Celebrating America and Crestview
July 2026 - Bruce Fairbairn, Elder
To borrow from Abe Lincoln, it is altogether fitting and proper that we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. Amidst all the hoopla and fireworks, we remember America’s history, great achievements, periodic struggles, personal sacrifices and continuing promise. Happy Birthday!
I firmly believe that God blessed our country from its very beginning, throughout many ups and downs, and that His providential blessings continue still today. Our country is large in space and heart, abundant in natural resources and energized by an industrious involved citizenry who came from all over the world. We were blessed with visionary and courageous leaders who crafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as twin bedrocks of freedom, justice and good government. In what many folks deem a miracle, George Washington led a ragtag army of farmers, shop keepers and dock workers to win a war against the world’s strongest army and navy.
A country is a collection of people facing constantly unfolding challenges and, like people, our nation has made its share of sins and mistakes. However, through it all, no other country has been a more firm and stalwart advocate and protector of human rights, liberties and the dignity of all people. No country has expended more blood to help other nations achieve or keep freedom while asking for nothing in return. And no people are as generous as Americans in giving time, talent and money to missions here and abroad.
Last month, Crestview celebrated a different kind of milestone in our 65-year history— paying off the mortgage for our sanctuary. While we’ve certainly been blessed to worship continually over all these years, in one sense we are finally praying and worshipping in this beautiful space free and clear. Pastor Sara Jane likened it to the building of the temple in Jerusalem during Solomon’s reign. A thousand years after the Exodus from Egypt, the Hebrew people finally had a permanent fixed place for worship.
Then and now, the people celebrated God’s continued providential blessings over many years with a renewed spirit and rededication for the future. At Crestview, we remembered our founding, a rich history of growth and service, the wonderful people who have graced our doorways and our successes as well as our mutual challenges. As we come together to celebrate around the Lord’s Table and Christ’s great gift, we indeed have a lot to be thankful for—America, Crestview, family and so much more. All Christ asks of us is to love God, love others and follow Him.
Bruce Fairbairn – Elder
