Make plans now to attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in May

Sumterites of all religious denominations are invited to attend the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on May 7 at 6:30 a.m. at Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road. The breakfast line will open at 6:30 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Prayer Breakfast Committee Chair Chris Moore said the event, which is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, is a great opportunity for everyone in the community to rally around faith and encourage others to strive to make a difference in the city and surrounding areas. The theme for this year's prayer breakfast is "Lord, hear our cry."

The keynote speaker is Vietnam War veteran Patrick Cleburne "Clebe" McClary. The recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, McClary will provide an encouraging message about the importance of faith and prayer.

Also, community leaders will give prayers for seven important areas of Sumter: government, military, media, business and industry, education, church and family.

The event is funded solely by community donations and sponsorships. The deadline for donations is Friday, April 10.

Donations of any amount will be accepted, but guests can take part in three sponsorship opportunities: the "Red" sponsorship of $500, which includes 10 tickets; the "White" sponsorship of $300 for six tickets; and the "Blue" sponsorship of $100, which includes two tickets. All donations will go toward funding the event and all sponsors will be included on the program and will be recognized during the breakfast.

Checks should be made out to "Mayor's Prayer Breakfast" and the mailing address for donations is Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, 12 Frank Clarke St., Sumter, S.C. 29150.

Tickets for the breakfast are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at The Olive Tree Christian Bookstore, 600 Bultman Drive or at the Swan Lake Visitors Center, 822 W. Liberty St.

Moore said the prayer breakfast committee has incentives for those who are interested in selling tickets and encouraging others in the community to attend.

Moore said the Sumter community is very fortunate to still host a prayer breakfast every year. "It's a day for us to encourage others and for us to be encouraged to look to where our blessings come from," he said.

For more information about the event, tickets or donations, contact Chris Moore at (803) 774-8665 orpastorchrismoore@gmail.com.

MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2015

WHERE: Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road

TICKETS: $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS: Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, 12 Frank Clarke St., Sumter, S.C. 29150

CONTACT: Chris Moore at (803) 774-8665 or pastorchrismoore@gmail.com


Story by ADRIENNE SARVIS of The Sumter Item.