135 churches participate in 9-11 book presentations
NASHVILLE, Tenn.––One hundred and thirty-five churches responded to an offer to purchase cases of Strength for Service books for presentations on the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attack on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.
At a minimum, churches gave away 7,000 copies of the books of daily devotions to first responders or military troops.
Cases included 52 copies of Strength for Service to God and Community, a book of daily devotions for fire fighters, police officers and other first responders, or 48 copies of Strength for Service to God and Country, a historic book for military troops.
911 survivor speaks at service
On September 11, men of Lake Norman United Methodist Church and Webb Chapel United Methodist Church in Denver N.C., hosted a Strength for Service program and gave out 75 books to first responders. Rose Hemmeric, a survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center, was the guest speaker. Fifteen years ago, she was trapped on the 63rd floor of Tower 1. She was lead to safety by a team of firefighters who went back up the stairs. She never saw them again.
Hopewell United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Pa. purchased 14 cases of Strength for Service to God and Community (784 books) and First United Methodist Church in Tucker, Ga., ordered five cases (280 books) for first responders in their communities.
St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, ordered nine cases (432 copies of Strength for Service to God and Country), for troops stationed at Fort Hood.
Nearly 20,000 books distributed
Since March 1, the non-denominational ministry has distributed 19,938 copies of the pocket-size books. Some of the books were provided by World Wide Technology. For example, the St. Louis-based company sent 3,300 copies to Sailors and Marines based in San Diego.
Most of the books were purchased by churches of all denominations for military posts, fire stations and police departments.
Chaplain leaves books in police squad cars
The Rev. Richard Hartman, chaplain of the 400-member Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department, likens giving Strength for Service to God and Community to police officers to “putting God right there in the midst of things.”
“Many officers ride alone in their squad cars with minimal face-to-face interaction with other officers; theirs cars are their offices,” said the chaplain. “Providing copies of Strength for Service on the front seats is one way to offer support.”