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A Service of Remembrance
on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

By the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The following may be used in a church or community setting, in whole or in part, as may be needed,

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L = Leader     C = Congregation

GATHERING MUSIC

INVOCATION

Leader 1:     This year marks the 25th year since the tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001.  Many of us still remember it with real vividness and horror.  It was a moment of unexpected attack from outside our shores, and we who had felt safe and secure for the five decades following World War II suddenly felt vulnerable as a nation.  All this we remember too well. 

          And yet a whole generation has been born since 2001 who has no memory of that event or those feelings that we felt in those days.  That is why it is important that we gather today to remember what happened then and to remember the lessons learned from that time.  So that we might always be vigilant and recognize that we should never think ourselves as beyond the need for vigilance.

          All this we bring to the Lord our God as we gather today to remember, to honor, and to pray.

Leader 2:     Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Cong:     Who made heaven and earth.

L2: Our trust is in you, O Lord.
C: For you are our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

L2: Lead us in our going out and coming in,
C: Guide us along paths of peace and righteousness.

 L2: Bless us, O Lord, and bless our remembering.
C: Bless us as we look back and as we look forward.

L2: For you alone are our hope and our beacon, lighting the way before us.
C: Praise to you, O God.  Praise and honor to you forevermore.

Leader 1:     Let us pray.  Almighty and loving God, in these 25 years since the tragedy of 9/11, you have comforted us and lifted us up.  You have strengthened us and led us forward, as individuals, as families and communities, and as a nation.  We thank you for your constant presence in our lives and for that comfort and strength.  Continue to be with us who remember and even with those who can’t remember in this nation, so that we might together be strong and vigilant and find all our power and strength in you, who alone is God, our maker and our redeemer.  To you be the honor and the praise, now and forevermore.
Cong:     Amen.

Readings, Songs, Flag ceremony, etc.

LITANY OF REMEMBRANCE:

Leader:   Let us pray to the God of healing and strength for ourselves, for those in need, for our nation, and for our future.
      Lord of the nations, God of our strength, with a gentle and caring hand, you have lifted us from the depths of despair and guided us to this time of remembrance 25 years later. 
C  With truly grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.

L:   You have given us strength beyond our expectation to meet the challenges of living in a post-9/11 world. 
C: With truly grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.

L:   You have touched us with your healing power and dulled the pain by giving us hope again, when at first we felt so hopeless.
C: With truly grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.

L:   As we look back, we remember the lives of those who died so tragically.  We remember the heroism of firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, clergy and so many ordinary citizens who gave of themselves for others.
C: We remember with thanksgiving, O Lord.

L:   We remember those who stepped forward so swiftly to fight the good fight on our behalf against the evils of terror, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
C: We remember with thanksgiving, O Lord.

L:   We remember the courageous leaders of that day, standing with us in our sorrow and lending aid, guidance and decisive action to help us move forward.

C: We remember with thanksgiving, O Lord.

L:   As we look forward, O God, we realize the reality that terror still affects our daily lives.  Help us in our fearfulness to place our hope and our trust in you.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.

L:   Guide and inspire us and our leaders to make wise decisions for our future, for our homeland, and for our people.  Keep us from self-righteousness, arrogant pride and prejudice.  Unite us to champion justice, peace and freedom.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.

L:   Send us your healing Spirit wherever it is needed. Comfort those who mourn.  Bring us all to the fullness of life and joy that comes from your love.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.

L:   God of all creation, Author of all good, faithful Provider of all our needs, to you we give our praises, our prayers and our thanksgivings on this day of remembrance. May all honor and glory be yours, O God, now and forever.
C: Amen