Churches set to come together for Unity Sunday

April 27, 2007

By JENNIFER MORRIS

For the Frontiersman

MAT-SU - More than 20 churches will cancel regular services this weekend and gather for a giant celebration called One Lord Sunday.

In part, the gathering will celebrate the anniversary of a landmark prayer over America. That is, on April 29, 1607, Robert Hunt, an Anglican priest, landed in Jamestown, Va., and together with colonists dedicated the new country to God.

Many local Christians are pleased that One Lord Sunday, meant to unite believers throughout the community, falls on the day the Jamestown colony united in prayer for the land 400 years ago. That was a first for America, and this is a first for the Valley.

Practicing Christian Bill Campbell plans to attend.

&#8220You can hardly get two people together on anything,” he said. &#8220It would really be something to get everyone together, all aiming at the same thing.”

That can be done, says Phil Markwardt, pastor of Crossroads Community Church, by focusing on the major issue: namely, a belief in Jesus Christ as Son of God.

The Valley Pastors' Prayer Network, a group of pastors who meet to pray and build relationships, has been seeking greater accord among churches and started planning One Lord Sunday last fall. The dozen or so pastors in the network hope to build harmony by publicly and corporately demonstrating respect and appreciation for each other.

&#8220Competition is deadly to the spirit of God,” said Sergiy Korelov, pastor of Word of Life International Ministries. &#8220It's possible to overcome all differences if we understand the benefits of unity and, most importantly, if we love our Heavenly Father and want to please Him.”

Korelov referenced Ephesians 4:4-6 as the inspiration for church unity.

&#8220There is one body and one SpiritŠone Lord, one faithŠ, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” A unified body of believers was always God's intention, Korelov said.

The greater good here, Korelov and Markwardt agreed, is for churches to focus on common ground.

&#8220Together we can accomplish so much more than apart,” Korelov said.

To that end, there are hordes of volunteers - reportedly 70 for the children alone. Several churches are handling different aspects of the service: staging, sound, seating, parking, ushering.

And what do they aim to accomplish? Actually, it's threefold: to celebrate the religious freedom and vision for which Hunt prayed four centuries ago; secondly, to begin a renewal of faith and fellowship among believers; and thirdly, as Christians commissioned to bind up the brokenhearted, pastors want to work together to address the pain and ills that plague the area: drug addiction, alcohol abuse, broken homes.

Prison chaplain Paul Riley will deliver Sunday's sermon. A Valley pastor for more than 55 years, Riley said he doesn't recall another event like this one.

&#8220Churches can and should walk together to build on what's positive in the Valley, and to affect positive change,” he said. &#8220Everyone is doing something good, and we can acknowledge that by coming together.”

Markwardt illustrated the point with a frayed tow strap.

&#8220Individually, each of these little fibers isn't very strong,” he said. &#8220But together they're powerful.”

As far as Valley events go, One Lord Sunday ranks third in size, just after the state fair and the home show. At least 3,000 people are anticipated.

The service will be held at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex at 10 a.m. Lt. Gov Sean Parnell is slated to attend. All are welcome.