Millions to Mark National Day of Prayer

On city hall steps, at church-sponsored prayer breakfasts and lunches--and in a nationally televised program emanating from Van Nuys’ Church on the Way--millions of Americans on Thursday observe the 46th annual National Day of Prayer.

Established in 1952, the day was designated in recent years as the first Thursday in May by Congress and proclaimed each year by the White House.

In its nationwide expression, the ceremonies take on an evangelical Christian focus--largely due to the extensive organization led by the Colorado Springs-based National Day of Prayer Task Force chaired by ex-Southern Californian Shirley Dobson, wife of broadcaster James Dobson, whose Focus on the Family ministries were in Pomona for years.

“Our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual renewal as crime, drug usage, child abuse and family breakups continue to plague us,” Shirley Dobson said. “There is no other answer for these staggering social ills than to appeal for the mercy and grace of God.”

The Dobsons appear Thursday with U.S. Senate Chaplain Lloyd Ogilvie, a former Hollywood pastor, in a live feed from Washington during a three-hour program to be televised by the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

The program starts at 5 p.m. and is based at the church’s East Campus in Van Nuys. It will be broadcast live by radio stations KKLA-FM (99.5) and KFSG-FM (96.3).

Tickets to attend the program at the East Campus, 14300 Sherman Way, must be requested in advance at (818) 779-8000. For latecomers and parents with children, the program also will be shown on the large screen at Church on the Way’s West Campus, 14800 Sherman Way.

The program includes appearances by Bishop Charles Blake of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Christian recording star Twila Paris, musician-pastor Andrae Crouch of Pacoima and author-broadcaster Joni Eareckson Tada, who heads an international ministry to the disabled.

Among other National Day of Prayer ceremonies Thursday in Southern California:

* Writer-attorney Hugh Hewitt, co-host of KCET-TV Channel 28’s “Life & Times,” speaks at a prayer breakfast at 6:45 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (714) 631-2880.

* Eight religious and civic leaders lead prayers at an informal breakfast in front of Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St., at 7 a.m. (310) 829-4976.

* A service of prayer and fasting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the chapel of Encino Presbyterian Church, 4963 Balboa Blvd. (818) 788-1147.

* John Dawson of Lake View Terrace, an international director of Youth With a Mission, will speak at a regional prayer service in Cornerstone Community Church, 1305 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario, at 6:30 p.m. (909) 987-3537.

PEOPLE

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Commissioner David Edwards, a Guyana-born officer at the Salvation Army’s London headquarters, has been appointed as the U.S. western states territorial commander for the evangelical denomination best known for its vast humanitarian programs.

Currently international secretary for the Americas, Edwards will succeed retiring Commander Peter H. Chang at the Rancho Palos Verdes territorial offices July 1.

Edwards’ wife, Doreen, a native of Barbados who also holds the rank of commissioner, was simultaneously appointed territorial president of women’s organizations. Before his London post in 1995, David Edwards commanded a divisional post in New Jersey and a territorial one in the Caribbean.

COLLEGE

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Leaders of the large Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights begin classes at Hsi Lai University this summer on a campus in Rosemead that was recently acquired from the evangelical Narramore Christian Foundation.

The Buddhist university was founded seven years ago at the temple by the Venerable Hsing Yung, but a spokesman said that the school was not able to function properly until a regular campus was established. University administrators eventually expect to offer a bachelor’s degree in Buddhist studies and master’s degrees in religious studies and business administration, but this summer’s classes will be limited to Chinese language courses.

An open house with gifts, food and entertainment will be held next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the university site at 1409 N. Walnut Grove Ave., which is nearly equidistant between the Pomona and San Bernardino freeways. (818) 571-8811.

GRANT

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The Washington-based Congress of National Black Churches has deposited a $100,000 certificate of deposit with Broadway Federal Savings Bank in Los Angeles as part of a campaign by major African American denominations to support economic development in black urban areas. The presentation was made this month by the Rev. W.T. Snead of Los Angeles, president of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, and Los Angeles Bishop E. Lynn Brown of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. “We are praying that the African American community will not only match this deposit but far exceed it,” Brown said.

MEMORIALS

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As synagogues prepare to remember the World War II Holocaust in Yom HaShoah services next weekend, the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council on Wednesday holds its second annual night of reflection on massive ethnic- and racially motivated atrocities in past and contemporary periods.

The interfaith service at 7 p.m. in St. Peter Armenian Church, 17231 Sherman Way in Van Nuys, will be hosted by the pastor, the Rev. Shnork Demirjian. Also participating are the Rev. Marvin Abrams, a United Methodist minister of Native American descent; the Rev. Dudley Chatman of Pacoima, president of the interfaith council; Katherine Rousseau of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Northridge; and Paula Jakunin Fuld of the Zen Center of Los Angeles. (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002.

* An experimental healing service Thursday at Temple Judea, a Reform synagogue in Tarzana, commemorates the Nazi-era Holocaust, recalling the 6 million Jews and 5 million others who died. “As we light candles in memory of those who died, we also light a candle of consolation signifying the light and warmth that help to dispel darkness and terror,” said Cantor Fran Lawson. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. at the temple at 5429 Lindley Ave. (818) 758-3800.

DATES

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The African American-Korean American Christian Alliance celebrates its new computer center with ceremonies at 4 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Church, 402 E. Segundo Blvd. The alliance’s fifth annual joint musical worship service, open to the public, follows at 6 p.m. (213) 721-9756.

* Two former priests who serve on the Catholic Diocese of Orange’s ecumenical commission give special talks Sunday at a Huntington Beach meeting of several liberal-to-moderate groups espousing church dialogue on sensitive issues. Charles Frazee speaks on the history of celibacy in the Catholic Church and George St. Laurent on world religions from a Catholic theological stance. The three-hour meeting, starting at 1 p.m., is at St. Simon & Jude Catholic Church’s Coleman Hall, 20444 Magnolia St. Donation $5. (310) 865-4075.

* New Testament scholar Robert W. Funk of Santa Rosa, founder of the controversial Jesus Seminar, gives a public lecture, “Honest to Jesus,” at Chapman University’s Irvine Lecture Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

* A contemplative, choir-led musical service based on the music and liturgy developed by the ecumenical monastic community in Taize, France, begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 275-0123.

FINALLY

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Comedian Robert G. Lee, who hosts the religious quiz show “Inspiration Please!” on the Odyssey cable network, performs in two stand-up routines Sunday at Star’s Theatre in Glendale, 417 1/2 N. Brand Blvd.

The West Hills resident is taping the 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows for his fourth comedy video. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Lee, a frequent warmup comic for audiences at TV sitcom tapings, is one of several comedians who draw upon religious imagery for jokes and parodies.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o John Dart, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, or faxed to Religion desk (818) 772-3385. Items should arrive two or three weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.

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GATHERINGS

More than 40,000 men are expected to attend a Promise Keepers rally in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum next Friday and Saturday.

Together with a concurrent conference in Detroit, the evangelical men’s movement founded in 1991 by former Colorado University football coach Bill McCartney is kicking off its 1997 season of 18 stadium gatherings, which will culminate in a rally Oct. 4 in Washington.

Evangelist Greg Laurie of Riverside will be the first speaker at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Evangelical author Max Lucado and longtime Baptist pastor E.V. Hill of Los Angeles also will speak. Registration is $60. (800) 888-7595.

* The 54th annual Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, which are expected to draw more than 4,000 Churches of Christ members to the Malibu campus, will begin Tuesday with a songfest and keynote talk at 7 p.m. by John O. York, who is a Church of Christ minister in Nashville, Tenn., and teaches at the church-related David Lipscomb University there. The talks continue through Friday night. (310) 456-4000.