Worldwide and community events this week
Most of us human beings like to be part of a community. Sometimes we get into our groups because of a need, sometimes because others and we benefit by doing so, and sometimes because it's just pleasant to be with likeminded individuals.
Several opportunities are available this week. Some of these would not have been possible a few years ago.
Tuesday, at noon and at 7 p.m., individuals may take part in a worldwide prayer event.
Biblica, formerly International Bible Society, is one of the organizing ministries in the worldwide prayer effort. During the “live streaming” broadcasts, special guests will include Billy Graham's daughter, speaker and author Anne Graham Lotz, pastor and popular author Max Lucado, as well as author and radio personality Joni Eareckson Tada.
Tada became almost a household word among Christ-ians as she dealt with her paralysis following a diving accident as a 17-year-old. Though she rejoices she will eventually leave the wheelchair confinement on earth, she believes her paralysis fits with a loving God's plan for her life. She has been instrumental in helping improve the lives of the physically challenged around the world.
Another guest, Tom White, began a worldwide ministry to persecuted Christians after his own imprisonment for sharing his faith. Other ministry leaders will take part as well.
After speaking with one of the organizations for the prayer event, I am told two websites, www.operationworld.org and www.Biblica.org, will make joining the worldwide prayer service easy and obvious.
I viewed those sites last week and in a prayer for Mozambique, for example, a woman with “broken English” prays as onlookers see children and adults going about their daily, and sometimes difficult, lives.
Several videos accompanied voiced-over prayers for earthquake-torn Haiti.
Photographs from across the United States were part of the prayer for our country.
I suspect today's “live” prayer service will be something many of you will want to be a part of. If you don't have access to the internet, perhaps a neighbor, relative or friend would be glad to share theirs over a cup of coffee as you all take part in this worldwide “community” event.
Both Red Oak and Villisca schools will host Veterans Day programs Thursday.
The ROHS assembly will begin at 9 a.m.; and the Middle School assembly at 10:30 a.m. The student body will provide patriotic music and Col. Gregory Hapgood will speak at both programs.
In Villisca, speakers will visit classes prior to the 10 a.m. patriotic assembly. Villisca's Veterans Day assembly is a change from previous years. After opening patriotic ceremonies, those assembled will watch a one-act play which several high school seniors have been busily preparing.
Veterans Day provides an important opportunity to honor those who served in uniform, and is also a time to remember and pray for those now serving in behalf of our nation.
I hope that many will be able to take part in these community events.
Stanton Community Schools will reschedule their student-led observance of Veterans Day. They were having difficulty finalizing arrangements with a speaker, and now Thursday's classes will be canceled since their girls' volleyball team is to begin competition for the state championship title.
Stanton's Girls Volleyball team will be meeting Grandview Park Baptist in the 1A Quarterfinal on Thursday at noon. The semifinal will be Friday evening, and the state final will be Saturday at 5 p.m.
Marge Warder is a freelance reporter for the Red Oak Express. She can be contacted at mwarder@yahoo.com.