PARKERSBURG - Remember the past, praise in the present and hope for the future. The Rev. Brad Zinnecker offered this guidance to fellow Parkersburg residents one year after a deadly storm rocked the town.

Zinnecker also prayed, expressing gratitude - and sorrow - on behalf of the community.

"We thank you for the preservation of life but we also mourn those who were lost," he said.

The city's ecumenical ministerial alliance organized the service Monday to reflect on lessons, losses and blessings since May 25, 2008. The deadly tornado claimed the lives of six people in Parkersburg and two in New Hartford. It also damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes as it passed through Butler, Black Hawk and Buchanan counties.

Several hundred residents attended the outdoor service. Clergy participating in the event used prayer and Scripture, hymns and contemporary song to reinforce a theme of faith, hope and love.

"God is our refuge and strength," the Rev. Betsy Piette said. " … Our shepherd is with us."

The Rev. Neal Ooms read the names of the men and women who died. At a minute to 5 p.m. - the time when the tornado struck Parkersburg one year earlier - Ooms asked for a moment of silence.

Remembering at that happened is difficult, said Sylvia Lyons of Grundy Center. Her mother, Bertha Eckhoff, died because of injuries inflicted by the tornado.

But Lyons can also recall moments after the storm that provide encouragement. Eckhoff's Bible - a fixture next to her living room chair - was recovered and was brought to Eckhoff in the hospital. The discovery on Eckhoff's basement steps of someone's sheet music for "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" also brought reassurance, Lyons said.

"He's got it in control. He's got it in his hands," Lyons said.

Lyons and family members wore matching baby blue shirts to the service Monday in honor of her mother. Lyrics printed on the customized T-shirts referenced a song by Casting Crowns that talks about praising God through life's storms.

For a few minutes near the end of the service, a light rain fell from overcast skies. Most in attendance stayed put. White homing pigeons released swooped low over the crowd before gaining altitude.

After the service, some Parkersburg families carried potted evergreens. Aplington-Parkersburg Family Practice donated the trees to help spruce up the town.

The event Monday evening capped three days of activities in Parkersburg. Those putting together the itinerary thought it important to give Memorial Day traditions their due, said Neal Schrage, an organizer. So the community continued with events honoring veterans. They also added activities that recognized the one-year anniversary of the tornado.

Schrage's wife, Chris, appreciated the intent.

"We thought it could be a nice way to culminate a weekend of renewal," she said.