A large group of worshipers celebrated the World Day of Prayer at First United Methodist Church Friday and focused on keeping God’s creation clean.
The 2018 program featured the nation of Suriname, which is on the Atlantic coast of South America north of Brazil, and a theme based on Genesis 1.
It included a selection of congregational hymns and stories of the women of Suriname. The program also included lessons in reducing waste and recycling, including the five R’s of reducing waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse/repair, Recycle and Rot.
Local coordinator Dawn Martin welcomed visitors, and the Columbia Elementary School Choir sang “Morning Has Broken” for the attendees. Participants and readers in the world Day of Prayer activities included women from several area churches.
Following the closing hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” the Rev. Mike Sahler dismissed the group with a benediction are a blessing for the meal that followed.
The local contingent celebrated along with people in more than 170 countries and regions. Services begin at sunrise in the Pacific and follow the sun across the globe.
Pictured Above: The Columbia Elementary School Choir peforms during Friday’s World Day of Prayer service held at First United Methodist Church of Columbia. | Photo by Mark Rogers
