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Bible Center Church off Corridor G rolled out the red carpet for President Bush.

But the congregation was disappointed Sunday when the president's flight was delayed and he was unable to attend church as planned.

"First of all, I have never been told why he chose to worship here," said the Rev. Shawn Thornton, senior pastor. "We have had Democrat and Republican officials worship with us. We try to minister to all people."

The church was notified last Wednesday that the president would like to attend the 11 a.m. worship service with as little fanfare as possible.

Preparation did cause quite a commotion, however.

On Thursday, about 2 dozen people descended upon the church from White House communications people to Secret Service agents and telephone installers. They scoped out the building to see how people would come and go.

"On Friday, more people came to determine where he would sit," Thornton said. "They told me how I would greet him at the back door and escort him to his seat."

Thornton's message had been in the works long before he learned the president was to attend. The title was "Where Freedom Reigns, Wisdom Must Rule."

Thornton was excited that God was offering the opportunity to minister to a sitting president and said he would feel the same regardless of party affiliation. He said the church makes a point of not taking political stands.

By 6 a.m. Sunday, Secret Service agents were throughout the building and on the roof. The church averages 1,400 each Sunday for three services. July Fourth weekend usually brings in about 1,000 because many people are out of town.

Last Sunday, 1,500 attended the three services with staff and volunteers stepping up to the plate to handle the crowd.

As the morning continued, it became increasingly obvious the president was not coming.

The church's Web site at http://www.biblecenterchurch.com/ explains the situation. Apparently, there was a malfunctioning starter valve on the left engine of Air Force One, delaying the president's departure from Hagerstown Regional Airport in Maryland. A second Boeing 757 was brought from Andrews Air Force Base to transport Bush to West Virginia.

His late arrival at Yeager Airport meant the president was unable to attend the service.

Thornton and his family did get to meet the president in the Capitol Rotunda where he presented the children with presidential pins. Shawn and Lesli Thornton are the parents of Jonathan, 10, Katie, 8 and Megan, 5.

The children were excited to meet the president and impressed that he apologized to their father so profusely for missing church.

The pastor told him he was welcome to worship at Bible Center any time.

In his speech, the president thanked the pastor and the congregation for "rolling out the red carpet for what would have been a presidential visit to your fine church. But more importantly, Pastor Thornton, thank you for ministering to those who hurt. One of the great things about this particular church is that the outreach program, into the lives of those who suffer, into the lives of those who wonder if there is hope, is strong and vibrant and real."

Writer Charlotte Ferrell Smith can be reached at 348-1246.