift that will help us know and recognize good from evil.  This gift is the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

In a few minutes worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders will lay their hands upon your head, and they will confirm you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In that confirmation, your dad (one of those worthy priesthood holders) will say to you “receive the Holy Ghost”.

That means that the Holy Ghost is going to be given to you – to be your constant companion.  If you let Him, the Holy Ghost will be with you every second of your life.  He will teach you truth, He will help you feel Heavenly Father’s love for you, He will testify of Jesus Christ, He will comfort you, lead you, warn you, and invite you to follow Christ and make good choices.  

As you receive this ordinance, you accept a sacred responsibility – you must do something to fully receive the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. 

I will mention 3 of those things that you must do:

1 – You must sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost.  You must want Him to teach you, to lead and prompt you, to comfort you, to be with you.  Pray that He will be with you.  

2 - You must keep the commandments -  faithfully obey, study the scriptures, be a kind and helpful son and brother, friend and neighbor.  Do what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would want you to do.  The Holy Ghost will be with you when you choose the right and do good.
3 – You must listen for His help. He speaks in quiet and simple ways.  We must each try to recognize those ways that He speaks to us personally.  Then we must follow those promptings He gives us.  You will come to recognize the feelings you have when He is helping you. 

Sometimes it might be a feeling or a voice in your mind.  Maybe it will be a warmth in your heart and your whole body, or a calmness because you are doing right.  Maybe it will be a feeling of comfort. 
It might even be a funny or strange feeling making you wonder if something is wrong. 
Try to understand and try to feel and try to follow what the Holy Ghost is teaching you.  He will always lead you toward Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. 

The Holy Ghost is an important part of the plan of happiness that Heavenly Father presented to us in heaven.  He will help us live so that we can be a forever family.  He will help us choose good and He will lead us and guide us.

I want to tell you a story.  I am going to tell this story the way I saw it, though the person it happened to might tell this same story a different way because he was the one feeling the help from the Holy Ghost.  But here is how I saw it take place –

Several years ago I was out in our yard washing the inside of our car.  Anthony was out in the yard playing with a bat and ball.  One of the times I looked over toward him I saw him with his arms folded and his head bowed.  I kept watching him to see what he was doing.  With his head still bowed and his arms still folded I saw him turn a bit and start walking across the driveway and into the hay field a few steps.  Then he stopped, bent down and picked up the ball with a big smile on his face.

This was a special ball that belonged to one of his brothers and he didn’t want to lose it forever – he wanted to return it.  He couldn’t find it on his own, but he knew that Heavenly Father could help him find it, so he said a prayer, and was guided to the ball.

I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He even helps us find a lost baseball.  I am thankful that Heavenly Father loves us so much that He has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us whenever we need help. 

He helps us with important decisions we have to make.    Just like he taught Anthony where to go to find the baseball he will teach us where to go and what to do – in all things.

Think about what might have happened if this story went a different way - 
What if Anthony just got angry and upset when he lost the ball?  He wouldn’t have prayed, he wouldn’t have been taught by the Holy Ghost where to go and what to do.  The Holy Ghost cannot be with us when we are angry and mad.   The ball would have been lost forever and Anthony might still be angry and mad just like Satan would want him to be. 

So be careful and pray always that you will be able to withstand the temptations of Satan.  Pray always that you will feel the spirit of the Holy Ghost, so that He may lead you, and teach you where to go and what to do in all things in life.

 It is wonderful to be baptized a member of this true church, and it is wonderful to have the gift of the Holy Ghost given to us after we are baptized. 

23 years ago our first child was baptized. That was your daddy and we love him.    
We have watched him make good choices in life.  We know that he has listened to and followed the Holy Ghost and we are so grateful that he is following the Savior.

Today our first grandchild is baptized.  We are so pleased and excited for you. We love you.
We want our family to be together forever and this is one of the steps toward that blessing.

The Holy Ghost will help us to resist the temptations of Satan and He will lead us and guide us back to our Father in Heaven.  With the Holy Ghost as our constant companion it will never be too hard to live the gospel and choose the right. 

He will help us be happy and choose happiness if we pray for His help and follow Him.  And one day we will be able to return to our Father in Heaven as an eternal family.

 We love you and pray for you.  We know you will continue to make good choices as you follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that we will be blessed as we follow Him.  He will help us live so that we can return to our Father in Heaven someday.

 

Licorice is Going the Extra Mile - A Favorite Story of Mine

This is a story I found in my files that I would like to save here.

It is one of my favorites.

 

 

LICORICE IS GOING THE EXTRA MILE.

 

The little boy was sure he primary teacher did not like him because she was always having to discipline him.  He paid her back by giving her extra trouble in class, and, in return, receiving an extra firm discipline.

 

One day a the little country store in their town, the little boy met his teacher.  She was buying some candy at the counter, licorice, his favorite kind.  She then asked if she could walk home with the little boy.  As they walked, they shared that licorice candy, but they shared something else, too.  They shared some feelings and some thoughts.  They shared a little bit of themselves.

 

After that, the little boy knew his teacher liked him.  He even suspected that she loved him.  And he had a different feeling for her, too.  So he paid her back for the love she showed for him by being a helper in class.  He began to like Primary even.

 

Years later, the little boy, grown up, learned something special about that day.  he learned that his teacher, (The one who didn't like him), had made a special point to find out from his mother just exactly when he was to be at that little country store.  She even found out what kind of candy was his favorite.  He found out that she knew he was worth the time and the trouble.  How grateful he was that she knew that , for him, LICORICE IS GOING THE EXTRA MILE.