Community Corner

Hundreds Join Sept. 11 Survivor at Immanuel Lutheran to Remember

Sept. 11 survivor Jerry Molnar visited Michigan for the first time Sunday to share his story of faith and experience pre- and post-Sept. 11, 2001.

The low tones of the tolling bell in the distant steeple could be heard throughout the testimony given by Sept. 11 survivor at Sunday morning. 

Rung in 15-minute intervals for almost four hours, each tone honored one of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Within the worship center itself, hundreds gathered to hear Molnar share the story of his faith before and after Sept. 11.

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"I'm still caught up in the last part of it," said Macomb resident Eric Thompson, of Molnar's testimony. "It brought tears to your eyes. We're just trying to remember those who lost their lives."

"And how God works," added Thompson's wife Gail. "We're so blessed in this country but it's not without a cost."

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The Thompsons were not the only listeners to find tears in their eyes following the testimony of Molnar, and impromptu words of retired Lt. Lawrence Powell.

Encouraged by Molnar, Powell shared his memory of working in the Pentagon on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

"On that morning I was running late, I didn't get a cup of coffee," Powell said. "I stopped at the Starbucks (in the Pentagon) between my office and where there plane hit. I was going back to my office ... when I heard the explosion. My office was just around the corner from where the plane hit."

Many in the audience found themselves taken back to that Tuesday morning 10 years ago as well. 

"I was sitting at home when this all happened," said Elaine Geer, a St. Clair resident. Ten years later, Geer still feels very emotional looking back on that day, but said, "With all the prayers we've had over the past years, it has eased the pain."

Molnar, who would normally have been working in his office in the World Trade Center, overslept the morning of Sept. 11.

"God sat on me. I know that," he said. "The first plane hit my office and killed all the people working with me."

For the next few months, Molnar would draw from his own experience following the sudden loss of his wife in July 2001 to minister to many of his friends and colleagues who lost their loved ones on Sept. 11.

"I'm not a preacher, I just come to tell my story," Molnar said.

Molnar's testimony and interviews during Immanuel's weekend worship services will be replayed Monday at 7 p.m. at Immanuel.


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