Remembrance Sunday All-Age Service Hymn numbers, unless otherwise stated, taken from Hymns Old and New (New Anglican Edition, 1996) Remembering with Feeling Welcome & Introduction Prayer Song: God is love, his the care (HO&N 169) Remembering with Sadness & Regret Talk: Then (poppies, Flanders fields, images of WW1/2) Poem: I went to see the Soldiers I went to see the soldiers, row on row on row, And wondered about each so still, their badges all on show. What brought them here, what life before Was like for each of them? What made them angry, laugh, or cry, These soldiers, boys and men. Some so young, some older still, a bond more close than brothers These men have earned and shared a love, that's not like any others They trained as one, they fought as one They shared their last together That bond endures, that love is true And will be, now and ever. I could not know, how could I guess, what choices each had made, Of how they came to soldiering, what part each one had played? But here they are and here they'll stay, Each one silent and in place, Their headstones line up row on row They guard this hallowed place. Song optional Talk: Now (images of war today)
Prayers with Map (Map on floor; poppy petals placed on places of war) (We pray while standing around the map): We pray for these parts of the world highlighted on our map Lord, where neighbour is set against neighbour, please bring peace. Where the weak and helpless are beaten by the mighty, please bring justice. Where children are forces to fight, please bring them freedom. Where hatred means war and revenge continues, please bring forgiveness. Where people depend on their own strength and beliefs, rather than depending on you, please bring humility. We remember these countries, these people, these places, as we pray to you, Jesus, Prince of Peace, for peace throughout the world. Amen. The Lord s Prayer 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. Hymn: There is a Green Hill (HO&N 499) Remembering with Thankfulness Talk
Poem: Remembrance Day by Lindsay Wankel (aged 12) To my grandpa Elmar Knutson The things they did for you and me, The things some people never see, The lives that were lost By war and gunshots The pain they shared The death they compared The people they saved The laws they made All of us We owe them our trust Because of the things they did. Making a Poppy Wreath (Abide with me is played as all place their poppy in the wreath, standards are collected and the congregation move to the lychgate for an Act of Remembrance) Act of Remembrance The wreath is placed at the memorial. Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping those who have died for their country in war; those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure; and all who have lived and died in the service of their fellows, seeking justice and peace. The list of those to be remembered by name may be read. 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. We will remember them. Silence is kept When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today. We will remember them. We will remember them.
(All return to their places in church; standards are placed at the altar) Hymn: O God our help in ages past (HO&N 366) Remembering with Hope Bible Reading 1 from Revelation 21 (c/o Brownies) I heard a loud voice from the throne (of heaven) saying, See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. And the one who was seated on the throne said, See, I am making all things new. Talk Lighting Candles We light this candle for forgiveness. May God forgive our violence and hated and help us love our enemies. We light this candle for healing. May God mend angry hearts and broken lives that the world might be healed. We light this candle for peacemaking. May God make us instruments of his peace, and help us live in friendship with those who are different from us. Amen. Song: Peace, perfect peace (HO&N 414) All are invited to light a candle and place it on the votive candlestand. Bible Reading 2: from Isaiah 2 The days are coming when God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Song: O Lord, all the world belongs to you. (HO&N 378) Blessing Refreshments Taken from a service by St. Peter s
Tasks: Images and songs on screen Poppy Wreath (use the one from All Souls?) 3 large Candles for lighting Votive candles Map Poppy petals Refreshments Talks Prayers Other parts