Memorial Day Peace Parade

Living Memorial Day -

There has been recent encouragement from the President to increase military presence in our Memorial Day parades. Truly, we should never forget those who have given their lives in national defense, a lengthening line of veterans who sacrificed all. But I think this call for military presence is to heighten remembrance of those currently sacrificing comforts and security of the American way of life to go overseas into hostile territory and suffer primitive conditions, contrary values, serious injury, loss of limbs, and loss of life. Such Memorial Days can prick the conscience about seemingly never-ending conflict, when the advance of civilization should be bringing peace and good will more broadly than ever before.

The Great Commission of Jesus Christ envisioned the world at peace through sharing the Trinity of God. Jesus is regarded Captain of our Salvation, eternal leader of the Army of God destined to win global peace through peace. Perhaps Memorial Day can become a time to remember the Prince of Peace and His fearless soldiers donning the Armor of God. As Christ’s Command peacefully wins the battle, surely we will see less casualties born among nations; declining separations from loved ones and beloved country; and less personal, family, and national sacrifices to conflict.

Perhaps Memorial Day Parades could bring salience to the Great Peace Army God has been rallying for 2,000 years, the Church of Jesus Christ. It hugely outnumbers both combat soldiers and the swelling ranks of combat veterans. Guns may rule in distant lands, but in the U.S.A., peaceful civilian employment dominates military employment 50-to-1. We have a sadly large contingent of veterans compelled to experience the hell of war AND bear burdens to mind of delayed, persistent combat syndromes. Allegheny County veterans number about 100,000, roughly 8% of the County population. God’s Joyful Peace Brigade, by contrast, numbers nearly 750,000 or 60% of the County population. The Peace Veteran Ratio is about 8-to-1.

Church Peace Parade

Wouldn’t it be nice to add God’s living Peacemakers to the Memorial Day display of worthy remembrances. Jesus’ Peace Command has been winning peace by large margins inside the U.S.A. Americans would benefit by seeing evidence this quiet success. So would the world. Here’s a seed plan for regional churches to consider for future Memorial Day Celebrations:

On sunny Memorial Days, neighborhood Church congregations could arrange a one-quarter-mile “walk parade” through the neighborhood, then return to their respective Churches for a Peace Feast. They could assemble at the starting point alphabetically by Church name, behind a Church Banner and Shepherding Pastor(s) in robes. They can walk in their Sunday Best (our Spiritual uniform), as families (God’s Squad), each family member clinging to a lifeline gold or white Family Rope, so children not wander off. It would be well for each family to carry a Family Bible (Parade Bible or Memorial Bible or Peace Bible: God’s wisdom weapon). They can carry a Choir Book to sing one signature hymn at the reviewing stand. The reviewing stand can be equipped with an amplified electronic organ (each Church organist can play for his own congregation) and A/V equipment (to make a keepsake recording for each Church library). Alternatively, congregations can joyously sing a capella.

Other Church Peace Parade Ideas

Hand out Tracts or Pocket Testaments as you walk

Pastors lift up a light-weight tubular aluminum Shepherd’s Staff

(Commemorates this region as Metal Capitol for the nation)

Carry an Olympic-type torch or coal miner’s lantern

(Christ light & unites the world Spiritually. Coal from the region energized homes and industry)

Women or girls can wear a green bonnet/beret

(Female heads are to be covered in Church [1 Corinthians:11.1-16])

(Commemorates brave U.S. Soldiers of the Green Beret)

(Thanksgiving for Green Stream Energy rescuing us from the global petroleum crisis)

Families wear their shiniest shoes

Christians have beautiful feet (Romans:10.15) shod with the Gospel (Ephesians:6.15)

Instead of military “boots on the ground.”

Take memorable family pictures at the assembly point

Make sure each family member has a cell phone in case they get lost

Roll handicapped and widows at rear of each church assembly

Christ’s Church is merciful to the most vulnerable human life

Hand out food, pure water, and redeemable food coupons along the way

Remembers Jesus’ love counsel to Peter to “Feed my lambs”(John:21.15)

It is good to remember in closing that as the Church Army of God yields more and more Spiritual fruit in its Christ-led Peace Parade, combat soldier sacrifices will come to an end, and war will be no more.

In Christ

William C. Patterson, Ph.D.

Inspirational Bible Verses to Spark the Church Peace Parade

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah:2.1-4

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew:5.9

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John:20.21-22

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans:8.5-6.

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans:10.15

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians:6.10-17.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James:3.17-18

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