Churches and religious organizations remember 9/11 with special services
?Area churches and religious organizations are planning special services in observance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America.
“We thought it was an appropriate time to not only remember those who have lost their lives in response to that tragic event but also in thanksgiving for those who give of their lives daily to ensure our safety and security,” said the Rev. John Cruikshank of St. PeterĢƵ Anglican Church in Uniontown, where the Uniontown Area Clergy Association is sponsoring a service.
“ItĢƵ a time to recognize those who gave their lives in sacrifice,” said the Rev. Matt Goldsberry of Calvary Assembly of God in Connellsville, where the Connellsville Area Ministerial Association is having a service.
“ItĢƵ also a time to be thankful to those who maintain our freedoms. ItĢƵ a very significant date and we don’t want it to pass by without taking note.”
The Rev. Ewing Marietta of Liberty Baptist Church in North Union Township, which is planning its own events, said, “We’d like to see the country healed. ThereĢƵ a lot of hurting with the war and the economy. We’d like to see the country healed spiritually, too.”
The following is a list of services known to HeraldStandard.com:
n Beesontown Singers and Uniontown Area Clergy Association will join forces at 7 p.m. Sunday for a memorial service of music and reflection, hosted by St. PeterĢƵ Anglican Church, 60 Morgantown St., Uniontown. The service honors those who died in the attacks and first-responders. AMVETS Gen. George Marshall Post 103 in Hopwood members will serve as color guard. Directed by William Dreucci and accompanied on keyboard by Jim Hutchinson, the Beesontown Singers will perform “Deep River,” arranged by Norman Luboff, “A Prayer For Our Time” by Pamela and Joseph Martin that was written in response to the attacks and Ron KeanĢƵ “American Mass,” merging American hymns and spirituals with traditional choral liturgy. The church is accessible to those with physical disabilities.
n Connellsville Area Ministerial Association will host A Community 9/11 Remembrance Service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Assembly of God, 1316 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville. Several ministers will offer prayers and there will be special music. The church is accessible to those with physical disabilities. For more information, call 724-628-8835.
n Faith Assembly of God, 690 Morgantown Road, Uniontown, will host a special service remembering 9/11 and honor first-responders at 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday.
n First Presbyterian Church will host a memorial service at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on the Circle at Liberty and Fourth streets in California. In case of rain, the service will take place inside First Presbyterian, located adjacent to the circle at 303 Fourth St. The church is accessible to those with physical disabilities through the back door by the parking lot. The service will include moments of silent prayer, patriotic music, Scripture readings, a special storytime with the children by the Rev. Candace Cook, a presentation of a wreath and raising of the flag. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs. Refreshments will be served afterward by the church deacons. For more information, call 724-812-7283.
n Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center will host a Patriotic Festival from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday with portrayals of influential Americans, history games for children and free food donated by local businesses. Under the Big Tent, there will be performances of “The Music of America” and Ed Boots will offer “The Civil War SoldierĢƵ Story” and an interactive presentation: “Remembering What Happened on 9/11.” A community worship service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with “Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes. Those who died in the 9/11 attacks will be remembered and first-responders and active and veteran military will be honored. The Rev. John Smith will offer a message of faith and hope for America. More information is available online at www.come-to-grace.org or by calling 724-483-4448.
n Liberty Baptist Church, 183 Oliver Road, erected 3,000 American flags this week as a memorial to those who have lost their lives in the War on Terror. The church began 40 days of prayer for the nation on Sept. 3 that will continue daily until 7 p.m. Oct. 12. Liberty Baptist is hosting Gospel Glory Night at 6 p.m. Saturday. The church will honor veterans, Gold Star Mothers and first responders at 11 a.m. worship Sunday and recognize them at a dinner immediately following the service. For more information, call 724-570-3730 or 724-437-2424.
n Mount Zion Baptist Church in Leckrone will have a 10th anniversary dedication service to remember the fallen heroes of the 9/11 attacks at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
n Mountaintop Faith Ministries is hosting a 9/11 Memorial and Awake America program at noon today at the Fayette County Courthouse, with Common Ground Ministries from Broken Arrow, Okla. For more information, call 724-593-7207.
n The Roman Catholic Partner Parishes of Connellsville will have exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in observance of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks at St. John the Evangelist Parish after 11:30 a.m. Mass Sunday until 6 p.m., closing with Benediction.
In addition, Participants of SaturdayĢƵ Run For Your Life Race in Markleysburg will have an opportunity to reflect on the attacks as they travel the 3.1-mile course.
At each of the mile points, runners and walkers can earn commemorative pins depicting the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93.
Run For Your Life Race will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Markleysburg fire hall and is part of this weekendĢƵ Markleysburg Community Days hosted by the Markleysburg Henry Clay Volunteer Fire Department and will benefit melanoma cancer research. More information and registration can be obtained online at www.runforyourliferace.info.
Same-day race registration will start at 7:45 a.m. Saturday.



