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SALEM -- Exalt the Lord, live a Jesus-shaped life, step up to do God's work, pray for business leaders, educators, the media, the government, the military, safety forces and healthcare workers.
Just "Do the Next Thing" as the poem says, "do it immediately, do it with prayer...," Jeannie Hardy read.
And by all means, as Pastor Justin Vance said, "Keep in mind the impact and importance of the family."
Those were the messages delivered Thursday as area residents prayed, pledged and sang joyfully during the 16th annual Salem Area National Day of Prayer observance at the Salem Memorial Building.
Mayor John Berlin read from a proclamation he issued last week declaring Thursday as the National Day of Prayer in Salem, which is in line with the nationwide observance on the first Thursday of May. A National Day of Prayer was first proclaimed by the Continental Congress in 1775 and in 1988 it was legislated by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan who is quoted as saying "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God then we will be a Nation gone under."
Presenters of scripture and prayer in eight areas included: government, Leetonia Mayor Kevin Siembida; military, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Wilbur Kline; media, Paul Duncan; business, Pastor Bill Fish; family, Pastor Justin Vance; church, Pastor Frank Zugaro; education, Roz Hardgrove; and safety forces/health care workers, Jeannie Hardy.
St. Paul Troop 6 Boy Scouts Gabe Murray and Reed Minto led the Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge to the Christian Flag and Pledge to the Bible. Pastor Pete Fowler offered the welcome and opening prayer and Joe Kozar of the Salem Area National Day of Prayer Committee gave the closing prayer.
Music was provided by the Allegheny Wesleyan College Orchestra, Ladies' Trio and Men's Quartet.
Fish spoke about integrity for employers and humility among co-workers, praying for business leaders who will use their influence to make a difference. Zugaro talked about Church being God's mission and the importance of discipleship, all working as one body of Christ.
Hardgrove, who's a teacher at United High School, prayed for education and educators, saying "may they always remember the need to teach our students to think critically to discern the truth."
When it comes to the family, Vance said God got it right when he ordained the family, when God said that man should not be alone. Siembida asked for guidance for government leaders, asking God to "guide those that lead by your divine grace." Duncan urged the media, those in the arts and entertainment to use their talents for God's glory and Kline prayed for the protection of the armed forces and their families, looking forward to a day when their protection of the nation is no longer necessary.
Hardy closed out the scriptures and prayers by focusing on the safety forces and healthcare workers, thanking them for what they do, for always continuing to "Do the Next Thing."
Just like the poem says.