The Inaugural Worship Service was held at the First Christian Church in Frankfort, but the lineup of participants was fairly ecumenical. The welcome was delivered by Dr. Muhammad Babar, the president of Muslim Americans for Compassion. The Old Testament reading was read by Rabbi Joe Brooks Rapport of Congregation Adath Israel Brith Sholom of Louisville. The invocation was offered by Dr. Charisse Gillett, the president of Lexington Theological Seminary, while the benediction was delivered by Rev. Dr. Valerie Washington of Hughlett Temple AME Zion Church of Louisville.
The music, also, came from a range of styles and performers. The prelude was sung with great energy by the Bates Memorial Baptist Church Choir. That same choir also sang “Amazing Grace” later in the service.
The Kentucky State University Concert Choir did the Wilhousky arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and later sang “It Is Well with My Soul.” They also sang the response to the benediction, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” And, Rev. Charles Elliott III of King Solomon Missionary Baptist sang “The Lord’s Prayer.”
The message was brought by the youth minister, Rev. Rob Shrader, from the Beshear’s home church, Beargrass Christian Church in Louisville. The main point of his talk was that all of us have the breath of God within us, and so we are all responsible for acting justly and with compassion toward each other. One moving part of his homily was when he shared that he had surveyed 75 young people at a youth retreat and asked them what things they worried about, and what they thought was the most pressing problem facing Kentucky. After describing doing that survey, he brought out the actual surveys and shared some of the answers, then said he was going to give them to Andy Beshear – because, he said, he wanted Andy to be sure to include the worries and dreams of our young people in his thinking and planning.
Here are some pictures, and one short video, taken at the worship service.
