Women, men and children in over 170 countries will gather on Friday, March 2 to celebrate World Day of Prayer. In the Lehighton - Weissport area, a service will be celebrated at 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Fourth and Mahoning streets, Lehighton. The service is sponsored by Life (Lehighton Interfaith Fellowship).

WDP service began in 1887 by a Presbyterian laywomen Mary Ellen James, to bring together international women from a myriad of backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions for prayer and prayerful actions. Each year a different country writes the service. This year, the Christian women of Malaysia wrote the service focusing on the theme "Let Justice Prevail". Their greeting to us is "selamat datang" - "peace and welcome" a reminder that harmony as a people is rooted in peace and welcome.Participating in the service from the host church are: SALM Emma Weaver, organist Jean Gothard, Jenny Keiper, Joan Mertz and the Women of Grace.Other persons participating are: Mary Fay Levendusky, All Saint's Episcopal Church; Shirley Stamm, First Presbyterian Church; Rose Marie Austin, Ss. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church; Shirley Radler, Josephine Rhyder, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church; and Barry Shupp, Zion United Church of Christ.Everyone is invited attend. Prayers start at sunrise in the Pacific and follow the sun across the globe until sunset.There will be a time for refreshments and fellowship after the service.For additonal information, contact Shirley Radler at (610) 377- 4278.