Processional hymn (Please stand) (The wreaths are taken to the altar)
Guide me, O my great Jehovah
- Guide me, O my great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
- Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
- When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you. (by William Williams – 1717 to 1791)
Welcome
Minister: We are here to worship Almighty God, whose purposes are good; whose power sustains the world He has made; who loves us, though we have failed in His service; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; who by His Holy Spirit leads us in His way.
As we give thanks for His great works, we remember those who have lived and died in His service and in the service of others: we pray for all who suffer through war and are in need: we ask for His help and blessing that we may do His will, and that the whole world may acknowledge Him as Lord and King.
Confession
Minister: We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
Therefore we say together.
Almighty God, we confess our sins and shortcomings, our pride, selfishness and greed: all evil and hatred that divides us from our fellow humans. We confess to you our share in what is wrong, our failure to seek and establish the peace you want for all people. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
All: Amen.
The minister offers the promise of God’s mercy.
Our Reading is taken the Gospel According to – Matthew Chap: 25
1 “At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise.
3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them,
4 while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps.
5 The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep.
6 “It was already midnight when the cry rang out, “Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!’
7 The ten young women woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8 Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, “Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9 “No, indeed,’ the wise ones answered, “there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.’
10 So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed.
11 “Later the others arrived. “Sir, sir! Let us in!’ they cried out.
12 “Certainly not! I don’t know you,’ the bridegroom answered.”
13 And Jesus concluded, “Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.
These are the words of Christ
All: Thanks be to God
Sermon Notes for Remembrance Day –
I started thinking about this reflection as soon as Margaret asked me if I would lead the service and I had in fact written half a sermon before I took some holiday with the thought to finish when I returned.
Return I did but when I reviewed what I had written so far, I realised that I had simply gone on a rant about the injustice, cruelty and iniquity of conflict in general. It was a good rant but it’s not what we need today. We don’t need to be reminded of how horrible war and armed conflict is. We see or hear of it pretty much daily on the news, currently Ukraine, Iran, Israel Sudan and that’s just the big ones. There’s plenty else going on elsewhere that doesn’t get such attention from the media. There are plenty to choose from – since the second world war there have been over one hundred wars or armed conflicts involving over sixty individual nations. We really don’t need me going on and amplifying the noise.
What we need to use today is memory. – not of the actual battles and instances of conflict – look at the history books and listen to the news if you want that.
We need memory today of the consequences of all this armed conflict – memory concerning ourselves and those who were involved directly in the battles and general activity of the times.
Looking at it clinically, you can say that there were basically two groups of people in the mix during times of armed conflict. Firstly, those who are directly involved in the fighting in the Army, the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force in whatever form it takes and secondly those who are not directly fighting but caught up in the situation around them that has developed.
Either way, these are the times and the people we bring to mind today, many of which we have lived through in our own lives.
I guess the majority of us here will not have had direct involvement in warfare. Even at my age I was not called upon to do National Service which thrust prior generations on to the front line.
But many will remember the consequences of the Second World War – the rationing that lasted until 1953 – the shortages of many fairly ordinary things and the whole temperament of make do and mend because you simply could not get replacement’s… Conflicts after that time I feel did not involve most of us so directly but the general upset of conflict within the world can have its effect, as anyone at the moment buying petrol or diesel knows to their cost
Even so, it’s not the economic consequences that we should remember today. It’s just the people. – soldier, seamen, air force folk and also civilians, all bearing the burdens of the machinations of those who have risen to political and/or physical power and inflict their desires for conquest and further power on the populations, using their undoubted gift of persuasion and warped logic to persuade. We look and remember today the damage caused by the conflicts on those who were willingly or unwillingly caught up in the thrust of aggression caused by those at the top grasping for power.
So, let’s think more now about people. I had assumed that remembering and memory are about the same thing, but they are not.
This day, Remembrance Sunday, is for some folks about personal memory. There may be people among us here this morning for whom active service at a time of war or armed conflict is a personal memory and experience and is an important part of who they are – those who have given of themselves to serve their nation. – those who recall friends and colleagues who fought alongside, some of whom did not come back, giving their lives in the cause of freedom and others who did come back, who did survive the horrors who continue to have to fight an ongoing battle against physical or mental infirmity suffered as a result of their service, these are very much part of those whose memory we honour today.
But a combat becomes an increasingly specialised and technical activity the numbers of those involved in active service continues to diminish. There will be fewer people with direct personal experience and personal memories of conflict but wars continue and the remembering continues.
Remembering is an interesting word, especially if you pull it apart a bit and think of re–membering – a putting back together of separated fragments, sometimes very obscure fragments that go to make the whole. – fragments that when all joined together to make the whole can make more sense of the particular situation of conflict.
On these Remembrance Day we almost automatically think first of the two world wars, remembering those who served in our armed force but not forgetting the involvement and role of civilians and the immense toll of injury and death suffered in our towns and cities. Nor must we forget those who have served in the armed forces since that time – involved in conflicts far away on our behalf where there has been further sacrifice in the cause of Queen and country. Because of the enormity and world involvement there are literally millions of fragments to re-assemble, to re-member and see the whole picture.
But what do we have when all the pieces are back together?
One thing for sure is an affirmation that at all costs evil must never be allowed to triumph in the affairs of mankind. We must hold on to the fact that God did not create so people or races of people superior to others. God created all people equal and fighting for this value is immensely costly in terms of human life. It is a terrible price to be paid for fighting against the dark force that would have it otherwise.
Today we express our thanks, our heartfelt gratitude for those who suffered and died and those that were injured in the cause and express a renewal of our own resolve to fight and overcome the evil of armed conflict perpetrated by misguided and gullible people who have attached themselves to evil organisations that would destroy peace.
If we give up remembering we run the danger of forgetting those basis values Jesus quoted when asked which were the greatest commandments. Love God, love your neighbour. God knows we need to heed those two laws more than ever when we look around at the world situation at this very moment. Remembering equips us all the better to be living in the present and doing our part in promoting God love and law in the world.
As Christian’s, we do find ourselves in a place of tension. On one hand there is our determination to fight evil wherever it raises its ugly head but on the other hand equating that with Jesus teaching that we should be peacemakers. Now isn’t really the time to debate this paradox but practicality dictates that there are occasions when a nation simply has to get physically involved in open conflict to combat the threat from misguided leaders elsewhere whose desire is to change the world for evil. Most of us are old enough to realise that there are no easy answers while God’s laws are ignored.
Over time, although the personal memories have receded into the past, the remembering and gratitude continue. Today is not entirely about re-living the 20th and 21st century wars and armed incidents, but remembering the whole past in order to help us live in the present. Our Christian faith and re-rembering helps us to build on the foundations of our historic faith so that we can live lives today in which we know and prove the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to inform and direct our thoughts and action.
If we Christians stop remembering, we lose the plot. That is why year after year w revisit the seasons and Christian festivals – Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost – each time we bring another year’s experience of Christian living to our remembrance.
As we recall those who died and suffered injury in the service of this country today, we give thanks for them – for their courage and dedication and their legacy, the peace and freedom we enjoy in this country. We remember the peace and freedom that Jesus offers to each of us, also won at a price as he gave his own life, dying for us on that cross of shame and degradation.
Re-rembering matters if we are to live in the present with an eye on the experience of the past.
May God through his Holy Spirit give us the wisdom we need to interpret our remembering and to live according to his will.
Amen
Hymn – Eternal Father, Strong to Save
- Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
- O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
- Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
- O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee - Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
- (by William Whiring – 1825 to 1878)
Act of Remembrance
(all stand)
Let us remember before God those who have died for their country in war, those whom we know and whose memory we treasure: and all who have lived and died in the service of
mankind.
We are Silent
Voice 1:
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.
Voice 2:
When you go home Tell them of us and say For your tomorrow We gave our today.
Minister: Lord God, you hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our anger and sorrows. Give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. In Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Prayers (please sit or kneel,)
We say together
Our Father, which 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 them that 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.
All: Amen.
Prayers
Our prayers are led by a church member.
Offertory Hymn – Judge Eternal, Thronged in Splendour
- Judge eternal, thronged in splendour,
Lord of lords and King of kings,
with your living fire of judgement
purge this realm of bitter things;
comfort all its wide dominion
with the healing of your wings. - Weary people still are longing
for the hour that brings release,
and the city’s crowded clamour
cries aloud for sin to cease;
and the countryside and woodlands
plead in silence for their peace. - Crown, O Lord, your own endeavour,
cleave our darkness with your sword,
cheer the faint and feed the hungry
with the richness of your word;
cleanse the body of this nation
through the glory of the Lord. (by H S Holland 1847 to 1918)
Act of Commitment
We commit ourselves this day to working with God’s Holy Spirit to bring in God’s Kingdom.
Heavenly Father, you came in Jesus to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the captives, and salvation to
Minister: Your people. Anoint us with your Spirit and rouse us to work in His name. Father by your Spirit:
All: Bring in Your Kingdom.
Minister: Send us to bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Father by your Spirit:
All: Bring in Your Kingdom
Minister: Send us to tell the Good News of your healing love. Father by your Spirit:
All: Bring in Your Kingdom
Minister: Send us to proclaim that the time is here for You to save Your people.
Father by your Spirit:
All: Bring in Your Kingdom
Minister: Lord of the church:
All: Here our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Amen.
(Please stand as we sing)
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.
- Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
Closing Blessings
Creator God,
you give seed for us to sow,
and bread for us to eat;
make us thankful for what we have received
and generous in supplying the needs of others
so all the world may give you thanks and glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Recessional Hymn – O God our help in ages past
- O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home: - Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defence is sure. - Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same. - A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun. - Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day. - Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come:
O be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home. (by Isaac Watts, 1719)
© 702211