Remembrance Sunday
Easthampstead Parish Church
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An Order of Service for the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial Ü
An Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday Service Ü
An Order of Service for the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial
The Parade will start at the Parish Centre with the local civic dignitaries.
The ministers and choir will process to the memorial at approximately 10:55am.
¶ The Gathering
God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1
We meet in the presence of God.
We commit ourselves to work
in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the 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.
¶ Listening for the Word from God
Hear these words from the New Testament.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5.1-12
¶ Exhortation
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.
¶ Last Post
¶ Two minutes silence
¶ Revellie
¶ Kohima Epitaph
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow, we gave our today.
¶ Prayer
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
All Amen.
¶ The Lords Prayer
All Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
¶ Laying of Wreaths
¶ Blessing
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 people,
and live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer.
All Amen.
God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
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,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
This Act of Remembrance is followed immediately by the Remembrance Service in Easthampstead Parish Church
An Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday
Ministers and choir return to the Church. The Standards follow.
In the Church the ministers and choir will proceed to the front of the church and take their seats.
The standard bearers will remain at the back of the church.
Please note there will be a retiring collection for the Royal British Legion.
As you enter please be seated.
We gather together 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.
Please Stand.
During this hymn the standards will proceed to the front of the church. The Union and St George Standard will be led on the altar whilst the remain standards placed in the standard bases.
All present are requested to join in the singing:
♫ Hymn: I vow to thee, my country (579)
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there's another country I've heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
Words: Cecil Arthur Spring Rice (1859-1918)
Music: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Adapted by: Compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern Revised, 1950
Almighty God,
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 families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
through Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Please be seated for the readings.
Each reading will be introduced in turn by the presiding minister.
¶ Reading 1: Bible reading
The reading is taken from one of the following:
- Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd
- John 14.1-8 Do not let your heart be troubled
- John 15.9-17 Love one another, as I have loved you
- Romans 8.31-39 Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God
- 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 You need not grieve like those who have no hope
- 2 Thessalonians 2.13-16 Stand firm, or
- Revelation 21.1-7 Death will be no more
¶ Reading 2: War graves in our Graveyard and information
In our churchyard there are 7 graves of men who died as a result of World War 1.
6 graves have memorials erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
All Commonwealth war graves wherever they are in the world are the same size and shape and made from Portland stone.
The stones usually have the man’s name, date of death and the regiment he belonged to. It might also have a personal message from his family.
Those remembered in war graves in our churchyard are:
Gunner Harry Rixon died 15th October 1915 aged 24 years
Private Steven Sharp died 3rd December 1914 aged 19 years
Private Stanley Lydford-Prior died 1st November 1916 aged 18 years
Sapper Leonard Todd died 16th December 1917 aged 36 years
Private Henry Wharton died 23 October 1918 aged 18 years
Lance Corporal Thomas Glew died 5 January 1919
Bombadier Robert Sargeant died 28 February 1915 aged 23 years
Private Victor Sargeant died 2 November 1918 aged 31 buried in France
Please Stand.
All present are requested to join in the singing:
♫ Hymn: And did those feet in ancient time (576)
And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.
William Blake (1757-1827)
Music: Charles Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
¶ Sermon
Please Stand.
¶ Thanksgiving
We offer to Almighty God our thanksgiving for the many blessings with which he has enriched our lives.
For the King and his family, and all who under him bear the responsibility of government:
All Thanks be to God.
For those who serve in the Armed Forces of the
Crown on sea and land, and in the air:
All Thanks be to God.
For doctors, nurses, chaplains
and all who minister to those in need or distress:
All Thanks be to God.
For the unity of our people within the Commonwealth:
All Thanks be to God.
For the sacrifices made, especially in two world wars,
whereby our peace has been preserved:
All Thanks be to God.
For the Royal British Legion:
All Thanks be to God.
Please be seated or kneel for the prayers
¶ Prayers
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace:
for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
may God give peace.
All God give peace.
For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
may God give peace.
All God give peace.
For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
may God give peace.
All 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.
All God give peace.
For peacemakers and peacekeepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free;
may God give peace.
All 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.
All God give peace.
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
All Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us
All Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
¶ Reading 2: Anthem for doomed Youth
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.Sirens
by Wilfred Owen
¶ Reading 3: One Thousand Men Are Walking
One thousand men are walking
Walking side by side
Singing songs from home
The spirit as their guide
They walk toward the light milord
They walk towards the sun
They smoke and laugh and smile together
No foes to outrun
These men live on forever
In the hearts of those they saved
A nation truly grateful
For the path of peace they paved
They march as friends and comrades
But they do not march for war
Step closer to salvation
A tranquil steady corps
The meadows lit with golden beams
A beacon for the brave
The emerald grass untrampled
A reward for what they gave
They dream of those they left behind
And know they dream of them
Forever in those poppy fields
There walks one thousand men!
by Joshua Dyer
Please stand.
¶ Act of Commitment
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
All We will.
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
All We will.
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
All We will.
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 people,
and live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer.
All Amen.
Please remain standing.
The standards are collected from the Sanctuary.
The standard bearers form up at the front of the church and face the congregation.
All present are requested to join in the singing:
♫ Hymn: Amazing grace (587)
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
John Newton (1725-1807)
Music: probably of Scottish origin (unknown)
Harmonised: by John Barnard (b. 1948)
Please remain standing.
¶ Blessing
God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
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,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Please remain standing.
During the National Anthem the Union and St George Standards will be lowered, all other standards remain upright.
All present are requested to join in the singing:
♫ National Anthem (578)
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 reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
Author Unknown (c.1745)
Music: Thesaurus Musicus (c.1743)
Standard bearers leave followed by the Ministers and choir.
Please note there will be a retiring collection for the Royal British Legion.
Legal statements
[Order of Service] The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England: Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, Common Worship: Times and Seasons, copyright © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England. Used by permission.
[Scripture quotations are from] New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Bible, copyright © 1989, 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
[Music reproduction] CCL Licence no 63819.