National Day of Prayer events planned in Valley

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The City Prayer Team of Youngstown will observe National Day of Prayer during a program from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday in Central Square downtown.

Speakers will be Mayor Jay Williams and Pastor Jonathan Moore of Highway Tabernacle in Austintown. Volunteers with Men’s Rally in the Valley also will participate.

The idea for a National Day of Prayer came after a revival in 1952 by the Rev. Billy Graham in Washington, D.C. Rep. Percy Priest introduced the bill that year that established the national event. The first Thursday in May is set aside for the observance.

This year’s theme is “Prayer. For Such a Time As This.” For the first time, there will be a National Day of Prayer observance at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, when a Bible- reading marathon concludes.

President Barack Obama also issued a proclamation for the observance, noting that Americans have turned to prayer “in times of great joy and thanksgiving, or in times of great challenge and uncertainty.”

Other area observances Thursday:

ÔøΩCrestview Churches Community Concerns (4 C’s), 7 p.m. in Crestview High School auditorium, 4400 Crestview Road, Columbiana, where the Crestview High band will play, Angie Drohn will sing and Boy Scout Troop 340 and American Legion Post 290 will participate. Donations benefit the 4 C’s food pantry.

ÔøΩGirard First United Methodist Church, 22 N. Market St., Girard, 7 p.m. with Mayor James Melfi as guest speaker with Joseph Jeswald, superintendent of Girard City Schools; Dr. Randy DelBene, Pastor Betsy Schenk, Karen Brown, the Rev. Erica Brown and Maj. Richard L. Basting from the Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Station. St. Rose Pack 40 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will participate.

ÔøΩHarvest Point Church, 6100 Tod Ave. (state Route 45), in Lordstown Plaza, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for prayer.

ÔøΩHubbard Christians in Action, noon to 12:30 p.m. in Tylee Park, West Liberty Street.

ÔøΩLord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield, 7 p.m. service of prayer, Scripture and song for the Canfield community.

Trumbull County Crusade for Christ and Trumbull County Prayer Movement, breakfast at 6:30 a.m. and program at 7:10 at Hippodrome Banquet Center, 150 High St., Warren, with guest speakers Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien and special music. Cost is $10; tickets available at the door. Call David Natale at (330) 638-0316.