Recalling your whereabouts on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, comes easy for most people.

Eunice Hearn of Jacob’s United Church of Christ was finishing up her morning routine, which included watching “Good Morning America.”At first, Hearn thought a plane flying into one of New York City’s World Trade Center must have been due to a mechanical malfunction. By the time a second plane hit, however, she knew the country was under attack.“My leading emotion was fear,” she told a crowd of 50 at a 9/11 “Service of Remembrance” held Sunday night in the Lehighton Park Amphitheater. “Fear for the people on the planes, in the buildings, for my family, for our country and for our future.”Like many, Hearn turned to God in looking for strength.“He was present, guiding some to safety and leading others to their eternal home,” she said. “God was the one person comforting our country and calming all of our fears.”The service, held each year on the anniversary of the attacks, featured a number of hymns, Scripture readings and silent moments of reflection.Linda Stahr of Lehighton said she fears each year we move away from the attacks, there is a little less emphasis put on remembering those who lost their lives or were seriously injured.Events like the one hosted by the Lehighton Interfaith Fellowship on Sunday, she said, help to make sure the memories don’t fade and that the message of peace is spread.“It’s a way of paying respect and just keeping in mind what a great country we live in,” she said.In his comments to the crowd Sunday, The Rev. Chris deForest, of St. John’s Lutheran Church, said the events of 9/11 were certainly not part of God’s plan.Many people may even question how he could let something like that happen and when he will stop the hate and violence plaguing the world.“What we have to remember is that God is not done fulfilling his promise to us,” deForest said. “It’s kind of like we’re living on Holy Saturday, between a day of horrible death and a day of healing and new life.”A bell was tolled Sunday night in memory of those who lost their lives in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Shanksville; and the firefighters, police officers and emergency responders who were called into action 15 years ago.The hourlong service ended with a candle lighting and singing of the hymn, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Video from the ceremony:

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