Residents offer prayers for victims

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Throughout New Ulm Tuesday night residents worshiped in churches all across town to mourn and prayed for the victims and others affected by the terrorist attacks Tuesday in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

In a statement released by New Ulm Diocese Bishop John Nienstedt he wrote, "Like so many of you, I am shocked and overwhelmed by the terrorist attacks on our country today. I urge you to ask our people to pray for those who have been killed or maimed."

At a service at Redeemer Lutheran Church Tuesday night, worshippers began the service by standing and singing, "America the Beautiful."

The worshippers prayed for wisdom, children who lost their parents and parents who lost their children, the victims, an end to terrorism and the continued safety for rescue workers.

They recited Psalm 23, "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

At Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, several congregations gathered for an ecumenical service.

Worshippers sang "Let there be Peace on Earth " as the service began.

The Rev. Todd Nelsen of Our Savior's Lutheran Church led prayers for "peace on the earth and yearning for peace." Dismay and shock and violence rocked our "earth and shook our country today," he said.

Cathedral's lights were dimmed during the service as people lit candles signifying the dark cloud of evil that entered the United States on Tuesday.

The congregation was told that "evil never wins as much as it seems and Jesus is the light of the world and that darkness can't put the light out. The light is the light of hope, the light of peace and make it a part of our life, " said Cathedral pastor George Schmit.

With candles burning, the church bells rang at 8:30 p.m. and the congregation stood up and ended the service with the song Redeemer Lutheran Church began with, "America the Beautiful."