NDOP events held in Newnan, Senoia, Grantville
By W. Winston Skinner
winston@newnan.com
Citizens gathered at noon in Newnan, Grantville and Senoia to pray on Thursday.
Events associated with the National Day of Prayer were held at downtown locations in each town. An annual prayer breakfast – sponsored by the Newnan Kiwanis Club – was held in the parish hall at First United Methodist Church.
Newnan’s noon gathering was held at the Greenville Street Park. Jonnie Porter gave opening remarks followed by posting of the colors by John O’Conner and Jeff Carroll of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667. John Riley, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, led the pledge to the American flag followed by the singing of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”
Newnan Mayor Keith Brady and County Commission Chairman Rodney Brooks presented National Day of Prayer proclamations. Carl Greene, pastor of Grace Community Fellowship, prayed for Newnan’s mayor, city manager, city council and fire and police departments.
Brian Anderson, pastor of Grace Community Fellowship, prayed for the Coweta County Board of Commissioners and county Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department personnel. Paul Dennis, pastor of Royal Baptist Church, prayed for the Coweta County Board of Education and for local teachers.
Rush Wyatt, pastor of Westside Church of Christ, prayed for national executive and legislative leaders. Prayer for the judicial system was given by local pastor Paul Schneider Jr. A prayer for military personnel was prayed by LCDR David Jessel, U.S. Navy retired.
Minister Jane White-Stevens prayed for the news media, and Brooks prayed for the Coweta County business community. Allen Mathura, pastor of South Metro Ministries, offered a prayer for churches.
The final prayer – by Jeff Pecce – was for families. It was followed by the singing of a medley featuring “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “Our God Reigns.”
Scott McInnis, pastor of WellSpring Church, said about 50 people attended the NDOP gathering at the gazebo in downtown Senoia. “It was a beautiful day,” he said.
McInnis organized the service which included prayers by pastors Philip Bevel, Nathaniel Long, Ted Padgett and Roy Roberson – and by April Anderson, director of the Backpack Buddies program. Krysta Nick, 15, sang during the Senoia event.
There also were about 50 people gathered at the flagpole in front of Grantville City Hall. Brad Brimlow, pastor of First Baptist Church of Grantville, spoke briefly.
“It’s time we stand up against some things. It’s time Christians get a backbone,” Brimlow said.
Gerry Collins accompanied himself on the guitar to lead the Grantville group in “Amazing Grace.” At the suggestion of Mayor Jim Sells, the gathering ended with an a capella singing of “God Bless America.”
