Prayer and remembrance service set for 9-11

A final set of prayers will be said at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Carson City Community Center -- the last in a year-long quest to help heal a nation.

Though the end of Prayer 9-11 doesn't mean the prayers will stop, it does mark the end of a series of services by the Carson City Ministerial Fellowship.

Since February, the fellowship has organized evenings of prayer in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. They began at The Salvation Army Church and will culminate Wednesday at the Community Center.

Two days after the terrorist attacks, a communitywide prayer was held on the steps of the state Capitol. The event was attended by nearly 2,000 people.

They prayed for the innocent victims killed in the World Trade Center towers' collapse. They prayed for victims killed at the Pentagon and for the passengers aboard each jetliner used as a weapon and flown into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in rural Pennsylvania. That plane reportedly was destined for the White House.

The innocent. The heroes. They were fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers and loved by many. The innocent and their survivors became the focus of America's prayers.

The public is welcome to share one more time their prayers for the lives lost on Sept. 11 and the future of America and its people.

"What we saw at the Capitol last year was heartfelt," said the Rev. Pat Propster. "We hope to see the same Wednesday. I hope people will walk away with a vital sense of recovery and hope. This will be a place to find comfort."

The evening schedule includes a color guard presentation, a presentation by Mayor Ray Masayko, a video message from Sen. John Ensign R-Nev., and a multi-media presentation. Robert Bledsaw will perform "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.

Ben Fleming, pastor of Silver Hills Community Church, asked people in Carson City who attend church to bring their prayers. For those who do not attend church, he hopes they go away from the evening with hope.

"Even President Bush used the theme, 'Let's roll.' That only happens when you present a united voice," Fleming said.

The attacks of Sept. 11 have become an historical event. Propster said anyone who sees the date of 9-11 will never look at it the same again.

"The passengers of Flight 93 became historical Americans," Propster said.

"They stood up for America. They are true American heroes. We become selfless in times of tragedy -- we come to the aid of others. That's what those people did."

"Just waving the flag around doesn't help the nation," Rev. Bryan Cuthill said. "We have to wrap everyone in prayer. For our society and kids' sake. Everyone needs prayer."

"If there has been a war declared on terrorism, ministers have declared war on apathy and disunity," Propster said. "Apathy -- it's a faceless thing."

Cuthill added peace isn't the absence of conflict, it's the presence of God.

"If we don't pray together, we haven't got a prayer," said Cuthill said.

Refreshments will be available in the lobby of the community center after the service.

IF YOU GO

What: Pray 9-11, A Prayer and Remembrance Service

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11

Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Free, open to the public