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Multicultural church service celebrates diversity
Music will be a big part of the worship.
Music will be a big part of the worship.
YOUNGSTOWN — Pastor Robert M. “Bob” Offerdahl credits information in his denominational program planning calendar with the idea for a multicultural church emphasis service.
But how he describes it are his words. “I think that’s what heaven will be ... there won’t be any distinction among the religions or ethnic backgrounds,” he said. “I think we need to practice that down here on earth.”
Pastor Offerdahl, who conducts services at Gibson Heights-Second Presbyterian Church and Coitsville Presbyterian Church, noted that he has read that “an hour on Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America.”
He observed that “division is not God’s idea” — that’s man-made. And he’s optimistic that more people and churches will become more diverse. “I hope so, but I don’t know when it will happen.
“We’re all brothers and sisters in Christ,” he said.
Pastor Offerdahl helped coordinate the service that will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Gibson Heights-Second Presbyterian Chuch, 755 E. Dewey Ave. He said the event has come together partially because of his own involvement in the Interdenominational Ministeral Alliance, another group of Hispanic pastors and the work he does in American Indian outreach. “It came about because of these connections I have made,” he said.
The information in the program planning calendar read, “A multicultural church is a congregation that joyfully and intentionally seeks to recognize, celebrate and incorporate the gifts of a diverse membership in worship, ministry and leadership. Pastor Offerdahl said he decided to act on that idea and so evolved this weekend’s service. Pastor Offerdahl said the churches he serves were open to participation in the service.
The doxology will be recited in Dakota, a language of an American Indian tribe; an English translation of the Dakota; and the traditional verse, which reads:
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
In the Dakota-English translation, it reads:
“Praise be to our Great Spirit God
Whose only Son to earth did come.
The tongues of men shall render praise
Together with the Holy Ghost.”
Service participants will be Pastor Steve Fortenberry of Common Ground Church Community, Pastor Deborah A. Austin of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church and Pastor Rafael Cruz of Unity Baptist Church.
Pastor Offerdahl said the service will be “heavy in music.” Featured will be Donna Wynn of the Red Hawk American Indian Cultural Society, who will sing a song in Cherokee, and “Amazing Grace” also will be sung in Cherokee. The Noble Family of Coitsville Presbyterian and Gibson Heights Second Choir will contribute on the musical side and there will be congregational songs.
After the service, a potluck casserole lunch will be in the church fellowship hall.