The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

Big events to trigger PTC prayer services

By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

In difficult times, people often turn to prayer, and Sunday may not come soon enough.

During the days immediately following Sept. 11, houses of worship throughout the community opened their doors to allow believers to gather, to grieve together, and to turn to God for solace and protection.

But not everyone got the word, especially in large congregations, and many would-be worshippers did not know, or guessed wrong about date and time.

For that reason, Peachtree City pastors who meet informally each week for lunch have come up with a plan, said the Rev. John Weber of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.

From now on, at 7 p.m. on the day following a major event such as the terrorist attacks or the announcement that war has begun, a community prayer service will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Peachtree City, with First Presbyterian also available as needed if the Baptist sanctuary fills to capacity. These churches were selected because they are centrally located and close to each other, Weber said.

The service will be nondenominational and led by area clergy. Everyone is welcome, he said, whether or not they are members of any church.

How will citizens know that a new development or incident will result in a special service being planned? They may check by calling their own or any Peachtree City church office, Weber said.

Because people have expressed a need for the ongoing refuge of a sanctuary, many local churches also are scheduling regular prayer services or keeping their doors open throughout the week.

Peachtree City Christian Church, for example, conducts a short service at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The sanctuary of First Presbyterian, 206 Willowbend Road, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for prayer or meditation; a prayer leader is there for about 15 minutes at the beginning and end of that time period.

And at Christ Our Shepherd, 101 Peachtree Pkwy. N., a brief service built on prayer and scripture takes place at noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.