There's an app for that - Disciples go
Want to be more like Jesus - There’s an app for that - Disciples go!
Pre service music / 9/11 stills – We Remember
REMEMBER
Amazing Grace – Bagpipes Mike Montgomery
Video – Cross & the Towers
Worship Songs John Chilcote
God Bless America
God of this City
In Christ Alone
Welcome John Chilcote
REMEMBER & HONOR
Please welcome Ohio National Guard Special Troops Command Chaplain Nicholas A. Chou / Honoring those that died Nick Chou (Saturday only)
Honoring those that died Greg Bondurant (Sunday)
We have come here to remember. We promised not to forget. John Holmgren chose not to forget by creating a mural printing all 3,497[i] names on both sides of his tractor trailer. He calls his display – a Rolling Memorial. The late Bob Jackson created a 300’ ribbon inside the Niles Public Library in Niles, Michigan listing each and every person who died 10 years ago! This flag I hold has all the names of those who died on 9/11. Each name represents a son, a daughter, a mother, a father – a real person. People like 28 yr old Amy Jarret[ii] from North Smithfield, R.I. Amy served as a flight attendant on United Airline Flight 175.
Amy graduated from Villanova University in 1994. Her father said she was hopelessly in love with her college boyfriend and was a rabid Notre Dame Football fan! People like Richard Bruce Van Hine.[iii] Bruce was a 12 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. Bruce was part of Squad 41 in the South Bronx. Squad 41 lost six fighters on 9/11. Mr. Van Hine left behind his wife Ann of 21 years, their 17 year old daughter Emily and 14 year old daughter Meghan. Plus, let’s not forget our soldiers – these 11 all died defending this country. Todd Bates, Aaron Reese, Michael Barkey, Samuel Bowen, Ryan Martin, Charles Wilkins III, Jeremy Hodge, Daniel Pratt, Daniel Crabtree, Kevin Sommenburg and Anthony Vinmedge. There’s a Mom, Mary Fetchet[iv], asking all Americans to not only remember her 24 year son Brad, who died on 9/11 but all who died on 9/11 with a minute of silence at 1:00PM today. Why don’t we just do that right now! Please stand and bow your heads. (You may be seated!)
Communion Thought Nick Chou (Saturday Night)
Communion Thought Greg Bondurant (Sunday)
The world changed on 9/11. Paul Williams from the Orchard Group in New York City said, “9/11 reshaped American foreign and domestic policy. It brought about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the war on terror. We eye immigrants warily, packages suspiciously, and vehicles nervously. We have more security but feel less secure.” But 9/11 wasn’t the only time this world changed. This world changed the moment Adam and Eve sinned so long ago in the Garden of Eden. This world changed the day Jesus was born in a little Judean town called Bethlehem. And this world changed the moment Jesus died on the cross. We come here to remember and honor. We come here to remember and honor Jesus Christ - God’s one and only son, the Savior of the entire world. I will admit to you. The events of 9/11 are horrific and they make me sad. But I promise you the day Jesus died on a cruel cross was horrific and it made his disciples so sad. They thought HE was it. They thought that was it. But not so. People ask, “Where was God on 9/11 and Psalm 11:3 tells us – “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" [4] The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.” Listen closely to verse 5: The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
I admit. I like that. Yeah God, stick it to the violent, the wicked. But then I realized, I can’t get to heaven – I can’t experience forgiveness because of my own righteousness. I’m just not good enough and neither are you! We need Jesus! We have come here to not only honor those who died ten years ago. But to also honor the one who died 2000 years ago. 9/11 changed our world. Jesus’ death changed the world. The question is did Jesus death change YOUR world? Let’s pray!
Communion at this time Susan Treer
PRAY
At this time I am inviting you to pray! We have created five prayer stations. The first station is for our nation’s military. Have you served this country by serving in the military past or present? Thank you for your service. Nick Chou would you please stand at the easel representing this nation’s soldiers. Would any soldier past or present care to join him? In just a few moments please go and pray silently for our nation’s soldiers.
A second station is dedicated to Medical Personnel. Doctors, nurses – people often faced with incredible challenges. Please go and pray for these brave caregivers.
The third station is for all fire fighters. We have with us tonight… Retired 30 year veteran Franklin Township Firefighter Bob Schwab. Firefighters are often our first responders. Please pray silently for our nation’s fire fighters.
We have with us today…Lieutenant Derek Robinson a 14 year veteran firefighter. Lieutenant Robinson serves at Station 112 located at the corner of Hempstead and Schrock Road. We also have Firefighter/Paramedic Jay Compson a 13 year veteran also serving at Station 112. Please pray silently for our nation’s fire fighters.
A fourth station is dedicated to our country’s Police Force – men and women devoted to protect and serve. Today we have with us 17 year veteran police Officer Robin Medley. We also have 37 year veteran police Officer Russ Stalnaker. Please go and pray silently for our nation’s police officers.
And a fifth station: Missionaries. We have with us today veteran missionaries Andy & Mandy Martin. Andy & Mandy are connected with both the Turkish World Outreach and locally with International Friendships based right in Columbus. Andy & Mandy served as Foreign Field Workers in Istanbul, Turkey for nearly 6 years. Please pray for all missionaries.
I invite you to pray or maybe to receive prayer. The elders of this church would gladly pray over you. They will anoint you with oil as James states in James 5. Are you in trouble? Are you sick? Come confess – allow these servants to pray over you. I also have Mike & Cindy Bish with us today. Mike & Cindy’s 9 year old son, Sam died a year ago last month from Osteosarcoma. They know what it’s like to lose someone you love. Are you hurting? They will pray over you. Come now. Let’s pray. Whether sitting or standing, I invite you to pray to God!
Special Music: Rob McCabe / Hold Me Jesus
Worship: John Chilcote
Glory is here w/Battle Hymn
I will lift up my eyes
Offering Prayer John Chilcote
SERVE
Message: Greg Bondurant
We have remembered. We have honored and we have prayed. I now challenge you to go and serve. In April of 2009, President Obama declared 9/11 a National Day of Service. The President said, “…September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation… In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad.”
As a human being. As an American. As a follower of Jesus Christ. I call you to seek out and serve those around you. But maybe you’re wondering why? Why should I serve? I have read these verses for the past five weeks. Jesus said this in Matthew 28:16-20. (Read) Jesus commands his church to make disciples. But that’s not his only command. John 15:17 Jesus says “This is my command: Love each other.” But that’s not Jesus’ only command. Jesus said in John 13:14: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.” Pick up a towel, or a rake or a hammer or a trash bag. 9/11 really didn’t change the world. What changed the world is when Jesus came back from the dead! No person in this world can survive without hope. Well guess what, Jesus is our hope. Hope isn’t a concept; hope is a person! Do you know him? He beat death once and for all. Terrorists thought they’d won. They didn’t win because love always prevails. Our hope in a risen savior gives us the resolve to live, to love, to hope and to serve!
I could ask you “Where were you on 9/11?” But I think there’s a better question to ask today? Where are you now? Are you bitter? Are you afraid? Are you hope-less/hope-filled? Are you close to God? Are you right where God needs you – ready and available to serve? I challenge you - GO serve someone in the name of Jesus! Let’s stand and sing!
Closing Song Salt & Light
----
[i] http://www.abc57.com/video/Ribbon-of-remembrance-honors-911-victims-128707818.html?skipthumb=Y
[ii] http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/index.html
[iii] http://www.legacy.com/Sept11/Story.aspx?PersonID=146579