REMEMBRANCE
SUNDAY
RAINHAM WAR MEMORIAL
’Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’
—John 15:13
In Flanders Fields
by John McRae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Gathering
We meet together in the presence of God on this Remembrance Sunday to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.
We gather to commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.
We gather to pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.
And so we pray together:
God, our refuge and strength,
bring near the day when war shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end,
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
—Psalm 46:1
I lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
—Psalm 121:1-2
This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.
—Lamentations 3:21-23
Hymn: Abide With Me
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies,
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Act of Remembrance
Let us now commemorate and commend to God’s safe keeping all those who have laid down their lives to bring freedom and peace, especially those from our district and parishes whose names are recorded on our memorials.
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them.
All: We will remember them.
The Last Post is sounded.
Two minutes silence is observed.
The Reveille is sounded.
When you go home,
tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow
we gave our today.
Wreaths and tributes will now be laid.
Prayers
Concluding by saying The Lord’s Prayer together.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
the power and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Act of Commitment
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
All: We will.
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
All: We will.
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
All: We will.
Merciful God,
we offer to you the fears in us
that have not yet been cast out by love:
may we accept the hope you have placed
in the hearts of all people,
and live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer.
All: Amen.
The National Anthem
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
Blessing and Dismissal
God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth,
and all people, peace and concord;
and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all
and remain with you always.
All: Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: In the name of Christ, Amen.