This time of year is certainly one of reflection as we consider the events that took place 20 years ago on September 11, 2001 and the aftermath of those events. What comes to mind when you think about that day? Sadness? Anger? Fear? For me personally, I choose to think about something that gives me hope, and no, I'm not talking about the unity that our country had after the events. As we can clearly see, that unity is long gone. The word that comes to my mind is SACRIFICE. While so many lives were tragically taken that day, I am comforted by how many lives were voluntarily GIVEN. Just as our Lord and Savior's life was not taken from Him but given for us, so the heroes who gave their lives on that day - from the many first-responders to the strangers who banded together to overtake the hijackers on Flight 93 - will be forever remembered and honored by us who owe them. And those who gave their lives in service had to consider, at one point, that they may be called upon to do just that. They had to count the cost and decide if they could pay it. This week at Friendship, we'll continue in our "Run the Race" series by talking about "Counting the Cost" of following Jesus as His disciples. We'll also talk about the cost Jesus paid for us, and how He, like the heroes of Ladder 118 in the photo above, counted it and committed to it long before the moment of crisis came. Have you counted the cost of what Jesus might demand of you as His disciple? If not, we urge you to come and hear this message!