National Day of Prayer brings community together
ST. MARYS - On Thursday night, people from all religions gathered for the National Day of Prayer service in Elk County at the Methodist Church Pavilion in St. Marys. The service saw a healthy turnout on a beautiful night for worship.
Several faiths were represented on Thursday that included: Pastor Scott Wiest of the Shiloh Evangelical Presbyterian Church in St. Marys; Pastor Ron Burkett of the Halton Church in Ridgway; Pastor John Zimmerman of the United Methodist Church in St. Marys; Pastor Tom Neizmik of the Gardner Hill Community Church; Father Thomas B. Curry, O.S.B., of the Sacred Heart/St. Marys Catholic Church in St. Marys; Pastor Don Hunter of the Faith Baptist Church in St. Marys; Paul McCurdy of the New Hope In Christ Church of Ridgway;
Pastor Joe Miller of the Church of the Nazarene in Ridgway; and Pastor Missy Smith, who oversees the Methodist Churches in Weedville, Benezette, Sterling Run, and Sinnemahoning.
The theme for this year’s service was “lift up the word-light up the world.”
Pastor John Zimmerman welcomed all attendees to the event and said the opening prayer, while Sherry Hoffman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force in Elk County delivered the national anthem.
This followed with songs of worship and prayers from each denomination given for government and leadership, military and veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and the medical community, education, families, churches, businesses, arts and entertainment, media, and more.
Special music was provided by Terrie Coppock and Renee Wilson called “Go Light Your
World,” as each person in attendance was provided a battery operated candle to turn on while the song was being performed.
Those in worship said this year’s national prayer in unison, which followed the theme of “lift up the word-light up the world.” This prayer was said at every prayer service across the nation on Thursday.
After this series of prayers and songs of worship, closing remarks were given by Pastor Joe Miller of the Church of the Nazarene in Ridgway.
The organizers of the service wanted to give a special thank you to Mike and Diana Streich of Ridgway, Terri and Roger Martini of Kane, Kimberly Morgan of Kane, and Matt Bremier of “By The Jordan” for worship music.