The sign outside The Potter's House Church of Denver was emblazoned with an unlikely subject for a sermon: "Black Hawk Down," the title of a book and movie based on the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.

Inside the church on East Florida Avenue on Sunday, attendees took part in a post-Veterans Day celebration with a flag-folding ceremony by the 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion Honor Guard.

"We like to celebrate our veterans," the Rev. Chris Hill said in explaining why he focused a sermon on the raid to capture a Somali warlord that turned into a rescue mission after militia shot down two Black Hawk helicopters. "I (like) to use subject matter that is going to get people to engage with the sermon."

Senior pastor Hill told the congregation that the rescuers had something in common with Christ. "That is what he did for us, he fought his way in to save us," he said.

Veterans Day isn't the only day of the year that Potter's House, formerly Heritage Christian Center, celebrates those who have served in the military.

Its Veterans Ministry offers counseling to veterans and their families and provides them with information about services available to them.

More than 100 people a week get counseling from the ministry, said Craig McMullen, Potter's senior associate pastor.

"Our job is to provide as much support and outreach as we can to veterans," said Jessica Tabbert, who volunteers with the ministry and is a recent Army veteran.

The Denver metro area is home to more than 110,000 active duty, reserve and retired military personnel, Hill said.

With the United States involved in two wars, many veterans — and the family members who wait for soldiers to return — need counseling, Hill said.

Like Tabbert, many of those involved in the ministry are veterans.

"We are just providing a way for veterans to minister to veterans," Hill said. "Nobody knows their needs better. It allows veterans in the congregation to throw their arms around other veterans."

Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com