Evening star., 1943-01-01
D. {. Churches Mark
New Year With PRAYER
For Servicemen
Federation Statement
Coils on Americans to
Strengthen Freedom

Prayers for men in the armed
services and for early conclusion of
the global conflict marked special
religious services in Washington
churches today as the Capital con-
templated somberly the sacrifices
civilians must make to hasten a vic
torious peace.
President Roosevelt had keynoted
the day when he called on Washing
ton ITO make the first day Of our new
year a day of prayer" Watch
services last night were followed by
the traditional New Year services
held today in numerous churches.
In Catholic churches the feast of
circumcision was being celebrated
with holy day masses. At the Wash
ington Cathedral holy communion
was administered at 1880 and $3.50
am. Intercessions were to be held at
noon and evening prayer at 4 p. m.
Issue Joint Statement.
Washington clergymen issued a
joint statement in which they said:
Sorrow tends to bring us all to
realize that the church and prayer
must play part in our lives. Our
President has seen f1t to make the
first day of our New Year a day of
prayer, and we sincerely hope that
the citizens of Washington will heed
that request" i
A message to "Our fellow Chris
tians" given by the Federal Council
of Churches Of Christ in America,
was made public by the Rev. DR..
Frederick E. Reissig, executive sec
retary of the Washington Federation
Of Churches.
The message urged men and wom-
en- to bow in penitence before the
judgement of God, to withstand
hatred and revenge, to succor with
generosity all those who suffer from
the ravages Of war, to work peni-
tently for justice and good will
among all racial groups both in
this country and throughout the
world, to minister to the deeper
needs of men in the armed services,
and to maintain constant faith in
God as the refuge and strength of
His people even in the darkest night,
and to trust in the triumph of His
will"
Ask Strength for Leaders.
A prayer was added that "our ma
tional leaders may be guided and
strengthened by the spirit of God,
and that after this tragic conflict
there shall come a new world of
righteousness, justice and peace for
all nations" Americans were also
urged to devote themselves to pre-
serving and strengthening the
ideals of freedom and democracy.
Several hundred persons attend
ed the midnight watch service at
Washington Cathedral. The Right
Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of
Washington, was unable to appear
because of illness.
Participants in the service at the |
Cathedral were the Rev. Charles
w. F. Smith, canon missioner; the
Rev. Theodore o. Wedel, canon
chancellor; the Rev. w. Curtis Dra-
per, acting canon precenter, and
the Rev. James P. Berkeley, head
verger.. - ,~- 'f"A
At the Cathedral, communion was |
held at 7:30 and $50 am. Inter-
cessions were scheduled to be held
at noon and evening prayer at 4
pm.
Keep 24-Hour Vigil.
A 24-hour vigil of prayer started
last night at midnight at the Ana
costa Baptist Church.
A worship service is scheduled at
the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 1917
G street NV, at o'clock tonight,
followed by dinner in the parish
hall under the sponsorship of the
Potomac Assembly, Brotherhood of |
st. Andrew. Speakers will be Bishop
Oliver j. Hart, Bishop of Pennsyl-
vania; Chaplain Merritt F.. Williams,
of the U. S. S. Wasp, and Douglas c.
Turnbull. of Baltimore. national
president OF the Brotherhood.
At Mount Vernon Methodist
Church a motion picture. I'm His
Steps" was shown. The Rev. John
w. Rustin, pastor, led holy COM
munion from II pm. until midnight.
During the interim between the pic
ture and communion there was a
social hour.
The Rev. DR.. Gerhard E. Lenski,
pastor Of Grace Lutheran Church,
preached on ''The New Year-God's
Gift" Holy communion was cele-
brated at the church's watch serv-
ices. which began at 8 pm.
Hebrew Services Set.
Prayers for the armed forces and
the country will be offered at pm
at Bnai Israel Synagogue, Four
teenth and Emerson streets NV.
Rabbi Henry Segal will preach on