St Clement Church Community Remembrance Sunday Service 2022
Good morning to you, as we join together in our church building or at home, to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. On Friday 11th at 11am a wreath laying service will take place at St Clement War Memorial led by Liz Davies. Our service on Sunday will begin at the later time of 10.45.
May Christ’s love sustain you this day and always.
Much love and God Bless, Rev Di and family xx
The Greeting
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
We meet in the presence of God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Hymn; ‘O God our help in ages past’
We gather this morning in penitence and faith, to pray for reconciliation between nations, that all people may, together live in freedom,
justice and peace.
We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain, continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.
We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.
Hymn; ‘O Valiant Hearts’
Act of Remembrance
As usual today on Remembrance Sunday, The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals will hold a special service at the Animals War Memorial in London at 3.00pm to honour the animals who ‘also served’ but ‘had no choice’. During the Battle of the Somme in WW1, 9 million horses, donkeys and mules died. Many of those not killed on the battlefields were slaughtered for food after the war – some reward for faithful service. The many service dogs were either abandoned or shot, and the carrier pigeons were also despatched. War Dogs continue to serve in the military and many lose their lives during their protection duties.
The Royal British Legion now recognise the service of animals in war, and support the laying of wreaths to commemorate those lives lost.
A picture of the wreath laid today in church will be sent to the head offices of both societies as a recognition that we at St Clement have remembered 'those who also served in human conflict’
Let us remember before God and commend to His safe 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 the peoples of the world.
The Laying of the Wreaths
(Red Poppy, and Purple)
‘They shall not grow old as we who 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.
The Last Post
(Followed by 2 minutes silence)
The Reveille
Prayer of Commemoration
Let us pray;
Ever-living God, we remember all those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples
and establish harmony among the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“The Soldier” Rupert Brooke
If I should die, think only this of me:
that there’s some corner of a foreign field
that is forever England.
There shall be in that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
a dust whom England bore, shaped,
made aware, gave once, her flowers to love,
her ways to roam.
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
a pulse in the eternal mind,
no less gives somewhere back
the thoughts by England given;
her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
and laughter, learnt of friends;
and gentleness, in hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
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.
God bless our native land,
May heaven’s protective hand
Still guard our shore.
May peace his power extend,
Foe be transformed to friend
And Britain’s rights depend
On war no more.
Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore.
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be;
And form one family
The wide world o’er.
Act of Penitence
Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world;
its pride, its selfishness, its greed; its evil divisions and hatreds.
Let us confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to seek and establish that peace which God wills for all his children.
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.
Absolution
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect
Let us pray: Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all;
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the family of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to His just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings
2 Thessalonians 3. 6-13
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
This is the word of the Lord.
(Thanks be to God)
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (21. 5-19)
(Glory to you, O Lord)
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’
And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them. ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. (Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
‘The family has been told.’
These are words we hear, all too often, from our radios and televisions, and read in our papers. ‘The Family has been told.’
More often than not, they’re the final words used in an article telling us that yet another member of the Armed Forces has been killed in conflict or by tragic accident. Whenever I hear or read those words I place before God the life that has been taken; then I remember in prayer those who have been told: a partner left alone and bereft; the child who’ll never again experience that parent’s embrace, parents who have lost a son or daughter; I remember those who may well have fought to keep the person alive. ‘The Family has been told.’
I have at home the letters my grandmother received from the War Office in 1941, when her son went missing in action whilst serving with Bomber Command in World War Two. Even though his plane hadn’t returned that fateful night from the raid over Germany, the letters contained hope, offering comfort that perhaps the plane had been shot down, but landed safely, and the crew were now prisoners of war. It wasn’t until the last letter arrived, months later, edged in black, that hope ended, and our family joined the long list of those who’d been ‘told.’
We come together this Remembrance Sunday to join in solidarity with those who, both down the generations and to this present day, ‘have been told’ of the death of a serving loved one.
We remember those who have made that ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for this country, for our freedom, so we might enjoy the gift of peace.
Today is an act of remembrance we have to carry out in our own homes; but we also join with people throughout this land to pause, remember, and give thanks. We remember as a nation, we remember as a family.
As a family we place before God the pain and futility of war, remembering not only those involved in direct combat, but also the innocent victims of war: the children, the elderly, those who lose their homes and livelihoods, as we see all too clearly is happening in Ukraine today. We bring before God and remember all the animals used in past conflicts, as well as the Military Dogs used in modern warfare today.
As a family we pray for a better world and remember God’s purpose for us revealed in Jesus Christ, who came as the Prince of Peace.
That purpose revealed that above all, we should live as one; and that God loves each one of us equally, irrespective of race, creed, colour, or nationality. ‘The Family has been told.’
When I hear or read those words I also place before God those who have to do the telling; those whose responsibility it is to contact the family, those who have to take the long painful walk up the path, knock on the door and utter words that mean life will never be the same again.
As an Officiating Chaplain to the Military I witness that responsibility, and it is heart breaking.
We offer our support by sharing this service today, and by those able to attend the wreath laying service on Wednesday. By our words and our actions, by displaying a Poppy in our window at home, we say to the bereaved families; ‘We will remember them.’
And as we remember them, their sacrifice made, we also have the responsibility to pray that the freedom and the peace they fought for, the fight our Armed Forces continue to be involved in, will not be in vain.
That by God’s grace, the nations of this world divided and torn apart by the ravages of war may be healed and made whole.
As we recall the sacrifice of the many, let us remember yet again those words; ‘The Family has been told.’
Lest we forget the grief that lies behind them.
Amen.
Act of Commitment
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.
Hymn ‘Eternal Father strong to save’
Our Intercessions are written by Liz Davies
Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples, and establish harmony to all nations. Father of all, remember your holy promise and look with love on all your people living and departed. On this day we especially ask that you hold forever all who have suffered during war, those who returned scarred by warfare, those who waited anxiously at home, and those who returned home wounded and disillusioned; those who mourned and those communities that were diminished and suffered loss. Remember too, those who acted with kindly compassion, those who bravely risked their own lives for their comrades, and those in the aftermath of war, who worked tirelessly for a more peaceful world. As you remember them, remember us, O Lord; grant us peace in our time and a longing for the day when people of every language, race and nation will be brought into the unity of Christ’s kingdom.
Lest we forget, lest we forget:
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
As we remember those from bygone wars, we remember those who are suffering from war now. We pray for the people of Ukraine and those in other war-torn areas of the world. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort may draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all the innocent children, at risk and in fear; please hold and protect them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Lord, help us to waste none of today’s hours and to miss none of today’s opportunities. Thank you for the gifts you have given us – individually and collectively – and help us to use them to further your Kingdom here on earth. Eyes to see and perceive, ears to hear and listen, hands to work and create, minds to think and innovate, memories to remember and learn from, hearts to love and worship.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for our community: For teachers and their pupils facing yet another difficult year. For healthcare and social workers in their mission to improve the wellbeing of those who are sick and unwell. For those in the armed forces as they prepare for their next challenges in a dangerous world. For volunteers, carers and those who undertake work for which they are not paid. For our church today and in the coming weeks as we discern your will. Lord, guide and inspire our community, in all we do this week, and in the weeks to come.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for all who are sick, in body, mind or spirit, for those who are in trouble and fear, for those who are anxious because someone is ill or in pain, for those who are lonely. Lord, bless: Those who are tired because they have too much to do. Those who are struggling with financial problems. Those who are unhappy because of unkind words or actions. Lord, surround those in need with your wisdom, your Spirit, your healing, and your life-giving peace.
We especially remember, at this time: Reverend Di and Ken, Alison and Rob, Terry and Dot, Margaret, Maureen, Brian, Rupert and Linda, Paul and Jan, Lyn, Stephen, Mary, those known to each of us and those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Lord, welcome into your eternal kingdom, all those who have died. We know that they are safe in your hands but we ask your blessing on all who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Lord, we thank you for this moment, this place, and this world. We give ourselves to you. Take us out – as changed people. Ask much of us, expect much of us. Living Lord, accept our lives and accept our prayers this day and every day. You have the words of eternal life and in you we trust.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Gathering our prayers and praise into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us. 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. 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; ‘He who would valiant be’
Blessing
God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest,
to the Church, and all humanity, unity, peace and concord;
and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us those whom we love, and remain with us always. Amen.
'When you go home, tell them of us and say,
for their tomorrow, we gave our today'.