Glendora Prays

By Alan Doshna

(Glendora is determined to remain a praying city, at least as far as the National Day of Prayer on May 3 was concerned with 100 gathered at city hall park. Here is journalist Al Doshna’s report on an earlier Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast this year.)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. (Prov. 13:2)

A sense of hope appears to be in an increasingly short supply at a time when it is most needed, for many in the U.S. as well as the rest of the world following the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. The subject of hope was the point of focus at the recent Glendora Prayer Breakfast at the Glendora Country Club.

The Breakfast started off by a performance by Sounds of Grace Handbells from Grace Episcopal Church, led by Rev. Susan Scranton and a Welcome by former Glendora mayor Karen Davis of First Christian Church.

Following that was the Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance by the Scout Color Guard and the National Anthem by the Glenkirk Chamber singers.

Six Years In…

Glendora Mayor Doug Tessitor, who re-launched the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast six years ago provided the Mayor's Comments following the Opening Prayer by Rev. Casey Cox of Living Faith Fellowship and and Introduction and Recognition by Karen Davis. Mayor Tessitor emphasized that "Glendora is a community where God is still allowed in the public square."

Pat Loukota of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gave the first Bible reading from II Chronicles 7:14, regarding hope for our nation:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Following another performance by Sounds of Grace Handbells, the second Bible Reading was given by Rev. Jim Miller of Glenkirk Presbyterian Church, John 10:11-16, reminding us of the hope we have through out personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Directed Prayers

The Directed Prayer portion of the meeting was led by our pastor Neil Earle, who asked for wisdom in our government leaders. Rev. Mike Martin Glendora Church of the Brethren as that the local ministry fulfill their roles as shepherds. Rev. Casey Cox prayed that the administrators in our schools would share love, peace and a hope that passes understanding with children who have none, as well as their families.

The final Bible Reading, Jeremiah 29:11, was given by Mayor Doug Tessitor, regarding the hope that God intends to give us:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Reason to Hope

The keynote message, entitled Prisoners of Hope, was given by Dr. T. Scott Daniels, Dean at the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University and is also Senior Pastor at Church of the Nazarene. The title of the speech was a quote from African American scholar Dr. Cornel West, who was quoting Zechariah 9:9-12:

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Dr. Daniels drew from a favorite book of one of his former professors entitled “Him Again,” which characterizes the people of God in a somewhat humorous way as master detectives, such as Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. Christians need to be alert to discern God's plan and purpose in their lives. This, as opposed to human optimism, is their true source of hope.

Closing prayer was by Rev. Susan Scranton, who dismissed the guests: "...so in peace to love and serve the Lord, peace be to God."

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Alan Doshna is an actor,
journalist and GCI member living
in Syracuse, NY. His web site
is www.alandoshna.com.