Dear Editor,

St. Clairsville Council of Churches takes this opportunity to thank Carri Graham, Times Leader staff writer for the wonderful article for the National Day of Prayer ceremony held at Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

The Bible Reading Marathon Task Force also thanks Carri for including our event, which began Thursday, April 25th with St. Clairsville Mayor Terry Pugh beginning the reading and concluded Wednesday, May 1, at 7 p.m. with youth from Harbor of Hope Church reading Revelation.

We had many participants including children and parents reading the Bible from Belmont County churches — it is a blessing to hear the Word read aloud! Thank you to all who took part in this endeavor!

The Bible Reading Marathon leads up to the National Day of Prayer each year.

We especially thank the St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159 Color Guard for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. These men are true heroes of America — we thank them for their service to our country.

David Stiles’ music was uplifting and gave praise to our God and country. Linda Jordan thrilled us with her wonderful special music, “Our Nation.”

Thank you to Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato for reading President Donald Trump’s proclamation. Thank you to Belmont County Commissioner Josh Meyer for reading Governor Mike DeWine’s proclamation for the state of Ohio and to St. Clairsville Mayor Terry Pugh for reading the mayor’s proclamation.

We were blessed by the prayers for our nation by the Rev. Leonard Payne, the Rev. Bill Wendell, the Rev. Dean Meyers, Miss Emily Megan, Mrs. Maryann Droll and Mr. Randy Marple.

We want to thank Coach Dave Daubenmire, from Pass the Salt Ministries, for his inspiring message, “Has the Salt lost His Savor?”

He inspired us to truly be the salt to everyone we meet — to invite all to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

This year’s theme is to Love One Another from John 13:34, “Love One Another, Just As I Have Loved You.”

St. Clairsville Council of churches is thankful to the city of St. Clairsville for their continued support of the Bible Reading Marathon and the National Day of Prayer.

Gwen Scales

Council President

Lafferty