Area Christians rally together in praise of unity

By RANDY GRIFFITH
The Tribune-Democrat

May 02, 2008 12:27 am

— A message of unity was lifted from Johnstown on Thursday as hundreds of Christians joined together at “Celebrate One.”
The fourth annual night of praise and prayer featured messages of forgiveness and working together, interspersed with music and prayers for forgiveness. It was all led by local clergy members from a broad range of Christian churches.

“There is a power in this house because there is power in oneness,” the Rev. Harold Spellman said. The pastor of Peniel Praise Community Church asked church members to work to break down walls that divide families, races and the faithful.
Teams of two speakers addressed each of those three areas, praying for a unified approach to rebuilding and mending divisions during the event in the Pasquerilla Conference Center.
The Rev. Randy Bain of Oakland United Methodist Church said division within families often leads to division in churches. He called on churches to work with families to tear down the walls.
“We may not build them, but we sure have left them there,” Bain said, leading into his prayer asking God to forgive the inaction and help churches reach out to families.
The Rev. Lamar Lee Jr. of First Cambria African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Rev. Philip King of Benshoff Hill Church of the Brethren called for an end to racial divisions.
“We too often forget Jesus calls on us to love one another,” King said.
Overcoming prejudice is crucial to faith, Lee said, praying, “We cannot love you, oh God, who we have not seen, if we can’t love one another, who we have seen.”
The Rev. Christian Oravec of St. Francis University and the Rev. Gary Tustin of Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship called on Christians to overlook differences between denominations and find common ground.
“We have some one in common,” Oravec said. “That one is Jesus Christ.”
Music by the 25-voice Peniel Praise choir and the 80-member Unity Praise choir included traditional hymns, contemporary praise and worship songs, gospel and Spanish style.
The Unity choir includes members from all denominations and has been rehearsing for three weeks, director Emily Holgash said.

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