Trending
EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Annual Day of Prayer for the East Liverpool Area has come and gone but not forgotten by those who attended at the East Liverpool Community Center last Thursday morning in the Banquet Hall. It was part of the National Day of Prayer where people throughout the country meet to celebrate the privilege and importance of regular prayer in their lives.
This was the first Prayer Breakfast that originated about 40 years ago and since it met in the center parking lot two years ago during the pandemic with food passed out to people through their car windows. The message was delivered by megaphone by the ministers while worshipers remained in their cars.
There was a full house in the Center Banquet Hall.
The price of the ticket to attend was $10 for a breakfast provided by Connie's Corner of Chester. Committee Member Ginny Jackson alone sold nearly 100 tickets herself. The only one who appeared that day without a ticket was the Holy Spirit and it was quite apparent throughout the morning.
The breakfast turned out to be a reenactment of the loaves and fishes. There seemed to be nearly as much of the delicious eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit and rolls remaining after everyone had eaten their fill. The remaining food was given to Pastor Peachy of the Second Baptist Church. Their members passed out the leftovers as part of their regular Thursday food distribution at his church on Pennsylvania Avenue that evening.
The program kept the audience entertained for nearly two hours. The principal speaker was Mike Ross Jr., son of Pastor Mike Ross, who passed away suddenly in the course of preparing for the Prayer Breakfast. Mike Ross the speaker makes his living as a motivational speaker for Mainstream Life Solutions.
The father of the speaker was awarded a plaque posthumously to commemorate his work in his church, in the surrounding community and as a missionary to Africa.
Columbiana County Executive Director Penny Traina presented a Community Service Award to Columbiana County Bert Dawson. Dawson has served as the Columbiana County engineer for 53 years and he was recognized for his faithful public service to the county and for going above and beyond the job for residents.
Pastor Larry Rose presented the invocation. The Tri-State Veterans Troop presented the American flag followed by singing God Bless America. The Welcome was then presented by St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini. The East Liverpool Christian School Praise Team sang "The Blessing." Later Rev. Jim Herring sang and played his emotional rendition of "Behold the Lamb."
The breakfast meeting spilled over into the afternoon when six community pastors led a gathering on the steps of the city hall for prayers for Government and Ministry, Community in Crisis, Family and Schools, the Churches, Families and our Schools, Police, Firemen and all First Responders, and for the greater Community.
The Planning Committee for the Prayer Breakfast had met together since December. The Chairman is Rev. Ernie Peachy, Treasurer John Richman, Pastors Greg Mead and Mike Dyer, Charles Lang and Mrs. Jackson. Even though the cost of a meal was nearly $3 more than the $10 price of the ticket, with funds left from prior Prayer Breakfasts the event broke even. "The Holy Spirit" was present indeed.