Every fall at its homecoming service, members of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church offer prayers and a monetary gift to the town's fire and police departments.

As this year the Sunday service landed on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, it held a deeper significance to congregants and those emergency workers honored, said Patricia Berry, director of Christian education.

"It allowed us to stress the importance of our community leaders," she said.

More than 100 congregants participated in the worship service in the meeting house of the congregational church. The event originally was scheduled to take place at Ned's Point, but blustery weather prompted a last-minute venue change.

At the service, attendees recited a litany of remembrance and gratitude for first responders. Then congregant Dennis Desrosiers led a discussion on what happened that September day with children who had not yet been born when the Twin Towers fell.

The youngsters presented $500 checks to officers from both the Mattapoisett Police Department and Mattapoisett Fire Department.

Mattapoisett Patrol Officer Justin King, Caption Anthony Days and firefighter Ross Macedo received the gifts before joining in a circle prayer with the children.

"We want the children to really see the world out there, so they know it's not what they're used to, as they can be sheltered from that," Desrosiers said, adding, "It's really about building a sense of community."

The church raised the funds for the fire and police departments in part through offerings received throughout the year in honor of birthdays. Each month, the church asks those born that month to give a penny for each year of their lives, but church members often give generous amounts, said Desrosiers.

The church's mission committee supplied the remainder of the $1,000. It's the most the church has ever raised for its annual donation to local emergency workers, according to Desrosiers.