Activities planned for Day of Prayer

Services are scheduled throughout the area.

The National Day of Prayer with the theme, “Prayer: America’s Hope,” will be observed Thursday and various services are scheduled.

IN YOUNGSTOWN

A morning observance is planned with speaker Sonja A. Williams, wife of Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, at Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave. Altar prayer will be from 7 to 7:30 a.m. with the program following.

A community observance is scheduled from noon to 1:15 p.m. with Kathie Thomas, a senior pastor at Victory Christian Center, downtown at Central Square, corner of Market and West Federal streets, and in front of First National Bank.

An evening program, a youth extravaganza, will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St. Rap and testimony will be offered by Jerome Kitchen. There will be praise and worship with Sergio Ramos and MC students and Youngstown State University Gospel Choir.

For information, contact Linda Daniels at (330) 799-1713 or by e-mail at linpray@att.net or Linda Beilstein at (330) 568-1741 or e-mail to lbeilstein@neo.rr.com.

IN NEW WATERFORD

The six churches in the Crestview School District will have a community service at 7 p.m. at Crestview High School.

The churches are Abundant Life Fellowship, East Fairfield United Methodist, Middleton Friends Meeting, New Waterford Presbyterian, New Waterford United Methodist and Zion Lutheran. They are part of Crestview Churches Community Concerns, an outreach agency that provides food and financial assistance to district families in need. A collection for the 4C’s will be taken at the gathering.

The Rev. Mark Vincent, pastor of New Waterford Methodist Church, and Jerry and Marilyn Mong, members of East Fairfield Methodist, are on the local task force organizing the event. The Mongs said the purpose of the gathering – to pray with and for government, military, media, business, education, church and family representatives – can’t be stressed enough in this time of economic struggles.

A community choir, representing the churches and other residents, and a student choir from Crestview schools, will perform. The choir, directed by Pastor Mark Plegge, music minister at Abundant Life, will perform two songs. A final rehearsal will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Abundant Life.

Other participants will be the Rev. Mike Namy of East Fairfield United Methodist, Pastor Jeff Schoch of Abundant Life, Marie Hawkins representing Middleton Friends, the Rev. Ken Rambo, formerly of New Waterford United Methodist, and Bing Newton, leader of men’s and youth ministries around Columbiana County.

IN SALEM

A gathering is planned at noon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce on the Village Green. The program will include presentation of the flags by Boy Scouts, a proclamation by the mayor, patriotic music with Chris Brown on trumpet and Heartland Christian School bell ringers and scripture and prayer by pastors and laymen.

IN HERMITAGE

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave., will open its sanctuary between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for prayer and meditation. At noon, Pastor David Williamson will lead a brief service of prayer followed by a light luncheon.