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JOE OLENICK/STAFF
RELIGION: Local residents observe National Day of Prayer
MIDDLEPORT— It started off cloudy, but as the National Day of Prayer ceremony began at the Veterans Memorial in Middleport, the sun started to shine a little.
A group of local residents gathered at the corner of Park Avenue and Main Street for the 58th annual observance. The ceremony was led by the Rev. Daniel Fawls of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Rev. Karen Grinnell of United Methodist Church and the Rev. Paul Letiecq of the Universalist Church. The Rev. David Triplett of Holy Cross Lutheran Church usually participates but was unable to do so this year, because he was out of town for his son’s college graduation.
“It’s an annual tradition, with representatives from some of the local churches,” Letiecq said.
Those in attendance at the Veterans Memorial sang “America the Beautiful” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Bible passages were read from Psalms, Matthew and Colossians. The group also prayed for healing of the nation and guidance for local, state and national leaders and educators.
The group also had a moment of silence for those who gave their lives in honor of their country. When the ceremony concluded, everyone was invited to a luncheon at the Middleport Fire Hall. All proceeds went to the Middleport Food Pantry.
President Harry S. Truman signed the first proclamation recognizing the Day of Prayer as a national event in 1952. The day remained a floating holiday until 1988, when President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution to observe the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May.
Each president since Reagan has signed a proclamation recognizing the day, as did President Barack Obama on Thursday. Obama’s proclamation encouraged people of all faiths to pray, asking them to “remember the one law that binds all great religions together, the Golden Rule.”
Having a National Day of Prayer gives people a chance to not only find help and support for their needs, but to remember those in authority, too, organizers said.
“It’s our heritage,” Grinnell said. “To pause and pray for our leaders is very important.”
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
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