Water
Stratford Remembrance Service
Sunday 9th
November 2014
The Lord is here.
His spirit is with
us.
Introduction
We
meet in this centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, to
remember the many millions of fighters and civilians who died; to
think also of those who were terribly injured and traumatized, and to
remember the bereaved. We remember too all who have died and
suffered in conflicts since, and who still do today.
We
begin by remembering a suffering God.
Hymn: There
is a green hill far away
Act of Remembrance
Let
us remember in thanksgiving and sorrow those who have died in
conflict,
especially Herbert
Cadd, Kenneth
Henry, Francis
May, Thomas
Pearson, William
Hilsdon, Robert
Sikes.
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.
The Two-Minute Silence
Almighty
God, from whose love we cannot be parted, either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgiving 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading: August
1914 by John Masefield
Reading: From
1914-18: Voices from the Great War compiled by Lyn McDonald
Reading: Mark
8. 34-38: The Call to Sacrifice
Confession
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 his children.
Merciful God,
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.
Almighty
God,
who
forgives all who are truly sorry,
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.
Intercessions
Prayer
to the Holy Spirit
Hymn: Be
still, for the presence of the Lord
Reading: Revelation
21. 3-5a: A Vision of the Coming of God's Kingdom
We
pray for the coming of God's kingdom in the words of the Lord's
Prayer.
The
Peace Prayer used by people of many faiths
Lead me from Death
to Life,
from Falsehood to
Truth.
Lead me from Despair
to Hope,
from Fear to Trust.
Lead me from Hate to
Love,
from War to Peace.
Let Peace fill our
heart,
our world, our
universe.
Amen.
Reflection
on Sacrifice
Jesus
said, “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends.” (John 15. 13)
Today
we honour the sacrifice of those who have died in war. We give
thanks that members of our armed and emergency services and others
are still prepared to risk danger and death for our safety. Service
families too make sacrifices: long periods apart and anxious waits
for news when their loved ones are on active service, and the
disruption to careers, schooling and friendships caused by frequent
and unpredictable postings: we acknowledge their sacrifice too. We
are all called to serve others; not many are asked to die for others,
but to live for others is also a commitment and has a cost.
Act
of Commitment
Let
us pledge ourselves anew to a life of service, that we may help,
encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the
relief of those in need and the peace and welfare of all countries.
Lord God, we pledge
ourselves to serve others
in our homes, our
community and the world.
Guide us to strive
for peace and justice
and the relief of
want and suffering.
Give us wisdom; give
us courage; give us hope;
and keep us always
faithful.
Amen.
Offertory
Hymn: Father, hear the prayer we offer
The
Blessing
May
God give to us and all those for whom we pray
his
comfort and his peace,
his
light and his joy,
in
this world and the next;
and
may the blessing of Almighty God,
Creator,
Redeemer and Sanctifier,
be
among us and remain with us always.
Amen.