September 11, 2001, Remembered
Commemoration of September 11, 2001, English Reformed Church of Amsterdam, Thursday, September 11, 2008, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Remarks by Reverend John Cowie
Friends I welcome you to our church this morning.
I am glad to welcome those who will take part representing the American community, as well as those representing Jewish and the Muslim faith communities.
If any of you come from outside the Christian, Jewish or Muslim traditions, or are not American, please be assured that you are welcome here as our visitors. We are glad you have taken time to come and think and pray and meditate with us.
We are gathered in sadness by the anger and hatred which led to the attack on the 9th of September 2001.
I remember that day well – it was a coming of age – it was my son’s 18th birthday.
We should have been celebrating. Instead we watched the televised pictures from New York with a growing sadness. It was a tragic day and we shared the grief and suffering; a grief and suffering which continues.
I invite you to join together today
: as people who value peace and the unity of humanity;
: as people who value justice for all people;
: as people who are commited to establishing peace;
: as people willing to create friendships where there is distrust and anger.
God of mercy, we bring to mind for those who suffered and died in New York 7 years ago, people of many nations, young and old together, and also many who have suffered since from the consequences of that day.
We remember the people who only went to help – the firemen, the policemen and died at the scene. We pray for those who survived and have to live with what they saw and experienced.
We pray for the families, colleagues and friends who will not forget that day and who continue to suffer its consequences. We pray for comfort for them, for consolation and love. May they know the comfort of your presence.
We pray for those who would impose their will by terror or imagine they can bring peace or justice by force. Father show them your mercy in a way they cannot ignore and so set them free.
Lord God we pray for lonely people, alone because they have lost their faith in you, or faith in other people. They do not trust the people they meet, and so feel like strangers in an unfriendly world.
Help us to see more clearly the people we ought to be, the people you want us to be.
We trust in your will for peace for all your children. We pray for those who face danger today in the defence of justice.
Give to men and women of all nations a vision that sees beyond history and mistrust and past grievances.
Grant us a vision that encourages nations to work together.
Grant us a vision that reduces the waste of life and resources that goes on today.
Grant us a vision that forces us to pay the costs today so that tomorrow’s children will be free to play and learn and grow in health.
We pray for generosity to replace prejudice in the hearts of men and women. Bless the peacemakers who ignore the barriers of creed, colour or class and who work patiently for peace in the world.
Father we give thanks for the Fill us with the confidence that comes from knowing you as our Father, and give us the gifts we need to work together with power and truth and be an effective, faithful and loving people.
Fill us with the confidence of knowing you can use us and the gifts we have to change the world for good.
We thank you for all the places in which people worship, for the freedom to gather together here, for all the people who are coming closer to you today, for the good that is being done today.
Almighty God, in Jesus name we pray and give thanks. Amen
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace