{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthe-blue-collar-scholar.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fjuneteenth-sKiN03CG","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Juneteenth","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/62dba346-87c2-4896-99a0-8910ee2f9f79/fd5244fc-d0e2-4e2b-a6e6-27892d67390a/ea6732da-855c-4167-819f-7ae16b1f6e01.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/aa1a05b5-dc63-433e-b858-acb05e5a5b65\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Juneteenth\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"Joyous Juneteenth to fans of liberty & justice for all! I opened worship this weekend with a brief history lesson on Juneteenth. As a history dude (with an actual Bachelor's degree in the subject), I am ashamed to say that I was unaware of Juneteenth until the late 2010s. But I've come to view it as an essential part of \"Freedom Fortnight.\" In a brief 2 week window, Americans can celebrate Flag Day (June 14, 1777), Father's Day (3rd Sunday of June), Juneteenth (June 19th, 1865), The ratification of the U.S. Constitution (June 21, 1788), & of course Independence Day (July 4, 1776). Note: I mention that there will be songs sung during our worship service that are inspired by African-Americans and the struggle against slavery. Because of the sound quality, I am not sharing the audio of the songs, but they can be easily  looked up if you want to hear better singers sing them: (1) He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, (2) Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, (3) Lift Every Voice & Sing, & (4) Amazing Grace."}