MEMORIAL SERVICE

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011

Opening Prayer ……………………

The Star-Spangled Banner ………

Remembering 9/11……………………

Reading of Names of Victims of Terror

Sermon ……………………………………

One America ………………………………

G-d Bless America …………………….

Opening Prayer…

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The Star-Spangled Banner…

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Remembering 9/11*

Remembrance begins with deep, personal identification. This evening we gather in remembrance.

Leader: When we remember the stockbrokers, office workers, maintenance workers, bystanders, window-washers and all the others who worked together so valiantly to help each other, we can say together,

All: We remember great courage.

Leader: When we recall the firefighters who rushed upstairs as most everyone else was racing out, we can say together,

All: We remember selfless service.

Leader:  When we recall the police officers who stood to protect and defend the people and performed their duties until the towers came crashing down on top of them, we can say together,

All: We remember selfless sacrifice for the safety of others.

Leader: When we recall the thousands of workers, women and men and, old and young, single and married, American-born and those born in countries around the world who did not escape the buildings, we can say together,

All: We remember the loss of human life.

Leader: When we recall those citizens who rushed to help, did all they could to help, we can say together,

All: We remember and give thanks for dutiful commitment to those in distress.

Leader: When we recall the people, who stood in line at the nation's blood banks to make living donations from their very bodies, we can say together,

All: We give thanks for those who live on to pass on life and love…

One: In a time filled with tragedy we dare to hope for an era yet to come in which the slaughter of innocents, greed, the ambitions of power, and cultural, racial and religious bigotries are but memories of a dim and unenlightened past.

*Excerpt from 9/11 Liturgy by Rev. Eeileen W. Lindner and Rev. Marcel A. Welty, National Council of Churches-

Moment of Silence

Reading of Names of Victims of 9/11

Sermon

One America…*

Leader: As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,

All: We became one color.

Leader: As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,

All: We became one class.

Leader: As we lit candles of waiting and hope
All: We became one generation.

Leader: As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,

All: We became one gender.

Leader: As we fell to our knees in prayers for strength,

All: We became one faith

Leader: As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,

All: We spoke one language.

Leader: As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,

All: We became one body.

Leader: As we mourned together the great loss,

All: We became one family.

Leader: As we cried tears of grief and loss
All: We became one soul.

Leader: As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heros
All: We become one people.

All: We are The Power of One.

All: We are United.

All: We are America.

(Author: Cheryl Sawyer- Excerpt)

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God Bless America…

God bless America

Land that I love

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America

My home sweet home