Remembrance Day 2017

Remembrance Sunday

Welcome today to our Remembrance Sunday Service. We are starting a little earlier so that we can join the 2 minute silence at 11.

Psalm 46 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

NKJVTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

The consequences of the Great War endured long after its official close in the shattered bodies and traumatised minds of those who survived the carnage of the fields of Flanders and the other theatres of operation.Of their lives, we have only the sparsest details. There is no reason to doubt that many of them experienced beyond endurance the privations of warfare: the cold, the squalor, the sleeplessness, the terror, the utter carnage of the first truly industrial war.The Great War exacted an extremely high cost from all who were involved in it. The overall losses run into many, many millions.It is wholly appropriate at a commemoration service such as this that we should together bring to mind all those who lost their lives serving their country in that war and all the wars and conflicts since on our behalf:

The consequences of the Great War endured long after its official close in the shattered bodies and traumatised minds of those who survived the carnage of the fields of Flanders and the other theatres of operation.Of their lives, we have only the sparsest details. There is no reason to doubt that many of them experienced beyond endurance the privations of warfare: the cold, the squalor, the sleeplessness, the terror, the utter carnage of the first truly industrial war.The Great War exacted an extremely high cost from all who were involved in it. The overall losses run into many, many millions.It is wholly appropriate at a commemoration service such as this that we should together bring to mind all those who lost their lives serving their country in that war and all the wars and conflicts since on our behalf:

In Flanders fields, the poppies grow between the crosses, row on row, that mark our places; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amongst 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 your 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. [Dr John McCrae, 1914/1915]

Let us stand:

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.

Two-Minute Silence

Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day. Fulfil in us, as in them, the purpose of your love; and bring us all to your eternal joy.

Lord God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Pour out your peace into the hearts of all, that all races and peoples may learn to live as members of one family in obedience to your law, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.