Women gather for prayer day around world

Each year when the members of Church Women United gather for the annual World Day of Prayer worship service, they leave behind denominational differences and nuances to focus on the unity they find in faith.

To them it doesn't really matter whether Christians recite the Lord's Prayer using the word trespasses, debts or sins from Matthew 6:12, which in one version reads "forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors."

"God values diversity," said the Rev. Ann Mowery, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville, Mo. During the World Day of Prayer service, each woman can recite the prayer as she is accustomed.

Ecumenical services undergird the common faith Christian women share, Mowery said. Worship services can take on a variety of expressions, but "we are worshipping the same God in the same person of Jesus Christ."

This year's observance of World Day of Prayer is themed "Challenged to Reconcile," and urges more cooperation and reconciliation among Christian denominations. The worship service was written by women in Romania.

Mowery will preach during the service that begins at 9 a.m. Friday at La Croix United Methodist Church. Another service will be held at 1 p.m. at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mo. Both services are sponsored by Church Women United.

The World Day of Prayer is one of the annual events for Church Women United. The local group meets at 9 a.m. on the first Friday of each month at a different area church. The April Bible study and meeting will be at St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Several women representing area churches will be participating in Friday's service, which includes elements from Orthodox traditions and some Romanian hymns. Elements of a traditional Romanian welcome -- bread and salt -- also will be used in the service.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126