When the leaders of First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs planned its first Honor Our Public Servants worship service and ceremony in 2006, they never imagined it would become such a hallmark event for the community.

Priscilla Wyndham, the church’s publicity and events coordinator, said former Senior Pastor Terry Quick started organizing the service shortly after Sandy Springs was incorporated in November 2005.

“He was instrumental in honoring the city with some kind of ceremony,” she said. “I see occasions in the paper where certain organizations honor the police, firemen or someone else, such as Mayor [Eva] Galambos. But I believe we are the only organization that celebrates and honors the entire city – the judges, the council, their staff, their families, for the entire city of Sandy Springs. All the departments are invited.

“We didn’t consciously plan it for a one-time thing. Little did we know that it would be received so highly or wonderfully and automatically had to become an annual event. At the beginning, we certainly didn’t anticipate that.”

Now in its fifth year, the event is set for Sunday at the church. The service always takes place on the Sunday closest to Sept. 11 to honor the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Georgia Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias is the 2010 service’s special guest and will speak. He is a former federal prosecutor who coordinated the investigation and prosecution of terrorists in the U.S.

Each year the church invites elected officials to attend. Special honors will be given to local, state and federal representatives for their dedicated service. The event also includes special performances and music, followed by lunch.

“I don’t know of anybody in the church that doesn’t look forward to it. It’s really important to everybody. We’re all of one accord when it comes to doing this. If we didn’t do it, I think the church would be upset. We just wrap everything we do with the city around this event. It’s well attended by our members because of this. It’s an honor for us to honor them.”

Ms. Galambos said the city is grateful for what the church does to recognize its workers.

“We are delighted that they call to the attention of the public the great debt we owe these dedicated employees for the daily protection they provide us,” she said. “This recognition is especially timely as we near Sept. 11 and recall the sacrifices public safety personnel made nine years ago when we were attacked.
“All the city employees work cooperatively with the public safety staff, and so it is entirely appropriate that they, too, be recognized.”

If you go

o What: Honor Our Public Servants church service
o When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
o Where: First Baptist Church Sandy Springs, 650 Mount Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs
o Cost: free
o Information: (404) 257-1143, e-mail fbcss@bellsouth.net or visit www.fbcsandysprings.org