Committee to expand county National Day of Prayer celebration
The Fayette County celebration of the National Day of Prayer on May 2 will be expanded this year. The Fayette County National Day of Prayer Committee will sponsor a rally on the Fayette County Courthouse steps from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in addition to the 6 a.m. prayer meeting and breakfast at the Uniontown Holiday Inn.
“We wanted to try and get more people and increase the awareness of the National Day of Prayer,’ said Pam Crouse, spokeswoman for the Fayette County National Day of Prayer Committee. “A lot of churches are doing their own programs and services, but we wanted a countywide event.’
The events will also include appearances by veterans, members of the military and the Uniontown police and fire departments.
“In years past, we had prayer for government officials. But this year, we felt the significance of veterans, military, police and fire departments that was brought out because of the Sept. 11 tragedy, and we’re still at war,’ said Crouse.
The Rev. Terry Collins, pastor of Chalk Hill United Methodist Church, will act as master of ceremonies for both events.
At noon, Rev. Collins will read a prayer, written especially for the National Day of Prayer by Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, chaplain for the U.S. Senate.
Called “Prayer for America,’ it is being read by groups and individuals across the country at this time.
The 6 a.m. prayer meeting and breakfast will include the Rev. Kenneth Summers, pastor of First Baptist Church of Carmichaels, as featured speaker, while the lunchtime rally will feature state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar). Both men will speak on this year’s National Day of Prayer theme “America United Under God.’
Soloist for the breakfast is the Rev. Jason Lamar of Faith Assembly of God in Uniontown. The Rev. M.L. Stringfellow of Brownfield United Methodist Church will also participate.
Tickets for the prayer meeting and breakfast are $9 each and can be obtained at Colorama Religious Supplies (724-437-5420) and Bethesda Christian Store (724-439-7777) or from Scott Schuessler in Masontown at 724-569-9393.
The rally is free and open to the public.
In addition to Kasunic, rally speakers will include Dennis McKendry, past commander of the Milton L. Bishop American Legion Post 301 in Connellsville and past deputy vice commander with the 24th District Pennsylvania American Legion; Pastor Nick Cook of Abundant Life Church in Uniontown; and the Rev. Galen Winebrenner of United Christian Temple in Uniontown.
Soloists Marcia Whittaker of Connellsville and William Dreucci of Uniontown will also appear at the rally as well as members of the Uniontown Police Department, Uniontown Fire Department and members of several branches of the Armed Forces.
National Day of Prayer is an annual event established by Congress, which encourages Americans to pray for the nation, its people and leaders.
There have been national days of prayer as far back as the Continental Congress. National Day of Prayer became an annual event in 1956 and was established in 1988 to be celebrated as the first Thursday in May.
More information on the National Day of Prayer is available at the Web site www.nationaldayofprayer.org.