VOLUSIA AND FLAGLER COUNTIES, Fla., May 11, 2018 On May 3, community members of all faiths joined Florida Hospital to pray for the nation during the annual National Day of Prayer observance.
Held on the first Thursday of May, National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
National Day of Prayer serves as a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. It holds a great significance for the nation, as it provides a day for Americans to recall and to teach the way in which the founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions.
As a faith-based organization, this national observance is very close to our hearts, said Farzad Nourian, senior director of mission, ministries and pastoral care for the Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties. Prayer is such an important element of faith, integral to our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, and we are blessed to celebrate this special day with our community.
Florida Hospital prayer celebrations in Volusia and Flagler counties:
- Florida Hospital DeLand's celebration was at the flagpole in front of the hospital, and hospital chaplains Joel Rivera and Deadra Griffeth led the group in prayer.
- Florida Hospital Fish Memorials celebration was at the flagpole in front of the hospital. Beth Grant, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial senior chaplain, and Rob Deininger, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial CEO, opened the event, while the choir from Trinity Church in Deltona provided uplifting music. Fred Lowry, Deltona Lakes Baptist Church senior pastor, led a prayer for the nation. Paul Falk, messianic rabbi of the Ariel Congregation in Orange City, led a prayer for the armed forces. Josias Andujar, senior pastor of the Pine Ridge Fellowship church in Deltona, led a prayer for the community.
- Florida Hospital Flagler's celebration was at the visitor's entrance flagpole. Florida Hospital Flagler CEO Dr. Ron Jimenez welcomed the crowd and Wayne Taylor, pharmacy director at Florida Hospital Flagler, led attendees in a responsive reading. Angel Izquierdo, senior pastor for the First Hispanic Baptist Church of Palm Coast, led a prayer for the armed forces. John Sierra, member of the Parkview Baptist Church of Palm Coast, performed the National Anthem on the trumpet. Robert Hayes, senior pastor for the Palm Coast Seventh-day Adventist Church, led a prayer for state and local leaders. The handbell choir of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Palm Coast delivered a musical performance.
- Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Centers celebration was at the hospitals outdoor healing garden. More than 100 staff and community members gathered as Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center CEO Ed Noseworthy welcomed guests. AMVETS Post #2, Edgewater provided the Honor Guard and Harry Watt of The Gideons International led a responsive reading. The Reverend Dr. James Brooks of Tree of Life Outreach Ministries led a powerful prayer for our nation. The Indigo Christian Academy Choir provided two musical selections and Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center chaplain Farzad Nourian closed the program.
- Florida Hospital New Smyrna's celebration was in partnership with the City of New Smyrna Beach and was hosted at the New Smyrna Beach Brannon Center. Devotional thoughts and prayers were led by Pastor Pete Carter of the New Smyrna Beach Police Department and Bethel Baptist Church, Pastor Peter Cottrell of the Coronado United Methodist Church, and Father Thomas Burke of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Florida Hospital New Smyrna employee Jan Patane gave a musical performance, singing Heal our Land and Faith, Hope and Love.
About Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region
A member of Adventist Health System, Florida Hospitals mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ. Encompassing seven Florida Hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties, the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region is the largest hospital system in the area, with 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees. The Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region includes Florida Hospital DeLand in DeLand, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City, Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida Hospital Oceanside in Ormond Beach, Florida Hospital New Smyrna in New Smyrna Beach, and Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares.
