LaGRANGE — Franklin Road Baptist Church hosts a public celebration of God’s blessings on the United States at its 19th annual Celebrate America service Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Rev. Frank Sledge started Celebrate America in 1997 to honor those who had served their country and thank God for His blessings on this country. Sledge, along with six other churches, began the event on the church’s baseball fields. It has been an annual event at the church ever since.

Current pastor Andy Buchanan described the celebration “as a time to call believers together and challenge them to pray for our nation.”

“We also love to say thanks to those who have served us in our military and as public servants,” he added. “We consider this to be a great honor and a real joy for our church family.”

The theme for this year’s celebration is God’s Grace on America. There will be patriotic songs by adult and children’s choirs, recognition of first responders and recognition of former and active servicemen.

There will also be an emphasis on the family members left behind when a soldier is deployed. The service will have times of prayer for servicemen, first responders and the nation as a whole.

Speakers for the event will be the Rev. Ben Turner, pastor of Teaver Road Baptist Church, the Rev. Aaron McCullough, Associational Missionary for Troup County Baptist, and the Rev. Andy Buchanan, pastor of Franklin Road Baptist Church.

Buchanan would like to extend a special invitation to any first responders, past and present service members and members of families who have loved ones deployed. Also, any church that would like to join the celebration is welcomed.