Churches across the U.S. tried to beat the heat this past weekend, although some were forced to cancel events and others found alternative ways of keeping cool as they faced record-breaking temperatures.
In Missouri, a combination of the heat and dry weather forced Calvary Bible Church in Nixa to postpone its annual “Freedom Celebration.” The event was supposed to include a fireworks display, but after the Nixa Fire Protection District issued a burn ban on June 27, the church decided to move it to a later date.
Calvary Bible’s pastor, Lance Ogden, told The Christian Post on Monday that the event would have brought approximately 450 people to the church, which has an average Sunday attendance of 150 people. For several years the city hasn’t put on a fireworks display of its own, and the Freedom Celebration has grown bigger as a result.
“It’s one of our biggest events that we do,” he said.
In addition to fireworks, the annual event also includes live music and free food on the church’s 10-acre property. Although it is technically located in an area outside of the burn ban zone, church officials didn’t want to take the risk of accidentally setting a fire. Last night the church’s board voted to reschedule the event for Labor Day weekend in September.
Although fireworks are a staple of Independence Day, Ogden says families can still enjoy the holiday without them.
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article courtesy of TheChristianPost.com
