Pre-Service Meditation: Psalm 23 (TLH:478; PB:478)

Pre-Service Prayer: Lord God, our heavenly Father, we come before You this evening and implore both Your presence and Your blessing as we remember the events of 9/11 one year ago. Comfort those, O Lord, who on this day lost loved ones and encourage us all with a message of grace, mercy, and hope. May the promises of Your word lessen the pain we feel and instill within our hearts the courage necessary to face with faithfulness the challenges of each new day. In Jesus’ saving name we pray. Amen.

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Introduction—Invocation: We knew what fear was, but a year ago we experienced it in a new way. We knew what destruction was, but we stared in disbelief to watch scenes that our minds could scarcely comprehend, but our eyes kept saying were true. Today, we remember. We remember with sadness those who lost their lives. We remember with appreciation and admiration those who sacrificed themselves for others. We remember human frailty and the passing nature of everything on this earth. What was once tall and strong is no more. What was once an assumed security has been replaced with recognized vulnerability. The solution to such things will never be found on the earth, but is given by the Triune God. He alone is able to protect and He alone gives the forgiveness of sins and the promise of life eternal. As the images of 9/11 once again pass before our eyes, the Lord of all speaks these words to your hearts: "Be still, and know that I am God…. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge" (Ps. 46:1-2,10-11; "A Word of Truth" written by Pastor W.C. Eichstadt). May the Spirit of our Savior God be with us and bless us this evening as we worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn: "Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender (WS 746)

Call to Repentance: There has been much said on this anniversary of heroic deeds—the sacrifices made by men and women on behalf of fellow human beings. It is only proper that we acknowledge these actions and be thankful for them. However, let us not forget that the tragedies of 9/11 occurred because men failed to love their fellowmen, and in so doing they sinned grievously against God. The LORD God once said through the prophet Isaiah, "On this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Is. 66:2). Let us join together in confession our sins.

Confession of Sins: O God, we must confess with Jeremiah of old, that it is through Your mercies that we are not consumed. We have sinned against You, O Lord, and against Your holy law. All too often our thoughts are impure, our words unkind, and our actions unloving. Even when we fulfill Your will, our motives are often selfish. Forgive us, Lord, and cleanse us of our sins. Fill our hearts with Your love and move us to walk in love and with faithfulness, so that we might enjoy Your blessings here and rejoice in Your presence eternally.

Announcement of Grace: God, Your heavenly Father, has heard your confession, and by His grace and through the redemption of Jesus Christ, has forgiven you your sins. He has placed them as far from you as the east is from the west. Rejoice now in His blessing and calling upon His strength, live your lives in accordance with His will and to the praise on His glory. Amen.

P: Evil abounds in this world. While many this past year have attempted to assess blame, the Bible reveals that the problem of evil goes far beyond political, social, and economic injustice or terrorism. There is a problem with the human heart. Led by Satan human beings are by nature in a state of rebellion against God and in pursuit of their own sinful desires. This inevitably places human beings in conflict not only with God, but also with each other.

C: The Bible says, "The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21). It asserts concerning all people by nature, "There is none righteous, no, not one…. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways" (Rom. 3:10,15-16). Jesus explains why this is the case, when He says, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Mt. 15:19).

P: There are many victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. There were those men, women, and children who died at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and in a field in western Pennsylvania. There are those who survived, but whose physical, psychological, and spiritual wounds remain. There are the families of individuals lost in this senseless act of terrorism, which must now proceed through life without a husband, wife, parent, child, or other family member. There are those who have died since that time in attempts to bring justice to bear in our country’s war on terrorism. But beyond that the evil pursuits of men reek havoc throughout our world leading to random violence, declared and undeclared wars, and the resulting human misery. Let us join in prayer for God’s guidance and blessing upon a world overcome by the effects of evil.

P/C: Lord God, our dear heavenly Father, we come before You to ask for Your mercy and blessing upon those individuals, who have suffered as a result of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Heal their wounds; comfort them in the midst of their losses. Stand by those families who have lost loved ones and help them rebuild their lives. We pray that You would restrain the evil influence of Satan in this world and bring to justice those who undertake evil and violent actions of any kind. Send Your Spirit so that as we, Your believing children, proclaim Your Word, the hearts of men and women throughout our world might be led to repentance and faith in Jesus as their Savior. Move us then, as Your children, to reach out in love to all people, even as You have loved us in Christ. It is in His blessed name that we pray. Amen.

Hymn: "For All the Saints" (TLH 463)

P: The great message of biblical Christianity is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In spite of our sin, God loves us. In spite of our rebellion, God sent His Son to deliver us by redeeming us with His own blood. When we by faith are led to entrust ourselves to Jesus, forgiveness, life, and salvation are ours as a gracious gift of God.

C: The Bible assures us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). It reveals that, "God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law" (Gal. 4:4-5). Redemption occurred when "Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (Rom. 5:8)). The blessings of that redemption become ours, when we "believe and are baptized" (Mk. 16:16).

P: Our God is all-powerful. Yet, He has not chosen to withhold problems from our lives. At times He uses those problems to chasten us. We cannot possibly comprehend the entirety of His plans for us, but we do know that He work all things together for our good.

C: The Bible assures us, "With God all things are possible" (Mk. 10:27). It reminds us, "Whom the LORD loves He chastens" (Heb. 12:6). It exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?’ ‘Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?’ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever" (Rom. 11:33-36). It promises, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

P: There will be times when our lives become difficult, for we live in a world hostile to our God and His word. However, it is at such times that we need but think of our Savior and what He endured, as well as what He promised.

C: Jesus warns us, "You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mt. 10:22). Consequently, we can take comfort in God’s promise, "I know the plans I have for you,…plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer. 29:11 NIV).

Hymn: "What God Ordains Is Always Good" (TLH 521)

P: God established government for the purpose of preserving the innocent and punishing the guilty.

C: The Bible says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Rom. 13:1-4).

P: Our God would have us pray for all men, but especially for those in authority. Let us pray for our elected leaders.

P/C: Lord God, our heavenly Father, we come before You this day and pray on behalf of our elected officials: our President, Vice-President, their advisors, our Congress-men, Magistrates, and Judges. O Lord, grant them wisdom, honesty, and integrity as they pursue their respective duties. You remind us in Your word that, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). Do not allow greed, vanity, or political partisanship interfere in decision-making processes. Rather may truth, mercy, and justice prevail, so that your children might live in peace and with safety, to the glory of Your name and for the blessing of all people. Amen.

P: There are many who would dismiss the war on terrorism and the threats of terrorism as being irrelevant to those of us living in the Midwest. We are hardly the targets of terrorists, they suggest. Yet, it is often the case that those we know and love from this area are serving their country and defending us around the world. One of our own members serving in our country’s military forces in an undisclosed area of the Middle East recently expressed his joy in having the comfort of God’s word and promises. He made special mention of the following verses:

C: Jesus warns us, "Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Mr. 10:16). King David once wrote, "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies" (Ps. 41:1-2).

P: Let us pray for the men and women serving in our military forces and for the military forces of those countries which have joined the war on terrorism:

P/C: Lord God, heavenly Father, we pray that You would extend Your protecting hands over those who have placed their lives at risk, in order to defend their countrymen from the dangers of terror. Preserve their lives, O Lord, and move them to serve with honor. Bless their efforts to protect the weak and the helpless, and to bring to justice those who defy the laws of God and man. Comfort the families of those who serve in distant lands with the assurance that Your strength and protection know no bounds, and that You will fulfill Your gracious plans for all who put their trust in You. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: "Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord" (TLH 532)

Hymn: "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me" (784)