St. George churches gather for second annual prayer day

Intermountain Catholic

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Fr. Eleazar Silva, vicar of St. George Catholic Church, leads the gathered faith assemblies at Pioneer Park in St. George in a New Year's Day ecumenical prayer service. Organized by Reverend Jimi Kestin, pastor of Solomon's Porch Foursquare Fellowship, this was the second annual Prayer for St. George gathering. photo by Lorraine Boyce

by Lorraine Boyce

ST. GEORGE — Reverend Jimi Kestin, pastor of Solomon’s Porch Foursquare Fellowship, organized the second annual Prayer for St. George which was held at Pioneer Park in St. George Jan. 1, 2007. Members from various Christian churches assembled to give thanks and to pray for the

new year.

Worshipers at the park hailed from many local faith communities, including St. George Catholic Church, United Methodist Church, Solomon’s Porch Foursquare Fellowship, New Covenant Christian Center, New Life Christian Center, Harvest Christian Fellowship, Cross Point Christian Fellowship, and Oasis Community Church.

Father Eleazar Silva, Vicar of St. George Catholic Church, asked the assembly to face the city and raise their hands in prayer while he offered three blessings for the city and its inhabitants. He said, "the main theme of Christianity is unity and we cannot be true Christians if we are not united."

Mayor Dan McArthur spoke of the pioneers who founded the city and related that "he believed in Divine intervention and guidance… we need that help in all our lives."

Reverend Bernie Larson, pastor of the New Covenant Church, and Reverend Buddy Harrington, Pastor of the United Methodist Church, offered prayers of thanksgiving and asked for unity among all Christians. Pastor Harrington also prayed for the people fighting in the armed forces, asking God "to wrap His arms around the soldiers who are protecting us."