Service of Remembrance

God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1

I lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121.1-2

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.
Lam 3.21-23

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Rev 21.4

Wreaths are laid at the cenotaph:

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 Last Post is sounded
two minutes’ silence is kept
 

We sing together:

1.  O God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
our Shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal Home.

2.  Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is Thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.

3.  Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting Thou art God,
to endless years the same.

 4.  A thousand ages in Thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

 5.  Time, like an ever-rolling stream
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

 6. O God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
be Thou our Guard while life shall last,
and our eternal Home!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27
 

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

For the families and friends of service men and women who have died in the violence of war:
May God give peace
God give peace

for all members of the armed forces who are in danger today, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return:
May God give peace
God give peace

for civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity:
May God give peace
God give peace

for peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free:
May God give peace
God give peace

for all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace:
May God give peace
God give peace

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

When you go home tell
them of us and say,
for your tomorrow
we gave our today.                           Kohima Epitaph

Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service:

Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all who trust in You, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer.  Amen

The National Anthem is sung

God grant us grace, to the Church,
the King, the Commonwealth
and all people, unity, peace and concord,
and to us and all God’s servants,
life everlasting:

And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with us all and remain with us always.

Amen