Elder Paul Zeigler said he's still in shock.

"But I'm honored at the same time," he added. "I never thought I'd be asked to do something like this. It still hasn't sunk in."

Zeigler, 64, of York City, has been invited to sing at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast to be held from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday in the Grand Ball Room of the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road Northwest in Washington, D.C.

Zeigler, a baritone and pastor of J.L. Williams Memorial Church -- at 240 E. Princess St. in the city -- said he will sing a hymn titled "There's Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus."

"I want to do my best, and I hope I can touch and reach someone though (the song)," he said. "I'm not practicing

The Rev. Paul Zeigler of J.L. Williams Memorial Church in York City will sing Monday at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. (John A. Pavoncello photo)

His background: The pastor said he has been singing since he was 12 years old and sang in choirs at Hannah Penn Middle School and William Penn High School while growing up.

He also sang in several church choirs and is a former choir director for the Pennsylvania Diocese of the Church of the Living God.

While Zeigler is a member of the York County Gospel Choir, he has for decades sung solos at various churches around York County and in worship services in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and other cities in the state.

The pastor also sang a solo at a prayer service held at the Sovereign Bank Stadium in York.

But the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast will be the first

time he will sing before a large audience of people from around the nation, he said.

Zeigler received an invitation to participate in the event from the Rev. Merrie Turner, co-coordinator and hostess for the prayer breakfast.

Turner said she heard the pastor sing at a recent worship service she was ministering in Gettysburg.

"He has an extraordinary gift from God," she said. "He's very, very gifted vocally."

Prestigious crowd: At least 3,000 people -- including clergy, diplomats, ambassadors, U.S. legislators and laypeople -- are expected to attend the breakfast, Turner said.

The White House, including President Barack Obama, has been invited to the event. However, his attendance has not yet been confirmed, Turner said.

The breakfast is open to the public, with tickets costing $50 per person, she said.

The purpose of the prayer breakfast is to pray for the destiny of America, the office of the presidency and about the challenges the nation is facing today, Turner said.

"In the Bible, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we're told that if we as God's people would humble ourselves, pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways, he will hear from heaven and he will heal our land," she said. "This is why we are gathering for prayer."

Among the notable guests and participants will be former presidential candidate Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and the Rev. Pat Robertson, who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosts its 700 Club television program.

-- Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.

Breakfast

The Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday in the Grand Ball Room of the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road Northwest in Washington, D.C.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at www.pipb2013.com.

For information, call 804-971-0414.