Today’s service marks the 245th anniversary of the passing of the Declaration of Independence, with a larger focus on God’s Word and the financial circumstances confronting St. Peter’s U.C.C. Taking a cue from what could be words about our nation, the message is called “Strength and Freedom.” Do the Scripture passages deepen our faith-filled understanding of those terms? The readings, read by Lector Jessica Schneider, are 2nd Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; 2nd Corinthians 12:2-10; and John 8:31-38.