New ELCA Worship Resources for the U.S. Semiquincentennial

250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence arrives at a fraught time in the nation’s history. While Sundays and Seasons and other ELCA worship resources in general refrain from commemorating Independence Day as a liturgical occasion outside of intercessory prayer, this milestone anniversary and its broader national context present a unique situation.

In witness to the church’s ardent stand against Christian nationalism in its various and insidious forms, and in response to implementing resolution CA25.05.25 of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the Worship Resource Development Working Group of the ELCA Churchwide Organization and Augsburg Fortress has developed resources for this specific occasion that both celebrate and lament our 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.

The materials include a full collection of liturgical texts, including confession and forgiveness, prayers, intercessions, communion liturgy, blessing, dismissal, and an “Affirmation of Christian Vocation in Civic Life.” The liturgy is grounded in the Revised Common Lectionary readings for Lectionary 14, Year A (complementary series), including texts from Zechariah, Romans, and Matthew that speak of humility, struggle, mercy, freedom, and rest in Christ.

Musicians and worship planners will also find detailed guidance, including hymn suggestions, planning reflections, and practical advice for navigating the complexities of national observances within Christian worship. Throughout the resources, the focus remains not on nationalism, but on Christ’s invitation to weary people and divided communities: