OUR HEARTS REMEMBER 9/11

Our hearts remember the families of all thoses who suffered such great loss, all those who gave their lives serving and all those who watched and prayed. May peace and hope now reside.

Here is another story of hope that sprang out of the ashes of terror.








St. Paul's Chapel is located at Broadway and Fulton in New York City. It is the oldest building in continual use in the City. A service of Thanksgiving was held in St. Paul's Chapel after George Washington's inauguration as president in 1789.

St. Paul’s Chapel is a beautiful little chapel right in the heart of Manhattan and adjacent to Ground Zero. It got it’s nick name the Little Church that Stood through the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The headstones are still standing as if nothing ever happened.




In 1926, the Women's Committee of the George Washington-Bulgrave Institution presented a marker to be placed at St. Paul's Chapel. This plaque commemorates what has become known as "Washington's Prayer For The Nation", which reads:

"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer
that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection;
that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to
cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government;
to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another
and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large;
and finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose
us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind,
which were the characteristics of the Divine Author
of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation
of whose example in these things can never hope to be
a happy nation. Grant our supplication we beseech Thee,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."



The Rest Of The Story!!!
Then came 9/11! You see, St. Paul's Chapel is just across the street from the where the World Trade Center stood. The stump shown below is all that remains of a 100 year old sycamore tree that once stood in the NW corner of St. Paul's churchyard. The tree was toppled on September 11, 2001 when the collapse of the Trade Towers sent tons of debris hurtling towards the chapel. Miraculously, this tree and others in the churchyard saved the chapel from damage, and not a single pane of glass was broken throughout the church! The church was saved, the tree died.

Thus, this beautiful little chapel, which once served as a place of worship for President George Washington, and which thereafter commemorated his Prayer For The Nation and as an altar of the God's own Ten Commandments... REMAINED STANDING! Like Jesus parable, the house on the rock stood firm! (Matthew 7:24-27)

OUR HEARTS REMEMBER 9/11

Turning Tragedy into Triumph
by Os Hillman

"So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you" (2 Cor 4:12).

On 9/11/01, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller had just completed his shift when he heard on his truck's scanner that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. Siller quickly turned his truck around and attempted to drive back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel but found the entrance blocked by abandoned vehicles. Desperate to join his elite Squad One brothers, Siller donned 75 pounds of fire gear and ran a mile-and-a-half through the tunnel, before an emergency vehicle picked him up and dropped him off at Tower Two.

Siller had been orphaned at the age of 10 and raised by his much older brothers and sisters. Siller died that day trying to save others. He left behind a wife and five children.

His story proved so inspirational that it became a legend in the newsrooms and firehouses of New York City. His six siblings - who in many ways viewed Siller as a son, as well as a brother - found themselves grappling with a dilemma: should they allow the tragic circumstances of their brother's death to paralyze and embitter them or use it as a catalyst to help others and preserve his memory?

The Siller family chose the latter.

Once they made that decision, and armed with no extraordinary wealth or political clout, the siblings combined forces to convince New York officials to close down the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel the last Sunday morning of each September and stage the "Tunnel to Towers Run" to commemorate their brother's heroic last run.

Each year since 9/11 tens of thousands of runners have retraced the steps of a hero. As part of the event 343 New York City firefighters, each representing a fallen comrade and holding an American flag, stand throughout the length of the tunnel. They are joined by firefighters from across the United States, each holding a poster-size picture of a firefighter who perished on 9/11.

The Siller family has raised more than $1 million and donated the money to charities that benefit families of those affected by the 9/11 attacks.

This is a tribute to one heartbroken family who opted to channel its energy into triumph out of tragedy.

"I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You, from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me" (Psalm 17:6-9). My God, what a privilege to be the apple of Your eye, loved beyond comprehension and nurtured to grow into that prized fruit of Your making. I thank You and praise You for Your lovingkindness and Your protection. I pray that You will also hide our troops in the shadow of Your wings, those brave men and women who fight for freedom and long for peace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL

Sent by Robin McCartney

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ..
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end.. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

Love God

Written by Stacey Randall
Copyright©2002