Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/976488
24 UCW MAY 2-8, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Hope Mills News & Views Unity theme for Hope Mills prayer observance by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Dr. Bob Kretzu thinks the National Day of Prayer observance scheduled at Hope Mills Town Hall on ursday at noon is anything but a symbolic gesture. "I think it's important for us to be on location in public places,'' said Kretzu, pastor of Hope Mills United Methodist Church. "I think it's even more powerful for us to pray for our community lead- ers there rather than in our churches. It's easier to gather people from different churches at a neutral site like the town center. "To me it's important to affirm as a part of our heritage. President George Washington called us to a national day of prayer.'' Kretzu has tentatively arranged for about a half- dozen pastors from local churches to take part in this year's event at the flagpoles at the Hope Mills town hall. Among those Kretzu has asked to attend are Mike Wells of Hope Mills Church of God, Wilbert Harrison of Hope Mills First Baptist Church, Tim Gore, chaplain for Liberty Hospice, Ron Godbolt of Word of Truth Ministry, Zach Kennedy of Highland Baptist, John Locke of St. James Lutheran Church and Pat Snyder from Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church. "We've invited pastors and lay people to pray about different, specific areas, for national and state leaders, for pastors, for troops and first responders,'' he said. "e goal is for people to be able to do this during their lunch break. We normally have about 50 to 60 people in attendance.'' In addition to the clergy invited to attend, people from the crowd will be invited to offer prayers if they wish. e theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is Ephesians 4:3, which says, "being diligent to pre- serve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.'' "When people come together, it's a wonderful ex- perience,'' Kretzu said. "We saw it after 9/11.'' Kretzu thinks unity is especially important now with all the tension being experienced in places like Syria, North Korea and Iran. ere will be no hymns during the prayer service, but Kretzu said the ceremony will end with the group singing "America the Beautiful." Call Kretzu at the church at 910-425-0108 with any questions. He said plans are also in the works for Sunday on the Lake, which is scheduled at 6 p.m., July 1, at the restored Hope Mills Lake. at ceremony will be one element in a multi-part celebration of the return of the lake to Hope Mills. "at service will be about 95 percent music,'' he said of the lake event. It will be held in the area near- est the lake gazebo. Meetings For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Interim Town Clerk Debbie Holland at 910-426-4113. • Citizens Academy every Tuesday through June, 6-8 p.m. • Board of Commissioners Monday, May 7, 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Activities • Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio's, second Tues- days at noon at and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For more informa- tion, call 910-237-1240. • National Day of Prayer Service ursday, May 3, at Hope Mills Town Center flagpoles. Noon. All are welcome. • Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo ursday, May 3, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m. • Senior programs – 55 plus Mother's Day Tea and Pastries, Friday, May 11, 10-11:30 a.m., in the community room of the Hope Mills Parks and Rec center. Free. Sign up at front reception desk. Only 65 seats available. Women get first priority. Men will be placed on waiting list for last-minute openings. Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com. EVENTS The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is Ephesians 4:3. EARL VAUGHAN JR., senior staff writer. COMMENTS? EarlUCWS- ports@gmail.com. 910-364-6638. NEWS