Throughout a clear, hot Saturday, Red Willow county clergy took on the duties of the old Sky Chief Super Service, pumping gas and washing windows at the Kugler gas station on East B Street in McCook. And they did it with a smile.

"We're having a good time," said the Rev. Jason VanPelt, one of the pastors who worked the morning shift, and the president of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association. "And it could always be hotter out here," he added. The traffic had slowed somewhat throughout the day, he confirmed, especially compared to what it had been in the morning hours.

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"We pumped 2000 gallons before noon," the Rev. Jeff Thurman confirmed, who also thanked the Gazette for getting the word out about the offer. He also said that there was a surprising amount of attention about their effort -- and not just locally. "I was interviewed by CBS Radio the other day," he said.

Thurman projected that they would match the morning's business during the second half of the day. Reactions to the event were uniformly positive, with customers willing to wait a few extra minutes to receive the discounted gas and friendly service.

When asked by a customer about the reason for the promotion, the Rev. John Strecker-Baseler responded that he and his fellow clergymen "just want to let people know that God loves them."