The National Day of Prayer has a rich history, dating from the first declaration of a day of prayer and fasting, which was implemented by George Washington, to President Lincoln’s call for prayer and fasting during the Civil War. President Truman signed a modern-day declaration into law in 1952. And President Reagan amended the law in 1988, declaring the official date as the first Thursday in May.

Sunday, April 30, 12:30PM
On the front lawn of our church and school, we will plant a United States flag for each fallen soldier in the Iraq war. This will serve as a visual reminder for all who pass by, of the sacrifice that is being made on our behalf, every day. And it will be an invitation to pray for -- and support -- all those in our military, and their families. We invite all who support our military to come and help us erect this memorial, and would love for military personnel and their families to attend and take part. Weather and conditions permitting, the memorial will stay in place through Memorial Day.

Thursday, May 4th, All Day
Our church will be open for an all-day prayer vigil, to offer-up prayers for our nation, our president, our military, and our communities. If you would like to submit a prayer request to be prayed over during this prayer request, please email it, and we will be sure it is brought before God that day.

Thursday, May 4th, Noon
Join the students and staff of First Lutheran School for a brief noontime outdoor prayer service, on the front lawn of our church and school, by the flag memorial. Everyone is welcomed, to pay respect to those who serve our country, and to offer-up prayers for our president, our government, our military and our citizens.

Thursday, May 4th, 5:00-7:30PM
A spaghetti dinner will be served in our fellowship hall, to raise funds for our school's 8th grade class trip. All are invited. Why cook, when you can come here for a home-cooked meal? Bring the family, then stay for our song and prayer service. $5 per adult, $3 per child. Call 413/534-7071 for reservations.

Thursday, May 4th, 7:00-7:45PM
Song and prayer service, focusing on the founding Christian principles of our nation, and asking God to bless and protect our president, our government, our nation, our military and our citizens. This service is designed to be a wonderful history lesson, focusing on pivotal moments in our country’s history when leaders turned to God for guidance, and received great blessings in return.


My great concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God’s side.
- Abraham Lincoln

The liberties of America are the object of Divine Protection.
- George Washington

If God be for us, who can be against us? The enemy has reproached us for calling on His name and professing our trust in Him. They have made a mock of our solemn fasts and every appearance of serious Christianity in the land… May our land be purged from all its sins! Then the Lord will be our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble, and we will have no reason to be aftraid, though thousands of enemies set themselves against us round about.
- Reverend Samuel Lanagdon, President of Harvard College, in an address to the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, May 31, 1775

Our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment…Whatever makes a man a good Christian also makes a good citizen.
- Daniel Webster

And let us not trust to human effort alone, but humbly acknowledge the power and goodness of Almighty God who presides over the destiny of nation, and who has at all times been revealed in our country’s history, let us invoke His aid and His blessings upon our labors.
- Grover Cleveland, Inaugural Address, March 6, 1885