Two Paw Paw schools took part in a local National Day of Prayer service on the steps of the Van Buren County Courthouse here, Thursday, May 2. Trinity Lutheran School and St. Mary Catholic School students took part in the nearly 45-minute service that featured area residents and officials offering a variety of prayers. Trinity Lutheran School Principal Bill Semrau, said, “This has been a year in the making. I attended this event last year and came back to our school and said, “We need to be there next year.” Semrau spoke with new music and band teacher, Larry Jones, who was “all for it” when he came on board mid-year. Semrau added, “We are blessed that Mr. Jones is the music teacher for both St. Mary’s and Trinity. He brought both schools together for this; having both schools sing and play together with only one practice was phenomenal. Our students also introduced the songs and their spiritual background. All of this exceeded my expectations for the event.”
St. Mary Catholic School second grade student, Kaitlyn Curtis, gave the elementary school song introduction for “This Land is Your Land” and spoke of how music brought people together and lifted the human spirit during the 1930s. Saint Mary School third through fifth graders sang in accompaniment with Trinity Lutheran students for “You are the Light of the World”. St. Mary School Principal Carolyn Murrary said following the event, “It was a wonderful opportunity to share in community and prayer with our Paw Paw neighbors and community leaders. Saint Mary School is committed to faith, education, family, and service. This prayer service was a wonderful way to demonstrate all of our guiding components.” The two principals said they look forward to working together to glorify God in the community. Event organizer Pastor Laurie Boyd said, “Having the children singing was just what we needed to take this event to the next level.” Event organizer Diane Barton added, “The kids were the cherry on top of the sundae, and we look forward to having them back next year.”
Courier-Leader photos/Paul Garrod
