day of prayer observances in the valley

The 65th annual National Day of Prayer will be marked Thursday; observances are planned in the Valley. The theme is “Wake Up America.” The Scripture is Isaiah 58:1, “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.” The event focuses on seven areas of prayer — government, military, media, business, education, church and family. The National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday of May. The tradition originated with the Continental Congress in 1775 and in 1789 President George Washington stated, “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.

Girard churches: “Girard Prays” is the theme of the event in the community. Participants will gather at 3:30 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 78 E. Liberty St., Girard, where a processional cross walk around the city will start at 4 p.m. It will conclude at First Baptist Church of Girard, 7 E. Kline St., where participants will have soup, bread, vegetables and fellowship. Participating churches are First Baptist Church of Girard, First Christian Church of Girard, Girard First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Girard, St Rose Catholic Church, Emmanuel Community Care Center and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. This year’s shirt color is royal blue.

Margaret Wynn Memorial Baptist Church: Pastor Barry Knaub will be on the roof of the church at 56 Water St., Poland, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of prayer. It will be the 10th year.

NOW Youngstown: The organization will sponsor a prayer gathering at noon in the Federal Plaza area, 1 W. Federal St., near First National Bank. Pastors and invited guests should meet at 11:15 a.m. on the 17th floor of the First National Bank building in the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Confirm your attendance by sending email to metroag7@gmail.com. Committee members are the Rev. Gary Frost, national facilitator of Prayer and Compassion Initiatives for the Mission America Coalition; Pastor Al Yanno of Metro Assembly in Youngstown; Pastor Roland Rojas, Spanish Evangelical Church in Youngstown; and Pastor Rafael Cruz of Unity Baptist Church in Boardman.

Trumbull County Community of Christians: The organization will sponsor an event at DiVieste Banquet Hall, 754 N. River Road, Warren, starting at 6:30 a.m. with a breakfast buffet and program at 7 a.m. concluding by 8:15 a.m. The Rev. Frost will speak. Tickets are $10; call First United Methodist Church in Warren at 330-392-6276.

Salem: The 10th annual Salem Area National Day of Prayer observance will begin at noon on the village green at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, 713 E. State St. All people of the Salem area are invited. The 45-minute program will include presentation of the flag and pledge, a proclamation from Mayor John Berlin, musical selections and Scripture and prayer by pastors and laymen.

Struthers Parkside Church: A patriotic musical by the choir and prayers by Pastor James Berkebile will be featured at 7 p.m.