Celebrating Our Freedom

By Ralphine Major

Freedom to worship.  It is one of the most cherished of all the freedoms Americans enjoy.  Our country was founded on such liberty, and the Fourth of July is a perfect time to celebrate all the freedoms that we hold dear.

On the Fourth of July weekend, the morning service at Clear Springs Baptist Church in Corryton, Tennessee, featured patriotic hymns, a much-deserved tribute to the military, and a giant American flag hanging from the ceiling.  The evening service moved outdoors for a Red, White, and Blue Bash.  It is estimated that around 2,500 to 2,800 people attended the community event.  Food trucks and fireworks added to the festivities.  The evening brought more to celebrate as the church broke ground for the Dr. Damon Patterson Memorial Pavilion.  Media Communications Director Bobbie Wyatt shared about the longtime minister.  "In 2001, Dr. Patterson became the Associate Pastor of Clear Springs, under the leadership of our former pastor Dr. Jerry Vittatoe.  He remained a faithful member until his passing in 2022 at the age of 93 years."  What a special way for Clear Springs to honor this dedicated servant's memory and his ministry!  Construction is also underway to add approximately 650 seats to the balcony in the sanctuary.  Truly, it was a day and evening full of celebration for Clear Springs and the community—a great memory for the weekend of July 4, 2023!

Words of Faith: "We, as a church family, always want to give God the glory for everything that He has done and is doing at Clear Springs," Bobbie said.  "Our goal is to always focus on Christ, avoiding attention to ourselves," she added.  "Our church verse is Psalms 118:23 (KJV)."  The words from that verse are truly inspirational for everyone to remember: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."

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