I've heard a lot of talk in different places (magazines, other forums, etc.) about churches having a special service in remembrance of the September 11 events. What, if anything, do any of you have planned?

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

Answers

We are having a "Remembering September 11th" service on Sunday September 8th during both of our worship services. We are actually going all out for this and we are going to be making it a significant outreach effort. We are inviting our local fire station members and representatives from the police station as well.

We will also have a prayer initiative prior to the event to bathe this in prayer.

I think that it would be silly to not "make the most of the opportunity" being that most people's minds and thoughts will be in that mode anyway. We do the same things for moms on Mother's Day and other events.

These kind of events provide opportunity for outreach but also provide and opportunity to shepherd from the pulpit in our preaching/teaching.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2002

We will have a special service on Wednesday, Sept. 11 -- "An Evening of Remembrance, Repentance and Renewal." It will include congregational singing and prayer, choir specials, small group and individual specials, and some soeaking in-between things. Kind of a combination of those things (the three "R's" above). Remembering the loss and sorrow and shock; repenting of inadequate faith and obedience, and renewing commitment to God, to evangelism, to national morality, etc. All set against the background of the bibliocal view of sorrow and tragedy -- how God is in it, how God works through it, how God uses it to shape and mold his people. Stuff like that.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2002

We're also doing bigger advertising than usual, trying to give the community around us a place of faith to go to to deal with the day.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2002

We are not planning anything. I think it borders on on using the sensationalism of an event for "attendance purposes."

However, that being said.....if I was going to do anything....I would lean towards the direction Sam is going.

America needs to realize.....that 9/11 was just the "first shot over the bow".....if she does not repent of her wickedness.

I see no signs of repentance in our nation....or really....in most of our churches. I think the modern day prophets...i.e., preachers.....better sound the warning.

That's the direction to go instead of a "touchy..feely" emotional thing that 6 months from now is going to make little difference.

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2002