Two different groups will gather today and Monday for special ecumenical religious services that are open to the public.

A program "Affirm the Value of Every Life," will be held tonight at 7:30, at the chapel at the Utah State Hospital, 1300 E. Center Street.Participants are to include the Rev. Garret Edmunds, from St. Francis Catholic Church, LDS Bishop Thomas Kent Hinckley, Brother Ralph Bartholomew from Harvest Fellowship, and Cynthia Hallen, an abuse survivor and pro-life speaker.

Organist Andy Unsworth and vocalists Peter and Sarah Asplund will perform at the services, sponsored by the Utah Citizens for Alternatives to Abortion.

"Sanctity of Life Sunday" is held nationwide in January to encourage reverence for human life, both born and unborn. The public is invited.

And congregations representing Utah Valley Catholic, Episcopalian and Protestant churches will come together for an "Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God," on Monday at 7 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 172 N. 500 West.

The service - held in conjunction with the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - will include prayer, scripture, music and messages on Christian unity.

Begun in 1908, the Week of Prayer of Christian Unity is observed each year in cities and towns across the country and around the world. The service is sponsored by the following participants: American Fork Community Presbyterian Church, Orem Community Church, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Peter's Catholic Church and Springville Community Presbyterian Church. The public is invited.

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