Veterans' Day in 2009 falls on Wednesday, November 11. In most years and most times, Veterans' Day passes in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, Veterans' Day has been more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Year’s Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, Veterans' Day is not a part of the liturgical calendar — although sometimes local congregations will observe these days in some manner in Sunday congregational worship.

History

World War I ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice by the Allies and Germany. In the first Armistice Day proclamation in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson called for the nation to remember those who had died in their country’s service and to make the day an opportunity for America to "show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation."

In 1927 Congress called for the display of the U.S. flag on government buildings, and in 1938 Congress called for the observance of Armistice Day in churches and schools — again dedicating the day to the cause of world peace.

Since that time, observances have been held all over the nation, but especially in our national cemeteries and monuments and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. The president and many state governors have issued proclamations. Countless communities, veterans groups, and civic clubs and organizations have held local observances. Armistice Day became Veterans' Day by an act of Congress in 1954. President Eisenhower called on the nation to remember the sacrifices of those who fought in all our nation’s wars, to celebrate the contributions of all veterans of military service, and to rededicate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace. It is Eisenhower’s call that remains the three-fold purpose of Veterans' Day: remembering those who fought and died, celebrating all veterans, and promoting an enduring peace.

You may read a more extensive history of Veterans' Day on a Miami-Dade County Schools web site at http://www.patriotism.org/veterans_day/.

Some Suggested Guidelines for Observing Veterans' Day in United Methodist Worship

There may be more interest in including Veterans' Day in worship this year. There are a number of concerns for worship planners and leaders to consider:

1. If churches are going to honor and give thanks for veterans, their observances should be in a context of prayer and in the concerns and prayers. In keeping with the guidance of our Book of Worship, #422, churches should not turn the entire service into a rehearsal of our national concerns. Let us remember the traditional third element of the Veterans' Day observance: In the words of President Wilson, to "show sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation." Let us continue to celebrate the good news of God's grace and love manifest in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the world, in whom all the creation is redeemed and is to be restored for the glory of God.
2. Services that are held should be interfaith in nature, as far as that is possible. Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and people of other religions have served in our armed forces. Some rural and small towns may not have faith communities other than Christian; but if there are other faith traditions within the community, the local leaders of those traditions should be involved. The memorial services broadcast from New York’s Riverside Church and Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral following the September 11 terrorist attacks could serve as good examples. We dare not convey that the mission of the U.S. military is also the mission of the church.
3. Prayers in such an interfaith service of worship should be inclusive, reflecting men and women, varied races and faith traditions. There are prayers in The Book of Worship and in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church that could be used or adapted.
4. In keeping with the traditions of our nation since the early days of observing Armistice Day and Veterans' Day, services are best held in a civic space or in a place in the cemetery where veterans are buried.
5. How prominent should observance of Veterans' Day (or any other national or civic observance) be in Lord's Day worship? As a national and civic observance how does the Christian assembly keep a proper balance of attention to the worship of God and the national and civic agenda? Perhaps it would be more appropriate for the observance to remain primarily the domain of government and civic groups, with clergy and people participating in whatever capacity fits the situation.

Resources in The Book Of Worship that May Be Used or Adapted

• Number 428, Prayer for Peace with Justice Sunday (may use musical response, number 195, The Book of Worship)
• Number 440, A Prayer for Memorial Day
• Number 495, "A Litany for the Church and for the World"
• Number 511, "Prayer for God’s Reign"
• Number 513, "Prayer for Justice"
• Numbers 515-516, two "Prayers for the Nation"
• Number 517, "A Prayer in a Time of National Crisis"
• Number 520, "Prayer for Peace"
• Number 526, "Prayer for the World and Its Peoples"
• Number 542, "Prayer for Those In Military Service"

Resources in The United Methodist Hymnal that May Be Used or Adapted

• "For Our Country," 429 (prayer)
• "For the Healing of the Nations," 428
• "Let There Be Peace on Earth," 431
• "O God of Every Nation," 435
• "This Is My Song," 437
• "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," 717
• See hymns listed under "Peace" on page 949

Suggested Scripture Readings

• Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 17-21: What does God require of a nation?
• Psalm 2: Warning to rulers of the earth.
• Psalm 72: A prayer for justice and righteousness.
• Amos 5:11-15: Establish justice.
• Galatians 5:13-26: The proper use of freedom.
• John 8:31-36: True freedom.

Leader: Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country’s story:

PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth:

PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world’s common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:

PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:

PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: O almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence.

Copyright © 2001 The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Worship Web Site: http://www.umcworship.org. This article may be printed, copied, distributed, reprinted in church bulletins or newsletters, or otherwise used for nonprofit local church worship or education with the inclusion of the copyright citation and General Board of Discipleship Worship Web Site as its source. It may not be used for profit or republication without prior permission.

Posted 8-7-02; updated October 2005