Evening star., 1941-12-29
Gay New Year
sPIanned
Despite War
CopituI Will Join
In National Day
Of Prayer Thursday

A spirit of gayety, real or masked.
Is expected to usher out the fateful
year Of 194i here Wednesday night
before this war capital of the world
prepares for the grim tasks of the
coming year by joining in the ma
tional day Of prayer Thursday.
Night clubs, hotels and theaters
have prepared for overflow crowds.
Many churches will hold traditional
night watch services.
The strict rationing of the war
has not yet cut into the field of the
paper horn and other assorted noise
makers. and night spots have laid in
large stock. BY next New Year
the rationing may make things con-
siderably quieter.
The nights entertainment will cost
the celebrant about whatever he
wants to make it. AS usual, hun
dreds will spend no more than the
price Of few gallons of gasoline.
riding about the city and backfring
their motors.
Midnight Shows Scheduled.
Many theaters have arranged the
customary midnight show. It's in
the clubs that the singing Of Aud
Lang Syne" will cost folding money.
Prices range from SO so, with mid
night supper. to $3.50 per person
minimum at the less expensive
places. Others have no minimum
charge. Heavy Federal amusement
taxes will be constant reminder,
however. that the country is at war.
The Capital Transit Co. has ar
ranged its usual late bus and street.
car services.
Although in general workers will
enjoy a holiday Thursday, the press
of Government affairs is expected
to keep many Federal employees at
their desks. Especially is this the
case at departments and agencies
directly concerned with defense.
The Navy Yard and the smaller in
oustrles engaged in production Of
defense material here will respond
to the plea of officials to keep their
wheels turning throughout the day.
Program of Prayer Suggested.
In connection with President
Roosevelts call for a day of prayer,
the Washington Federation Of
Churches has suggested a program
of prayer for churches and individ-
uals
Holy communion was suggested
for churches which hold night watch
services. On New Year Day the
! federation urged that other churches
follow the example of the Episcopal
! and Lutheran churches in holding
morning services between 10 am.
! and noon. At 5 pm. Angelus bells
/ will be rung at churches through
out the city and over the radio as
call to silent prayer wherever one
happens to be-
Family gatherings were urged to
say special prayers at the breakfast
table and that in the evening there
be a discussion about the kind Of
world that should be built after the
war.
Subjects Of prayer suggested for
consideration included prayer in
silence for guidance and power: for
the President, the civil authorities
and the leaders of the armed forces:
for the soul of the Nation that
there may be vision, courage and
endurance: for our men in train
ing and on the combat fronts: for
the wounded; for the near of kin
to those who have given their lives,
and for ourselves that we fail not"
Suggested Scripture readings are
Isaiah, xl3l; Matthew, xviii.20, and
Mark, xi24.
The federation gave this prayer
from a litany:
20 Lord. by Thy Spirit, move in
our very beings. that we may see
Thee in everything that is. that We
may hear Thy voice speaking more
clearly than all voices and feel Thy
presence in every movement and
experience"