You are invited to the Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Independence Service on July 5, 2026 at 10 am. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE.
You can worship live on ZOOM by clicking the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9658816441 Meeting ID: 965 881 6441
You can also watch Sunday services at your convenience by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. Each Sunday worship will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.
Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Independence
with Holy Communion
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 10 am
Children’s Time “The 250th Anniversary Coin” Tony Rubio
“Seventy-Six Trombones”
Pastor John
Message Living a Conscious & Ethical Life: Rev. John Song
Part 2) “Celebrating 250th as a Conscious & Ethical Nation”
3-Part Sermon Series: “Living a Conscious & Ethical Life.”
June 28: Part 1) “How Good People Participate in Collective Evil”
July 5: Part 2) “Celebrating 250th as a Conscious & Ethical Nation”
July 12: Part 3) “How Do We Become Conscious & Ethical People”
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Americans must ask themselves some searching questions: How strong is our democracy? What kind of nation are we becoming? And what role should the United States play in the world?
Today, our nation is experiencing two historic shifts simultaneously. At home, we are engaged in a renewed struggle over the meaning of American identity and the future of our democratic institutions. Abroad, the United States is retreating from the global leadership that has largely defined the post–World War II era. We are witnessing, before our very eyes, signs of democratic backsliding, while many watch with crossed fingers, hoping that things will somehow work out.
I worry that too many Americans have become passive observers of history rather than active participants in shaping it. Democracy does not sustain itself through wishful thinking. Turning the page on the Trump era will require more than hope; it will demand the determination, courage, and sustained civic engagement of ordinary citizens committed to preserving and renewing our democratic ideals.
“Price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
“If you don’t participate in civic life, you have no business being here.”
~ Thucydides, an Athenian historian and general in 5th century B.C.
Those who would give up essential Liberty,
to purchase a little temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
~ Ben Franklin
“When people feel uncertain and afraid,
they’d rather have someone strong and wrong than weak and right.”
~ Bill Clinton
“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”
~ H.L. Mencken
“People prefer comforting lie over uncomfortable truth.
People believe in confident lie over tentative truth.
People listen to the loudest voice in the room over a quiet voice of reason.
People follow a charismatic liar over an integrous leader.
People are susceptible to self-deception.
God, on the other hand, is incapable of self-deception and being deceived.”
~ John Song
Psalm 95
“If you hear the voice of God, harden not your hearts.”
