On July 4, 2026, the US will mark the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Worship resources are now available for this specific occasion that both celebrate and lament this nation’s history, affirm the reality of the current moment, and seek to unite the diverse body of Christ for the life of the world. These resources may be used at a special service or on Sunday, July 5, and are available as a PDF or DOC. The resources are also available on SundaysandSeasons.com.
These resources include liturgical texts: confession and forgiveness, prayers of the day, prayers of intercession, offering prayer, thanksgiving at the table, invitation to communion, prayer after communion, blessing, and dismissal. An Affirmation of Christian Vocation in Civic Life included in the sending rite could be used in other contexts beyond this semiquincentennial observance.
This set of liturgical texts was developed in the context of the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for Lectionary 14, year A, complementary series (Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30), and within the broader national context of the US Semiquincentennial. If your worshiping assembly uses the semicontinuous series of first readings and psalms, you are encouraged on this occasion to use the complementary series so that the connections among the scriptural and liturgical texts are most evident.
In addition to the liturgical texts, a preaching help will guide preachers navigating the juxtaposition of the Lectionary 14 texts with the national observance. Rev. Angela Denker poses important questions about how to meet the moment, with the important reminder to attend to the needs of your particular context alongside scripture study.
A resource for church musicians by Wayne Wold presents suggestions for assembly song, choirs, piano, and organ. But just as helpfully, it assists musicians and other worship planners to frame the choices that need to be made, asking the “why” and “how” questions. Pastors and musicians would benefit by reading Wold’s commentary together as part of their planning process.
If you access these as a Sundays and Seasons subscriber on SundaysandSeasons.com, you will see that the day texts, preaching help, and portions of the music resource are accessible in the Day Texts, Music, and Preaching tabs. Select “Lectionary 14: US Semiquincentennial” in the Planner. The full resource is also available in the Library/Other Resources.
We hope you find these new resources helpful as you consider how you might mark this occasion in your congregation. As you do so, it is good to be reminded that we are grounded in the central things: “We gather around word, water, and meal by Christ’s invitation: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary.’ Here we find rest for our souls and hope for life in the beloved community” (Introduction to the Day).