This September marks the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a Suffolk church is partnering with other faith groups to hold a rally for first responders in the community.

Calvary Baptist Missionary Church on Turlington Road will host the God Bless America Rally on Sept. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. each night. Bible Truth Music president and founder and Newport News native Dr. Byron Foxx will lead sermons in remembrance of those that perished in the Sept. 11 tragedy, including first responders.

Churches in Smithfield, Yorktown and Hampton will join the Suffolk congregation, making for an audience of hundreds, Pastor Casey Stone said. Sarah Clayton of Bible Truth Music will perform live with Bill Todd of the Calvary Quartet on the piano.

Stone expects civic leaders and elected officials to join in recognizing community first responders.

“We’re going to take time to recognize them and thank them for what they do to keep our city safe,” Stone said.

He said the service is meant to be a reminder of the cooperation and heroism that saved lives during the tragedy.

“I’m trying to make sure that we always remember 9/11, but we don’t want to remember the destruction and hate,” he said. “We want to remember that on 9/11, there was a spirit of cooperation that helped us get through those tragic events.”

Call 539-1567 for more information.