Let me use

this opportunity to invite you to observe September 11 as six churches

unite in one great service of reflection and worship. The theme of the

event will be "There's Hope in Christ." The 7:30 p.m. service

will be held at River's Edge Community Church at 1091 South Jeff Davis

Drive in Fayetteville.

Pastor Eddie

Thomas of Edgefield Baptist Church was the one who coined the theme as

he asked, "What do we want to accomplish in this service?" The

other five ministers considered his question and affirmed that in light

of 9/11, we wanted to proclaim that the only hope we have in an insecure

world is Jesus Christ. He is our sure and only hope. No amount of military

presence can offer the kind of security that comes by Christ.

Pastor Thomas

and Pastor Dean Phelps of Community Christian Church will preside at The

Lord's Supper Table, inviting all who embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord

to come to the Table and eat of the bread and the cup.

Pastor Jim

Willis of North Fayette Baptist Church will bring the message of the evening

service. Dr. Willis is the founding pastor of his church and has been

instrumental in bringing pastors of different persuasions together.

Folks will

be welcomed by The Reverend Mamie Harris, pastor of Griffin's New Generation

Christian Fellowship Church. Pastor Harris led in the founding of the

Griffin church.

Pastor Richard

Green of New Covenant Metropolitan Church of Ellenwood will lead the congregation

in singing two great hymns: "America the Beautiful" and "Lift

Every Voice and Sing." The mighty adult choir of Edgefield Baptist

Church will be the choir of the evening. Local recording artist, Taj Artis,

will also sing.

As part of

the service, two ministers will read excerpts from Dr. Billy Graham's

message delivered at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001.

This unity

service has emerged from relationships formed by the six pastors involved.

Weekly we meet as an accountability group. At times we sit and lament

with one of our number. Other times, we sit and rejoice and laugh to high

heaven. At times we just sit and know that we care for one another. Of

course, we pray for one another and the loads that we carry.

As we faced

the anniversary of September 11, it was only natural that we bring our

families together to worship, pray, praise, and express our hope in Jesus

Christ. That's what good friends to, isn't it? They want their families

to meet each other. So that's what we are doing.

Any pastor

who would like to bring his or her family is invited. Our fellowship is

inclusive as long as you worship Jesus Christ as the only son of the living

God, Messiah, God Incarnate, the first and the last, king of kings and

lord of lords.

The Rev.

Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of

River's Edge Community Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

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