Photo by Stephanie Elverd Rabbi Joshua Lief, spiritual leader of Temple Shalom, delivers a sermon on Friday evolving the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a MLK-themed Shabbat Service that kicked off Wheeling’s observance of the holiday that honors the slain civil rights leader.

WHEELING — Wheeling’s observation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday began Friday with an MLK-themed Shabbat Service at 7 p.m. at the Temple Shalom.

The Shabbat Service — a weekly Jewish worship service held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings/afternoons to mark the Sabbath with prayers — featured readings from King’s writings including his “I Have A Dream” speech delivered in 1963 and on the Mall in Washington.

Rabbi Joshua Lief, spiritual leader of Temple Shalom, delivered a sermon evoking the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the service.

“We lose when we think we have already won. We win when we are willing to learn, to grow and to be better.” Lief said. “This is the message that Dr. King inspires us to take to heart tonight, throughout the weekend and truly not just once a year but each and every day for as long as we are alive.

Lief spoke of “creating new friendships and reaching across party aisles” and disagreeing with each other with respect while striving for better days and better ways.

“We can have law and order and freedom and justice all at the same time — not as mutual exclusions to each other,” he said during the service that welcomed all faiths to the temple. “But only if we are willing to admit that there is more, that there is better, that there is goodness out there … if we are willing to join hands and march forward together we still could get there someday.”

The Shabbat Service was the first of many events to mark MLK Day — which President Reagan signed into law in 1983 to honor the slain civil rights leader — in Wheeling.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, there will be a student panel discussion at West Virginia Northern Community College,1704 Market St., Wheeling. Later, at 7 p.m., the Ohio Valley Festival for Filmmakers of Color will take place at Wheeling University’s Troy Theater.

Events on Sunday, Jan. 18 begin with the MLK March beginning at 2:15 p.m. at the Windmill atop Wheeling HIll on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Wheeling. The march will end at WVNCC.

Participants are encouraged to park near the college, walk to the top of the hill to begin the march, or take advantage of the free shuttle bus service.

The MLK and Rosa Parks Award Presentations next will take place starting at 3 p.m. at WVNCC. This will be followed by the MLK Dinner at 4 p.m. at the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling, 1610 Eoff Street, Wheeling.

Sunday’s events conclude with an interfaith prayer service and awards presentation at 6 p.m. at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 1410 Chapline St., Wheeling.

The actual MLK Day holiday is Monday, Jan. 19, and beginning at 9 a.m. there will be children’s programming at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 129 18th St., Wheeling. Awards will be presented at 9:30 a.m. to winners of the Martin Luther King essay, music, and video contests.