Reverend Dr. John Sloop
First Presbyterian Church
Harrisonburg, VA
Sponsor: Rep. Robert Goodlatte, (R-VA)
Date of Prayer: 06/02/2011
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce and welcome the Reverend Dr. John Sloop, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a church that has grown to over 1,100 members and over 500 attendees for Sunday services. Dr. Sloop has served the First Presbyterian Church and the Harrisonburg community since he received his calling in 1986.
Dr. Sloop is passionate about seeing the Presbyterian Church renewed and growing again, and he has been actively involved in Presbyterian for Renewal, the Presbyterian Coalition, the Confessing Church movement, and has served on the board of the Presbyterian Outreach Foundation.
Dr. Sloop and his wife of 41 years, Gwen, are the proud parents of three children and two sons–in–law and have been blessed by five grandchildren. We welcome Dr. Sloop's family and other guests who join us today.
And I am honored to call Dr. Sloop a constituent and a friend, and I offer the thanks of this entire body today for his delivering the opening prayer.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Heavenly Father, we come in prayer knowing that you love us and are very much concerned about what goes on in this chamber today as these Members seek to be stewards of the trust placed in them by "we the people."
We confess our human frailty and pray to be delivered from taking up today's agenda out of self–interest or peer pressure, but rather lead us 'to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.'
Father, grant each Member
wisdom in their thinking on the issues
grace in their attitudes toward one other, and above all,
courage in their convictions.
And when the day is done may each one hear the Master say,
"well done, good and faithful servant"
Now, Father, with deep respect for the faith traditions of all Members, I offer this prayer in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory