SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

Words in bold type are said by all.     Words in normal type are said by a minister or reader.     Italics are for instructions

Gathering
The people and clergy gather in silence
The presiding minister reads the following sentence, 
and may add others.
God is our refuge and strength;
a very present help in trouble.
			Psalm 46.1
The presiding minister continues
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. 
Remembering
An older person says
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
A young person may reply 
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them.
All affirm
We will remember them.
The beginning of the two-minute silence may be signalled
Silence
The completion of the silence may be signalled 
The following prayer is said:
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 among the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

Listening for the Reassuring Word from God
The following hymn may be sung 
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;
Beneath the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy 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.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
The following is read 
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down his disciples came to him.  Then 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

Praying Together
Prayer is led:
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, 
and ask that God give us peace.
For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered and known to God. 
God give us peace
God give us peace
For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss. 
God give us peace
God give us 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.
God give us peace
God give us 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.

God give us peace
God give us 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.
God give us peace
God 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 dignity as we 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.
Amen.
The presiding minister says:
Gathering our prayers and remembrance into one, 
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us 
All join together in the Lord’s Prayer
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.
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. Amen

Responding in hope and commitment 
Representative and other members of the public come forward to lay wreaths, light candles or offer other symbols of remembrance and hope, such as single flowers or crosses.
The Kohima Epitaph is said:
When you go home
tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow
we gave our today.
The act of commitment is made 
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living 
and faithful service.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
We will
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
We will
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
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.
Amen.
National Anthem 
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the queen 

Blessing
The presiding minister says:
God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth 
and all people, peace and concord,
and to us and all his servants life everlasting,
and the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit 
be with you all evermore. 
Amen.