05/25/2026
As you enjoy Memorial Day with cookouts, time off work, and time with family, remember why we can celebrate in freedom today. Memorial Day is more than a long weekend — it’s a reminder that freedom has always carried a cost. Brave men and women stood the watch, answered the call, held the line, and paid the ultimate sacrifice so future generations could live free.
Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Today we honor those heroes who laid down their lives in service to this nation. We remember the fallen. We remember the families with empty seats at the table. We remember the battle buddies, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who never made it home.
Here in Sumter, this day hits close to home. We are a military city. So many in our community — especially connected to Shaw Air Force Base — know the weight of deployment, sacrifice, TDYs, late-night calls, folded flags, and the cost of service. Many have lost brothers and sisters in arms in battle. We do not take that lightly.
As a church, we are deeply grateful for every active duty service member, veteran, reservist, spouse, and military family in our church family. It is truly an honor and privilege to worship alongside you. Thank you for your sacrifice, your courage, your discipline, and your willingness to serve something bigger than yourself.
And may we never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy in this nation — especially the freedom to openly worship Jesus Christ without fear.
Today we also pray protection, strength, peace, and safe return over every man and woman currently serving on active duty around the world. May God strengthen those standing watch tonight.
To the fallen — we remember you.
To those still serving — we honor you.
To the families who carry the weight beside them — we thank you.
🇺🇸❤️GOD BLESS AMERICA!