The somber memories of 9/11 were invoked at the 275th birthday of the First Congregational Church of Mattapoisett at Ned's Point on Sunday.

The Academy Brass quartet opened for Reverend Amy Lignitz Harken, a newcomer to New England who has served as pastor of the church for six months.

A moment of silence was held by the crowd in remembrance of 9/11, followed by a scripture reading and the song, "Filled with Glory," was performed by the Senior Choir.

The date was both an "occasion of celebration and remembering," said Harken in her opening remarks.

Drawing on her own memories, Harken recalled what she was doing on that fateful day in 2001 and urged fellow members to do the same in honor of those who had passed in the tragedy.

After the initial greeting and opening hymn was through, a Prayer of Invocation was conducted by the Reverend Dale Hempen, Associate Conference Minister for the Southeast Region of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

"Nine men and seven woman founded the original congregation 30 years before the Revolutionary War," said Hempen, giving a brief history of the church. The church is the sister church to the First Congregational Church on Rounesville Road in Rochester and a historic icon.

Kathleen S. Henry, the Interim Minister from 2009 into 2011 and Reverend Allan Tinkham, a formerly of the church. Henry and Tinkham gave their past memories and favorable stories from their time at the church, each taking a moment to reflect on what they were doing on this date 10 years earlier.

The celebration paused for a moment to present a check for $500 to the Emergency Workers of Mattapoisett.

The presentation ended with Hempen reading the Lord's Prayer in unison with the church followed by the song, America the Beautiful.

To the congregation's children, however, it was another gorgeous Sunday while they played games and enjoyed a great time.