BETHLEHEM, Pa. — St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday honored first responders in Bethlehem with a special service observing the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
A few dozen members and visitors gathered in front of the church building at 67 Washington Ave. before the start of Sunday’s service to pray for first responders’ safety.
“Many of us certainly are remembering the events of 9/11. Asking God's blessing for all our first responders, that they might be safe."St. Stephen’s Pastor the Rev. Barry Harte
“Many of us certainly are remembering the events of 9/11,” St. Stephen’s Pastor the Rev. Barry Harte said as he led those assembled in “asking God's blessing for all our first responders, that they might be safe.”
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics set to appear and be blessed, subject to the unpredictable demands of emergency calls, ultimately could not attend.
Though St. Stephen’s has been marking the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a special service for decades, the congregation began using it to recognize firefighters, police and EMS workers last year.
'Take it for granted ... until you need them'
September in the Lutheran liturgical calendar is associated with the Feast of St. Michael, the patron of first responders, Harte said, so it seemed natural to recognize emergency workers while remembering those lost to the terrorist attacks.
“Our first responders have to run into danger in order to protect and serve. So it's important, I think, especially for people of faith, to give thanks for those who do that in our community."St. Stephen’s Pastor the Rev. Barry Harte
“Our first responders have to run into danger in order to protect and serve," he said.
"So it's important, I think, especially for people of faith, to give thanks for those who do that in our community. You just take it for granted ... until you need them.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists flew three hijacked passenger jets into the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., killing 2,937 people.
Among the dead were 403 police officers and firefighters.
Thousands more who responded to the World Trade Center attacks have died since as a result of exposure to toxic dust created when the towers collapsed.
Passengers on a fourth hijacked plane fought back and tried to seize control before it crashed in Somerset County, killing all 40 on board.
