advertisement

Leaders gather at annual Arlington Heights prayer breakfast

More than 200 business and community leaders of various faiths came together in Arlington Heights Thursday morning for the 28th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.

The goal of the prayer breakfast - organized by volunteers and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce - is to "seek God's plan and purpose for our local and national governments and leaders," according to its program.

"We are here to acknowledge the importance and power of prayer in our daily lives," said Mayor Tom Hayes.

President Barack Obama led a national prayer breakfast on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Elizabeth Jameson of Saint Simon's Episcopal Church read the invocation before scripture readings from Hayes' wife, Sue, and C.W. Moellenkamp of Lutheran Life Communities.

"Prayer is one of the true great gifts we have been given," Moellenkamp said. "I'm so glad Arlington Heights sets aside this day each year to pray and refocus our faith."

The crowd was then treated to music by John Hacker, accompanied by Glen Ramsborg, both of the Orchard Evangelical Free Church.

Several speakers noted how proud they were to live in a community that celebrates different faiths.

Keynote speaker John Aiello, executive director of Unlocking the Bible, spoke of his upbringing in Arlington Heights where he has lived or worked for more than 40 years.

All that time he said he wasn't necessarily pursuing God, but realized later on that God had been with him all along. He encouraged the group to seek God together to help better the community.

"Serve God by serving God's people," Aiello said.

"Prayer may be our strongest asset," he added.

  Keynote speaker John Aiello, executive director of "Unlocking the Bible," delivers his address Thursday during Arlington Heights' 28th annual Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast. "Serve God by serving God's people," he told a crowd of about 200 local business, civic and religious leaders. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes speaks Thursday during the village's 28th annual Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast. "We are here to acknowledge the importance and power of prayer in out daily lives," Hayes said. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Keynote speaker John Aiello, center, chats Thursday with Colin Smith, senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, and The Rev. Corey Brost, president of St. Viator High School, during Arlington Heights' 28th annual Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Soloist John Hacker of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church sings during Arlington Heights' 28th annual Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Keynote speaker John Aiello, executive director of "Unlocking the Bible," delivers his address Thursday during Arlington Heights' 28th annual Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.