Prayer breakfast on bombing anniversary is one of many April religious events

Carla Hinton, Oklahoman
·6 min read
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Hundreds of business leaders, elected officials and clergy gathered together one morning in 1995 to pray for a city, state and nation that would be changed forever that day.

The popular CBMC prayer breakfast was held on April 19, 1995, in downtown Oklahoma City and ended minutes before the Oklahoma City bombing just a few blocks away at 9:02 a.m. This year's CBMC Metro Prayer Breakfast is set for April 19 once again.

"Our parking garage had barely cleared out," Brent Vawter, a CBMC-Oklahoma area director, said of that April day 28 years ago. "It's a solemn day in Oklahoma City."

The breakfast is among several faith activities set for April in the Oklahoma City metro area. The month will already be full due to a confluence of major holidays within the three Abrahamic faith traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting began on March 22, and the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, will be celebrated on or around April 22. On April 5, Jewish individuals and families will celebrate Passover, the commemoration of the Hebrews' exodus from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. Christians will celebrate Easter Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus Christ's resurrection, on April 9.

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Here are several faith-filled activities and events in April:

Via Cruses at Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine

  • When: Good Friday, April 7

  • Where: 700 SE 89

The first live Via Cruses at the new Sacred Heart Church at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine will be a Good Friday reenactment of Christ's journey to Calvary. A tradition in many Hispanic communities, Via Cruses means "way of the cross" in English. The event often draws crowds of parishioners preparing their hearts for Good Friday, and the subsequent Easter Sunday. For information, go to https://rothershrine.org/sacred-heart.

A picture of the Franses family of Jewish refugees from Skopje, Macedonia, is featured on the invitation to the 2023 Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Program set for April 16 at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City.
A picture of the Franses family of Jewish refugees from Skopje, Macedonia, is featured on the invitation to the 2023 Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Program set for April 16 at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City.

Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Program

  • When: 2 p.m. April 16

  • Where: Heritage Hall, 1800 NW 122

The event, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, will focus on the story of Albania, a predominantly Muslim country that took in Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis.

After World War II, the country ended up with a larger population of Jews than it had before the war began because Albanians lived by an honor code called "Besa," meaning "to keep the promise."

Pre-registration is required to attend the free, community event at https://www.jfedokc.org/2023yomhashoah.

A Stronger Together Dream Peace Walk, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," will be held April 16. A similar Stronger Together Peace Walk shown in November 2022 focused on the Native American community.
A Stronger Together Dream Peace Walk, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," will be held April 16. A similar Stronger Together Peace Walk shown in November 2022 focused on the Native American community.

Dream Peace Walk

  • When: 4 to 6 p.m. April 16

  • Where: From Douglass High School, 900 N Martin Luther King, to Bridge Impact Center, 1915 N Martin Luther King

Coordinated by Stronger Together, the peace walk will commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." While honoring peacemakers of yesteryear, participants will share stories, sing, pray and dream about a better future.

The walk will begin at Douglass High School and end at the Bridge Impact Center on Martin Luther King Avenue.

For more information or to RSVP, go to the Stronger Together Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StrongerTogetherGlobal.

CBMC Metro Prayer Breakfast

  • When: 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. April 19

  • Where: Oklahoma City Convention Center, 100 Mick Cornett Drive.

Omar Aleman, a former undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, will be keynote speaker.

Event organizers said his experience as an undercover agent came at a tremendous personal cost, and yet brought clarity to God's purpose for his life.

Other scheduled guests include Gov. Kevin Stitt; Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt; Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley; Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna; and Bill Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation governor, along with other leaders. For information on tickets and sponsorships, go to https://www.cbmcok.com/.

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Sunrise Service under the Survivor Tree

  • When: 5:30 p.m. April 19

  • Where: Grounds of Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Elevation Nights Spring 2023 Concert

  • When: 7 p.m. April 19

  • Where: Paycom Center, 100 W Reno Ave.

Elevation Worship plus Steven Furtick. For information or tickets, go to https://www.paycomcenter.com/.

'A Night to Honor Israel'

  • When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 20

  • When: First Southern Baptist Church of Del City, 6400 S Sooner Road

Hosted by Christians United for Israel, the event is described as an evening of celebration solidarity with the state of Israel and the Jewish people. To RSVP or for more information, go to https://cufi.org/event/oklahoma-city-ok-night-to-honor-israel/.

Israel Houghton & New Breed

  • When: 6 p.m. April 21

  • Where: Crossroads Church, 8901 S Shields

Concert is part of Avery Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church's 134th anniversary celebration. For information or tickets, go to https://www.averyokc.com/.

Eid Festival for Afghans

  • When: 5 to 8 p.m. April 22

  • Where: YMCA Rockwell Plaza Branch, 8300 Glade Ave.

The event will be hosted by the YMCA-Rockwell Plaza, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma, as co-sponsor. All Afghan neighbors are invited to join in the celebration, which will include halal food, activities for families and gifts for children. The YMCA is hosting a toy drive to collect toys that will be distributed that day.

Fill The Stadium

  • When: 7 to 11 p.m. April 29

  • Where: Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma, Norman

A mission to fill the seats of the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is led by students and will include a concert and gospel proclamation. For more information, go to https://fts23.com/.

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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon faith events: Blessing of the Shoes Service

  • When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 29

  • Where: First United Methodist Church-Oklahoma City, 131 NW 4

Runner’s Mass

  • When: 5 a.m. April 30

  • Where: St. Joseph Old Cathedral, 307 NW 4

The Mass is generally attended by Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon runners, their families and others connected to the marathon, along with the general public. A candlelight vigil at the Jesus Wept statue on the St. Joseph Old Cathedral grounds will immediately follow Mass.

Cain's Color Spring Concert

  • When: 7 p.m. April 30

  • Where: Council Road Baptist Church, 2900 N Council Road, Bethany

For information, go to https://www.councilroad.church/events.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: April is full religious events, including an Eid festival and concerts