The annual observance of Yom Hashoah – the Holocaust in which 11 million persons were murdered by Germany’s Third Reich – takes place this year on Sunday, May 4, with presentations in readings and music, as well as with memories of a survivor of those awful times.

This is the fifth year that the congregations of B’nai Israel Synagogue and Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Peachtree City, will come together to worship and to remember. The Lutherans will host the 4 p.m. service in their sanctuary at 101 Peachtree Parkway North, Peachtree City.

Mathew Sikorski, born in Poland, managed to escape with his mother at the age of 10, but his father had been killed. The youth became a naturalized citizen, married, and had three sons of his own.

The recently elected bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is another noteworthy participant in this year’s Hashoah service.

The Rev. Julian Gordy was elected last summer. This is his first visit to Christ Our Shepherd since his installation.

David Beecher, minister of music at the Lutheran Church, will direct combined choirs of both congregations, and is coordinating presentations of the church’s flute and bell choirs.

Susan Levine, the cantorial soloist for B’nai Israel, has lent her energy to chair a committee that is now finalizing plans for the gathering. Beecher is her counterpart at Christ Our Shepherd.

The public is invited to this remembrance regardless of religious affiliation.

A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

For information, call Beecher at 770-487-8717 or Levine at 678-817-7162.

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