Sept. 11 memorial services

Patriot Day 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On this first observance of Patriot Day, we remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania—with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. We will always remember our collective obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the principles upon which our nation was founded endure....

Those whom we lost last September 11 will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our nation. As we mark the first anniversary of that tragic day, we remember their sacrifice; and we commit ourselves to honoring their memory by pursuing peace and justice in the world and security at home. By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has authorized and requested the President to designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2002, as Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils....

GEORGE W. BUSH

 

By Joseph Tkach

PASADENA—Today is the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Memorials are being conducted around the country this week to remember and honor those who were murdered a year ago in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on United Airlines Flight 93.

We join with all Americans and concerned citizens of the world in sympathy for the families and friends of victims, offering our prayers for God’s hand of comfort and peace. We pray also for the leaders of our country and for success in the efforts to break the power of the terrorist networks and bring the guilty to justice, giving thanks for the sacrifices and devotion of all those who have dedicated themselves to the preservation of safety, peace and order.

Try to imagine no more sin and no more death. No more tears. No more pain. That is what God has done for humanity through Jesus Christ. Even as we proclaim God’s amazing grace in the midst of our sinful, painful, tearful and deadly world, we long in joyful faith for the consummation of all that God has promised in Christ.

Let us not forget what lies ahead. We seek the joy and peace of the kingdom of God. All our celebrations and festivals are reminders of the unquenchable love of God for us. In our worship of God and celebration of his love expressed toward us in Jesus Christ, we catch a glimpse, like Moses, of the glory and wonder that is our God: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6).

During our weekly chapel service in Pasadena I read from the presidential proclamation (see box) in which President George W. Bush designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.

Dan Rogers spoke about being a member of the Presidential Prayer Team in which he has committed to pray daily for President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and members of the Cabinet. For more information visit their web site at www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Following are how some of our pastors and congregations marked this day.
  Dan Rogers

It was a day of remembrance that will not soon be forgotten. I began the day like many Americans, by observing the moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. along with the television coverage.

Soon afterward, I began the journey by bus into Manhattan. Even that was unusual on this day as we sailed through the toll at the Lincoln tunnel without any delay.

After another short ride on the subway, there I was with throngs of people at Ground Zero. From the government leaders present to the girl sitting in the middle of the sidewalk with a sign that read, "I give hugs," it seemed that most had come not only to grieve and remember—but also to reach out and help.

One of the unsung heroes of this past year has been the management of the Regent Hotel on Wall Street. They provided a free luncheon today for the families and friends of victims. They have opened the doors to the ballroom many times this last year to provide rest and food for the New York fire and police departments and families of the victims. As a member of the Northeast Clergy Group, I had been asked to be there to help provide comfort and prayer for the families.

On the way, I stopped briefly to listen to Gov. George Pataki and former Mayor Rudolph Guiliani speak just before the delayed opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

About 600 people (families and friends of the victims) came in and out of the Regent Hotel during the afternoon. We laughed, we cried, we prayed together. Mr. Guiliani also stopped in to speak to the group. I am not sure who was helped most by my presence. I know that it helped me a great deal to be there and deal with the deep feelings that I was still experiencing.

After the luncheon I stopped at Federal Hall on Wall Street. It was here that George Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789. This was also the birthplace of the Bill of Rights and the scene of a special joint meeting of Congress, Monday, Sept. 9, 2002.

It seemed fitting on this day to stop in to remember and celebrate freedom.

At 4 p.m., I found that I had a little time before the next event so I decided to see if I could get around Ground Zero and visit the American Express building, where my son, Stephen, had formerly worked. Not everything has reopened yet, but progress is being made. Soon the noonday concerts, a tradition in the atrium, will start again.

I called Stephen, now in Chicago, to let him know that his favorite restaurant had reopened. We will visit there together soon.

The next event was the main event for the Christian community in New York—"A Tribute to Grace and Hope" in Madison Square Garden. It was hard to estimate the crowd, and I didn’t get an official count yet, but it was certainly a good turnout.

More than 400 congregations joined together to bring seekers to this event. Performances were given by popular artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Fred Hammond, Third Day and Marcus Witt as well as others. Speakers included A.N. Bernard, Tom Mahairas and Marcos Rivera. The altar call was given by Steve Jamison of Seattle, Washington.

Testimonies were received from several stars in the sports community (Allan Houston and Charlie Ward) as well as from victims’ family members.

Gov. Pataki of New York spoke of the trememdous love that New Yorkers had shown through this time of tragedy. Gov. James E. McGreevey of New Jersey gave a stirring message of hope in God and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the focus. He is the reason for grace. He is the reason for hope.

It was a day of remembrance I shall never forget.

A group of us from the 24-7 Community Church met in Newark, New Jersey, Penn Station at 6 pm. We took the trip over to Madison Square Garden via the New Jersey Transit train to attend the main event "A Tribute to Grace and Hope" at a packed Madison Square Garden.

As Dan Bierer mentioned above, Jesus was the focus. It was amazing to see how the Holy Spirit was at work through the guest speakers, entertainers, dignitaries and professional athletes. It was a night to remember.

The Batavia Christian Fellowship of the Worldwide Church of God, along with the Salvation Army and several other area churches, joined in Christian unity in Batavia to remember the victims of last year’s terrorist attacks and to praise our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Charlie Piscitello of the Batavia Christian Fellowship teamed with Major Leonard Boynton of the Salvation Army Batavia Corps to reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to invite the community to come together to worship and honor Jesus.

The service included words of encouragement from Scripture offered by Glen Bloom, the youth pastor from Elba Baptist church.

Mr. Piscitello mentioned that he was disappointed that even national Christian leaders involved in commemorative services broadcast throughout the day had not mentioned Jesus’ name even in their prayers. He proclaimed that although "as a nation we were sucker-punched last year, those who survived did so by the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is worthy to be praised!"

Pastor Richard Rose of the First Baptist Church in Batavia remembered growing up on Long Island, with the Twin Towers indelibly imprinted in his memory. "It was bizarre to be standing there and seeing the New York City skyline and not see the Towers," Mr. Rose said.

Pastor Ruth Stinson of the Batavia House of God encouraged all to faithfully pray for God’s mercy, trusting in his faithfulness to provide for us.

Judi Piscitello, Pastor Charlie’s wife, sang "Here I Am, Lord," encouraging all to serve Jesus with all of their hearts, souls, minds and strength.

Leading a candle-lighting ceremony, Mrs. Piscitello said: "We light a candle in remembrance of all those who suffered and died on Sept. 11, 2001. We light a candle to remember those who still live and who suffer because of the events of that day."

Offerings were donated to the area Salvation Army Disaster Team, of which many of the Batavia Christian Fellowship are members.

Hurricane Gustav threatened the success of our service of remembrance in Concord, New Hampshire, but 10 minutes before the service, the winds died and the rain stopped.

The WCG in New Hampshire had a major part in the service. When I approached the other pastors who form our Evangelical Fellowship with the idea of a joint memorial service we all agreed to pool our resources, but they asked me to manage the event.

I was able to book Eagle Square, an amphitheater in the middle of Concord across from the State Capitol. The message was given by Gordon McDonald, who was part of the rescue effort at Ground Zero. Police, fire and emergency medical services were represented and honored by the 500 people who attended the event.

Thom Friedrich, our WCG worship leader, sang of Jesus being there in times of trouble, and we concluded the evening with a piper playing "Amazing Grace."

When I think of Sept. 11 now I will remember not just the Twin Towers but also that Christians were able to work together to honor our Maker and preach about the hope of the future.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, New Life Christian Fellowship was host for a 9-11 memorial service at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

The evening began with the singing of "God Bless America" and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. A video presentation was then shown about Father Michael Judge, a Franciscan priest and Catholic chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. The video portrayed how Father Michael gave his life Sept. 11 while giving hope, comfort and last rites to the dead and dying at the World Trade Center.

Next, Pastor David Perry presented a message titled: "Amidst Terror, Tragedy and Tears—the Tower Still Stands." In it, he encouraged everyone that Jesus Christ, the strong tower that still stands, can help all people cope with terror, tragedy and tears. Our job as Christians is to be "Father Michaels" to others, giving them comfort and hope through Christ, our strong tower.

Another video, by Christian author Crawford Loritts, honored the New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others.

The evening concluded with worship and a benediction by Richard Roos, pastor of St. Philip’s.

Each person who attended was given a booklet titled "Fallen, but Not Forgotten" (a gift from www.911recovery.com), which helped answer questions "Where was God when 9-11 happened?" and "Why didn’t God intervene for the victims?"

The Pikeville, Kentucky, congregation was the driving force and organization behind a Sept. 11 remembrance service.

The community event took place in the city park and involved people from nine churches. The program included the testimony of a World Trade Center survivor. Mike Stewart, a member of the pastoral team, welcomed the group and opened with prayer. The evening service was attended by more than 260 people. Debby Bailey.

GRACE AND HOPE—
New Jersey members attend event
at Madison Square Garden.
[Photo by Lawrence Evans]

PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY—Mike Stewart
speaks at Sept. 11 remembrance service
in Pikeville. [Photo by Debby Bailey]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002