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Mayor proclaims May 4 Day of Prayer in Salem

Members of the Salem National Day of Prayer Committee receive a copy of a proclamation from Salem Mayor John Berlin declaring May 4 as a Day of Prayer for Salem. Committee members shown with the mayor, center, include from left, Theresa Morris, Becky Craig, Rev. Daniel Hardy, who’s president of Allegheny Wesleyan College, and Jim Kelly. Not present were committee members Karen McElwee and J.C. Siembida. The 11th annual observance in Salem begins at noon Thursday on the village green at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce on the corner of State and Lincoln. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

SALEM — Mayor John Berlin issued a declaration Friday proclaiming May 4 as a Day of Prayer in Salem, with the city’s 11th annual Salem Area National Day of Prayer observance kicking off at noon Thursday at the corner of State and Lincoln.

“That’s the most precious thing we can do, lift our country up in prayer. We believe and trust in our heavenly Father,” Jim Kelly said.

Kelly serves on the Salem Area National Day of Prayer Committee and said they’re adding a few new opportunities for prayer during the patriotic, uplifting event. The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited not just for the American flag, but also for the Christian flag and the Bible, and will be led by students of St. Paul School.

Plans also call for special recognition and prayers for local safety forces, with members of the police department, fire department and ambulance companies invited to attend.

“We wanted to show our respect for the safety forces,” Kelly said.

The prayer day activities take place on the village green, which is the front lawn of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce building in downtown Salem. The gathering includes patriotic songs, the flag presentation, scripture readings and lots of prayer. This year’s theme is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us…Forgive Us…Heal Us!”

The National Day of Prayer focuses on seven areas: government, military, media, business, education, church, and family. The observance is always held the first Thursday of May. According to a press release about the history behind it, the tradition of the National Day of Prayer originated with the Continental Congress in 1775 and in 1789, President George Washington said, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.” Then in 1988, it was legislated by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan.

The program in Salem will include prelude music by the Allegheny Wesleyan College Orchestra, opening prayer by Pastor Peter Fowler, flag presentation and pledge led by students from St. Paul School, the National Anthem led by Dan Quales, a proclamation for the city by Mayor John Berlin, and music by Monica Talbert and First Friends Church trio.

Scripture and prayers will be presented for Media (Coach George Spack), Church (Rev. Robert Edwards), Government (Attorney Tim Barry), Education (retired teacher Cheryl Woolman), Family (Pastor Manuel Lux), Military (Minister Jason Pancake) and Business (Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Audrey Null), and also the special recognition and prayer for safety forces. The closing prayer will be given by Rev. Daniel Hardy, president of Allegheny Wesleyan College.

Learn more about the National Day of Prayer at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

mgreier@salemnews.net

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