This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The small, country church of Saint John’s Lutheran (Wapakoneta, Ohio) will mark the anniversary with a three-part observance.Pastor Long, of Saint John’s, designed an emblem for their three-part 9-11 Observance.
- The two columns are the World Trade Center towers
- The Pentagon appears in the center
- The four 4-point stars represent the four planes involved, and the stars are heaven bound, as were the victims.
- The design at the center of the pentagon represents the Mountain Laurel, which is the state flower of Pennsylvania, where passengers defeated terrorists’ efforts aboard flight 93
Saint John’s three-part 9-11 Observance consists of the 9-11 Challenge, the 9-11 Prayer Vigil, and the 9-11 Worship Service.
Pastor Long gave his congregation a 9-11 Challenge. The challenge is for the congregation to collect 911 items of non-perishable food and hygiene supplies, for distribution. Saint John’s urges help from the community in reaching this goal. People can bring their items to the 10 am worship, or drop off their item at the church on Saturday, 10 September, between 11am and 2pm.
On Saturday, 10 September, from 11am through 2pm, Saint John’s will hold a 9-11 Prayer Vigil, at the church. Further hours of the prayer vigil take place in congregants’ homes, to total seven hours of continual prayers. The community is welcome to submit prayer requests via email to Pastor Long: rev.long@yahoo.com, for this prayer vigil that precedes their 9-11 Worship Service.
Saint John’s special 9-11 Sunday Worship Service will be on Sunday, 11 Sept, beginning at 10:00am. This service will include a special hymn written especially for the 10th Anniversary; special prayers and readings; and display of the 9-11 Banner of Honor.
The 9-11 Banner of Honor, displays names of the nearly 3,000 who died, because of the attacks. This includes victims in the planes; in the buildings; and rescue workers.
