United Methodist pastor preaches at National Prayer Service
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A UMNS Web-only image The Rev. Mark Craig speaks at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.
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The
Rev. Mark Craig of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas
speaks at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National
Cathedral. The event wrapped up four days of inaugural celebrations for
President George W. Bush. Highland Park is the home church of George and
Laura Bush. A UMNS Web-only image. Accompanies UMNS story #054. 1/21/05 |
Jan. 21, 2005A UMNS Report By Kathy L. Gilbert* Not
only does America have a future, but it is a future that is good and
full of hope, a United Methodist pastor said during the National Prayer
Service Jan. 21. "We
all have a future, and the Bible tells us the future is good," said the
Rev. Mark Craig, pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church in
Dallas. "The reason the future is good is because God loves each and
every one of us." The
National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral wrapped up
four days of inaugural celebrations for President George W. Bush.
Highland Park is the home church of George and Laura Bush. The
interfaith service included prayers by Christian, Jewish and Muslim
clergy as well as choral and instrumental music. The Rev. Billy Graham
led the opening prayer of the service. The National Prayer Service is a
tradition set by George Washington. "We are a nation of sacrifice, freedom, justice, peace and faith," Craig said. During
his sermon, Craig paid tribute to the armed forces serving around the
world. For 200 years, men and women of the United States have given
their lives for freedom, he said. Quoting Scripture, Craig said, "there
is no greater sacrifice, no greater love" then that showed by the men
and women in uniform. "We should be eternally grateful for their
sacrifice." In conclusion, Craig cited the story of God parting the Red Sea for Moses and the people of Israel. "In
difficult times, God has a way of opening new doors," he said. "That is
why we have a future and it is good and full of hope." The
Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist
Church in Houston, also participated in the National Prayer Service.
Caldwell gave the benediction after the president’s inaugural address
Jan. 20. *Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn. News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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