“Making Cancer History” (MD Anderson), “Live long and prosper” (Star Trek), “Under God.”(?) Do you know who introduced the phrase “Under God” to be added to The Pledge of Allegiance and when?

Well, you can thank a pastor! The American Family Association told the story in one of its monthly Journals. The pastor was Rev. George M. Docherty who was once pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He gave a sermon in 1952 saying the pledge should acknowledge God after hearing it recited by his son, Garth.

“I didn’t know what the Pledge of Allegiance was, and he recited it, ‘one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,’” Docherty recalled in an interview with The Associated Press in 2004. “I came from Scotland, where we said, ‘God save our gracious queen, God save our gracious king.’ Here was the Pledge of Allegiance, and God wasn’t in it at all.”

The initial sermon did little, but it made an impact on February 7, 1954 – 55 years ago – after President Dwight Eisenhower visited the church. The next day, Rep. Charles G. Oakman (R –MI) introduced the bill to add, “under God” to the pledge, and a similar bill was introduced in the Senate. Eisenhower signed it into law on Flag Day, 1954. Rev. Docherty lived to be 97 and died last Thanksgiving Day at home.

That one simple phrase has added great meaning to our Pledge of Allegiance.

I’m thankful for this pastor and countless others who have and are making a difference for God in this nation. I am most thankful for pastors who influenced my life and walk with Christ including: Howard Bush, Guy Ames, Jr., Larry Becker, Larry Jacobson, Guy C. Ames, III, Charlie Spears as well as several other current United Methodist pastors who are friends. I feel privileged to serve as your Senior Pastor and to serve with Kirk Norman, our Executive Pastor, along with an amazing Staff of dedicated individuals.
We also very blessed to have several retired pastors at First Church including; Billee and Randa Norman, Gene Massey, Glen Howard, and Foy Conrad. During this “Pastor’s Appreciation” month, I’d like to encourage you and me to write a note of thanks to a pastor or staff member who has influenced your life for Christ. You don’t know what a simple word of “thanks” might mean to them. God bless you!

Yours in Christ’s Love,
Mark

P.S. I can’t wait to see you Sunday as we all learn how to preach by looking at The Sermon that Changed The World by a young fisherman-turned-preacher named Peter!