Religion

For a day, people unite in worship

Participants gather in churches and a Land O'Lakes recreation complex for the National Day of Prayer.

By EBONY WINDOM
Published May 6, 2005

LAND O"LAKES - Each one had a different concern.

For the Rev. Gerald Toole, it was the hurricanes that whipped through Florida last year. Don Hitchcock of Land O'Lakes was thinking about the recent child abductions that rocked the Tampa Bay area.

Sometimes tough situations can "bring us to our knees," said the Rev. Dewey Huffstuttler, pastor of Land O'Lakes Church of God.

And on Wednesday about 100 people gathered in Land O'Lakes for the National Day of Prayer.

"Prayer is very powerful," said Vera Goodchild, 72. "If we want results, we've got to pray about it." At least two Pasco county churches offered their own versions of the event. Folks were encouraged to don patriotic attire for the program hosted by St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Hudson. Asbury United Methodist Church in New Port Richey opened its fellowship center doors so people could drop in and pray at their leisure.

Folks from coast to coast took part, too.

The national event takes place the first Thursday in May.

For years, Christian Social Services in Land O'Lakes has hosted the annual luncheon at the local recreation complex. The gymnasium was transformed into a makeshift dining hall. Long tables were set up. And a tablecloth and small floral bouquets were placed on top. This year, instead of folks winding through the usual buffet line, organizers hastened the process with ready-to-eat, boxed meals. Participants took home a beaded key chain. Each bead had a meaning. An attached card listed various Scriptures.

Some folks took a break from their workday to join in. Dozens of retirees came, too.

Hitchcock, 66, came with his wife.

"(The event) brings us together, thinking in one mind," he said.

Clergy from nearby churches took turns offering prayers.

The Rev. Guy Weatherly prayed for peace.

"We're praying for peace in a world where even in our back yards, we see less and less of it," he said. "Lord, give us discernment and courage."

Folks sat with bowed heads. One woman's clasped hands rested in her lap. Don Mitchell of the Disabled American Veterans color guard doffed his hat and laid it on the table.

The Rev. Amber Massingill of Harvester United Methodist in Land O'Lakes prayed for slain children and their families.

"We pray for the children who are the most vulnerable among us," she said.

"We pray for families like the Lunsford family and the Lunde family whose grief we cannot understand. . . . We pray that you give them hope in their spirits. . . . Be their champion, oh God. Rally us to their cause."

Ebony Windom covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at 813 909-4609 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4609. Her e-mail address is ewindom@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 6, 2005, 00:38:16]