Everyone is invited to attend the Annual 63nd
National Day of Prayer observance on
Thursday May 1 starting at 11:30am. It will be held at City Hall 730 Washington
Avenue, outside on the east deck. Attendees
may also bring a lawn chair.
This
year’s theme is “One Voice,
United in Prayer”, Romans
15:6 “So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This event is an annual
observance created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress,
signed by President Harry Truman for the purpose of communicating the need for
personal prayer for our nation and its leaders. With
the help of more than 30,000 volunteers, tens of thousands of National Day of
Prayer events are organized and held every year.
The
event will be emceed by 4th District Alderman Jim Kaplan. Prelude music and the National Anthem will be
sung by recording artist Minister Cheryl McCrary. Opening prayer will be done by Pastor Tony
Ballistrari, followed by reading of the city proclamation by Mayor John Dickert.
Prayer will be lead by military personnel and various city officials including
Racine Police Chief Art Howell, Cornelius Gordon Chaplain of the Racine Youth Offenders
Correctional Facility, Alderman Jim Kaplan 4th District/U.S.N.R, Stuart Nelson U.S.M.C, Chaplain David Deberge WI
Arm/National Guard, Minister Reynaldo
Belmares, Thomas Ginski portraying a Civil War Union soldier and other
representatives.
Various Racine Area
Home School children (RAHS), will recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.” There will be a moment of silence in for military
personnel and their families. Stuart will perform “Taps” on the saxophone, followed
by closing music and prayer.