Community to observe National Day of Prayer

PLUMSTED - On May 1 the National Day of Prayer will be observed in the courtroom of the Plumsted municipal building, 121 Evergreen Road, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

This will mark the 15th consecutive year the event has been held. According to Mayor Ron Dancer, local residents are organizing the event and are encouraging people of all faiths to attend this year's National Day of Prayer observance.

This year's theme is "The Lord is my strength and shield …" from the Bible verse Psalm 28:7.

The U.S. Congress and 48 states, including the New Jersey Legislature, have passed the "Prayer Day Act." In 1988, federal legislation was passed unanimously by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan establishing the first Thursday of May in each year as the National Day of Prayer.

Dancer said that in 1861, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase of the U.S. Supreme Court wrote the following in a letter to the director of the mint: "No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins." In 1865, Congress enacted legislation authorizing the phrase "In God We Trust" to be placed on certain coins.

The mayor asked residents to consider the following quotes:

• "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." - President George Washington.

• "The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded." - President James Madison.

• "I tremble for my Country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." - President Thomas Jefferson.

In other business, Dancer said residents are encouraged to attend and support the following upcoming events:

• Cruz Night on Main Street, May 8 from 6-9 p.m. featuring the display of classic and antique cars.

• Relay for Life, supporting the American Cancer Society, on May 9 with opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. and continuing all night until 6 a.m. May 10 at New Egypt High School.

• The New Egypt Day Family Street Festival in downtown New Egypt on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, that evening at dusk, the Main Street Promotion Committee will be hosting an "Outdoor Family Movie Night" at the Recreation Park.