Hawthorn Woods school, church observe National Day of Prayer

A crowd of about 100 people gathered Thursday at the flagpole in front of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School in Hawthorn Woods to mark the National Day of Prayer.

Church members, students, Hawthorn Woods police and firefighters and members of the community were among those observing the event, which was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

"It's National Day of Prayer and it's also Ascension day, so we combine the two together for anyone in the community and all the kids from our school," said Church & School Administrator Doug Duval.

The Rev. Timothy Kinne, senior pastor, and the Rev. Ed Blonski led the service as they prayed for the nation, police, firefighters and paramedics, members of government and the military, along with persecuted Christians and those affected by natural disaster.