Lodge to host National Day of Prayer event Thursday

Harpist Kylene Evans plays in the background at a past National Day of Prayer event. The 11th Annual Canyon Lake Day of Prayer will take place Thursday at the Canyon Lake Lodge. Photo by Donna Ritchie

Canyon Lake will host its 11th Annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday at the Canyon Lake Lodge and is inviting all community members to join in a day of reflection and unity. The event will start with complimentary donuts, coffee, and juice at 9:30 a.m., followed by the main program at 10:00 a.m. Attendance is free for all.

This significant community event will be emceed by Councilman Jeremy Smith, with Sheriff Chad Bianco serving as the keynote speaker. Participants will include a diverse group of local officials and church pastors who will deliver prayers throughout the program.

Among the participants in addition to Jeremy and Chad are Canyon Lake Mayor Pro Tem Mark Terry, Wildomar Mayor Bridgette Moore, Lake Elsinore Unified School District Board Trustee Dr. Jennette Vanderpool, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Chaplain Jim Savage, Canyon Lake POA President Bill Van Vleet, Canyon Lake Fire Engineer Chico Sanchez, and U.S. Navy veteran Michelle Wynn.

The event will also feature spiritual leadership from Pastor Dave Dick and Pastor Derek Singer of Canyon Lake Community Church, Pastor Mike Chong Perkinson of Lamb’s Fellowship, Pastor Thor Ramsay of Center Church, and other community spiritual leaders.

Musical performances will include vocalists Aprile McKinnon and Larry Garland, accompanied by harpist Kylene Evans, adding a melodic element to the day’s reflections.

The National Day of Prayer is a venerable tradition established in the U.S. in 1952, emphasizing the power of prayer and its capacity to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. The Canyon Lake community is encouraged to come together on this day to reflect on shared values and seek guidance through prayer.