Reverend Dr. Joseph W. Collins
Mount Carmel United Methodist Church
Winston - Salem, NC
Sponsor: Rep. Howard Coble, (D-NC)
Date of Prayer: 07/13/2004
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the guest chaplain for today is Dr. Joe Collins; and as the Speaker pointed out earlier, Joe is presently the senior minister at the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church in Winston–Salem, North Carolina, which is in the gentleman from North Carolina's (Mr. Burr) district. But Dr. Collins served for 8 years at the Central United Methodist Church in Denton, North Carolina, which is located in the district that I am pleased to represent.
Dr. Collins is a graduate of the Duke Divinity School and was awarded his Doctor of Minister degree from Drew University in New Jersey. Joe and his wife, Lynne, are parents of three children, and his son Garrett accompanies him today.
Mr. Speaker, we are indeed pleased to cordially welcome Dr. Collins to the people's House.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
The Reverend Dr. Joseph W. Collins, Pastor, Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, Winston–Salem, North Carolina, offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, this Congress of the United States represents the diversity of our land from the Potomac to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande, from the Everglades to Mt. McKinley, from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian hills; yet we are one Nation.
Almighty God, this Congress represents the diversity of our people from Native American to each new immigrant, from those in poverty to those living in prosperity, from the newborn child to those in their 90s. We are one Nation.
One Nation with a common heritage, a heritage consecrated at Yorktown, fought and died for on Gettysburg's fields, washed in blood on the beaches of Normandy.
Almighty God, shower upon this Congress Your wisdom and guidance. Amidst our diversity help us to remember that we are one. We share a common heritage, the right to life and liberty. Help this Congress to govern fairly and effectively. May they seek to do that which is worthy of Your blessing. Amen.
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